Personality Theory (Fall 2005) Instructor: Dr. Linda M. Woolf

Office Hours:

Text:

• Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2005). Theories of Personality (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

• Camus, A. The Stranger. New York: Random House.

Course Description:

This course focuses on the major models of personality including Psychoanalytic, Neoanalytic, Learning, Dispositional, and Humanistic-Existential. During the term we will examine these models and approaches, the major theories representative of each, each theories methods and research, and will explore the assumptions about human nature which underlie each perspective. We will examine how people like Freud, Jung, Maslow, and others reached their conclusions about personality. In addition, we will apply various theorist's and traditions ideas in an analysis of the main character in Camus' The Stranger.

Course Objectives:

1. Objective: To become familiar with the major models and traditions related to the study of personality.
   Outcome: Students will be able to articulate the underlying themes, methodology, and assumptions of each model and tradtion.

2. Objective: To examine, in depth, specific theories under each of the major psychological models of personality. To examine each theories concepts and principles, their explanation of personality development, their assessment techniques, and their application to treatment of psychopathology.
   Outcome: Students will be able to articulate the major concepts and principles of each personality theory discussed in the class and in the text. Students will be able to articulate each theories assessment techniques and the theories approach to the treatment and understanding of psychopathology. Students will be able critically evaluate each theory.

3. Objective: To become familiar with a specific set of criteria which can be used to evaluate any theory of personality.
   Outcome: Students will be able to critically evaluate a theory of personality using the outlined criteria.

4. Objective: To explore an individual theorist's theory or explore a specific personality construct, in depth, through reading of original works.
   Outcome: Students will be able to write a paper analyzing original works of a particular theorist or theorists.

5. Objective:To develop the skills necessary to be able to draw on these theories to describe and explain an individual's personality or behavior.
   Outcome: Students will be able to use the various theorists ideas to explain the behavior of the main character in Camus book The Stranger.

Class Meetings:

Incoming Competency:

Course Requirements:

Three exams, five analysis papers, a written report, and a critique.

All grades will be assigned on a scale of 0 - 10 with:

90 - 100	A-,A	Superior Work
80 - 89	B-,B,B+	Good Work
70 - 79	C-,C,C+	Satisfactory Work
60 - 69	D,D+	Passing, but less than Satisfactory
Less than 60	F	Failing

Percent of Grade:

Examinations (3)	50%
Analysis Papers (4)	30%
Written Report	12%
Critique	8%

Examinations: Exams will include multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay. They will cover material presented in lecture,, readings, and discussion. Three exams will be given. Exams will constitute 50% of your final grade.

POLICY STATEMENTS: All exams must be taken on the date scheduled except in case of an emergency. In case of the above, the instructor must be notified in advance that a test is going to be missed. No make-up exams will be provided if you fail to notify and discuss your situation with the instructor. No extra credit work will be made available to make-up for a poor test grade.

Analysis Papers: The purpose of the analysis papers is to provide you the opportunity to apply a major theorist from each of the major categories of personality theorists to the character of The Stranger. Analysis papers will be worth 30% of your final grade. Each analysis paper must include examples from the book and lecture to support your analysis. Also, include aspects of the character's personality or behavior that the theory does not adequately explain. Dates when each analysis paper is due are listed on the course outline. Five analysis papers are required and the analysis paper with the lowest grade will be dropped.

Written Report: The purpose of the written report is to provide you the opportunity to read and report on an original work written by a personality theorist. All books must be approved by the instructor via prior to reading and reporting on any book. The written report is worth 12% of your final grade.

Critique: The purpose of the critique is to provide you the opportunity to critique a particular theorist using the criteria outlined and discussed in class. The critique is is worth 8% of your final grade.

All papers must be submitted electronically in Word format to woolflm@webster.edu

Policy Statements:

Plagiarism (attempting to pass off the work of another as one's own) is not acceptable and will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment and will be turned over to the appropriate university source for disciplinary action. In addition, cheating on exams will also result in the same fate.

This site will help you avoid the problem of plagiarism particularly plagiarism resulting from paraphrasing too closely to the original source. - Establishing Authorship by Paul C. Smith, Alverno College

Late withdraws from this class will not be approved by the instructor except in cases of emergency discussed with the instructor. No late withdraws will be approved on the basis of poor class performance.

This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion. All changes concerning course requirements will be provided in writing. Changes concerning exam dates may be made at the instructor's discretion and communicated verbally to the class.

It is understood that remaining in this course (not dropping or withdrawing from this course) constitutes an agreement to abide by the terms outlined in this syllabus and an acceptance of the requirements outlined in this document.