Instructor: Fr. Vincent W. Hevern, SJ, PhD

Telephone: 445-4342

Home Address: Jesuit Residence, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214

E-Mail: hevern @ lemoyne.edu

Personal/Faculty Homepage: http://www.hevern.com

Office: Reilly Hall 222

Office Hours

• Monday 3:45-5:00 pm
  
• Tuesday 2:30-4:00 pm
• or by appointment in person or via Zoom  

Required Text

Barrett, Lisa Feldman. (2020). Seven and a half lessons about the brain. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
 
Additionally, handouts and links to assigned readings will be found either in the Schedule of Assignments and Classes, or distributed in class by the instructor, or found on reserves in the Noreen Reale Falcone Library.

I strongly urge you to purchase a 3-ring D-Binder with sufficient space to hold at least 200-250 pages for class notes.

Requirements and Guidelines
Class Attendance and Absences	You are expected to attend all classes in this course. Attendance in seminar-format courses constitutes an academic requirement. Because of different circumstances and demands on time, however, students are permitted to be absent for up to 3 classes without academic penalty. Absences in excess of 3 classes (without a serious and compelling reason in the eyes of the instructors) may result in a loss of up to one grade level from the student's course grade for each class missed (e.g., B+ becomes a B). Examples of a serious & compelling reason for additional absences would be a documented visit to a physician's office or participation at a funeral. If you are absent from school to attend a funeral, you must file a notice with either the Dean's Office or the Campus Ministry Office. I do not make a distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences (see below for student athlete exception). Permitted absence from class does not excuse a student from any assignments given in that class nor from the responsibility to learn all materials covered or discussed in the missed class. You should also be sure to maintain your reading assignments concurrently with the class for which such assignments are due. See below the college's statement about what students must do if they are absent because of Covid or a similar illness.
Student Athletes and Absence	Students representing Le Moyne College as members of interscholastic sports teams will not be penalized for missing classes in excess of the 3-cut limit. For all athletic absences, you must document your absence(s) formally. I will expect you to provide me with a copy of your team's travel schedule with all missing dates circled, your coach's name and telephone extension, and your own name somewhere on the document.
College COVID-19 Guidelines	Here is a link to the full statement of all the guidelines and regulations for the Fall 2023 semester that Le Moyne College will be following in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. You are expected to read through and follow these guidelines this semester, subject as the statement notes, to changes the College may make as the health situation may change. Regarding Absences: Students are expected to attend classes in-person as scheduled and require appropriate approval to be excused from in-person classes (see Attendance Guidelines above). Students may be excused from attending in-person classes for short-term absences due to illness such as colds or the flu, accidents, or quarantine/isolation from  a confirmed COVID infection. Students who must miss class for illness should follow the Policy on Student Absenteeism in the Event of Illness or Accident, which stipulates the following. “If illness or injury requires  more than three consecutive days of hospital or home care, Health Services needs to be informed [(315) 445-4440]. If the student has been treated by a doctor off campus, some documentation from that office will be expected. Health Services will then notify the Registrar who will inform the student’s instructors, advisor, and the appropriate academic dean." “It is the student’s responsibility to contact his or her instructors, as soon as possible, to explain the absence and make arrangements for the completion of missed work or tests.”
Observance of Religious Holidays	As provided in New York State Education Law Section 224-a, any student who is unable to register for class, attend class, or participate in any examination, study or classwork requirements on a particular day because of his or her religious beliefs is eligible for an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any missed examination, study, or classwork requirements, without penalties or additional fees. Students who require such an opportunity must contact the registrar (for registration) or their instructor (for examination, study or classwork requirements) at least two weeks in advance. A full copy of the College's policy on the observance of religious holidays can be found at either dean's office.
Reading Assignments	When you come to class, I expect that you will be prepared. This means that you will have completed the readings assigned for the class. Assignments are due on the first date indicated for each topic on the "Schedule of Assignments and Classes".
Course Tests	There will be two (2) examinations in this course. Your performance on each test will be worth 20% of your final grade. Test #1 (Monday, September 25; due Wednesday, Oct 04) Test #2 (Monday, November 06; due Wednesday, Nov. 15) These will be "take home" tests requiring you to show an understanding of the material we have reviewed in a comprehensive or general fashion. These tests will employ short and longer essay formats. As I note below, as well, anything you turn in to me in this class should be typewritten (preferably) on a clean sheet of paper. Please do NOT tear a page out of a spiral notebook. Two or more pages must be stapled together or paper-clipped. All pages after the first should have a page number. In addition to paper versions of your work, I also expect that you will send me a copy of your work in electronic format to my email address: hevern@lemoyne.edu. Do NOT just send me a link to Google Docs. You need to download an electronic version of your work and send that to me.
