General Psychology Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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-2301-014 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 8^th Edition, David G. Myers

 

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

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 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 750 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% = 750-675 points A

89-80% = 674-600 points B

79-70% = 599-525 points C

69-50% = 524-375 points D

Below 50% = below 375 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)

50 points for a core curriculum check over scientific method, reading graphs and critical thinking

100 points for Social responsibility essay

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

Total points possible: 750 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
• 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;
• 50 points will be earned by answering 10 multiple choice questions worth 5 points each points for scientific method, reading graph and critical thinking
•  100 and social responsibility
  • The essay portion will be worth 100 points and graded using this rubric

	Levels of Achievement
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

Attendance policy:

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

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: eerodriguez@actx.edu

If you email me within the AC connect class then when I reply it will go to your gmail account that is connected with this course. If you do not check your gmail then make sure to email me from the email you use most with your section number so I know what class you are enrolled in.

We can always try to set-up an appointment that will work for both of us. (806)371-5192

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!!