psy 3960 behavior analysis and minorities issues spring 2014 syllabus

PSY 3960 Behavior Analysis and Minority IssuesSpring 2014

Meeting time: 3:30pm- 4:45pm M & WLocation: Sangren 4310Instructor: Richard W. Malott, Ph.D., BCBA-DSystem Managers: Gina Cross, B.S. & Gaige Johnson, B.A.Co-Instructor(s): Justin Moore, M.S., & Brian MolinaTeaching Assistant: Erin McCarverEmail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] ; [email protected]

Office: Wood 2536Phone: (313) 212-4218Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 2-3pm

COURSE OBJECTIVES This course is designed to expose you to a behavior analytic view on relevant minority issues. Empirical articles and findings will be assigned to promote and encourage the development of a critical analysis of minority issues utilizing a behavior analytic framework. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to explain the importance of diversity in the field of behavior analysis, apply the fundamental principles of behavior to devise empirically objective solutions for minority issues that affect society, and combat misconceptions related to minority groups in America.

COURSE ORGANIZATIONThis seminar will follow a mixed discussion and lecture format. Within-class assignments may also be scheduled periodically. The lecture will provide a review of main concepts, and give you an opportunity to ask any clarification questions. In-class discussions are designed to give you a deeper understanding of the material, critically evaluate the material, and allow you learn from each other. During discussions, all opinions will be welcomed. Please be respectful of others in the class.

COURSE TEXT & MATERIALSo Skinner, B. F. (1974). About behaviorism. New York: Knopf; [distributed by Random

House.o Wise, T. (2011). White like me: reflections on race from a privileged son. Soft Skull

Press. o Tough, P. (2008). Whatever it takes: Geoffrey Canada's quest to change Harlem and

America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.O Selected articles and chapters

ATTENDANCEClass attendance is required. Should you have to miss a class, please contact one of the instructors of this course in advance. Two participation points will be deducted for every five minutes you are late.

mailto:[email protected]



EXPECTATION PAPERYou will be required to submit a one to two page expectation paper that explains your learning expectations for the course. These papers are to be submitted by the start of each class and are to be brought to each class. Five homework points will be deducted each day the assignment is late.

REFLECTION PAPERSYou will be required to submit a one to two page reflection papers for all of the assigned readings for each class. These papers are to be submitted by the start of each class and are to be brought to each class. Five homework points will be deducted each day the assignment is late.

INDIVIDUAL READINESS EXAMSYou will be required to take an individual readiness exam (IRE) every class to ensure that you have read the required readings. These exams will be short and will require you to apply the information you read to everyday experiences. Exams will be worth 20 points each, and you will have the opportunity to drop your two (2) lowest exam grades. There are no make-up exams. Please note that attendance will not always be taken, so the completion of your exam during class time will confirm your attendance.

PRESENTATIONSYou will be responsible for preparing two individual class presentations (midterm and final) that will cover a topic of your choice. Your midterm presentations should be at least 15 minutes in length, and illustrate your understanding of your individual topic. Prior to presenting to the class, you must submit your midterm presentation to a peer reviewer (Teaching Assistant) for feedback. Your final presentations should be 20 minutes in length, and should illustrate your understanding on how to apply behavioral principles to your chosen topic. Please review the following guidelines for presentations. You are responsible for knowing the contents of this syllabus:

o 1/22/14 Midterm topics should be submitted via e-learning o 1/26/14 Midterm Topics & Feedback will be returned o 2/12/14 Midterm Presentations begin o 3/10/14 Proposed behavioral intervention should be submitted via e-learning o 3/16/14 Proposed behavioral intervention feedback returnedo TBA Final Presentations Begin

GRADING POLICYYour grades will be posted online in E-learning every Friday at five. You are encouraged to keep track of your scores. To obtain an “A” in the course, you must earn a 92% or better in the following categories:

Participation/Attendance Homework Individual Readiness Exams

To use the matrix below, take your lowest percentage in either Participation or Homework and find it on the top row. Then, find your quiz percentage on the left hand column and then look for the letter grade that intersects between the two percentages on the matrix. This is your final grade in the course

