COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an examination of both classical theories of learning and current theories and research. It begins with a discussion of the importance of learning to survival, the ways in which organisms adapt to their environments, and the kinds of learning that make this possible. It continues with an overview of the roots of learning theory, early discoveries, and tools for studying learning. A detailed overview of Pavlovian (classical) conditioning and instrumental or operant conditioning, stimulus control and traditional learning theories is provided. It then explores the contemporary cognitive approaches and the ways in which classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning work together. The limits imposed on learning by biological influences are also discussed. Throughout, theories are related to applications such as parenting, teaching, and therapeutic behavior modification. The importance of learning theory to the development of intelligent computer systems (such as autonomous robots or vehicles) and to the field of behavioral neuroscience is also briefly discussed.

Bouton, M. (2007). Learning and Behavior: A Contemporary Synthesis. Sinauer Associates.

Plus one of the following (your choice):

Hayden, T. (2002). Beautiful Child. Avon Books.

Skinner, B.F. (Reissue 1976). Walden II. Prentice Hall.

Regular attendance is expected. Attendance will be recorded and will contribute to your grade. Your attendance grade will consist of the percentage of classes attended (e.g., 90-100% = A, 80-90% = B and so on). Two absences will be discarded (not counted) when computing the attendance percentage. You are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all that goes on in the course even if you are not present.

Study Aids:

Copies of the Powerpoint files used during my lectures can be downloaded from the course webpage (see my webpage URL listed above). They were produced using the Microsoft Office 2003 version of Powerpoint. If you have trouble reading them on your computer, try using them at the library or an on-campus computer lab. The textbook publisher provides a website for students. It contains practice (review) quizzes, a glossary of terms, outlines and summaries of the chapters, and lists of key words. A link to the website is provided on the course webpage.

Exams:

Two multiple choice/short answer exams (non-cumulative), a midterm and a final, will be given on the dates noted on the syllabus, each one covering assigned chapters in the textbook and class discussions from the end of the previous exam. (You may keep your midterm exam to use when studying for the final.) These exams will count 60% of your course grade (30% for each exam). Contact me if you miss an exam. Please arrive at each exam on time. No one will be permitted to start the exam after any student has finished it and left the room. Make-up exams will be essay exams.

IMPORTANT: No student will pass this course without taking both exams and completing the paper. Failure to complete any of these will result in an F grade, regardless of the scores on the remaining work. Further, no student will pass this course without passing the final exam. If you fail the final exam, you fail the course, regardless of your grades on your paper or midterm. Improvement in the exam scores from the midterm to the final is taken into account in determining your course grade.

Paper (Book Report) :

Each student must complete the following out-of-class assignment. This assignment is REQUIRED. You cannot pass this course without completing this assignment, regardless of your exam scores. Based on what you learn in class, you will write a paper discussing a series of questions about one of the two additional books listed for this course (Beautiful Child or Walden II). Your grade will depend upon how well you understand and apply the concepts and material in the textbook to the content of the book you have chosen. The questions will require thought about both the book itself and the nature of learning, so please do not leave this assignment to the last minute. A link to instructions for completing this assignment is provided on the course webpage.

The required coursework for this class includes:

Attendance	10%
Paper (Book Report)	30%
Midterm	30%
Final Exam	30%

The exams will be curved, so your grade will be determined in comparison to the other students in the course. Curving is accomplished in a way that makes it potentially possible for everyone to earn an A in this course, if everyone does as well as the top students. Grade distributions and answer keys will be available after the midterm so you can compare your progress with others and use your midterm exam to study for the final exam.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit on the final exam can be earned by signing up for and participating as a subject in experiments through the Cal Poly Pomona human subjects pool (Sona). A link to instructions for doing this is provided on the course webpage. One unit of credit for experiment participation will count as one point on the final exam. Up to three points can be earned this way. The span between grades is typically 4 pts, so in many cases this can be enough points to raise your score from one grade to another. This is optional -- there is no requirement to earn extra credit this way. An extra credit question will be provided on the final exam, for those who do not wish to participate in experiments.

Problems:

Understanding the material in this course requires effort and you may need to read the textbook more than once in order to fully understand it. Be sure to read assigned pages before attending the class on each topic. Class time will be used to explain important concepts, but you are expected to be prepared. If you keep up with the reading, you will find it much easier to study for exams. Do not try to study by cramming – even if it has worked for you before. The paper (book report) cannot be done at the last minute, so be sure to allow yourself enough time to do it properly.

If you find yourself having difficulty with the reading, or any other aspect of the course, it is your responsibility to seek help early in the quarter. You can do this by attending office hours, by studying with other students, by seeking tutoring, or by using the resources provided by the university to help with learning-related problems (e.g., the Writing Center, the Learning Skills Center). If you have a disability or other difficulty that can be helped by reasonable accommodation, please meet with me early in the quarter and before the exams. No changes to exam grades can be made after the fact.