IS (Interdisciplinary Studies) 1042 CANCELLED
Psychology of Excellence (97286)
(SS; 4.0 cr) Kevin Stefanek

Course Description
Intervention strategies for enhancing performance in life settings as diverse as academics, career, athletics, performing arts, and interpersonal relations. Psychological theories and research pertaining to the strategies are also covered.

Course Topics

1. Psychological Factors that Underlie Excellence
2. Time Management
3. Memory and Work Habits
4. Goal Setting: Research, Theory and Guidelines

First Exam (covers Units 1-4)

5. Principles of Self-Regulation: Controlling Your Environment and Behavior
6. Stress and Coping
7. Cognitive Theories and Approaches to Self Control

Second Exam (covers Units 5-7)

8. Mental Imagery: Research, Theory and Guidelines
9. Attentional Focus
10. Principles of Effective Communication
11. Conflict Resolution
12. Problem Solving and Decision Making: A Systematic Approach

Final Exam (covers Units 8-12)

Grade Weighting

25% First Exam (Units 1-4)
25% Second Exam (Units 5-7)
25% Final Exam (Units 8-12)
25% Homework Exercises

See the PSYC 273 website on Polis (http://www.u.arizona.edu/~hjpeters/) for your status regarding points on tests, homework assignments, and extra credit exercises.

Exams: The exams will be multiple choice, T/F, and matching. The questions will cover the readings and lecture material, with almost exclusive emphasis placed upon each unit's study questions/objectives. We will not give make-up exams unless there is medical or legal documentation for the absence (e.g., written excuse from a doctor, a jury duty summons). Students missing class are responsible for obtaining from a classmatelecture notes in order to have the necessary information to facilitate doing well on the exams. After the exam, see the T.A. if you want to go over your test.

Homework Exercises : There are nine homework assignments (see syllabus pp. 9-11). These experiences are designed to apply to your own life some aspect of the theories, concepts, and interventions included in the different units. If done thoroughly and on time, you will receive full credit (5 pts. unless otherwise indicated). If you have an excused absence (must provide documentation) the day the homework is due, but give the assignment and documentation to the T.A. within one week, you will receive full credit. Other late homework assignments will be penalized 20% and must be turned into the T.A. within three class periods following the due date in order to receive credit. Make a copy before turning in homework assignments. Contact the T.A. (not the professor) if you have questions regarding the homework.

Extra Credit : Approximately 15-20 times during the semester we will have quizzes (given the first day of a new section and covers the study questions for the section’s readings) or other in-class learning experiences. If at the end of the semester a student’s grade falls at the top of a grade category (e.g., B+, C+), we will look at the number of completed quizzes and in-class exercises to determine if there is merit for raising the semester grade. In order to raise a grade, this work must reflect very good to excellent attendance.

Class Schedule
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon; IH 217

Textbooks/Materials
Ronald E. Smith (1993). Enhancing human performance: A psychological skills approach,
Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing Company.

Jean M. Williams (Ed.) (2001). Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance, Hightstown , NJ : McGraw-Hill Companies.

Selected readings TBA.

Program Costs
Tuition plus textbooks

Contact Information
Office: West Annex, Room 3
Phone: (320) 589-6283
E-Mail: stefankk@morris.umn.edu
Office Hours: MWF 1-2 pm and by appointment