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Personal note to all students taking this course with Dr.
Antonio Puente from some of his former students:
"You should remember that this is a senior
level course and you will be expected to work at a senior level. This
course requires you to attend class daily and I suggest recording his
lectures but you should not use the taped lectures as a crutch but rather
as a study aid. As one of Dr. Puente’s former students, I feel that I can
safely say that this course is only as interesting as you make it. Dr.
Puente makes his lectures interesting and exciting to the student who is
willing to learn. Some students may find it better, as I did, to take the
course during a summer session. I decided to take the course in the first
summer session of 1998. I would advise to the dedicated student to take the
course during the summer, however, if you are going to do that, go to class
EVERYDAY and on the first day of class, have ideas about what you wish to
do for your Sperry paper so that you can discuss it with Dr. Puente and get
started on it immediately (if not sooner)." Note that I completed the
first web page for his course.
Kara Leigh Watson (original
designer web page)
"I took PSY 405 in the fall of 1995. As a psych major, the course
was required so everyone had to take it. I had already taken intro as well
as psychopathology with Dr. Puente so I felt comfortable with his teaching
style and his demanding nature. Other students didn't. Half of the people
that showed up the first day ended up dropping the class. I heard horror
stories that the class was worse than any the psychology department had to
offer. I decided to find out for myself. The class was very demanding and
the tests were challenging to say the least, but I loved it. The class is
perfect for those who aspire to have a career in psychology; for we must
know the history of psychology before we can decide the future of it. For
those who are just trying to get by, it is a nightmare. If you don't take
notes......you fail; don't pay attention to what is being said (jokingly or
not)......you fail; don't study for the test or go to the review
sessions......you fail. The formula is very difficult and takes a lot of
discipline. The class is two phases: 1. The exams,
and 2. The Sperry paper. For the exams you must pay attention in class and
take very thorough notes. Study the format of the exam (i.e. matching, fill
in the blank, etc.) and your notes well and your home free. Well, not
exactly. The Sperry paper is probably the most difficult part because it is
imperative that you come up with a creative topic. Remember, he has seen
probably thousands of papers on Sperry. Make your contribution original and
different. Don't forget to adhere strictly to APA style and don't try to BS
your way...he'll know. Well, that is all the advice I can give without
getting into too much trouble. Good luck." Gabe Salazar (graduate MA graduate; Coastal Horizons)
I am finishing doctoral studies in the clinical psychology program at
Chapel Hill. Dr. Puente asked me retrospectively what advise
I could provide for aspiring students who are currently enrolled in this
course. Here are some observations for your consideration;
1. Take copious notes, consider taping the lectures.
2. Find a compatible fellow student early in the semester to begin studying
with.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, miss class.
4. Keep your syllabus...this course was the only undergraduate course which
transferred to meet the requirements of my doctoral program at Chapel Hill.
5. Start on your paper early, make it interesting to you and to him (i.e.,
I did the original Sperry website).
6. Work really hard in this class and the payoff can be substantial.
7. Ask questions, participate, and get involved...this course is about
psychology and about you.
Good luck...Edward Forrest
Morrill (Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, UNC-CH)
For information regarding this page please contact:
Antonio E. Puente, Ph.D.
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