General Psychology Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

PSYC-2301-DC001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 8^th or 9^th Edition, David G. Myers

Supplies

syllabus, 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. It is very important to have reliable service on your computer, if you do not have reliable service please contact me and we can work something out.

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. 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 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 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. The point of college and college courses is to prepare you for your “real life” and “real career”. If you cheat your way through college then all you have learned is how to cheat and that is not very useful. 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

 There will be a total of 800 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% = 800-720 points A

89-80% = 719-640 points B

79-70% = 639-560 points C

69-50% = 559-400 points D

Below 50% = below 400 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)

150 points for Social responsibility project

250 points for on-line discussion forum (you will be required to respond to discussion on-line about chapters and topics discussed in lecture and you will be required to respond to two of your classmates responses)

Total points possible: 800 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 differing amounts of points; total for all discussions will add up to 250 points. There will be points possible for your initial response and points for you responses to your classmates.
  • 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.
•  150 and social responsibility
  • 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. This document will be uploaded the required area and will be worth 50 points.
  • You will answer 5 questions with short essays and a few short answers over reading a graph.. Each essay 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.

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.

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. If you do not hear back from me by email then as a last resort you can call. (806)371-5192