General Psychology Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

PSYC-2301-H 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

Hybrid

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, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4th floor of the Library.

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, check-up 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 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

Grading criteria:

            There will be a total of 800 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% = 800-720 points A

89-80% = 719-640 points B

79-70% = 639-560 points C

69-50% = 559-400 points D

Below 50% = below 400 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)

100 points for experiment presentation

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 20 points possible for your response
• Experiment presentation
  • Each of you will be in a group and each group will research, conduct and present a social experiment. These will be worth 100 points and we will discuss these in more detail in class. There will be handout. This should be a lot of fun but will require you to work in a group on your own time.

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 only meet once so this will be the time to ask questions and get clarification on all issues.

Calendar

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!!