STRESS MANAGEMENT

PSY.4327, Section 501

Fall, 2005
Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:45pm, Green Hall 4.301

INSTRUCTOR: E. Clifton Davis, Ed.D.

Off Campus Phone (972) 404-1377
dr.clifdavis@mindspring.com

TEXTS: Stress Management for Wellness (4th edition), Shafer (S.)

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes (2nd edition), Bridges (B.)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course presents an in-depth study of the sources of stress,
the physiological and psychological effects of stress and the strategies for managing
stress.

Four major emphases will be highlighted: (1) basic brain functioning and the stress
response, (2) the implications of “Type A” and Type B” personality traits, (3) cognitive
methods of stress manage ment, and (4) the effects of modern day transitions/changes and
their effects on us as humans.

COURSE ACTIVITIES : Course activities include lectures, videos/films, demonstrations,

quizzes and readings in the text.

EXAMS: You will be required to complete three non-cumulative exams. Four exams will
be administered. You may drop your lowest exam. Each exam will comprise one-third of
your grade. These exams will contain multiple choice, true/false, short answer and essay
questions. Questions are primarily from the text, but they will also include major
concepts from the lectures, films and other materials.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance records will be kept for each class session. At the time
final grades are assigned, your record of attendance will be reviewed if your score falls
near the cut off between two grades.

GRADING SCALE: 90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 60% = D
Below 60% = F

A “minus” may be added to the grade if it is marginally low, or a “plus” may be added
for a “high end” grade. Good attendance and class participation/preparation will also be
taken into account. No “extra credit” work will be given. Please note that final grades
can not be altered after they are submitted to the administrative offices of UT Dallas.
POLICIES : Exams : DO NOT MISS AN EXAM. Make-up exams will be given only if:
(1) you are seriously ill and have documentation from a physician, or (2) you made
arrangements prior to the exam to attend an urgent family affair (e.g., funeral). In either
of these cases, you must notify the professor in advance of the scheduled time of the
exam (Call and leave a voice- mail message if you can do nothing else). Otherwise, you
will receive an F. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that an exa m is made up
within one week of the scheduled time. Beware, make-up exams are designed to be more
difficult to compensate for having more study time.
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Exams will
be monitored. If you are observed cheating you will be reported to the Dean of Students
for a scholastic violation.
Incomplete: The grade of Incomplete will normally not be given. If a student is unable
to attend a substantial portion of the course, then he or she should drop or withdraw for
the course.

CELL PHONES : Please turn them off before class unless an emergency situation exists.
If this is the case, please notify Dr. Davis before class. Violations of this policy could
cause you to be asked to leave that night’s class.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE:

August 23 Introduction to the Course
S. Chapters 1, 2 and 3
August 30 S. Chapter 4
September 06 S. Chapters 5 and 6
Film: Stress and Emotion
September 13 EXAM #1
September 20 B. Chapters 1, 2 and 3
September 27 B. Chapters 4, 5 and 6
October 4 EXAM #2
October 11 S. Chapters 12 and 13
Film: Managing Stress
October 18 S. Chapter 14
October 25 S. Chapter 15
Biofeedback and Relaxation Demonstration
November 1 S. Chapters 16 and 17
November 8 Exam #3
November 15 S. Chapters 8 and 10
November 22 S. Chapters 7, 9 and 11
November 29 FINAL EXAM #4