General Psychology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course Information

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Course

PSYC-2301-026 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.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbook:  Psychsmart, 1^st ed.  McGraw-Hill Publishers, ISBN 978-0-07-803523-4

Supplies

Paper, pens, pencils.  Other supply needs will be addressed in class.

Student Performance

Students 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

Student Behavior:  Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class, and to prepare for class discussions by reading the text and doing homework assignments.  If you miss class, you are responsible to get the class information from a classmate.   Tardiness and absenteeism will cause your grade to drop.

Cell phones will not be allowed in class.

Academic Integrity:  It is expected that each student will do his/her own work.   Plagiarism on written work will not be tolerated.  Plagiarism will be discussed at length in class.  Beware that engaging in academic dishonesty will result in your failing this class for the semester.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria:

·         Participation/Projects – 10%

·         Attendance – 10%

·         Exam 1 – 20%

·         Exam 2 – 20%

·         Exam 3 – 20%

·         Final Exam – 20%

Exams:  There will be four exams, including the final comprehensive exam.  Exams will be multiple choice, matching, and short answer.  The information on the tests will come from the reading and the lectures. 

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Attendance

Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class, and to prepare for class discussions by reading the text and doing homework assignments.  If you miss class, you are responsible to get the class information from a classmate.   Tardiness and absenteeism will cause your grade to drop.

Calendar

Additional Information

In addition to learning outcomes listed above, the student will also learn:

·         Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology.

·         Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary psychology.

·         Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the various research methods.

·         Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system.

·         Describe learning from the behavioral and the cognitive perspectives.

·         Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term, and long-term memory.

·         Define motives, needs, drives, and incentives.

·         Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theory of emotion.

·         Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology.

·         Define Piaget’s concepts and outline Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each.

·         Explain and evaluate the benefits of health psychology and making positive life changes.

·         Describe psychological and personality disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used.

·         Obtain an overview of social psychology.