General Psychology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

PSYCHSMART 2nd Edition, MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHER

Supplies

4 scatrons, pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer, you will need to use AC computers located on the 2^nd floor of the Library.

Student Performance

These are the MINIMUM competencies. After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

1. Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology
2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary psychology
3. Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the various research methods
4. Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system
5. Define and discuss sensation and perception
6. Describe learning from the behavioral and the cognitive perspectives
7. Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term and long-term memory
8. Define motives, needs, drives and incentives
9. Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theories of emotion
10.  Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology
11. Define Piaget’s concepts and outline Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each
12. Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality
13. Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used
14. Describe the social context of human behavior, emphasizing attribution theory, relationships between attitudes and actions, conformity, group/cultural influences, prejudice, aggression, social conflict, attraction, altruism and peacemaking.

Students 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

\ 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

There will be a total of 500 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 (usually 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)

80 points for in class experiment presentation/paper (3 40 point in class presentation/ paper on an experiment you have researched on computer)

Total points possible: 500 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. The exams will be taken from notes and the chapters in the book. I will provide study guides before each test.
• 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.
• The in class experiment presentation/paper:
  •  I will draw 10 -12 names each Monday
  • Those 10-12 students will then be asked to prepare a short presentation of an experiment they researched on-line
  • The presentation will consist of the experiment name, who was in charge, short summary or what they did and what the outcome or results were from the experiment.
  • If you refuse to stand up in front of the class; I will need you to type a one-page paper with all of the information and turn it in.
  • I will need from everyone a piece of paper with your name, the name of the experiment and where you found information.

Attendance

It’s 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 exam or 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!!