Psychology FAQ
Why should I take a psychology course?
Psychology can help you understand why people think, feel and act as they do. It is practical; it contains a vast store of information about issues that concern everyone. Most importantly, psychology can teach you to ask and answer important questions and evaluate competing ideas and popular claims that appear in the media.
Are there prerequisites for any psychology courses?
Reading 100 is a prerequisite for all psychology courses and Psychology 105 is required for all other psychology courses except Psychology 130, 231, 233, 296 and 299. College-level reading skills are necessary for all psychology courses.
Is English 101 required for any psychology courses?
English 101 is not required for any psychology course but is highly recommended, especially for 200-levels courses that frequently require written assignments. College-level writing skills are expected in all psychology courses.
What is the attendance policy in psychology classes?
All psychology classes follow the CNM attendance policy stated in the catalog. Class exercises and discussion are a vital part of learning and your participation is necessary and frequently counts as part of your grade. Also, both future employers and financial aid may request copies of your attendance records.
What type of assignments should I expect in psychology courses?
All courses include final exams and may include quizzes, multiple-choice exams, essay exams, oral reports, group presentations, written projects, research reports, journals, service learning, role-plays, homework assignments or other assignments depending upon the individual instructor.
Is outside reading required?
An individual instructor may require outside reading for any psychology course. Sometimes readings may be placed on reserve in the library or you may be asked to utilize other sources available in the public library, UNM library or on the Internet.
Will I be expected to use the Internet in psychology classes?
This is an individual instructor decision; however, some classes expect students to utilize resources on the Internet. Proficiency with computers is essential in today's job market. Every CNM student may access an Internet account by contacting CIT.
Will I have written assignments in psychology classes?
This is an individual instructor decision; however, writing is an important part of the learning process and most 200-level courses require written assignments. The ability to communicate effectively in writing is essential to everyone.
Will I be required to participate in service learning in psychology courses?
Service-learning is not required. It is an individual instructor decision whether to participate in Service-learning. Frequently, it is offered to students as a choice among several options.
What is Service-learning?
The service learning option is offered to students through their instructors in the Fall and Spring semesters. When a student decides to participate, they give 15 hours of service work throughout the term to one of the selected service agencies. Instructors will guide the student in choosing an agency whose work ties in with the academic material of the course. Details of the registration process and reflection group sign-up will be given to the students by their instructors during the first two weeks of the term. For more specific information, contact the Program Director, Rudy Garcia, at (505) 224-4359 or rudyg@cnm.edu
For further information on the service learning program, see the website at:
http://planet.tvi.cc.nm.us/servicelearning/
Will I be required to participate in group projects?
Graded or nongraded group projects may be required by any instructor in any psychology course. It is an individual instructor decision. In today's job market problems are solved by teams working together and collaborative work is frequently an expectation.
How many exams can I expect in psychology courses?
This depends upon the instructor. All instructors are required to give a final exam. Some instructors give a midterm and a final. Others give 3-4 exams during the semester or a quiz after every chapter.
How do psychology courses transfer to other colleges or universities?
It depends upon the individual school. Some courses will meet general requirements or psychology major requirements and others will transfer as electives. Check individual college catalogs for specifics.
Are any special supplies required for psychology courses?
This depends upon the instructor. Psychology 105 has an optional study guide available for purchase at the bookstore. Some other courses also have optional study guides available. Some instructors may require blue books, index cards or other supplies, which are also available at the bookstore.
What kinds of careers are available in the field of psychology?
Psychology is a vast discipline and offers many different types of careers to those who pursue it. Check the following Internet sites for more information.
http://academic.uofs.edu/department/psych/handbook/xii.html
How can I find out who teaches individual psychology courses?
Frequently, during the regular registration process, the individual courses and instructors are indicated on computer printouts at the registration center. Also, you may contact the instructor of the course or the Chair of the Psychology program, Dr Kathy Demitrakis, at kdemi@cnm.edu
Where may I obtain additional information on specific psychology courses?
You may contact the instructor of the course or the Chair of the Psychology program, Dr Kathy Demitrakis, at kdemi@cnm.edu
What psychology resources exist on the Internet that might be of interest to psychology students?
There are many sites on the Internet, accessed through the World Wide Web, about psychology. Here are a few to get you started surfing.
PsychCRAWLER This is a general database for psychological topics sponsored by the American Psychological Association. Use this to access any general psychological topic on which you wish information.
http://www.psychcrawler.com/
American Psychological Association This is a good place to begin surfing for serious students of psychology. It offers topical and timely material on current events related to psychology.
http://www.apa.org/
American Psychological Society This site contains a number of links to other psychological websites.
http://www.psychologicalscience.org
Psychology Tutorials and Demonstrations The following two sites offer interesting tutorials and demonstrations on a wide variety of psychological topics.
http://psych.hanover.edu/Krantz/tutor.html
http://server.bmod.athabascau.ca/html/prtut/reinpair.htm
