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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required: Exploring Psychology, David G. Myers, Worth Publishers, Seventh Edition

Optional: Study Guide, Richard O. Straub, Worth Publishers, Seventh Edition

Supplies

Any supply needs will be discussed in class.

Student Performance

• Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology.
\ • Compare and contract the major theoretical perspectives of contemporary psychology.
\ • Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the carious research methods.
\ • Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system.
\ • Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term and long-term memory.
\ • Define motives, needs, drives, and incentives.
\ • Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theory of emotion.
\ • Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology.
\ • Define Piaget’s concepts and outline the 4 stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each.
\ • Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality.
\ • Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used.

• Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology.
\ • Compare and contract the major theoretical perspectives of contemporary psychology.
\ • Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the carious research methods.
\ • Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system.
\ • Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term and long-term memory.
\ • Define motives, needs, drives, and incentives.
\ • Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theory of emotion.
\ • Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology.
\ • Define Piaget’s concepts and outline the 4 stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each.
\ • Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality.
\ • Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used.

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

Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class and to prepare for class lectures and discussions by reading the text prior to the lecture. Students must turn off all electronic devices (if you have a sick child, you may bring your phone and put it on vibrate). If you must miss a class, you are expected to contact the instructor and/or other students in the class to obtain missing assignments, lecture notes, etc.
\
\ Each student is expected to follow the guidelines in the AC Students Rights and Responsibilities documents. 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 based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious ideals.

Grading Criteria

There will be a total of 4 exams in this course. You will also be graded on an essay and a 10 question multiple choice assignment. Grading rubric for the essay is below. Dates of exams are located in the course outline.

90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D Below 60 = F

Any missed exams MUST be made up the last two weeks of class (after exam 3). Testing times for makeups will be announced. YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR IF YOU MUST MISS AN EXAM.

There are four major evaluations which include exams to be taken in class. You will have ample advanced notice for all exams. Some chapters will take longer to cover than others, so we will discuss exam dates during class.
Evaluation 1 includes Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and participation in class during the sessions in which the material is discussed. Feb 16
Evaluation 2 includes Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and participation in class during the session in which the material is discussed. Mar 9
Evaluation 3 includes Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12 and participation in class during the session in which the material is discussed. April 5
Evaluation 4 includes Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16 and participation in class during the session in which the material is discussed. May 10

Any missed exams MUST be made up the last two weeks of class (after exam 3). Testing times for makeups will be announced. YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR IF YOU MUST MISS AN EXAM.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend class, to participate in class and to prepare for class lectures and discussions by reading the text prior to the lecture. Students must turn off all electronic devices (if you have a sick child, you may bring your phone and put it on vibrate). If you must miss a class, you are expected to contact the instructor and/or other students in the class to obtain missing assignments, lecture notes, etc.

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available