SP

GPS 110 Course Notes

Instructor and Contact

  • Instructor: Olga Leia Rahabi (professor for GPS 110)
  • Email: olga.rajabitura.edu (communication is via email for questions/concerns or attendance issues)
  • Response times: typically within 24 hours on weekdays; within 48 hours on weekends

Course Description

  • The course surveys major theories of personality and their impact on contemporary personality psychology.
  • Theories covered include Freud, Adler, Horney, Erikson, Allport, Isengs, Kelly, Maslow, Rogers, Skinner, and Bandura (as listed in the transcript; note some names appear with typographical errors in the source).
  • Focus on how these theories inform current understanding and research in personality psychology.

Course Format and Platform

  • Entirely online synchronous class conducted via Zoom; no on-campus requirement.
  • Course materials and activities delivered through the Toro College Learning Management System (Canvas).
  • This is not a self-paced course: attendance every Thursday is mandatory for successful completion.
  • All readings and assignments are accessed through Canvas; discussions occur both in Zoom and on Canvas.
  • Do not email assignments for grading; everything must be submitted on Canvas.

Attendance, Participation, and Presence

  • Attendance and participation are mandatory and factor into the final grade.
  • In-class discussions occur in Zoom (group work) and on Canvas (asynchronous discussion posts).
  • Class participation and Canvas discussions contribute to the final grade.
  • Students should be prepared to spend a minimum of 6 hours per week on coursework for a 3-credit class (out-of-class work).

Technology, Access, and Requirements

  • Use a computer for class; phones may not support in-class assessments.
  • Camera must be on during class sessions.
  • Classes start around 06:05; attendance and login by 06:10; lecture begins at 06:15; late login is not allowed for exams.
  • If you encounter technical difficulties, contact Canvas support or the IT help desk; phone numbers are provided by the college.
  • The instructor is not a dedicated tech support person; learners should invest time to learn Canvas if unfamiliar.

Readings and Textbook

  • Textbook: Theories of Personality, 10th edition (author listed as Rickman Richard in the transcript; publisher information included elsewhere).
  • Readings, homework, and research projects rely on the textbook.
  • Reading schedule aligns with chapters 1–2 in the next class; chapters will continue sequentially (Freud, Jung, Adler, Coranay, Erickson, Coohu, etc.).
  • The textbook will be used for homework, readings, and the research paper.
  • If possible, an e-book may be preferred for quicker access; extra time is allotted if the book is not available in e-book format.

Research Paper: Topic and Requirements

  • Students will select one theorist from the textbook (16 or 17 chapters; the transcript notes there are 16 theorists). Choose a theorist of interest, not just the first in the chapter order.
  • Research paper topic due date: the eighteenth (next class) or earlier if you complete sooner.
  • Paper length: 7 pages (not including title page and references page).
  • APA style: in-text citations and reference page required; four to five sources minimum, including the textbook as one source.
  • Accepted sources: one book (textbook can count), one or two scholarly articles, and one website. Website sources must be from
    • .gov or .org domains; .edu domains are possible with instructor approval. No other .com sites unless approved.
  • Citations: all ideas and results from sources must be properly cited.
  • Research resources: University Writing Center offers free online Zoom sessions or in-person help for APA style.
  • Research topic submission: you type in the name of the theorist you are researching when submitting the topic.
  • Presentations: PowerPoint presentations and the research paper topic share a sign-up process for presentation dates; all students will have a scheduled slot.

Timeline and Key Dates (Overview)

  • Next class topics: Chapters 1 and 2; continue with Freud, Jung, Adler, Coranay, then Erickson and Coohu.
  • Midterm exam: October 23; conducted on Zoom with Canvas; timed; two hours; requires camera on and be logged into Zoom and Canvas.
  • Final exam: January 13; same Zoom/Canvas requirements; no makeups.
  • Winter break period: course continues through December; presentations begin on December 4; evaluations may occur in December and into January as noted (including a potential December 18 wrap and a January 8 last class in the transcript).
  • As the semester progresses, students will be asked to participate in online course evaluations and college assessment activities.

Exams: Rules and Logistics

  • Exams are timed with a two-hour limit.
  • You must be logged into Zoom with camera on and be logged into Canvas during the exam.
  • No make-up exams are offered; plan accordingly and be on time.
  • For exams, the policy emphasizes strict adherence to Zoom camera and login requirements.

Grading and Assessments

  • Final grade components include:
    • Midterm: 20\%
    • Final: 20\%
    • Research paper: 20\%
    • Research paper PowerPoint presentation: 10\%
    • In-class/Canvas discussions: 10\%
    • Attendance, camera on, participation, and homework: 20\%
  • Important: a missing camera or non-participation lowers points; camera-on is a university requirement, not just the instructor’s preference.
  • Makeup exams are not available.

Academic Integrity and Ethics

  • All students must complete and acknowledge the Academic Integrity Statement under Assignments.
  • Students must familiarize themselves with the Toro College academic policy.
  • Proper citation of all ideas, results, and words from others is required.
  • APA style is mandatory for all coursework, including homework and the research paper.
  • When citing from the textbook, reference it appropriately; for the research paper, include four to five sources in APA style.
  • The course emphasizes professional ethics and respect for fellow students’ academic progress; do not engage in or facilitate academic dishonesty.

APA and Writing Resources

  • All work must adhere to APA style; in-text citations and reference lists required.
  • The University Writing Center offers free online Zoom sessions or in-person support for APA formatting and writing.

Presentations and Monitoring Progress

  • Research paper presentations will begin on December 4; sign-up for presentation dates will be arranged next class.
  • Students will discuss the rubric for APA-style research papers and PowerPoint presentations in upcoming sessions.
  • The instructor will help students pick a topic that aligns with their interests and the course content; avoid rushing to Freud or Jung; explore other theorists (e.g., Bandura, Skinner, Maslow, Rogers) later in the term.

Additional Support and Policies

  • If you need tech assistance (Canvas usage, uploading files), contact Canvas support or the IT help desk; there are helplines available.
  • Office hours: after class; preference given to students who email first to schedule a meeting.
  • Communication must include your name and the class you are from; incomplete identification will delay responses.
  • For questions, you may use the ASQ instruction board in Canvas, but email is preferred for faster replies.
  • The syllabus includes a Q&A session; some common questions addressed include prerequisites and whether to take this course if GPS 110 prerequisites are not met.

Key Takeaways for Preparation

  • Obtain and review the textbook before the next class; chapters 1–2 are the initial focus.
  • Prepare to discuss Freud, Jung, Adler, and contributions of Erikson, Horney, Maslow, Rogers, Skinner, Bandura, and others as the course progresses.
  • Readings, assignments, and discussions are all managed through Canvas; ensure you are comfortable with Canvas workflows.
  • Plan your study time to meet the 6-hour weekly expectation and keep up with weekly readings before class.
  • Begin thinking about your research paper topic now; select a theorist you are passionate about and assemble your source list (4–5 sources) with APA formatting.

Quick Reference: Essential Dates and Numbers (LaTeX-formatted)

  • Minimum weekly effort: 6 hours per week
  • In-class start times and login requirements: login by 06:10, lecture at 06:15
  • Exam duration: 2 hours
  • Midterm date: October 23
  • Final date: January 13
  • Paper length: 7 pages (excluding title and references pages)
  • Paper sources: 4-5 sources minimum
  • Course grading weight (camera-on participation included): 20\%+20\%+20\%+10\%+10\%+20\% = 100\%

End of Notes

  • If you have any other questions, bring them to the next class or email the instructor to set up a meeting after class.