Seminar Presentation and Paper	Each member of the class will be making a seminar presentation regarding some aspect of applied clinical neuropsychology. I have assembled a list of possible topics for your presentation. You will carry out a major research project about this topic and present a summary of your work to the class for its understanding, questions, and analysis. There are 5 75-minute classes in the last four weeks off the course which have been reserved for student seminar presentations There will be two (2) student presentations per class with each presentation going no more than 35 minutes. For your presentation, you will be expected to make a 15-20 minute presentation of material to the class to hand out copies of your presentation in some type of written summary form to the class to be ready to answer questions by the other members of the class or by me The form of the presentation itself can be varied. You might use multimedia, the white board, a planned discussion following a verbal report, or a demonstration and discussion of a particular neuropsychological issue. By Wednesday, December 13, you will be expected to submit your seminar presentation to me at my office by 5 PM in the form of a final paper following APA Publication Manual (6th edition) format. You must give me your paper in two different forms: Paper: A printed version of your final paper (see the guidelines I hand out) Electronic: A text version of your paper which you should submit to me via email as an attachment. DO NOT simply send me a link to Google Docs itself for this paper. You must download it and send it to me via email. Try to decide upon your project as soon as possible. The last date for submitting a proposed topic for your project will be Monday, Sept. 11. By that time you must give me three possible topics (ranked as 1st choice,  2nd choice, and 3rd choice) and three possible dates in your order of preference from the open dates listed in the Schedule of Assignments and Classes.
Academic Standards	Students are expected to observe at all times the highest ethical standards as members of the academic community.  Any form of dishonesty makes a student liable to severe sanctions, including expulsion from the College.  For details see the Community Standards section of the Student Handbook. Recall that plagiarism involves the submission of any thoughts or formulations of other people without their being cited or given credit for those thoughts/formulations. For this reason, in any written materials submitted to me and following APA Style: You must put quote marks (" ") around any direct quotation of another person's writings and you must cite the source and page number. You must cite the source for any thoughts or, even, for ways of expression which you have changed "into your own words".
	You must maintain hard copies in printed, xeroxed, or "web archive" format for all original reference sources used in preparing your presentation and final paper until the last day of the semester exam period, that is, until Friday, December 15, 2023. As I read through and evaluate your paper, I reserve the right to call you to my office to review these original reference materials and to discuss the paper with me. If you don't have these original sources available if I ask to review them, your paper may receive a grade of F no matter how good the paper is. If I have any questions about academic dishonesty or plagiarism (see further below), I reserve the right to submit your paper to an online testing service such as www.Turnitin.com or to employ software testing procedures (such as the Cloze technique) to determine if your paper as a whole or in part is originally written by you. Note as well that Turnitin.com uses an algorithm to measure the probability that the text was actually produced by a Generative AI app such as ChatGPT or Claude.ai (see more below). Remember that any deliberate plagiarism in an academic course results in a mandatory Failure (F) grade for the course on the first instance and dismissal from the College on a second instance. Teachers are required to submit the name of any student who cheats or commits plagiarism to the Academic Dean.
Generative AI & ChatGPT	In the last year, we have seen the rapid rise of online Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) sites including ChatGPT and CLAUDE.ai. These sites offer to prepare analyses of different questions on the basis of a vast database of academic and other materials. As computer sciences move ahead, it is clear that we will need to learn how best to use AI both in terms of research accuracy and ethically. I would guess that you and I are entering into a new technological field that will keep us surprised. I hope that we can, at some point, more formally look at AI and the ways in which it can help us learn. There are, however, pitfalls for students who might be tempted to substitute the product of an AI site rather than their own research and writing. This doesnn't necessarily mean that a student can't use an AI platform to begin thinking about a topic. But, keep in mind that the submission of essays or term papers that are the product of such sites as if they were a student's own work is, therefore, a form of plagiarism. Furthermore, according to APA Style which Psychology Majors are expected to show mastery (particularly in a 400-level seminar), you are required to provide reference citations to any statements of fact which you use in your papers/essays. AI/ChatGPT sites do not normally offer the extensive reference citations that are required for the papers and essays in this course. There may be further guidelines that I (or the college more generally) will propose as the semester unfolds.
Disabilities & Special Needs	Your access in this course is important. Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss your specific needs. You should also meet with someone from Disability Support Services (DSS) about your disability and accommodation needs.  The DSS office is located on the first floor of the library (315-445-4118; dss@lemoyne.edu).  This should take place within the first 2 weeks of the semester.
Students with Personal / Mental Health Concerns	Students who encounter personal problems of any kind, especially problems that might affect their academic performance, are encouraged to contact the Wellness Center for Health and Counseling (https://www.lemoyne.edu/Student-Life/Student-Services/Wellness-Center). The Center is located on the 2nd floor of Seton Hall; appointments may be arranged by phone at 445-4195 or e-mail at <counselingservices@lemoyne.edu>. The Center provides both individual and group counseling on a strictly confidential basis. The Counseling staff is also available on an emergency basis.
Career Advisement & Development	It’s never too early to think about your career path. Your future is worth the investment of time and effort! We understand that each Dolphin is unique, and we work to develop a personalized plan that encompasses one's passions, skills and opportunities. Whether it’s choosing a major, deciding what to do with the major you’ve got, finding an internship, or landing a job, we have resources and expertise to help.  www.lemoyne.edu/careers
Recommendations	If you plan to ask me to complete a teacher's recommendation for you (scholastic or otherwise), you need to give me a three- to four-week lead time. I will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about yourself ahead of time. You should sign up to see me for an interview before I write anything in order to brief me about your graduate school plans, goals, etc. In these ways, I can fashion a letter which is both personal and focused.

