From: Hal S. Kopeikin, Ph.D.

Spring 2002

Dear Colleague:

Greetings!

Thank you again for your support of the Psychology Honors Program. I'm delighted that you've agreed to participate and look forward to your presentation.

This overview conveys information faculty need about the course.  A copy of this briefing appears online at http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/~kopeikin/psy196faculty.htm
(the formatting is better there, so I'd recommed following that link instead of reading the information below, if that's convenient for you).

The topics covered in this overview are

• 196H COURSE SCHEDULE
• READINGS
• PRE-DISCUSSION COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK
• WHAT SHOULD YOU DISCUSS?
• HOW LONG WILL YOU TALK?
• AUDIOVISUAL & COMPUTER RESOURCES
• DO YOU WANT ME TO INTRODUCE YOU?
• ANY QUESTIONS?

Psych 196H meets Wednesday mornings, 8:30-11am, in Psychology 1523.
 

Date	Psychology 196H Speakers. Spring 2002
04/03/02	Hal Kopeikin
04/10/02	Wayne Brake
04/17/02	Jack Loomis
04/24/02	Diane Mackie
05/01/02	Greg Ashby
05/08/02	Richard Mayer
05/15/02	James J. Blascovich
05/22/02	Nancy Collins
05/29/02	Alan J. Fridlund
06/05/02	"Open Season"   (no guest speaker)

This schedule was based on the preferences indicated by faculty speakers.  However, if your scheduled has changed and you'd prefer to switch, please contact the faculty member scheduled for the day you prefer and determine whether (s)he is willing to trade dates.  If so, please let me know so I can have the student prepare for your presentations at the correct time.

Each speaker should select 2 or 3 articles for the students to read. These readings should provide class members with a background in your area, so they will be able to appreciate and intelligently discuss your current work. A literature review or short book chapter, and a recent article or two representing your present endeavors is often an ideal combination.

I can take responsibility for duplication and distribution of the articles if  you get them to me by Thurday March 30th.   I'll have all articles I receive by that date copied as part of the class reader. The earlier you get them to me, the better. Please put the articles in my Dept. mailbox, with a note so I'll know which lecture they accompany.  I'll return originals on the evening you speak.

By noon on the Friday preceding your lecture, students will have read the articles you submitted. Each student will email brief comments and/or questions about the readings to me, and to you.

I do NOT need to you to reply to these messages.  You're welcome to do so, but no one will expect it.

Frankly, my primary purpose with this assignment is assuring students prepare for your presentation. While you could ignore their comments, speakers in the past have found them interesting.  Typically they'll reveal what the students found interesting and difficult to understand, which can be useful in tailoring your presentation.

What you present is entirely up to you. However, it may help to remember our goals for Psychology 196H. First, we're trying to give highly capable students a glimpse of the forefront in Psychology. Here is their chance to see what our faculty is studying, how, and why. Second, about 50% of the class can be expected to pursue independent studies, culminating in a Honor's Thesis during their senior years. Our seminar helps students identify topics that interest them, and faculty members who might be appropriate mentors.

More generally, these are a group of highly capable students, with the potential to succeed in a wide variety of activities. Most are in the process of choosing career paths. An "insiders look" at what your job is like--how you prepared for it, what you've done and are doing--could be most valuable in helping students find direction. Please don't be afraid to give us an informal, more personal sense of who you are and what you do.  Students are curious about how you ended up doing what you're doing, and why.

I plan to spend the first 15 minutes of class getting organized and discussing procedural details. Thus, your talk will actually begin at 8:45; you're welcome to arrive before that, but do not need to do so.

An 50-70 minute talk is probably ideal.   This is intended to be a seminar, and you can assume the students will be well prepared (i.e., will have read your assignments carefully), so please leave time for discussion, a visit to your lab, etc.

Psychology 1523 has a Windows NT computer, VCR, DVD and projection system.  It has Powerpoint and internet browsers connected to the net.  There is also an overhead projector.  These facilities are automatically available to you.  I've used them before, and will be glad to provide technical assistance.  If you need anything else, please let me know.

I generally introduce speakers by saying something like,

"OK class, settle down.  Class? Class?  SHUT UP!  thank you.  This morning, I'm pleased to introduce Prof. Grasshopper who will be talking with us about fear and loathing in grassland environments.  Welcome, Dr. Grasshopper."

Then, I shut up and let you talk (those who know me well are typically amazed and delighted by that).

Did I leave anything out? If so, please feel free to contact me.  You can email me at  kopeikin@psych.ucsb.edu (or hal@drhal.com) or call me at 886-0007.

Thanks once again for making our Department's Honors Program a success. I hope I haven't been too much a pest, and I look forward to your presentation.

Cordially,

Hal