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-2301-001 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 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 4^th floor of the Library.

Student Performance

These are the MINIMUM competencies. After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

1. Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology
2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary psychology
3. Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the various research methods
4. Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system
5. Define and discuss sensation and perception
6. Describe learning from the behavioral and the cognitive perspectives
7. Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term and long-term memory
8. Define motives, needs, drives and incentives
9. Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theories of emotion
10. Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology
11. Define Piaget’s concepts and outline Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each
12. Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality
13. Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used
14. Describe the social context of human behavior, emphasizing attribution theory, relationships between attitudes and actions, conformity, group/cultural influences, prejudice, aggression, social conflict, attraction, altruism and peacemaking.

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, participate in class, be prepared for class, and respect everyone else who is the classroom. You need to check online every day to check for assignments and announcements regarding the class. Turn the ringer on your cell phones off. If you are waiting on an important call just let me know. If you need to leave the classroom to answer the phone please do. If they call again, I suggest you get your stuff and leave because obviously it is super important and you need to take care of your life. If you leave and come back, you have interrupted my class twice and that is kind of rude. NO texting, selfies or snap chat please! I like you to have access to your phone, you can look important things up on your phone and I think that is wonderful, just be respectful. 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. Having someone help you on your online exams is cheating!! 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 850 possible points for the semester. I do not plan on changing the amount of points possible, but please check your points often and check online often in case there is a change. If the amount of points possible changes the amount of points needed to earn a certain grade will also change. 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% 850-765 points= A

89-80% 764-680 points = B

79-70% 679-595 = C

69-50% 594- 425 = D

Below 50% 424 or below = F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams and you will replace the lowest test grade with your highest test grade)

100 points for attendance/in class assignments

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

150 points for Social Learning Project.

Total points possible: 850 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 and in your textbook
  • You will also be required to respond to two of your classmates’ responses. Your responses should include discussion about the topic and not just critiquing the responses organization or formatting. Good job is not enough. You will need to responding explaining what you liked or did not like and why. Discuss the topic!! If you only respond with good job or critics not related to the topic in the question you will not receive the credit of the responses. Discussions will be worth a total of 200 points.
• In class assignments and attendance will be giving randomly so you need to come to every class
•  150 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. Your volunteer verification will be worth 50 points.
  • You will answer 4 questions with short essays. You will upload your short essays divided into each question. Each questions does have a word requirement and specific information that needs to be addressed. There is the rubric that will be used for grading. Make sure to look it over before you submit your assignment.

  • Criteria	Exceeds Expectation	Needs Improvement	Does not meet expectations	Did not answer the question
    Knowledge Question #1	30 Points Contains clear, thorough responses to each of the parts of the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently researched the history of the agency. There is clear evidence that the student researched the agency, the social issue the agency is concerned with and the specific intervention used to help the issue. It provides evidence that the student has diligently identified the tasks and worked alongside the staff at the chosen agency	20 Points Does not address all of the parts of the questions in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence that the student has diligently researched the history of the agency, the social issue the agency is concerned with and the specific intervention used to help the issue, the social issue the agency is concerned with and the specific intervention used to help the issue. It doesn’t provide evidence that the student has diligently identified the tasks and worked alongside the staff at the chosen agency	10 Points Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence that the student researched the history of the agency, the social issue the agency is concerned with or the specific intervention used to help the issue. It doesn’t provide evidence that the student has diligently identified the tasks and worked alongside the staff at the chosen agency	0 points Did not provide an answer.
    Knowledge Question #2	15 points Contains clear, thorough responses to the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently reflected on experiences, prior knowledge and new knowledge learned while working at the chosen agency.	9 points Does not address the question in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence that the student has diligently reflected on experiences, prior knowledge and new knowledge learned	5 point Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence that the student has reflected on experiences, prior knowledge and new knowledge learned.	0 points Did not provide an answer.
    Knowledge Question #3	30 points Contains clear, thorough responses to each part of the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently applied or related concepts from at least 2 specific concepts from their textbook to their experience in their agency.	20 points Does not address all of the parts of question in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is only minimal indication that the student applied or related 1 concept from their textbook in this class to their experience in their agency.	10 point Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is no specific indication that the student applied or related any concepts from their textbook in this class to their experience in their agency.	0 points Did not provide an answer.
    Knowledge Question #4	15 points Contains clear, thorough responses to the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently described the impact he or she hopes to have by continuing to volunteer at their selected agency.  If the student chose not to volunteer at their selected agency, then he or she described in detail one action step that they would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that they learned in their volunteer work in your life.	9 points Does not address all of the parts of the questions in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence that the student has diligently described the impact he or she hopes to have by continuing to volunteer at their selected agency.  If the student chose not to volunteer at their selected agency, then he or she described in detail one action step that they would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that they learned in their volunteer work in your life.	5 point Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence that the student has described the impact he or she hopes to have by continuing to volunteer at their selected agency.  If the student chose not to volunteer at their selected agency, then he or she described in detail one action step that they would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that they learned in their volunteer work in your life.	0 points Did not provide an answer.
    Organization	5 Points Information is clearly organized.	2 Points Information is loosely organized.	1 Points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization.	0 points Did not provide an answer.
    Mechanics	5 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question.  Minimum word count is exceeded.	2 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question with major errors. Minimum word count is reached.	1 Points Very poor grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question.  Minimum word count is not reached.	0 points Did not provide an answer.

     

Attendance

It is college, but it is summer and you cannot skip. You will need to show up to pass the class. I will take attendance and we will do some assignments during our class and you will receive points. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!! This class moves really quickly and if you miss once sometimes you feel very behind. Just come to class and everything will be easier.

Calendar

Additional Information

It is very unlikely that you will be to make up any class work. If there are extreme circumstances please talk to me immediately so we can work something out. If you wait until you have missed multiple classes and/or multiple assignments I will be less likely to be able to work with you. Contact me as soon as things come up and we can work on a solution together.