Evaluation and Grading
Components of Final Grade	Your grade in this course will be determined as a weighted average calculated from your performance on the following evaluative components: Two hourly "take home" exams (100 points each; each test's weight = 20%) Class Participation (100 points, 20%) Seminar Presentation (verbal = 75 points (15%) & written = 125 points (25%)) Because the actual work of a course sometimes changes or deviates from an original plan, I reserve the right to change, add, or drop, within reasonable bounds, any weight or grading component listed above. Such a change, addition, or elimination will apply to all members of a class section, not just to an individual.
Grade Equivalents	In evaluating your performance in class, I will use the percentage equivalents below for each letter grade: A  = 90 to 100% A- = 88% B+ = 83% B  = 80% B- = 78%     C+= 75% C  = 70% C- = 68& D  = 65% F  = below 65%
Final Course Grade	Final course grades will then be assigned on the basis of the weighted average derived from the sum of all quality-point equivalents of each component according to the follow scheme: A  = 450-500 points A- = 440-449 points B+ = 415-439 points B  = 400-414 points B- = 390-399 points     C+= 365-389 points C  = 350-364 points C- = 340-349 points D  = 315-339 points F  = below 315 points
Class Participation	What do I mean by participation? You can demonstrate participation in ways such as the following: regular attendance in class (which, by itself, is only equal to a participation grade of C+); giving attention to me and/or other students when we are making a presentation; coming to class prepared (having read the assignment for the day); asking questions to me and/or other students regarding the material examined in that class; making comments, raising objections, or giving observations about topics in the course, particularly those which tie in the classroom material to "real world" problems, link current with past topics, or otherwise try to integrate the content of the course; providing examples to support or challenge the issues talked about in class; contributing to small discussion groups; dealing with other students and/or the instructor in a respectful fashion. You will be graded according to the following general standards for class participation: Grade of A-/A will be given for on-time regular attendance at most classes (no more than 5 absences) with verbal contributions in the majority of classes, i.e., student makes comments or engages in classroom discussion in at least 50% of daily classes. Grade of B/B+ will be given for on-time regular attendance at most classes (no more than 5 absences) with verbal contributions averaging once every week or two, i.e., student contributes to classroom discussion, asks questions, makes comments, etc. in 1/6 to 1/2 of daily classes. Grade of C/C+ will be given for on-time regular attendance at most classes (no more than 5 absences) with very infrequent verbal contributions, i.e., student has only contributed to class discussion, asked a question, or made comments without prompting by the instructor less than 1/6th of the time. Each unexcused absence in excess of five (or regular lateness to class) may result in the loss of a full grade level in the overall grade for the class (e.g., B+ to B) at my discretion.
Behavioral Expectations	Note that students are expected to behave politely and in a manner which fosters the overall academic atmosphere and quality of the class. Hence, behaviors to be avoided include: Regularly coming late to class -- entering the class after its scheduled beginning. If a student is regularly being delayed by another professor, that student should discuss the matter with me to plan how to stop it.   Leaving the class before the end of the class period without mentioning the reason for leaving to me before the start of the class. Note, however, that if a student feels sick or needs to excuse herself or himself for a medical reason, the student should do so without waiting to get my permission. The student should leave quietly. You should take care of your needs in the restroom before coming to class. I don't normally allow students to use computers or other digital devices in a class because of their impact upon other students, the tendency to pay less attention to class, and the research which almost universally finds that computer use by students is associated with lower grades. If there is a reason why you would need to use a computer, please speak with me. Similarly, "texting" and/or receiving cellular telephone messages are unacceptable behaviors in class.  You cannot fully concentrate on class if your are texting and texting may also disturb students who are seated near you.   Using any cordless or cellular telephone during a class or receiving audible signals on a cellular telephone, beeper, or other such communications device except for students who are emergency service workers on call, parents of sick children, or caretakers of sick adults on call or others in such a potentially emergency situation. These individuals should mention their need to monitor a call during the class to me before the start of that class.   