Synopses & Reviews
A Guide to Teaching Introductory Psychology focuses on the critical aspects of teaching introductory psychology to undergraduate students. The volume begins with an orienting history of the course and evaluates current trends in teaching, as well as offering suggestions for developing personal techniques. Sandy Goss Lucas addresses a number of relevant issues, including how to teach difficult topics; linking course content to everyday experience; developing and using class presentations, lectures, and active learning ideas; and increasing interest in course topics. The book is supported by a website that provides links to useful websites and handouts that instructors can use in their classes (www.blackwellpublishing.com/teachpsychscience/lucas).
Review
"No course is more important to our discipline than the introductory psychology class. Sandra Goss Lucas, the coordinator for Introductory Psychology at the University of Illinois, brings together the collective wisdom of her years of experience in teaching and teacher training to deliver a wonderfully useful book. If department heads want to evidence a genuine commitment to teaching, they should give this book to all faculty and graduate students involved in the teaching of this course. It is a treasure house of good ideas from a great teacher."
–Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr., Texas A&M University
"Sandra Goss Lucas's book, A Guide to Teaching Introductory Psychology will be invaluable for those teaching intro psych for the first time, and even old codgers who have taught intro psych more than 50 times will find new useful and interesting ideas. My copy has 'Good', 'Neat' and other laudatory comments on the margins of many pages."
–W. J. McKeachie, University of Michigan
“Sandy Goss Lucas offers instructors of Introductory Psychology a fully-equipped, functional toolbox, filled with specific, concrete details that can immediately be applied in teaching. This toolbox will be most helpful to instructors teaching the course for the first time, who will undoubtedly breathe a sigh of relief when they realize that, far from being alone and isolated, they are part of large group of people who readily share their approaches, innovations, practices, and challenges. Seasoned instructors will also find much in this book that will be valuable to them, because the advice offered by Goss Lucas, the selection of topics, and her concrete suggestions are all deeply informed by classroom experience—she knows what works and what does not. ”
–Robert W. Hendersen, Professor & Chair, Psychology, Grand Valley State University
Review
"No course is more important to our discipline than the introductory psychology class. Sandra Goss Lucas, the coordinator for Introductory Psychology at the University of Illinois, brings together the collective wisdom of her years of experience in teaching and teacher training to deliver a wonderfully useful book. If department heads want to evidence a genuine commitment to teaching, they should give this book to all faculty and graduate students involved in the teaching of this course. It is a treasure house of good ideas from a great teacher."
Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr., Texas A&M University"Sandra Goss Lucas's book, A Guide to Teaching Introductory Psychologywill be invaluable for those teaching intro psych for the first time, and even old codgers who have taught intro psych more than 50 times will find new useful and interesting ideas. My copy has 'Good', 'Neat' and other laudatory comments on the margins of many pages." W. J. McKeachie, University of Michigan
“Sandy Goss Lucas offers instructors of Introductory Psychology a fully-equipped, functional toolbox, filled with specific, concrete details that can immediately be applied in teaching. This toolbox will be most helpful to instructors teaching the course for the first time, who will undoubtedly breathe a sigh of relief when they realize that, far from being alone and isolated, they are part of large group of people who readily share their approaches, innovations, practices, and challenges. Seasoned instructors will also find much in this book that will be valuable to them, because the advice offered by Goss Lucas, the selection of topics, and her concrete suggestions are all deeply informed by classroom experience—she knows what works and what does not. ” Robert W. Hendersen, Professor & Chair, Psychology, GrandValleyStateUniversity
Review
“We are pleased to recommend this book as a meaningful addition to instructors' resource libraries. The activities presented are clearly suitable for introductory and advanced courses. Moreover, the suggested readings and an appendix that delineates teaching organizations and related conferences provide numerous opportunities for professional development.” (PsycCRITIQUES, March 2009)
Synopsis
A Guide to Teaching Introductory Psychology focuses on the critical aspects of teaching introductory psychology to undergraduate students. It includes ideas, tips, and strategies for effectively teaching this course and provides useful answers to commonly asked questions.
About the Author
Sandra Goss Lucas is Director of Introductory Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois. Her teaching awards include the University of Illinois Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Alpha Lambda Delta Award for Outstanding Teacher of Freshmen. Her publications include Teaching Psychology: A Step by Step Guide (with Douglas A. Bernstein, 2004).
Table of Contents
Series Editor’s Preface.
Acknowledgments.
1. An Introduction to Introductory Psychology.
2. Getting Ready to Teach.
3. Teaching the course: Introduction, Research Methods, Culture.
4. Teaching the course: Human Development.
5. Teaching the course: Biological Psychology.
6. Teaching the course: Sensation and Perception.
7. Teaching the course: Consciousness, Motivation and Emotion.
8. Teaching the course: Learning and Memory.
9. Teaching the course: Cognition, Language, and Cognitive Abilities.
10. Teaching the course: Health, Stress, Coping, and Personality.
11. Teaching the course: Mental Disorders and Therapies.
12. Teaching the course: Social Psychology.
13. Ending the Course, Reflecting On It, Getting Ready for the Next Time.
Appendix: Professional Development Resources in the Teaching of Psychology.