Psychology 384:

Research Laboratory in Human Factors

Syllabus: Spring 2009
Professor Susan E. Brennan, susan dot brennan at sunysb dot edu,
URL: http://www.psy.sunysb.edu/sbrennan-/psy384/p384syl.html

Schedule of lectures, labs and readings
Required texts
Meeting times
Requirements

This 4-credit lab course will focus on human-computer interaction, a field in which psychologists and computer scientists play a central role (along with contributors from many other disciplines). This course provides opportunities for you to combine your training in scientific psychology, human cognition, and human behavior with creativity in solving or studying real-world problems that involve the human use of technology. We also focus on practical issues, communicating your ideas and findings to others, and career development. Prerequisites are Psy 260 and Psy 310. We assume no prior technical knowledge of computers or programming.

Please read this syllabus carefully and make certain you have no other commitments that would prevent you from participating fully in the class.

Professor: Susan Brennan, Psychology Bldg. B, Room 322 Telephone: 632-9145 Office hours: Tu 12:30-2:30, Th 12:30-1:30 and by appointment.

Class will meet T-Th from 9:50–12:40 in the Psychology A141 Computer Lab. Most days, the lecture will be given during the first part of the class (1.5-2 hours), then there will be a short break, and then, lab time. Attendance is mandatory.

Teaching assistants:

Grad: Tony Weaver (aweaverjr@notes.cc.sunysb.edu)
Ugrad: Nicole Romano (niromano@gmail.com)

Readings: This is an intensive, hands-on class, with assignments due approximately every week or so. It is essential to avoid falling behind. Complete relevant readings BEFORE each lecture. The schedule links to most required readings, except for the following 2 required texts (available at Stony Books across from the train station, the campus bookstore, or Amazon.com). Other readings may be provided on BlackBoard.

Norman, Donald A . (2002). The Design of Everyday Things . New York: Basic Books.
Cohen, M. H., Giangola, J. P., & Balogh, J. (2004). Voice User Interface Design. New York: Addison-Wesley

Requirements:

It is essential to attend class. Attendance is taken.
Quizzes: There will be short “No big deal” quizzes (approx. weekly) on the material covered in readings and lecture.
Laboratory assignments: You will gain hands-on practice in the psychology of human-computer interaction by analyzing tasks, documenting and solving design problems, evaluating applications, and communicating your ideas and findings clearly to others. The weekly assignments must be turned in on time unless you make arrangements with the instructor or the graduate TA in advance. You will lose credit for late assignments.
Group project: You will work with one or two others on a collaborative final project.
This class is writing-intensive and may be used to satisfy Psychology’s writing requirement.

Expected grading: 8 Assignments: 48% Quizzes: 15% Group project: 20% Final exam: 15% Participation: 2% & extra credit

About the instructors: Susan Brennan has conducted research on human-computer interaction, psycholinguistics, speech and text interfaces to computers, and computer graphics at the MIT Media Lab, Stanford University, Atari, Hewlett-Packard Labs, Apple Computer, and Stony Brook University.
Anthony Weaver is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology who studies how infants and adults learn language from multimodal perceptual cues; he has also done research on spoken dialogue systems and graphical interfaces. He also holds an MS in Computer Science from Stony Brook.

Schedule of lectures, labs, and readings

Statement on Disability Support Services: If you have a physical, psychiatric, medical, or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned coursework, please contact Disabled Student Services at 632-6748 or http://studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/dss/. They will determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. If you think you may require assistance during emergency evacuation, please discuss your needs with your instructors and DSS. For more information, see http://www.sunysb.edu/ehs/fire/disabilities.shtml.

Statement on Personal Integrity: Stony Brook University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity that are in harmony with the educational goals of the institution; to observe national, state, and local laws and University regulations; and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, and/or inhibits students’ ability to learn.

Statement on Academic Integrity (adopted by the Undergrad Council, 9/12/06): Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Any suspected instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Judiciary. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/academicjudiciary/ .

Statement on Copyright – The Teach Act: Fair Use and Copyright Protection for Digital Media: “All federal and state copyright interests are reserved for all original material presented in this course through any medium, including lecture, electronic transmission or print. Individuals may not sell, be paid or receive anything of value for class notes made during this course from any person or entity without the express written permission of (author). In addition to legal sanctions, violation of these copyright prohibitions may result in University disciplinary action.”