PSY 354 – History & Systems of Psychology

Spring 2009

Presentation Instructions

Each student will be required to take part in a group presentation during the second half of the course.  The presentation is worth 200 points.  The project folder that you turn in, together with my feedback form, will also serve as the required ePortolio artifact for this course. 

Each presentation will cover an important school of psychology, selected from the following list: 

• Classical behaviorism (emphasize Pavlov, Watson)
• Neobehaviorism/respondent conditioning (emphasize Skinner, behavior therapy)
• Freudian psychoanalysis
• Humanistic/existential psychology (emphasize May, Maslow, Rogers)

Each group should have about 4-5 members, depending on the final enrollment of the course.  I will furnish sign-up sheets in class beginning January 20, so be thinking about what group you want to be in.

Your presentation will be allotted an entire 75-minute class period.  It should cover the following three major areas:

• Basic ideas of the theory.  Explain what proponents of this school of thought believe about human behavior—what shapes it, what causes problems, how people change.
• Application and contributions of the theory.  How is this theory used in therapy or other settings?  How has the theory contributed to the field of psychology—in understanding human behavior and/or in helping people?
• Integration of the theory with the principles of Christianity.  How are the basic views of your theory consistent or inconsistent with the basic principles of Christianity?  (Hint:  Some theories are consistent in some ways and inconsistent in others, some may be consistent or inconsistent depending on how they are used.)  Do NOT offer biblical proof texts; rather, look at the theory’s consistency with “big” themes such as creation, grace, redemption, sin, healing, etc.

Presentation requirements:

• You may use the textbook, but it should NOT be your primary source.  You are not required to cover everything in the chapter about your area, nor are you limited to what the book covers.  Pick the people and topics that you think are important.  Suggested people are noted above.
• A Power Point presentation is required, and it will be graded based on how informative and interesting it is.  Some tips for Power Points:
  • Limit the amount of information on each slide.  Bullets are better than long sentences.
  • DO NOT READ THE POWER POINT SLIDES TO THE CLASS!!
  • Remember that the material is familiar to you but not to the class, so be sure to go slowly and give plenty of explanations and examples.  YOU SHOULD BE TEACHING, NOT RECITING.
• At a minimum, your presentation must include at least one interactive demonstration or exercise.  Feel free to go beyond the minimum requirements—doing the minimum only earns a C.  Don’t forget that you will be graded in part based on how interesting and creative your presentation is.  Make use of various media and activities, and get the class involved as much as possible. 
• Your group should have a minimum of 10 references (textbooks do not count in this total), which will be turned in to me in a bibliography, using APA format.  Again, doing the minimum will only earn you a C.

On the day of your presentation, each student should turn in a folder to me.  It must include the following components, in the following order:

• Title page, including the title of the presentation, your name, course title & number, my name, date of presentation
• A page describing your individual contribution to the group project
• Power Point slides or outline (for the ENTIRE presentation, not just your part)
• Description of interactive exercise and any other techniques used by your group
• Bibliography in APA format (for the ENTIRE presentation, not just your part)
• A one-page statement of your personal reflection on Christian integration issues

Please also turn in separately an evaluation of each of your group members, using the form provided to you.

The attached rubric will serve as the basis for your grade.  DOING THE MINIMUM WILL EARN YOU A “C.”  PLEASE REFER TO THE GRADING RUBRIC FOR REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS GRADES.