General Psychology Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Beth Rodriguez (Curriculum Vitae)Phone
8063715192Office Location
Dutton Hall 202LOffice 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-2301-007 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
\N
Occupational License Disclaimer
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Class Type
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Exploring Psychology, 8th Edition, David G. Myers
Supplies
\ 4 scatrons, 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:
\\ 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
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog 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, participate in class, be prepared for class, and respect everyone else who is the classroom. No cell phones. If you are waiting on an important call you must talk with me before class so I am aware. If you decided to leave the classroom to answer the phone please do not return. If you leave and come back, you have interrupted my class twice and that is unacceptable. NO texting! If it is so important that you have to text right away, you may leave and please do not return.
\\ If you do miss class it is your responsibility to get the material you missed. I will be giving assignments during class that will be due the next class so if you miss you will miss that assignment unless you contact me or someone else in the class. It is your responsibility!!
\\ Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students. 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 650 possible points for the semester. You will be able to check your grade on AC connect. Grading will be on the standard grade scale:
100-90% 650-585= A
89-80% = 584-520= B
79-70% = 519-455= C
69-50% = 454-325= D
Below 50% Below 325= F
The points will be earned:
400 points for exams (4 100 points exams and you get to replace the lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade)
100 points for attendance (I will take attendance during the semester for a different amount points depending on the day and if there is an activity)
100 points for Social responsibility essay (you will need to answer this essay online)
50 points for scientific method and experiment quiz (you will take this quiz online)
Total points possible: 650 points
- 4 50 question multiple choice exams on scantrons; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace the lowest test grade with your highest exam grade. The exams will be taken from notes and the chapters in the book. These exams will be taken in the classroom.
- 50 points for online quiz. This 10 question quiz will assess your knowledge on scientific method, your ability to read a graph and your ability to think critically.
- Social responsibility essay: this essay will be taken online and will be graded using he following rubric:
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Levels of Achievement |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Criteria |
Exceeds Expectations |
Meets Expectations |
Needs Improvement |
Barely Meets Expectations |
Does Not Meet Expectations |
|
Knowledge |
31 to 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. Referencing direct information from at least 2 of the articles |
21 to 30 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. Referencing direct information from at least 1 of the articles |
11 to 20 points Reflects only using personal knowledge and nothing from website source Answer most of the questions presented. Does not directly reference anything from the articles |
5 to 10 points Reflects only on using personal knowledge and doesn’t not answer all the question presented. Does not directly reference anything from the articles |
0 to 4 points Does not answer any part of the question using experience and/or own experiences Does not directly reference anything from the articles |
|
Organization |
31 to 40 points Information is clearly organized. |
21 to 30 points Information is semi-organized. |
11 to 20points Information is loosely organized |
5 to 10 points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization |
0 to 4 points Information is unclear, unorganized or not present |
|
Mechanics |
16 to 20 points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work. Required word count is meet |
11 to 15 points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with minimal errors. Required word count is meet |
6 to 10 points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with major errors. Does not meet required word count |
3 to 5 points Very poor grammar and spelling used through written and oral work. Does not meet required word count. |
0 to 2 points Extensive grammatical and punctuation errors. Does not meet required word count |
Attendance
\ It’s college; I know you want to skip, but if you just show up you will do better in the class. I will take attendance during the semester worth points each time. If you are late then you will not receive the points. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!!
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Calendar
The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if needed.
Date Lesson/Lecture
Week of Aug 24th Introduction, Chapter 1-Thinking Critically with
Psychological Science
Chapter 1- Thinking Critically with
Psychological Science
Week of August 31st Chapter 2- The Biology of Behavior
Finish Chapter 2; Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
No Class Sept 7th Labor Day
Week of Sept 8th Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
Neuroscience and Behavior
Exam 1 Chapters 1-3
Week of Sept 14th Chapter 4 Developing Through the Life Span
Week of Sept 21st Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality
Week of Sept 28th Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception
Week of Oct 5th Chapter 7 Learning
Exam 2 Chapters 4-7
Week of Oct. 12th Chapter 8 Memory
Week of Oct. 19th Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence
Week of Oct. 26th Chapter 10 Motivation and Emotion
Week of Nov 2nd Chapter 11 Stress, Health and Human Flourishing
Week of Nov. 9th Finish any chapters we need to finish
Exam 3 Chapters 9-11
Week of Nov. 16th Chapter 12 Personality
Week of Nov. 23rd Chapter 13 Social Psychology
Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders
Nov. 26th- Nov. 29th Thanksgiving holiday
Week of Nov 30th Chapter 15 Therapy
Week of Dec 7th Exam 4 Chapters 12-15
Additional Information
I will hold office hours by appointment.
The best way to reach me is my e-mail: eerodriguez@actx.edu
You can try and contact me on my office phone (806)371-5192
Most issues can be resolved before or after class, however we can always set-up an appointment that will work for both of us if more time is needed.
More than likely I will not allow you to make-up any exam or quiz ; 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