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PSY 5970 Behavior Analysis and Minority Issues
Spring 2013
Meeting time: 3:30pm- 4:45pm M & W Office: TBA
Location: Brown 3048 Phone: (248) 376-7800
Instructor(s): Gina Cross, B.S., Richard W. Malott, Office Hours: By appointment
Ph.D., BCBA-D
Co-Instructor(s): Carmelita Foster,
M.S.&TomeshaManora, M.S.
Teaching Assistant: Laura Donders
Email: tomesha.a.manora@wmich.edu;
gina.d.cross@wmich.edu;
carmelita.s.foster@wmich.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to expose you to a behavior analytic view of relevant minority issues.
Empirical articles and findings will be assigned to promote and encourage the development of a
critical analysis of minority issues utilizing a behavior analytic framework. Upon completion of
this course, students will be able to explain the importance of diversity in the field of behavior
analysis, apply the fundamental principles of behavior to devise empirically objective solutions
for minority issues that affect society, and combat misconceptions related to minority groups in
America.
COURSE ORGANIZATION
This seminar will follow a mixed discussion and lecture format. Within-class assignments may
also be scheduled periodically. The lecture will provide a review of main concepts, and give you
an opportunity to ask any clarification questions. In-class discussions are designed to give you a
deeper understanding of the material, critically evaluate the material, and allow you learn from
each other. During discussions, all opinions will be welcomed. Please be respectful of others in
the class.
COURSE TEXT & MATERIALS
o Hart, B., &Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of
young American children. Baltimore: P.H. Brookes.
o Skinner, B. F. (1974). About behaviorism. New York: Knopf; [distributed by Random
House.
o Tough, P. (2008). Whatever it takes: Geoffrey Canada's quest to change Harlem and
America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
O Selected articles and chapters
ATTENDANCE
Class attendance is required. Should you have to miss a class, please contact one of the
instructors of this course in advance.Two participation points will be deducted for every five
minutes you are late.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

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You will be required to create twodiscussion questions for the readings that will be discussed
during each class. These questions are to be submitted by the start of each class (Monday at
3:30pm and Wednesday at 3:30pm) on e-learning and are to be brought to each class. Five
homework points will be deducted each day the assignment is late.
REFLECTION PAPERS
You will be required to submit a one page reflection paper regarding the required chapters from
Paul Tough’s “Whatever it takes: Geoffrey Canada’s quest to change Harlem and America”.
These papers are to be submitted by the start of each class and are to be brought to each class.
Five homework points will be deducted each day the assignment is late.
QUIZZES
You will be required to take a quiz every class to ensure that you have read the required
readings. Quizzes will be worth 10 points each, and you will have the opportunity to drop your
two (2) lowest quiz grades. There are no make-up quizzes.Please note that attendance will not
always be taken, so the completion of your quiz during class time will confirm your
attendance.
PRESENTATIONS
You will be responsible for preparing one individual class presentation and one group
presentation that will cover a topic of your choice. Your individual presentations should be 15
minutes in length, and illustrate your understanding of your individual topic. Prior to presenting
to the class, you must send your individual presentation to a peer reviewer for feedback. Your
group presentations should be 45 minutes in length, and should illustrate your understanding of
your group topic. Please review the following guidelines for presentations. You are responsible
for knowing the contents of this syllabus:
o 1/21/13 Individual topics should be submitted via e-learning
o 1/24/13 Individual Topics & Feedback will be returned & Peer reviewers assigned
Note: Due by 11:59 P.M.
o 2/4/13 Individual Presentations begin
o 3/11/13 Group Presentation topics should be submitted via e-learning
o 3/18/13 Group Presentation Topics and Feedback returned
o 4/15/13 Group Presentations Begin
GRADING POLICY
Your grades will be posted online in E-learning every Friday at three. You are encouraged to
keep track of your scores.
To obtain an “A” in the course, you must earn a 92% or better in the following categories:
Participation/Attendance
Homework
Quizzes
Summary Papers
To use the matrix below, take your lowest percentage in either Participation or Homework and
find it on the top row. Then, find your quiz percentage on the left hand column and then look for
the letter grade that intersects between the two percentages on the matrix. This is your final grade