Eating food (e.g., bagels, donuts, pastries, sandwiches) or drinking beverages during class which are not in containers with a lid or can be closed by a screw top. Students with a medical condition requiring the consumption on food or beverages should see me.   Talking to others or making audible remarks during class lectures or while another student is responding in class.   Creating an environmental mess by leaving garbage on the classroom floor rather than by putting debris in an appropriate trash container. Students who fail to observe these behavioral guidelines for class are subject to having their class participation mark lowered substantially, even to a failure level, at my judgment. Such a lower participation mark may be reflected in a lowered final course grade. After the last almost three years of the pandemic, it should be clear that sick students must be conscious of how their illness may cause other students to become sick or to disrupt the academic atmosphere of a class.
Privacy, Recording Policy, & Copyright	Both other students and I have an expectation that classroom discussions and presentations are meant only for class participants. We also have a reasonable expectation that students and the instructor will respect each others' privacy including, as noted earlier, maintaining confidentiality about personal matters discussed in class. Students must obtain prior written permission from the instructor before making any audio/video recordings of a class. Unless this permission explicitly states otherwise, such recordings may not be shared with, or distributed to others, and must be deleted erased at the end of the semester. The penalties for unauthorized recording, sharing, distribution or retention may range up to expulsion from the college. Any student with a disability who requires class recordings as an accommodation must be approved by the disability support services staff and must notify faculty by presenting his or her instructor notification form to be signed. (Note that this policy is college-wide, that all my own class lectures and presentations are Copyright © 2023 by me, and that violation of this policy allows me to penalize an offender with a failing mark in the course.)
"Extra Credit"	In order to encourage attendance in class, the only extra credit in this course will be given for the following three situations: Students who have no absences on record will receive an extra 9 points Students who have 1 absence on record will receive an extra 5  points Students who have 2 absences on record will receive an extra 3 points I will begin counting absences on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Recall that I do not make a distinction between excused and unexcused absences. For the purposes of "extra credit" you are either in the class or not in the class. Please do not ask me to take "extenuating circumstances" into account in calculating your absences for purposes of extra credit.
Early Exams	I never give "early" exams.
Please Note...	Students have the right to voice opinions contrary to those offered by the instructor and/or other students. Equally, a faculty member has the right - and the responsibility - to ensure that all academic discourse occurs in a context characterized by respect and civility. The accepted level of civility would not include attacks of a personal nature or statements denigrating another on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, national/regional origin or other such factors. Students who are not respectful, not civil, or disruptive in any way may be asked to leave the class.
Bias-Related Incidents	Le Moyne College defines a bias-related incident as behavior that constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the targeted person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Bias-related incidents include, but are not limited to, non-threatening name calling and using degrading language or slurs that are directed toward a person because of his or her membership or perceived membership in a protected class and that create a hostile environment for that person.  Students who believe they have experienced bias or discrimination are encouraged to report the incident. Please refer to Le Moyne’s Bias-Related Incident Reporting webpage to submit a report and for further information.
Title IX	Students who believe they have been harassed, discriminated against, or involved in sexual violence should contact the Title IX Coordinator (315-445-4278) for information about campus resources and support services, including confidential counseling services. Le Moyne faculty are concerned about the well-being and development of our students and we are available to discuss your concerns.  As faculty, we are obligated to share information with the College’s Title IX coordinator to help ensure that the student’s safety and welfare are being addressed, consistent with the requirements of the law.  These disclosures include, but are not limited to, reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Please refer to Le Moyne's Sexual Misconduct Resources webpage for contact information and further details.