COURSE SYLLABUS

BEHS 650: Integrative in Behavioral Science 4 Credits Online Spring Term 2010, April 12-June 30 (Holiday: Memorial Day-May 31) Last Updated: April 6, 2010

This capstone course in the Behavioral Science degree program requires students to integrate the knowledge and skills gained from other courses in the program and to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge to new subject matter and practical situations. Conforming to the American Psychological Association (APA) Ethical Standards, learners will complete an independent project, which includes the written analysis and synthesis integrating theory and practice.

BEHS 501 Introduction to Research in Behavioral Science, MATH 504 Introduction to Statistics, and the completion of no fewer than 32-credit hours in the Major. BEHS 608 Social Research in the Behavioral Sciences is highly recommended.

Learners will:

1. write an APA style report on a behavioral science project that fully examines, evaluates, and synthesizes current theory and research and generates a new understanding of the subject matter.
2. use the academic resources provided scholarly libraries and conduct an online search of the relevant peer reviewed literature.
3. integrate prior course work with new information gathered through the literature search and expand the breadth and depth of existing knowledge and skills.
4. synthesize and apply prior knowledge and skills from behavioral and social science courses to diverse current issues in human behavior
5. demonstrate a thorough understanding of the American Psychological Association’s ethical standards for researchers and clinical practitioners.
6. conduct a risk assessment to ensure the welfare of all human research participants who may be involved in the integrative project.
7. express behavioral science concepts and vocabulary in ways appropriate for different audiences in both oral and written forms. Operationally define theoretical constructs to articulate and measure appropriate variables for research and/or clinical settings.
8. present and discuss findings of the project that clearly articulates its nature, theoretical foundations, conclusions, and the student’s reflections on the integration of knowledge achieved through the completion of the project and responses to questions.
9. consider, articulate, and integrate a global perspective and world view where appropriate in the design and implementation of their project.

Textbook(s):

1. Conducting Research: Social and Behavioral Science Methods. Lawrence T. Orcher. Pyrczak Publishing. Glendale, CA. 2005 (ISBN: 1-884585-60-4)
2. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th Edition. APA Editors, APA Publishers, Washington, DC. 2001. (ISBN: 1-4338-0561-8

Textbooks are available via GSC's online bookstore, MBS Direct at: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/gsc.htm (The course-CRN number for ordering this textbook is: BEHS650-30220). Textbooks can also be purchased from MBS via phone, mail or fax. For additional information, visit the Online Bookstore section of the college web site.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the learner's responsibility to have purchased all required course materials before the start of the course. Learners are expected to meet all course expectations even if the shipment of a required textbook or other learning resource is delayed. Be sure to choose the shipping option that will get your text/resource delivered in a timely manner.

There are no face-to-face sessions for this course. If you have never taken an Online Interactive Course (OIC) at the college, we highly recommend that you attend one of the 2-hour Blackboard Orientation sessions available throughout the state. If you choose not to attend a face-to-face session, you are encouraged to complete the Online Orientation with audio at your own convenience.

The purpose of the integrative seminar is to provide the learner with an experience in which s/he is able to reflect upon and synthesize prior learning and apply it to a new higher level of understanding. Core and functional coursework are drawn upon with the introduction and possible development of new aspects of learning. The learner is asked to select a project format that best demonstrates their learning experience, educational objectives and understanding of the theories and practice of the behavioral sciences.

Participation
Participation in group and discussion board topics is of paramount importance in producing a quality project and paper for the course requirement.

Main Discussion Boards
Weekly participation means posting relevant information on the class-wide discussion board. At times you will be asked to post your work on the discussion board for evaluation by your fellow learners. In turn you will also be asked to evaluate the work of others. Inadequately developed responses will be deemed insufficient.

Group Communication/Participation
Participation in the Group Discussion boards will be graded on a pass/fail basis. You and your group will be expected to communicate during each module. Communication may take place on the private group discussion boards and/or the group tool, depending on the week s assignment that will be updated on the Announcement page each Sunday.

Online Presentation
You will be discussing the details of your on-line presentation with your small group during the last module. Support will be offered by your group to help you develop power point presentations etc. to provide for a technical substitute for the classroom experience.

Final Project
ALL project options are required to include the following:

• Instructor s prior approval of a chosen topic or area of research/study; an integrative formal paper which includes a literature review using APA style citation and referencing due June 30, 2010.
• documentation and reporting the results of an interview conducted with a professional in your area of study
• an in-class presentation of the findings of your project

A learner may continue their research project from BEHS 608 Social Research in the Behavioral Sciences.

Granite State College has a Virtual Library (http://www.granite.edu/current-students/virtual-library/) available 24/7 with access to the full-text of thousands of journals and professional periodicals, an online Reference Room, selected Internet resources, writer’s resources, research and citation help, and a collection of tutorials. The databases are password protected.

See GSC Library tab in MyGranite for username and password. In addition, the Library Info link in the course menu provides direct links to research databases, Research FAQs and more.

Academic assistance to students is available at GSC Centers at no additional charge in such areas as basic skills preparation in reading, writing and math; study skills and research and citation help. Academic Resources staff members work closely with faculty and students toward academic success. A whole range of tools is available, including study and time management tips, APA and MLA citation assistance, access to learning resources online, and feedback on course writing projects. To contact an Academic Resource and Information Coordinator, see the Academic Resource Link on the Resources page in the course menu or go directly to http://bbresources.granite.edu/course_docs/acad_resources.htm.

For assistance with issues related to accessing the MyGranite portal, GSC email, Webrock, online courses or other technical issues related to any of the Blackboard tools, please visit the GSC Technical Assistance Center (http://bbresources.granite.edu/techassist/help.htm) for answers to the most frequently asked questions or to submit an online help request form. Or call 1-888-372-4270 (Hours: M-F, 8:30-5:00, messages checked twice daily on weekends. Extended hours for the week before start of the term and first week of the term: M-Th, 8:00-7:00.)

Granite State College will provide qualified individuals with disabilities the same educational opportunities available to persons without disabilities. When an individual's documented disability creates a barrier to educational opportunities, the College will attempt reasonable accommodation to remove the barrier. If you need assistance, we recommend that you make contact early to ensure that your requests can be reviewed prior to the start of each term. If you wish to apply for accommodations, contact your academic advisor or the Dean of Learner Services in Concord. See the complete Granite State College policy in the current college catalog for further details.

An academic community is based on honesty and integrity. Plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty are not acceptable at Granite State College. Faculty and students have a joint responsibility to ensure the integrity of learning.

All work that you submit must be your own except in those instances when your instructor gives specific permission to collaborate. When quoting, summarizing or explaining ideas that are based on another's work, whether in print or online, make sure to cite references appropriately. Plagiarism is using another's words or even paraphrasing another's work without giving proper credit through the use of citations.

For Granite State College's complete academic honesty policy, see the current college catalog.

Membership in society implies minimal norms for civil behavior towards one another. It is Granite State College’s expectation that all members of our college community treat faculty, staff, and fellow learners with respect. Learners need to be knowledgeable of and comply with college policies. Each individual is accountable for his/her actions and for the consequences of any behavior that is inconsistent with these values and expectations.

Assessment is an ongoing process that enables the College to improve its programs, courses, and teaching methods. Institutional evaluation may be embedded in tests, exams, and other measurements of student learning. As members of a learning community, students, faculty, and staff will be expected to participate in the important process of assessment on occasion. Confidentiality of any data that identify participants is maintained.