This course offers an overview of the means by which individuals develop and maintain close relationships. The course will examine various orientations to the study of close relationships, including interdependence, attachment, evolutionary-biological, and cognitive. In addition, the course will explore issues such as physical attraction, trust, intimacy, love, and commitment. The course may also address processes in distressed relationships.

Interpersonal Relations Psychology 323, Fall 2009

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Course Objectives

1. Understand different theories about the development and maintenance of close relationships
2. Learn specific methods and results of research studies and what they tell us about relationships
3. Become acquainted with types of methodology used to study close relationships
4. Apply course concepts to your everyday life
5. Read a journal article and write a coherent and thoughtful response
6. Learn APA style source citation and referencing

Blackboard

Course materials and elaborated information about course requirements will be available for download from Blackboard. Students are expected to check Blackboard regularly for announcements.

Textbook

Berscheid, E., & Regan, P. (2005). The psychology of interpersonal relationships. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

University Policies and Deadlines

The add-drop period for class registration ends on Aug. 26th. Sep. 4th is the last day to provide advance written notification to instructors with intent to observe religious holidays. Oct. 30th is the last day to withdraw with a grade of “W.” If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an academic adjustment or an accommodation, please contact me at your earliest convenience. If you will be taking exams at Disability Support Services, it is your responsibility to remind me of that a week prior to each exam.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with Ms. Joyce Knight (jbknight@vcu.edu, (804) 828-2253, Student Commons), the coordinator of services for students with disabilities.

Students should be familiar with VCU's guidelines for student conduct.

What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU

1. Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts. Keep your information up-to-date.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information.
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.

Attendance & Participation

Attending class will be necessary for good test performance – please come to class prepared to engage in discussion and focus on psychology. Because we meet only once a week, we will often cover more than one chapter a class. I will administer random unannounced attendance checks that will affect your grade (see Grading Policy, below). I strongly encourage class participation..

Outlines

I will provide outlines on Blackboard for all the material you are responsible for learning in this class. These outlines are designed to help you organize your note taking and studying - they are not a substitute for taking notes!

Exams

Questions primarily will be multiple choice with some short answer. Bring a pencil on exam days. The final exam will be cumulative. Any person who must delay taking an exam must consult with the instructor prior to test day (unless a true emergency arises, in which case you should contact the instructor as soon as possible). Exams will be given on days indicated on the syllabus – the dates will not change. However, exams will only consist of the information we have had time to cover.

Papers

Two paper assignments will be posted on Blackboard (one journal article reflection paper and one idea paper). No late papers accepted, where “late” is defined as the end of the class period.

Cheating (see University Honors Policy)

Any form of cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with severely. When you write papers, you should (a) use your own words to express your own ideas; (b) use your own words to express someone else's ideas and cite the source; and/or (c) put quotes around someone else's words and cite the source. If you violate any of these rules, you will receive a zero on the assignment or fail the class, depending on the severity of the infraction. If you violate these rules on more than one assignment, you will fail the class. I encourage you to ask for help before turning in a paper (the Writing Center would be a good resource).

Grading Policy

Note: No extra credit will be offered. Attendance points will be calculated by the instructor assigning points to each day on which attendance was taken; the total of the points will be 25.