General Psychology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

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Office Hours

Contact me at the number above and we will set up an appointment.

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-2301-001 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Ciccarelli:  Psychology: An Exploration   Books a la Carte Edition with MyPsychLab

Supplies

Any supply needs will be discussed in class. Paper, pen/pencil and book required.

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following:

  • 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.
  • Define and discuss sensation and perception.
  • 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 theories 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.
  • Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality.
  • Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used.
  • Describe the social context of human behavior, emphasizing attribution theory, relationships between attitudes and action, conformity, group/cultural influences, prejudice, aggression, social conflict, attraction, altruism, and peacemaking.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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

Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class and to prepare for class lectures and discussions by reading the text prior to the lecture. Students must turn off all electronic devices (if you have a sick child, you may bring your phone and put it on vibrate). If you must miss a class, you are expected to contact the instructor and/or other students in the class to obtain missing assignments, lecture notes, etc.
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\ Each student is expected to follow the guidelines in the AC Students Rights and Responsibilities documents. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students in the classroom. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment or disrespect based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious ideals.

Grading Criteria

There will be a total of 4 exams in this course. Dates of exams are located in the course outline.
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\ 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D Below 60 = F
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\ Any missed exams MUST be made up the last two weeks of class (after exam 3). Testing times for makeups will be announced. YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR IF YOU MUST MISS AN EXAM.
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\ There are four major evaluations which include exams to be taken in class. You will have ample advanced notice for all exams. Some chapters will take longer to cover than others, so we will discuss exam dates during class.
\ Evaluation 1 includes Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and participation in class during the sessions in which the material is discussed.
\ Evaluation 2 includes Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and participation in class during the session in which the material is discussed.
\ Evaluation 3 includes Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 and participation in class during the session in which the material is discussed.
\ Evaluation 4 includes Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16 and participation in class during the session in which the material is discussed.

Any missed exams MUST be made up the last two weeks of class (after exam 3). Testing times for makeups will be announced. YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR IF YOU MUST MISS AN EXAM.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class and to prepare for class lectures and discussions by reading the text prior to the lecture. Students must turn off all electronic devices (if you have a sick child, you may bring your phone and put it on vibrate). If you must miss a class, you are expected to contact the instructor and/or other students in the class to obtain missing assignments, lecture notes, etc.

Calendar

There will be a total of 4 exams in this course.

The final exam is required.

Course outline will be handed out in class.

Week One: The Science of Psyhcology

Week Two: The Biological Perspective

Week Three: Sesantion and Perception - Learning

Week Four: Memory

Week Five: Consciousness and Cognition

Week Six: Develpement Across the Life Span

Week Seven: Motiation and Emotion

Week Eight: Stress and Health - Social Psychology

Week Nine: Theories of Personality and Intelligence

Week Ten: Psycological Disorders

Week Eleven: Psychological Therapies

Additional Information

The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM