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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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-2301-018 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

Required: Exploring Psychology with Updates on DSM-5, 9th Edition, + LaunchPad, Worth Publishers, ISBN-10: 1-4641-6336-7, ISBN-13: 978-1-4641-6336-4.

Note: LaunchPad is required and is no extra cost.

Used textbooks are acceptable for this class. 

Supplies

You will need access to a reliable computer with a reliable Internet connection and Microsoft Office software.  Open computer labs on campus are available for use and encouraged.

Student Performance

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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

STUDENT COMMITMENT:

This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week in studying for this class outside of class. 

This is an online course.  This means that this course is completed "outside of class".  This requires a serious commitment from the student.

Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments.  My suggestion is to read and outline the material prior to attending class.  I recommend that you use a word processor to create your own outline of the reading material.  After you complete this process, you have a way to test your knowledge level, and you will have covered the material in a systematic and comprehensive manner.  This process will allow you to “chunk” the material into smaller pieces which is more effective than trying to “digest” it all at once by cramming or just “reading over” or skimming over the reading.  Next, watch the corresponding lecture posted online or complete the online activity if lecture is posted online - whichever is assigned for that week.  Next, I suggest that you review your outline from the reading and compare that to the notes that you have taken in class/the Chapter PowerPoint lecture slides.  The Chapter PowerPoint slides can be found under the Content tab.  This will give you a good indicator of where you may need to give more attention.  Next, I suggest viewing the Auxiliary Notes posted online.  You may find these under the Content tab.  These notes are topical - therefore, you can choose a topic that you may need to give more attention.  These Auxiliary Notes are more visually appealing (which is great for the visual learner) and more detailed than the Chapter PowerPoint slides.  Next, I would take the quiz/complete the assignment for that given week.  The weekly quizzes will also be a good barometer for areas where you may need to apply more effort or give more attention.

If you are having further difficulty with the material, you may want to receive tutoring or study skills training free of charge from the Access Center (Library; 3rd floor). There are also many web sites on study skills and strategies.  Further, recommend that you take the course on Student Success at AC (First Year Seminar) which teaches important areas such as study skills, motivation, time management, and stress management.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

A responsible student is a successful student. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, respect the opinions, rights, and personal property of others, and meet their financial obligations. Students are responsible for seeking help and guidance from all of the resources that the college makes available to them. They are expected to be proactive and remain informed about college dates and deadlines and understand academic and disciplinary policies. They are responsible for communication with their professors, advisors, and college staff and the commitment to being organized and prepared to learn. Above all, our students are expected to strive for honesty and academic integrity throughout their period of study.

In order to provide a learning process and academic environment that permits you to pursue your educational goals, it is essential for all faculty, students, and staff to maintain academic integrity. You are expected to exhibit academic honesty in this and every class. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and aiding or abetting others to cheat or plagiarize.

It is expected that each student will do his/her own work. Assisting a student while he/she is taking an online exam is cheating. Not only could you be reprimanded, but you are cheapening your own education.

Each student is expected to follow the guidelines in the AC Student Rights & Responsibilities document.  This information may be found at the following link: Student Rights and Responsibilities.  All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students in the classroom.  There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment or disrespect.

Grading Criteria

GRADING:

Grades for this course will be based on three exams and weekly online quizzes/activities. Your final grade consists of the following:

3 Examinations	60%	(100 points each) 300 total points
Weekly Online Quizzes/Activities	40%	200 total points
		500 total points/5 = 100%

Here is an example of how to calculate your grade.  The Exams are worth 60% and the Weekly Online Quizzes/Assignments are worth 40%.

Let us say, for example, that you made the following grades in the course:

Exam 1 = 82; Exam 2 = 79; Exam 3 = 93; Final Exam = 0 (drop grade)

Quiz 1: 100; Quiz 2 = 75; Online Assignment 1 = 100 (There will be more than 3 Weekly Online Quizzes/Activities - this is merely for demonstration.)

