General Psychology Syllabus for 2014-2015
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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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Course

PSYC-2301-DC002 General Psychology

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ PSYCHSMART 2nd Edition, MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHER

\  

Supplies

pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer or if you do not have access to a computer anywhere else, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4th floor of the Libra

Student Performance

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

\ 1. Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology.

\ 2. Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology.

\ 3. Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.

\ 4. Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.

\ 5. Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.

\ 6. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.

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 online, participate in class discussion boards, be prepared for class discussion and exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although this class is online you should be doing your own work. I whole heartedly expect you to use your notes and books on all assignments and exams, you just may not use your friend or classmates. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students’ responses within class. 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 700 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% = 700-630 points A

89-80% = 629-560 points B

79-70% = 559-490 points C

69-50% = 489-350 points D

Below 50% = below 350 points F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams and you get to replace your lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade)

100 points for a core curriculum check over scientific method, reading graphs and essay on social aspects in our community

200 points for on-line discussion forum (you will be required to respond to discussion on-line about chapters and topics discussed in lecture and you will be required to respond to two of your classmates responses)

Total points possible: 700 points

• 4  50 question multiple choice exams on-line; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace your lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade
• 100 points for scientific method, reading graph and social responsibility
  • The essay portion will be worth 50 points and graded using this rubric

• The other 50 points will be earned by answering 10 multiple choice questions worth 5 points each

• On-line discussion forums:
  • you will be required to respond to different discussion topics on-line
  • the discussion will need to include relevant information discussed in class lecture notes, web links, YouTube videos and in your textbook
  • All discussions will be worth 20 points; total for all discussions will add up to 200 points. There will be 15 points possible for your initial response and 5 points for you responses to your classmates.
  • You will be required to respond to 2 classmates’ responses. Your comments need to relevant responses that show that you have read and understood what your classmates have posted and their point of view. Nice job is not enough. Here is an example of a good response: That is a really great point of view, I really liked that way you related reinforcement to everyday life and I agree with your statement that money is really the number one incentive in the world.

Attendance

You will need to check online every day for updates and assignments. If you miss assignment and exam due dates then that will negatively effect your grade.

Calendar

Additional Information

More than likely I will not allow you to make-up any exam; but if there are extreme circumstances please contact me as soon as possible so we can figure something out!! I do want you all to be successful! If you are having any issues with the lecture notes, the text book, exams or any of the discussions please contact me. The sooner we can get the problem resolved the more successful you will be.