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in the course.
Participation/Attendance & Homework
Grade 92 87 82 77 72 67 62 <61
92 A BA B CB C DC D E
87 BA B CB C DC D E
82 B BC C DC D E
Quizzes
77 CB C DC D E
72 C DC D E
67 DC D E
62 D E
<61 E
Point Breakdown
Category Subcategory Points
Reflection Papers
Discussion Questions 15 points per week
Homework Individual Project 100 points
Group Project 100 points
Peer Review Assignment 20 Points
Quizzes +10 points per quiz
Participation 15 points per week
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY POINTS (OAPS)
You can earn OAPs for optional alternate activities of academic value that are scheduled outside
of the regular classes. These points can count towards missed quizzes, absences and missed
homework assignments.
Optional Alternate Activities could include:
 Writing reaction papers based on conferences or colloquia attended
 Participating in research projects
 Watching movies or reading books and additional articles related to the course
 Community Service with minority populations
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
As you know, WMU cannot tolerate academic misconduct. We expect students to be honest and
act with integrity. You should read the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog that
pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and
forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be
found at www.www.wmich.edu/catalog under Academic Policies, Student Rights and
Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty,
you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You should consult with me if you are
uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.
Turning in someone else’s homework as your own, doing someone else’s homework, assignment
or test, copying someone else’s assignment or test answers, using unauthorized notes during
tests, or copying text from sources without citing them (plagiarism) are all considered cheating.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATION
We are committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with
documented physical or learning disabilities. If you have a disability please contact me during
the first week of class to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading,
classroom experiences, and assignments. If necessary, I will meet with you and staff members of
the Disabled Student Resources and Services office to formulate a written plan for appropriate
accommodations.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
We are dedicated to maintaining the rights of students to observe religious holidays. If you need
to miss a class to observe a religious holiday, I request that you contact me a week in advance to
discuss any arrangements.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
We want this class to be a place that is conducive to learning. Thus, we ask that you please be
respectful and courteous to the instructors and your classmates. Also, please do not create
unnecessary distractions in class that will disturb other students, such as talking loudly (keep
voices to a whisper), leaving your seat unnecessarily, or using your cell phone during class.
Turn your cell phone off before class begins.
Date Assignments Quizzes Important
Due/Readings Reminders
1/7/13  Syllabus  Don’t forget to
(M) read over the
syllabus because
you will have a
quiz over it on
Wednesday!
1/9/13  Chapters 1-2 of About  Quiz over the
(W) Behaviorism Syllabus and Ch.
 Hayes &Toarmino 1&2
(1995)
1/14/13  Chapters 3-4 About  Quiz over Ch. 3-4
(M) Behaviorism
1/16/13  Expectation
(W) Paper
1/21/13  NO CLASS (MLK
(M) DAY)
1/23  Forehand &Kotchkick  Quiz
(W) (1996)
Parenting & Early  Sulzer&Azeroff (1997)
Interventions
1/28  Hart &Risley (1975)  Quiz
(M)  Kauffman et al. (2008)
Parenting & Early
Interventions/
Education
1/30/13  King et al., (1975)  Quiz
(W)  Rimes & Mable (1997)
Education

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2/4/13 Podcasts
(M)
2/6/13  Whatever it Takes (1-3)  Quiz and
(W) Summary Paper
2/11/13 Individual Presentations
(M)
2/13/13  Whatever it Takes (4-6)  Quiz and
(W) Summary Paper
2/18/13  Whatever it Takes (7-9)  Quiz and
(M) Summary Paper
2/20/13  Whatever it takes (10-  Quiz and
(W) 11) Summary Paper
2/25/13  Steele (1995)  Quiz
(M)
2/27/13  B.M. Book Ch. 7  Quiz and
(W) Summary Paper
3/4-3/8 SPRING BREAK
3/11/13  Sue (1983)  Quiz
(M)
Social Issues
3/13/13  Maheady et al. (1983)  Quiz
(W)  Bolling (2002)
3/18/13  Malott (2007)  Quiz
(M)
3/20/13  Ch. 6 Peter Lamal Book  Quiz
(W)
3/25/13  Iwamasa (1996)  Quiz
(M) Iwamasa (1997)
3/27/13 Panel Discussion
(W)
4/1/13  Ms. Evers Boys 
(M)
4/3/13  Ms. Evers Boys  Quiz on Ms.
(W) Evers Boys
4/8/13 Preparation for Group Projects
(M)
4/10/13 Preparation for Group Projects
(W)
4/15/13 Group Presentations
(M)
4/17/13 Group Presentations
4/22-4/26 Final Exam Week