Here is how you would do the math:

Average the Exam grades: 82 + 79 + 93 = 254.  254/3 = 84.67

Average the Weekly Online Quizzes/Activities: 100 + 75 + 100 = 275.  275/3 = 91.67

84.67 X .60 = 50.802 (Exams)

91.67 X .40 = 36.668 (Weekly Online Quizzes/Assignments)

Now, add the numbers for each category:  50.802 + 36.668 = 87.47 = B (Course Grade)

EXAMINATIONS:

1. There will be four multiple choice examinations.  Each exam will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and will be worth 100 total points.  60% or 300 points of your final total points in the course will be based on your examination scores. 

2. The four exams include Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3 and a Comprehensive Final Exam.  You do not have to take the Final exam if you are happy with your scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3.  The lowest exam score out of the four is automatically dropped.  Therefore, if you are happy with your scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3, then you have the option to not take the Comprehensive Final Exam.  If you decide to take the Final and it is your lowest of the four scores, it will be dropped.

3.  Because the lowest exam score is dropped, there will be no make-up exams.  If you miss a scheduled exam for any reason, that exam will be the exam score that will be dropped.   The purpose for the drop grade is so that you can miss an exam for any reason, such as death in the family, illness, vacation, having a baby, not able to get your books on time, not having access to a reliable computer, having to work, forgetting to take an exam, etc.  Again, there will be no make-up exams.  

4. All exams will be taken in AC Connect/Blackboard.  You may not have another person with you at the time that you are taking one of the online exams.  If there is indication that you received help during an online exam, the penalty will be an F in the course and likely expulsion from Amarillo College.  

5. You will be given 90 minutes (1.5 hours) in which to complete each exam.  For a comprehensive outline of exam dates (including the Final examination period), please see the Course Calendar posted in Blackboard.  This document can be found under the Content tab.  These dates will also be announced in class and via Blackboard announcements.

6. Please review the test dates in this course schedule.  If your schedule cannot accommodate these dates and times, you will need to drop this course and find a course that will work with your schedule.  No exams will be given after the deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency such as death in the family or serious illness. In such a case, you must provide documentation indicating that you were not able to complete the exam.

7. You will be able to view only one question at a time, and you will have one attempt for each question.  You are not penalized for guessing.  You will not be able to go back and review or answer questions.  Do not click the "back" button on your browser or try to return to a previous question in any way in an attempt to change an answer/submit an answer for an unanswered question.  If you do, this could cause your exam to prematurely submit, and you would thus lose points for any remaining questions that have not been answered.  Do not skip any questions.  If you do, the question will be counted as incorrect.  Remember that you must click the “submit” button at the end of your exam. 

8. For test security purposes, I do not release the tests or allow additional time to go back and review the exams.  I offset this policy with online exams, practice test questions via given quizzes, participation/attendance grade, and grade adjustments for each exam based on the number of questions missed by the class.  I also do not provide written "study guides".  Your job as a student in this course is to master the covered material - therefore, it is expected that you read and study all given material.  However, I will give general guidelines in our face-to-face class meetings for what material may be stressed on the exam and what material may perhaps not appear on an exam for any potential reason.  This is yet another beneficial reason to attend class meetings.

WEEKLY ONLINE QUIZZES/ACTIVITIES:

1. There will be weekly online quizzes/activities over the course material.  These quizzes/activities will take place each week that we will cover new material.  (Quizzes/activities will not take place during an exam week.)  Your quiz/activity average will account for 40% of your final score or 200 total points.

2. You must complete each quiz/activity on time.  There will be no make-up quizzes/activities.  For a more comprehensive outline of due dates, please see the Course Calendar posted in Blackboard.  This document can be found under the Content tab.  These dates will also be announced in class and via Blackboard announcements.

