General Psychology Syllabus for 2013-2014
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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.

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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

General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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\ Required: Psychsmart, 2nd Edition

\                    McGraw Hill Publishers,ISBN 9780078035234

\ Used textbooks are acceptable for this course.  

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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 or .docx  or .rtf format. It is more convenient to hav

Student Performance

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

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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

\ ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: It is expected that each online student will do their own work. Assisting a student while they are taking an online exam is cheating - don't do it and don't let others help you! Not only could you be caught (and the methods of catching cheaters are becoming more sophisticated daily) but you are cheapening your own education. The only purpose of grading this course (in this instructor's opinion) is to show your level of understanding the material. Education is your investment in YOURSELF - why would you want to cheat yourself?

\ CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:

\ NO CELL PHONES OR PAGERS ARE ALLOWED TO BE TURNED ON IN THE CLASSROOM, EVEN ON VIBRATE.  THIS ALSO MEANS NO TEXT MESSAGING.  THESE ARE VERY DISRUPTIVE TO THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT.  IF YOU ARE ON CALL OR HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND NEED TO HAVE THEM ON, PLEASE TALK TO ME BEFORE CLASS.  OTHERWISE, PLEASE PLACE THESE DEVICES IN BACKPACKS, PURSES, ETC. 

\ PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AT ALL TIMES.   

Grading Criteria

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\ There will be four to six exams. There will also be graded quizzes, short essays, and projects.  Some of the projects will include group work.  All quizzes and major exams will be online.  All graded work will go towards the final grade.  This instructor reserves the right to alter the exam scheules and grading opportunities.

\ The grading criteria is as follows:

\ A=90-100

\ B=80-90

\ C=70-80

\ D=60-70

\ F=BELOW 60

\ Late assignments, quizzes, and exams will be dealt with on an individual basis. 

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Attendance

\  Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled.  For any course, this means "attending" to your due dates online and attending the classes on campus that are required.  Excessive absences will jeopardize your final grade. 

Calendar

Additional Information

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\ If you experience difficulty in logging in to AC Online, please contact the Helpdesk at 806.371.5000 or email them at askac@actx.edu