Participation/Attendance & Homework

Grade 92 87 82 77 72 67 62 <61In

div

idu

al R

ead

ines

s E

xam

92 A BA B CB C DC D E

87 BA B CB C DC D E

82 B BC C DC D E

77 CB C DC D E

72 C DC D E

67 DC D E

62 D E

<61 E

Point BreakdownCategory Subcategory Points

Homework

Expectation Paper 20 pointsReflection Papers 15 points per week

Midterm Topic Proposal 30 pointsMidterm Project 100 points

Behavioral Intervention Proposal

30 points

Final Project 100 pointsPeer Review Assignment 20 Points

Individual Readiness Exam 20 points per examParticipation 15 points per class

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY POINTS (OAPS)You can earn OAPs for optional alternate activities of academic value that are scheduled outside of the regular classes. These points can count towards missed quizzes, absences and missed homework assignments. Optional Alternate Activities could include:

Writing reaction papers based on conferences or colloquia attended Participating in research projects Watching movies or reading books and additional articles related to the course Community Service with minority populations

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCTAs you know, WMU cannot tolerate academic misconduct. We expect students to be honest and act with integrity. You should read the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be

found at www.www.wmich.edu/catalog under Academic Policies, Student Rights and Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test. Turning in someone else’s homework as your own, doing someone else’s homework, assignment or test, copying someone else’s assignment or test answers, using unauthorized notes during tests, or copying text from sources without citing them (plagiarism) are all considered cheating.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATIONWe are committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with documented physical or learning disabilities. If you have a disability please contact me during the first week of class to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading, classroom experiences, and assignments. If necessary, I will meet with you and staff members of the Disabled Student Resources and Services office to formulate a written plan for appropriate accommodations.

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCESWe are dedicated to maintaining the rights of students to observe religious holidays. If you need to miss a class to observe a religious holiday, I request that you contact me a week in advance to discuss any arrangements.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTEWe want this class to be a place that is conducive to learning. Thus, we ask that you please be respectful and courteous to the instructors and your classmates. Also, please do not create unnecessary distractions in class that will disturb other students, such as talking loudly (keep voices to a whisper), leaving your seat unnecessarily, or using your cell phone during class. Please silence your cell phone before class begins.

Date Assignments Due/Readings

Quizzes Important Reminders

1/8/14(W)

Syllabus Don’t forget to read over the syllabus because you will have a quiz over it on Monday!

1/13/14(M)

Chapters 1-2 of About Behaviorism

Hayes & Toarmino (1995)

IRE #1 Quiz over

Syllabus Expectation

Paper due1/15/14

(W)Parenting & Early

Interventions

Sulzer-Azeroff (1997) Chapters 3-4 of About

Behaviorism Forehand & Kotchkick

(1996)

IRE #2

1/20/14(M)

NO CLASS (MLK Day)

1/22/14(W)

Education

Hart & Risley (1975) Kauffman et al. (2008)

Whatever It Takes (1 &2)

IRE #3 Reflection Paper

Don’t forget midterm topics are due today!

1/27/14(M)

Whatever It Takes (3 & 4)

Mimio Case Study

Reflection Paper IRE # 4

1/29/14(W)

Johnson & Layng Leon, et.al (2011) Layng & Layng (2012)

Reflection Paper IRE # 5

2/3/14(M)

Whatever It Takes ( 5, 6 &7)


2/5/14(W)

Whatever It Takes (Chapters 8 & 9)


2/10/14(M)

Whatever it Takes (Chapters 10 & 11)

Reflection Paper

2/12/14(W)

Midterm Presentations

2/17/14(M)


2/19/14(W)


2/24/14(M)

Social Issues

Steele (1995) White Like Me

(Chapters 1 &2)

Reflection Paper IRE #8

2/26/14(W)

White Like Me (Chapter 3)

Reflection Paper

Spring Break(3/3/14-3/7/14)

3/10/14(M)

White Like Me (Chapters 4& 5)

Reflection Paper Social Issues

Lecture (part one)

Don’t forget to submit proposed behavioral intervention for final presentation on E-Learning today!

3/12/14(W)


Reflection Paper Social Issues

Lecture (part two)3/17/14

(M) Sue (1983) White Like Me

(Chapters 7 & 8)

Reflection Paper IRE #9

3/19/14(W)


Bolling (2002)


3/24/14(M)

Malott (2007) White Like Me

(Chapter 10)


3/26/14(W)

Panel Discussion

3/31/14(M)

Final Presentations

4/2/14(W)

Final Presentations

4/7/14(M)

Final Presentations

4/9/14(W)

Final Presentations

4/14/14(M)

“White Like Me” Movie

4/16/12(W)

Ethics Discussion

4/21-4/25 Final Exam Week