Practicum in Teaching Psychology, Spring 2024

Class Information	Instructor Information
PSYCH 4704		Helen C. Harton, Ph.D.
Bartlett 2080		Bartlett 2080
As arranged, plus class hours		273-2235; harton@uni.edu

Office Hours: W 2-3; Th 11-12; F 1-2; whenever I’m around

Course Information

Course Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, you should be able to:

· Demonstrate enhanced knowledge and comprehension of course content (e.g., by explaining course concepts at study sessions, recognizing weak or inaccurate understanding in student assignments)

· Demonstrate teaching-related skills (e.g., scoring/grading assignments, maintaining a gradebook, providing feedback to students, writing test questions, running study sessions, administering exams)

· Communicate effectively in both written and oral format (e.g., by practicing professional interactions with students, the professor and fellow TAs)

· Think critically and make ethically- and professionally-oriented judgments (e.g., by managing grading and administering course policy)

· Demonstrate management and organization skills by effectively using your time and resources (e.g., software tools such as e-Learning, Excel, testing software)

Instructor Course Description: You will come to class and help students and the professor in and outside of class.

Course Catalog Description: Organization and teaching of psychology; student serves as a participant-observer, with advance approval, in any PSYCH XXXX course. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): Psychology GPA 3.00 or higher; B+ or higher in the course for which student will participate; junior standing.

Expectations:

1. TAs are expected to attend class meetings unless otherwise arranged
2. TAs are expected to complete 3 hours of work per week for every hour of credit they are taking (i.e., 1 credit hour = 3 hours of work/week; 2 credit hours = 6 hours of work/week; 3 credit hours = 9 hours of work/week)
3. TAs are expected to record and keep track of their hours 
4. TAs are expected to do the tasks assigned to them, and to be punctual and reliable
5. TAs are expected to respond to the professor and the students in the class in a timely manner, and to be open to feedback
6. TAs are expected to be flexible as each class/student is unique
7. TAs are expected to act ethically and professionally 
8. TAs are responsible for communicating with the professor if they are unable to meet any of the aforementioned expectations, and for making up the work they miss

Course Policies

Missed Meetings Policy: We will have regularly scheduled meetings to discuss assignments and the course. You’re expected to be present and prepared at meetings and to let me know ahead of time if you can’t make a meeting.

Academic Ethics Policy Statement: Students must observe the Academics Ethics Policy (http://www.uni.edu/policies/301).

Harassment Policy: You do not have to put up with inappropriate treatment (e.g., verbal, physical, or sexual harassment) of any kind. If you have problems with a student, please let me know. It is important to note that if you do report it to me, I may have to report it to the university. If you are not comfortable talking with me about the issue, you can talk to the department head, Adam Butler.

Credit Hour Statement: This course meets the Course Credit Hour Expectation outlined in the Course Catalog. Students should expect to work a minimum of 2 hours per week outside of class for every course credit hour. You should expect to work a minimum of three hours per week (including meetings) for every course credit hour for undergraduate credit and four hours per week for graduate credit.

Required Readings

See the syllabus for the course.

Course Elements and Expectations

Duties:

• Proofread syllabus and class materials
• Attend class meetings and labs and take notes
• Record attendance for labs and in class activities
• Lead class activities/discussions when the professor isn’t available
• Work with student groups on their projects
• Hold office hours
• Check/return email correspondence with students and professor
• Assist with the grading of course assignments
• Provide feedback to students
• Assist with preparing course materials
• Create a study guide for each test
• Run study sessions
• Generate at least 5 possible test questions for each test
• Proctor exams
• Assist with clerical work and organization (e.g., copying handouts, entering grades, analyzing data)

Final Grade Determination

Grading in the course is based on the quality of your participation and completion of duties. If you do everything well, you will earn an A in the course. Deficiencies in one or more areas (including ethical lapses) will result in a lower grade.

Course Schedule

Your schedule of responsibilities can be found on the syllabus of the class for which you are the TA. The professor will give you access to this syllabus and will explain your duties. That syllabus also includes required readings. Please consider that syllabus an addendum to this one. 

Resources and University Policy Statements

Further information and required syllabus statements related to free speech, non-discrimination, student accessibility services, and the Learning Center are available at https://provost.uni.edu/syllabus-statements.