General Psychology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

PSYC-2301-028 General Psychology

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

An introduction to psychology covering the principles of human behavior relating to heredity, maturation, intelligence, learning, motivation, perception, emotions and personality.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Psychology and Life, 18th edition, by Richard J. Gerrig and Philip G. Zimbardo, ISBN # 0-205-49846-9-0 and Study Guide for Psychology and Life

Supplies

Paper, pens, pencils.  Other supply will be discussed in class.

Student Performance

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

1.  Students are expected to watch each scheduled case study lesson.

2.  Students are responsible for the study and review of assigned text material and completion of exercises and problems assigned.

3.  The instructor is available for individual assistance as required, during normal office hours.  If you need other times, please contact your instructor.

4.  Cheating:  No form of cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated.  Please remember that Academic Dishonesty is not a way to learn.  Anyone caught "cheating"  will be penalized.  I consider this a very serious matter!  (Refer to the Amarillo College Student Handbook for the specific policy on cheating.)

5.  The instructor reserves the right to revise the syllabus and grading scale as time and other factors necessitate.

Grading Criteria

Letter grades are based on the following scale:

 

90% and Above = A

80% to 89%       = B

70% to 79%       = C

60% to 69%       = D

Below 60%        = F

 

Exams:  A total fo four exams will be given during the course.  The final exam will be worth 100 points.  The final wxam will be comprehensive.  The final exam is due no later than December 11, at 5:00 p.m.

Pre-test:  A pre-quiz (or pre-test) will be given the beginning of the class.  This does not count towards your grade; it is used for assessment purposes to evaluate the course.

Quizzes:  Three quizzes have been assigned.

Journals/Essays:  Students are to complete three separate journals/essays.  Each journal/essay shoudl include information from three different chapters of the telecourse tapes.  Journals/essays are to be at least 2 pages long, covering important issues in the chapters.  These should be typed if possible.

Student's Special Needs:

Amarillo College strives for a student-centered, quality education with flexibility to allow for student's special needs.  Students with disabilities or special needs should feel free to contact the instructor privately if there are services or adaptations which can be made to accommodate specific needs.

Standards of Performance:

Students will receive grades on at least one project from each major area of the course outline/schedule as described by the performance objectives.  Additional standards will be delineated in the instructor's individual class syllabus which is distributed to students the first week of class and placed on file in the dean of Instructional Services office each semester.

Student Evaluation and Grades:

Testing and grading are the responsibility of the instructor.  Faculty usually composes their own tests, however, standardized test are used in selected discipline areas.  In addition to written  tests, other criteria such as outside assignments, research projects, reports, papers, and manipulative performance are encourage.

Numerous evaluations are encouraged during final grades.  Final grades are required for all students enrolled in the class.  Instructors are required to maintain a college-level grading standard.  Grades are protected as confidential information and must not be posted by student name or SS#/Student ID#.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

Attendance

 

Student attendance is necessary for successful completion of the course.  It is the student's responsibility to attend class.

Withdrawal From Class:

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses.  These dates and times are published in that semester's course schedule.  Administration procedures must be followed.  It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class.  You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Students are introduced to psychology as a science that includes the study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals.  Topics surveyed include history, research methods, brain and behavior, psychopharmacology, DSM axises, learning, memory, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, and social psychology.

In addition to the learning outcomes listed previously, the following will also be expected:

With 70% accuracy, in a faculty generated exam, students will:

1.  Define "psychology".

2.  Describe the major theories, basic concepts, and principles of psychology.

3.  Describe the major subfields of psychology.

4.  Discuss what psychologists do.

5.  Describe the method used by psychologists

6.  Label and describe the parts of the brain and their functions.

7.  Understand and interpret selected case histories using the DSM III.

8.  Be able to conduct elementary psychology research and present it.

9.  Be able to interpret psychology research and examine validity of the research methods and claims.