Military Psychology
Syllabus
Spring
2012
Instructors: Dr. (Maj) Kieran Dhillon
/ Dr. Steve Kass
Contact info: kdhillon@uwf.edu 474-2290 or skass@uwf.edu 474-2107
Office: Kass: Bldg
41, room 230, office hrs: Mon, Tues, Thur 9 am - 11 am
Dhillon:
Bldg 41, room 216, office hrs: Mon and Wed 11 am-12 pm, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Classroom: Bldg 11, Room 121
Prerequisites: None
Required Text:
Kennedy, C. H., & Zillmer, E.
A. (2006). Military Psychology: Clinical
and Operational Applications. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Purpose:
This course is intended to provide the student with a
broad overview of applications of psychology in the military. The course
focuses on the two major areas of military psychology being the clinical and
operational components. More specifically, areas covered will include uses of
human factors, industrial-organizational, social and clinical psychology in
various military settings to promote the behavioral health of service members
and families, performance of individuals and teams, and success in military
operations. We will treat the study and practice of psychology in the
military as a means for gaining useful insights about human behavior. The
course is intended to provide students an orientation to areas they may pursue
for greater knowledge and/or employment in military psychology settings.
This course is expected to be highly interactive and a chance for
students to share what they have learned from course content and guest
lecturers.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will become familiar with recent and historical research and
applications in the area of military psychology. Upon completion of this course
students will demonstrate the following abilities through reaction papers, exams,
and classroom discussions:
·
Ability to identify and describe
applications of psychology in military services and settings
·
Ability to apply the human factors,
industrial-organizational, social, and clinical psychology principles to
solving military problems
·
Ability to consider and debate
ethical issues related to application of psychological skills to support
military operations
Requirements:
Reaction Papers: Students will be expected to write a 1-2 page
paper after each guest lecturer presentation. The purpose is to demonstrate
understanding of what the lecturer discussed and any insights and opinions you
developed about the application of psychology to military settings. Grading
will be mostly on content, but points will be deducted for poor APA style and
grammar. As a free service for the students, the UWF Writing Lab is available
to help with your writing style.
Class Participation: Students will be expected to have read and
taken notes on the assigned readings prior to coming to class and
actively participate in the discussion. Be prepared to answer the discussion
questions which may be posted for each week. When students
cooperate, the class is stimulating, fun, and rewarding, but when they do not
it limits the learning potential and becomes tedious to both students and
professor. This class will be what you make of it.
Exams: Students will take 3 in-class exams (format TBD). Each exam will
cover the readings and content from professor and guest lecturers. Absolutely
NO makeup exams will be given without prior arrangement!!
Attendance: Attendance will be tracked by way of students bringing an article to each class. The article should be relevant to the topic of the day. If unable to find a relevant current event or article, bring in an article on the military is allowed. Be prepared to discuss it in class. Put your name on the first page of the article and turn it in to the instructor for attendance credit.
Grading:
Each test is worth 25% of the grade (75% total), the papers are worth 20%, and
attendance is worth 5%.
Grading Scale:
A:
93 or above
A-:
90 - 92
B+: 88 - 89
B: 83 - 87
B-: 80 - 82
C+: 78 - 79
C: 73 - 77
C-: 70 - 72
D: 60 - 69
F: < 60
Rules:
Students are expected to
adhere to the University's Rules of Academic Conduct (see student handbook: http://www.uwf.edu/uwfmain/stuHandbk/ ).
Disclaimer: Information
and opinions expressed by Maj Dhillon and other
military/government employees providing lectures are not intended/should not be
taken as representing the policies and views of the Department of Defense, its
component services, or the US government.
Assistance:
If you have a need for any in-class accommodations, or special test-taking
arrangements because of physical and/or perceptual limitations, please contact
the instructor or the Psychology Department secretary before class begins or as
soon as possible.
Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
Kennedy & Zillmer Chapter |
Lecturer |
|
Jan11 |
Introduction
and overview of class, Military
Overview, History of Military Psychology |
1 |
Kass/Dhillon |
|
Jan
18 |
5,6 |
Dhillon |
|
|
Jan
25 |
|
Kass |
|
|
Feb
1 |
2, 8 |
Dhillon |
|
|
Feb
8 |
3, 4 |
Dhillon |
|
|
Feb 15 |
Exam #1 PTSD in the Military |
|
Dhillon |
|
Feb
22 |
9,11 |
Dhillon |
|
|
Feb
29 |
Personnel Assessment and Selection Military Assessment and Selection Boards
|
17 |
Kass/Dhillon
|
|
Mar 7 |
Military Aviators |
|
Kass/Dhillon
|
|
Mar 14 |
Exam #2 Videos |
|
|
|
Mar 21 |
Spring Break |
|
|
|
Mar
28 |
|
Kass |
|
|
Apr
4 |
|
Dhillon |
|
|
Apr
11 |
|
Kass |
|
|
Apr
18 |
10 |
Dhillon |
|
|
Apr
25 |
|
Kass |
|
|
May 2 |
Exam #3 |
|
|