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-2301-011 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ PSYCHSMART,(2011) MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHER

Supplies

\ 4 scatrons, pencil, 2 different color pens (red, blue, black or whatever color you want as long as you have two different colors), spiral notebook,  and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer,

Student Performance

\ After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following as evaluted by the faculty in the department/program:

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1. \ Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology
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2. \ Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary psychology.
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3. \ Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the various research methods.
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4. \ Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system.
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5. \ Define and discuss sensation and perception.
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6. \ Describe learning from the behavioral and the cognitive perspectives.
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7. \ Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term and long-term memory.
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8. \ Define motives, needs, drives, and incentives.
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9. \ Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theories of emotion.
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10. \ Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology.
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11. \ Define Piaget's concepts and outline Piaget's four stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each.
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12. \ Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality.
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13. \ Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used.
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14. \ 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.
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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

\ I expect you all to attend class, participate in class, be prepared for class, and respect everyone else who is the classroom. No cell phones. If you are waiting on an important call you must talk with me before class so I am aware. If you decided to leave the classroom to answer the phone please do not return. If you leave and come back, you have interrupted my class twice and that is unacceptable. NO texting! If it is so important that you have to text right away, you may leave and please do not return.

\ If you do miss class it is your responsibility to get the material you missed. I will be giving assignments during class that will be due the next class so if you miss you will miss that assignment unless you contact me or someone else in the class. It is your responsibility!! 

\ Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment!! I want this to be an environment everyone can learn and feels safe!!

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria:

            There will be a total of 600 possible points for the semester. You will be able to check your grade on AC Online. To calculate your grade you will divide the number of points you have earned (the smaller number) by the number of possible points that you could have earned in the class (the larger number). Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% = A

89-80% = B

79-70% = C

69-50% = D

Below 50% = F

The points will be earned:

300 points for exams (4 100 points exams and you get to drop the lowest)

60 points for attendance (I will take attendance 12 times during the semester for 5 points each time)

60 points for practice quizzes (4 20 point practice quizzes and you get to drop the lowest)

190 points for on-line discussion forum (you will be required to respond to discussion on-line about chapters and topics discussed in class)

Total points possible: 600 points

-          4  50 question multiple choice exams in class on scantrons; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to drop the lowest test grade

-          4 10 questions multiple choice practice quizzes will be given before exams to help prepare you for the exams;each practice quiz will be     

            worth 20 points and you will get to drop the lowest quiz grade

-          On-line discussion forums:

o   you will be required to respond to different discussion topics on-line

o   the discussion will need to include relevant information discussed in class and in your textbook

o   different discussions will be worth different amounts of points; total for all discussions will add up to 190 points.

Attendance

\ You are in college; I know you want to skip, but if you just show up you will do better in the class. I will take attendance 10 times during the semester worth 5 points each time. If you are late then you will not receive the points. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!!

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Calendar

Additional Information

More than likely I will not allow you to make-up any examor quiz ; but if there are extreme circumstances please come talk to me so we can figure something out!! I do want you all to be successful!!

Please make sure you do log on to the class on-line!! The discussions will be very helpful for you during this class plus you will be getting a grade on them!!