General Psychology Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202L

Office Hours

Email or through Blackboard Collaborate 

By appointment if contacted by email eerodriguez@actx.edu

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PSYC-2301-010 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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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ PSYCHSMART 2nd Edition, MCGRAW HILL PUBLISHER

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Supplies

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 4th floor of the Library.

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Student Performance

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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, check-up online, participate in class, 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 that some of 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

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 (the smaller number) by the number of possible points that you could have earned in the class (the larger number). The main thing you need to worry about is getting as many points as possible. Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% = 450 points  and above A

89-80% = 449-400 points B

79-70% = 399-350 points C

69-50% = 349-250 points D

Below 50% = below 250 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

Total points possible: 500 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

 

 

 

 

Levels of Achievement

Criteria

Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Needs Improvement

Does Not Meet Expectations

Knowledge

 

 

20 Points

Reflects knowledge gained through research of website and reflects on own experiences and  personal knowledge of the subject making sure to answer every part of the question presented

16 Points

Reflects using minimal information form website source and most from personal knowledge and experience making sure to answer all parts of the question presented.

12 Points

Reflects only using personal knowledge and nothing from website source

Answer most of the questions presented.

9 Points

Reflects only on using knowledge and doesn’t not answer all the question presented.

Organization

20 Points

Information is clearly organized.

16 Points

Information is semi-organized.

12 Points

Information is loosely organized.

9 Points

Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization.

Mechanics

10 Points

Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work.

7 Points

Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with minimal errors.

5 Points

Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with major errors.

3 Points

Very poor grammar and spelling used through written and oral work.

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

 

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. It is extremely important to come to class. We have 4 weeks less than my other classes so be ready to ask questions and get clarification on all issues.

Calendar

Class Schedule/Outline:

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if needed.

                                                                           Date                                         Lesson/Lecture

Week of Feb 17th                                       Introduction, Chapter 1-The Science of Psychology

                                                                                                                            Chapter 1-The Science of Psychology

 

Week of Feb 24th                                      Chapter 1-The Science of Psychology & Chapter 2-Neuroscience and Behavior

                                                               Chapter 2- Neuroscience and Behavior

**Scientific method, experiments, and reading graph quiz with social responsibility essay. Opens Tuesday Feb. 26th and you will have until Sunday March 1st. It will close at midnight.

 

                                                                 Week of March 3rd                                     Chapter 3-Sensation & Perception

                                                **Exam 1 covering chapters 1-3. It will open Wednesday March 4th and you will need to take it by Sunday March 8th . It will close at midnight.

                                                                     Chapter 4 States of Consciousness

 

                                                             Week of March 10th                                        Chapter 4 Drug use

                                                                                                                                    Chapter 5 Learning

March 16th- 20th          Spring Break!!!! Enjoy the break!!!

                                                                     Week of March 24th                               Chapter 6 Memory  

                                                                                 Chapter 7-Thinking, Language and Intelligences

**Exam 2 covers Chapter 4-7. It will open Wednesday March 25th and you will need to take it by Sunday March 29th. It will close by midnight.

 

                                                                       Week of March 31st                                 Chapter 8- motivation and emotion

 

                                                                         Week of April 7th                                    Chapter 9 Development

                                                 

                                                                       Week of April 14th                                      Chapter 10- Personality

** Exam 3 covers chapter 8-10. It will open Wednesday April 15th and you will need to take it by Sunday April 19th. It will close by midnight.

 

              Week of April 21st                              Chapter 11 Health Psychology: Stress, coping and well-being.

 

               Week of April 28th                                      Chapter 12- Psychological Disorders and Treatment

                                               

               Week of May 5th                                Chapter 13 Social Psychology

 

Week of May11th            **Exam 4 covers Chapters 11-12. It will open Monday May 11th and you will need to take it by Wednesday May 13th. It will close by midnight.

Additional Information

More than likely I will not allow you to make-up any exam; 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!!

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM