Department of Psychology
Concordia University
Winter 2018

Professor: Erik Chevrier
Office Hours: Mon/Wed 2:30 – 4 PM  (by request)
Professor’s Office: H-1125.12
Day/Time: Mon/Wed 1:15 – 2:30 PM
E-mail: professor@erikchevrier.ca
Room: H–507

Why do people do the things they do? What motivates them to perform certain behaviours over others? How do people experience emotions? How do emotions affect peoples’ behaviour? Motivation and emotion are dynamic processes that are always changing. They direct our attention towards or away from certain behaviours. People are not always aware of what causes them to experience emotions or what causes them to behave in certain ways.

The goal of this course is to provide students with an overview of motivation and emotion science. Students will explore a variety of theories, frameworks and models that explain motivation and emotion. Furthermore, students will discuss experiences from their personal lives by relating them to the theories, models and frameworks introduced in the textbook and explained in class.

Topics in this course include historical perspectives of motivation and emotion science; physiological and psychological needs; extrinsic and intrinsic motives; goal setting and striving for success; mindsets; personal control beliefs; the self-concept; emotions; moods; growth motivation and positive psychology.

Course Materials and Text:

Students are expected to complete ALL the designated readings BEFORE EACH CLASS. Students are also expected to attend ALL classes, complete ALL take home assignments and participate in class discussions. Please see the course schedule below for the dates the readings are due.

The required readings:

Reeve, J. (2015) Understanding Motivation and Emotion, 6^th ed. John Wiley and Sons

This book is available at Concordia Community Solidarity Co-op Bookstore: www.co-opbookstore.ca/

The power-point lecture notes will be posted on the course website before each class.

Recommended readings: URLs and other electronic sources may be posted on the course website from time to time. Please visit the course website to get this material.

Course Format

In this course, students will learn the science of motivation and emotion. The professor provides a balance of lectures and discussion based activities to teach students about a variety of theories, frameworks and models that explain motivation and emotion. He will also show relevant multimedia clips, including documentary movies, Ted Talks and other interesting videos. Students will be encouraged to participate in discussions by relating what they learn in class about motivation and emotion to their own lives. Students are expected to read the required text and/or watch the assigned movie before coming to class.

Participation

Participation is an important part of this course. From time to time, the professor will ask students to complete additional readings, watch video clips, think about certain subjects and/or complete short assignments outside of class time. Students MUST accomplish these tasks. The grade given for participation will be determined according to the completion of these tasks, classroom attendance and participation in discussions.

Course Evaluation

Exam 1                                                            30%
Exam 2                                                            30%
Exam 3                                                            30%
Class Participation                                        10%

Letter Grade Equivalency

Your numerical grades will be converted to letter grades as follows:

A+       (93 – 100%)    B+       (77 – 79.9%)   C+       (67 – 69.9%)   D+ (57– 59.9%)
A         (85 – 92.9%)   B          (73 – 76.9%)   C         (63 – 66.9%)   D   (53 – 56.9%)
A-        (80 – 84.9%)   B-       (70 – 72.9%)   C-        (60 – 62.9%)   D-  (50 – 52.9%)
F          < 50%

Lecture Schedule: Themes and Required Readings

This is a TENTATIVE schedule and is subject to change. Be sure to consult the course website regularly to be aware of any changes.

Course schedule, topics and required readings:

January 8^th – Introduction

January 10^th – Overview of Motivation and Emotion
Chapter 1 – Introduction

January 15^th – Motivation in a Historical Perspectives
Chapter 2 – Motivation in a Historical Perspective

January 17^th – Motivation in a Historical Perspectives
Chapter 2 – Motivation in a Historical Perspective

January 22^nd – Physiological Needs
Chapter 4 – Physiological Needs

January 24^th – Physiological Needs
Chapter 4 – Physiological Needs

January 29^th – Extrinsic Motivation
Chapter 5 – Extrinsic Motivation

January 31^st – Extrinsic Motivation
Chapter 5 – Extrinsic Motivation

February 5^th – Exam 1

February 7^th – Psychological Needs
Chapter 6 – Psychological Needs

February 12^th – Psychological Needs
Chapter 6 – Psychological Needs

February 14^th – Implicit Motives
Chapter 7 – Implicit Motives

February 26^th – Goals, Setting Goals and Goal Striving
Chapter 8 – Goals, Setting Goals and Goal Striving

February 28^th – Goals, Setting Goals and Goal Striving
Chapter 8 – Goals, Setting Goals and Goal Striving

March 5^th – Mindsets
Chapter 9 – Mindsets

March 7^th – Mindsets
Chapter 9 – Mindsets

March 12^th – Exam 2

March 14^th – Personal Control Beliefs
Chapter 10 – Personal Control Beliefs

March 19^th – Personal Control Beliefs
Chapter 10 – Personal Control Beliefs

March 21^st – The Self and Its Strivings
Chapter 11 – The Self and Its Strivings

March 26^th – The Self and Its Strivings
Chapter 11 – The Self and Its Strivings

March 28^th – Nature of Emotions
Chapter 12 – Nature of Emotions: Six Perennial Questions

April 4^th – Aspects of Emotion
Chapter 13 – Aspects of Emotion

April 9^th – Aspects of Emotion
Chapter 13 – Aspects of Emotion

April 11^th – Individual Emotions
Chapter 14 – Individual Emotions

April 16^th – Growth Motivation and Positive Psychology
Chapter 15 – Growth Motivation and Positive Psychology

Final Exam During the Final Exam Dates

Classroom Conduct:

Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions in a mutually respectful way. Oppressive statements will not be tolerated in any form. This includes but is not limited to racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, hate speech, bullying, and/or forms of derogatory statements. It is important that when others (including the professor) speak, we listen quietly and do not impede anyone’s ability to participate, pay attention to the conversation and/or have a positive classroom experience.

Academic Honesty: 

Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will not be tolerated.  Acts of dishonesty include, but are not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. It is your responsibility to know and understand university and departmental policies.  All acts of academic dishonesty will be reported.  Please refer to the Undergraduate Calendar for complete details of offenses and penalties: http://registrar.concordia.ca/calendar/17/17.10.html

Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities should register with the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities and follow its procedures for obtaining assistance.  In addition, please inform me of any special needs you have so that I can make appropriate accommodations. Please visit this website for more information.  http://www.concordia.ca/students/accessibility.html