General Psychology Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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.

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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-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

Exploring Psychology, 9^th Edition, David G. Myers

Supplies

pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer, or if you do not have access to a computer at some other facility, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4^th floor of the Library. All

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 850 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% = 850-765 points A

89-80% = 764-680 points B

79-70% = 679-595 points C

69-50% = 594-425 points D

Below 50% = below 425 points F

The points will be earned: 850 points

• 400- 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
• 200 points 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
  • You will be required to respond to 2 classmates’ responses. Your comments need to relevant responses that show that you have read and understood what your classmates have posted and their point of view. Nice job is not enough. Here is an example of a good response: That is a really great point of view, I really liked that way you related reinforcement to everyday life and I agree with your statement that money is really the number one incentive in the world.
• 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 points for social responsibility serving learning project
  • You will be required to do 4 hours of community service at your chosen agency in the community. You must provide signed documentation to be after your required hours.
  • You will answer 5 questions with short essays. Each question has a rubric which will be used for grading. The questions are worth a different amount of points for a total of 100 points.  You will be able to access the rubric when you are taking the exam. Here is an example of what one of the rubrics will look like.

• 100 points 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. You will present your experiment through a poster presentation at the honors expo toward the end of the semester.

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

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!!