3. All quizzes/activities will be completed in AC Connect/Blackboard.  You may not have another person with you at the time that you are taking one of the online quizzes or completing one of the online activities.  If there is indication that you received help during an online quiz/activity, the penalty will be an F in the course and likely expulsion from Amarillo College.  

4. You will be given 30 minutes in which to complete each quiz.  Activity due dates and instructions will be posted in AC Connect/Blackboard.

5.  If a weekly assignment requires submitted a written response, I recommend that you write your response in Word, and save a copy in your files. If there is a problem with the online course, then you will have a backup copy. You also need to run spell check, grammar check, and then post it into the course.  Do NOT post your paper as an attachment.

6. At the end of the semester, all of the weekly online quiz and online assignment scores will be averaged. 

7. If an assignment requires a specific word count, I will not accept this assignment if it does not meet the required word minimum.  You should use a word processor to write your papers. Your word processor should give you a word count.    

Rubric used to evaluate written assignments:

	Levels of Achievement
Criteria	Exceeds Expectations	Meets Expectations	Needs Improvement	Does Not Meet Expectations
Knowledge	40 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	32 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.	24 Points Reflects only using personal knowledge and nothing from website source Answer most of the questions presented.	18 Points Reflects only on using knowledge and doesn’t not answer all the question presented.
Organization	40 Points Information is clearly organized.	32 Points Information is semi-organized.	24 Points Information is loosely organized.	18 Points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization.
Mechanics	20 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work.	14 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with minimal errors.	10 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with major errors.	6 Points Very poor grammar and spelling used through written and oral work.

 

Again, your Course Calendar will provide you with the details of how and when to complete these assignments/quizzes.  This document is found under Content on the Home page for the course.  It is reasonable that a due date/assignment may be changed.  Please attend class regularly and regularly check your email/Blackboard announcements for notice of these potential changes.

FINAL GRADES:

            A = 90-100

            B = 80-89

            C = 70-79

            D = 60-69

            F = 0-59

I do make adjustments for grades that are “borderline” at the end of the semester.  For example, a 79.5 would be rounded up to a “B” and a 79.4 would round to a “C.”  Please do not inquire about special accommodations above and beyond this at the end of the semester.  Keep up with your work.  Complete your assignments.  Give a committed effort.  Stay focused and committed to the course.  Your grade is ultimately your responsibility, and you earn it.

You may check your grades periodically in our course on Blackboard.  In order to check your grades, you can go to “My Grades” on the Home Page for the course.  Please be aware that the Course Average grade that you see will NOT BE ACCURATE UNTIL all of the Exams, Assignments/Quizzes, Attendance points have been completed for the class.  Therefore, you need to calculate your grade by hand to help determine your decision whether or not to take the final exam and/or to determine your current standing in the course. 

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

When you access the Content Tab and then Discussions, you will see "Virtual Classroom".  Here, you can ask a question or provide comments that the entire class (including your instructor) can see. 

If you have general questions (and answers) from which others may benefit, please direct them to the instructor (or class) by posting them in Virtual Classroom. When I answer the question (or when you answer a question) in "Virtual Classroom", all students will be able to see my (and your) responses.

This is designed to mirror a typical classroom culture in a regular face-to-face 3 hour course.  Because this course is online, you may find that additional questions arise when you are studying/reviewing the online material at home.

If you experience any technical difficulty with AC Connect/Blackboard, please contact the Helpdesk directly at 806.371.5000 or email them at askac@actx.edu.

WITHDRAWING FROM THE COURSE:

You are responsible for being knowledgeable and cognizant of important college dates and for withdrawing yourself from the course by the set deadline if you are unable to complete a course or courses for which you have registered.  Please refer to http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=14&navoid=603 for important dates and deadlines. 

You must officially drop a class in the Registrar's office. If you simply stop attending, a grade of F will appear on your transcript. An F will have a strong negative effect on your GPA.

FURTHER STUDENT RESOURCES:

Student Resources Website