Woman with shocked expression in front of computer

Psychology of the Internet

Assignments

Assignments
Students are expected to keep up with the reading assignments and to discuss them online in the Commons. Students are expected to contribute meaningful comments in the discussion area. That is, contributions should show a knowledge of the material or make meaningful inquiries which show an understanding of the purpose of the readings. Following are examples of statements the instructor does not consider meaningful:

"I agree with her."
"This discussion is so helpful."
"Just checking in. Got to go now."

Assignments will include reading from the course texts and four Reflection Papers on assigned topics and a Final Paper on the topic of the student's choice. Details of requirements for these papers are available at the bottom of this page.

Week 2:: Gackenbach, Chapter 1; Wallace, Chapter 1
Week 3:: Gackenbach, Chapter 2; Wallace, Chapters 2 & 3; First Reflection Paper due: Identity on the Internet
Week 4:: Wallace, Chapter 4; Gackenbach, Chapter 9
Week 5:: Wallace, Chapter 5
Gackenbach, Chapter 10
Week 6:: Wallace, Chapter 6
Gackenbach, Chapter 3; Second Reflection Paper due: Group Behavior on the Internet
Week 7:: Nothing. Take a break. Send Feedback to the instructor if you are having problems. Discuss with your classmates in the Commons if you want to, but these discussions will be for your benefit; the instructor will not be reading them. Everybody needs a break once in a while--even online students.
Week 8:: Wallace, Chapter 7 & 8
Gackenbach, Chapter 7
Week 9:: Wallace, Chapter 11; Gackenbach, Chapter 8; Third Reflection Paper Due: Gender and Sexuality on the Internet
Week 10:: Wallace, Chapter 9
Gackenbach, Chapter 4
Week 11:: Wallace, Chapter 10
Gackenbach, Chapters 5 & 6; Fourth Reflection Paper Due: Therapy vs. Addiction on the Internet
Week 12:: Gackenbach, Chapters 11 & 13
Week 13:: Wallace, Chapter 12
Gackenbach, Chapter 12
Week 14:: Final Paper Due

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Requirements for Papers
Reflection Papers are short (2-3 pages) papers which review the main themes discussed online. The purpose of these papers is to evaluate the student's understanding of the material. These papers are to be done in a word processing program, will be single spaced, and will be submitted via email to the instructor (hrm7884@uncwil.edu). Unlike the online discussions in the Commons, these will be viewed only by the instructor unless permission of the student is requested and granted.

The Final Paper is not distinguished from the Reflection Paper in length so much as in approach. Whereas the Reflection Paper is meant to review and reinforce understanding of the readings, the Final Paper allows the student to explore in more depth an idea from the readings or discussions into which s/he wishes to delve further. This requires some independent research of sources outside the required readings, either from sources provided by the instructor or from Internet and print sources discovered by the student him/herself. The student is expected to cite at least three sources, synthesize the information gleaned from these sources, and to express an opinion about the topic chosen. An example might be a paper on Internet Addiction, whether it exists or not; or perhaps a perspective on Gender Issues on the Internet.