General Psychology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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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N/A

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N/A

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Course

PSYC-2301-022 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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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Required: Psychmart, 1^st Edition      Published by McGraw Hill Publishers

\ ISBN 9780078035234

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\ NOTE: USED TEXTBOOKS ARE FINE FOR THIS COURSE. 

Supplies

You will need access to a computer with an Internet connection and Microsoft Office software.  You must be able to save your files in a .doc .docx or .rtf format.  It is more convenient to have your own com

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

\ Each student is expected to follow the guidelines in the AC Student Rights & Responsibilities document.  All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students in the online classroom.  There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment or disrespect based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious ideals.

Grading Criteria

You will be awarded points for exams and participation as follows:

MAXIMUM EXAM POINTS :  370

MAXIMUM READING QUIZ POINTS:  110

MAXIMUM DISCUSSION POINTS:  80

MAXIMUM  COURSE ATTENDANCE POINTS:  75

TOTAL POINTS FOR THIS COURSE = 635

GRADE OF A:  572 TO 635 POINTS

GRADE OF B:  508 TO 571 POINTS

GRADE OF C:  445 TO 507 POINTS

GRADE OF D:  381 TO 444 POINTS

GRADE OF F:  LESS THAN 380 POINTS

All assignments/work will be submitted through the AC online using Microsoft Word.  Do not send your assignments via another means, I will not grade them and you will receive a zero (0) for that assignment.  In addition, assignments turned in late will not be graded and a grade of zero (0) will be awarded.  NOTICE:   If you choose to wait until the last minute to complete your assignments or exams and you click submit at 10:01 p.m. you will receive a grade of zero (0) for that assignment or exam.  Understand that 10:01 p.m. is after the deadline of 10:00 p.m. 

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled.  This is a hybrid course and there is a course meeting time each week.  Attendance for the course meeting time is MANDATORY.  For each class that a student misses 5 points will be deducted from the course attendance grade (75 pts).  For the online portion of the class, that means "attending" to your email, discussion groups, assignments and exams on time as stated in the Course Outline.  Regular attendance for online classes means checking email and assignments at least every day (more often in the summer classes).  If you miss two assignments or do not take one of the exams you will be in jeopardy of failing this class.  You must communicate with me about any events that would necessitate you missing course due dates. 

Calendar

Additional Information

All assignments/work will be submitted through AC Online using Microsoft Word. Exception for this is on the Extra Credit assignments.  They must be emailed to me at janorman@actx.edu.  Do not send your assignments to my AC email address. If you send your assignments to me at my AC email, I will not grade them and you will receive a zero for that assignment. In addition, assignments turned in late will NOT be graded and a grade of zero will be awarded. Late assignments, discussion postings and exams will not be accepted. Work submitted after the deadline will receive the grade of zero(0). No make-up exams will be given - exams are open for several days and must be completed by due date.