Movies Analysis: Memento

[Exams]

There will be four (4) exams. The tentative scheduled dates for the exams are on the syllabus. Each exam will be worth 100 points. In-class exams are based on the material covered during the period between exams. You are responsible for all material covered in class (i.e., lecture material, discussions, presentations, video clips, class examples, etc.) as well as material covered by your textbook that is not reviewed in class. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, or essay questions. The FINAL will NOT be comprehensive, it will cover only the last one-third of the course. Make up exams will only be considered for a truly compelling reason (with verifying documents).

[I Papers]

You have the opportunity to apply your newfound knowledge of psychology to current issues in psychology or in popular culture. These 3 papers, 4 pages in length (typed & double spaced) should be reflections of what you have learned about a topic and how it relates to a topic or popular portrayal.

A. Assignment #1: Consists of Two (2) assigned papers (the Movie Analysis papers) that will allow you to apply what you have learned in evaluating and  critiquing the portrayal of psychology in movies. I will provide a list of suggested movies that would address the topic covered that week in class. You may choose any movie. For example, when we discuss memory, you will have the option of watching the film MEMENTO and critiquing the movie’s portrayal of amnesia. You should summarize the issues in about a page, and the rest of the paper should critique the film’s notions of psychology. Check the last page for a list of the topics, and movies. You will be graded both on the justification of your argument and on the clarity of your writing. The due date for the papers (2) is THURSDAY., DEC. 1st @ 11:59pm.

B. Assignment #2: Choose any psychological finding or theory from class that interests you. Describe it to someone you know, ask for their reaction, and discuss both your opinion and the opinions of the interviewees on the findings. Then, write a 4-page reaction paper (double spaced with 1 inch margins and 11-12 point standard font, with the text starting at the top of the first page!) describing the findings, your thoughts about it and theirs, and any new ideas or insights that emerge from your discussion. The due date for this paper is THURSDAY., DEC. 8th @ 11:59pm ALL PAPERS ARE TO BE SENT VIA CANVAS (FILE UPLOADS). NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR EITHER OF THE ASSIGNMENTS.

[Grading]

Please note that the final course grade will be based on the distribution of total points accumulated during the semester. Any bonus points will be added to the total score (i.e. college Student Learning Objectives).