General Psychology Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Stephanie Cobb (Curriculum Vitae)Office Location
Dutton Hall 202C
Office Hours
By appointment and after each class session
Course Information
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
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.
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-2301-004 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
Telecourse
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Exploring Psychology, 9th Edition, David G. Myers
Supplies
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 ResponsibilitiesLog 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. No cell phone use. If you are waiting on an important call you must talk with me before class so I am aware. If you decided to leave the classroom to answer the phone please do not return. If you leave and come back, you have interrupted my class twice and that is unacceptable. NO texting! If it is so important that you have to text right away, you may leave and please do not return.
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, you also have access to the assignments in blackboard under the unit we are currently working on or the assignments tab. It is your responsibility to have assignments ready when they are due!!
Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. 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
Exams: 4 exams for 50% of your final grade
Assignments and discussion questions: 25% of your final grade
Service Learning Assignment: 25% of your final grade
Final Grades
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
Attendance
It’s college; I know you want to skip, but if you just show up you will do better in the class. I will take attendance during the semester worth points each time. If you are more than 20 minutes late then you will not receive the points. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time.
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Calendar
Welcome to General Psychology
Please read and review carefully all of the policies in this syllabus. Then, read and review carefully this course schedule. Also, do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions regarding the policies in this course.
In order to be prepared to discuss the assigned readings, you must make time to read and outline the assigned chapters before you come to class.
Assignments are in green and are due the date they are under, for instance, You need to read chapter 1 for class on 10/26, and have your discussion question prepared to turn in that day as well. All discussion questions are required to be a minimum of 350 words! Points will be deducted for not meeting this requirement.
Unit One
Chapters 1-3
October 24-November 6th:
Welcome to the circus! In this section you will learn about the origins of psychology, the biology behind it, the mind, development, and sex.
Genie, The wild Child video, You will need to watch this video and answer the discussion question for chapter 1.
Introduction: Chapter 1 in Myers is an introduction to the science of psychology. The purpose of the chapter is to get you to think about how you think. This chapter teaches us how to think critically about the information we receive in many different forms.
Read and Outline Ch. 1 - Thinking Critically with Psychological Science (Myers). Please watch the crash course videos in the order they are listed in your unit. You will need to answer the discussion question for chapter 1 and email your answer to s0190021@amarillocollege.com by October 26th. You also have access to all the powerpoint notes used in lecture classes in the content section labeled lecture notes.
Your Brain: We cannot understand our psychological selves without understanding our physical selves. These chapters describe how brain activity, neurons, drugs, and hormones affect your psychological functioning.
Read and Outline Ch. 2 - The Biology of Mind (Myers) Crash Course videos, lecture notes. Discussion for chapter 2 due November 1st by email.
How your brain works: This Chapter discusses our mental experiences and what can affect our experiences as well as how consciousness works in us, attention, inattention, sleep/wake cycles, and how drugs affect consciousness and the brain.
Read and Outline Ch. 3 - The Biology of Mind (Myers). crash course videos, lecture notes, Marijuana PBL Assignment (this is your chapter 3 assignment, there is no discussion question) due November 3rd by email. Please use your Unit 1 study guide to prepare for your Exam.
Exam 1: November 3-6 This exam is taken online; it is not taken in the classroom. You may take the exam anytime on these days. Exam 1 covers the material assigned in Unit One. Your exam will open at 12:00am on Thursday the 3rd and remain open until 11:59pm Sunday the 6th. You may take the exam at any time during the day, but once you begin you will only have 75 minutes to complete it. You cannot go back to a former question, and you only get one try. Please STUDY! You will not have time to look up each answer on the test. This is done on purpose. Also, the questions are randomized for each student to avoid cheating. Please abide by the honesty policy, if you are caught cheating you WILL FAIL THIS COURSE!
Unit Two
Chapters 4-7
November 7-18th
Developing through the Life Span: From birth to death and everything in between.
Read and Outline Ch. 4. - Developing through the Life Span (Myers), Crash course videos, lecture notes, You will need to complete an assignment about Adolescent suicide, (Adolescence PBL) this will be due Wednesday November 9th by email.
Gender and Sexuality: Let’s talk about sex!
Read and outline Ch. 5 - Gender and Sexuality (Myers), Crash course video, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 5 due November 11th by email.
Sensation and Perception: How we take in information and how we perceive that information make us who we are.
Read and outline Ch. 6 - Sensation and Perception (Myers), Crash course video, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 6 due November 16th.
Learning: What we are all here to do!
Read and Outline Ch. 7 - Learning (Myers), Crash course video, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 7 due November 18th. Please use your Unit 2 study guide to prepare for your Exam.
Exam 2: November 17-20 This exam is taken online; it is not taken in the classroom. Exam 2 covers the material assigned in Unit Two. Your exam will open at 12:00am on Thursday the 17th and remain open until 11:59pm Sunday the 20th. You may take the exam at any time during the day, but once you begin you will only have 75 minutes to complete it. You cannot go back to a former question, and you will only get one try. Please STUDY! You will not have time to look up each answer on the test. This is done on purpose. Also, the questions are randomized for each student to avoid cheating. Please abide by the honesty policy, if you are caught cheating you WILL FAIL THIS COURSE!
Unit Three
Chapters 8-11
November 21st-December 5th
Memory- Don’t we all wish ours was better?
Read and Outline Ch. 8 - Memory (Myers) Crash course videos, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 8 due November 23rd by email. You may, of course, turn this early, if you’d like.
Thinking, Language, and Intelligence-What differentiates us from animals.
Read and Outline Ch. 9 - Thinking, Language, and Intelligence (Myers) Crash course videos, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 9 due November 25th by email. You may, of course, turn this early, if you’d like.
Motivation and Emotion-What’s your dream? How do you feel about that?
Read and Outline Ch. 10 - Motivation and Emotion (Myers) Crash course videos, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 10 due November 30th by email.
Health and Stress-Are you OK? You seem a little stressed.
Read and Outline Ch. 11 - Health and Stress (Myers) Crash course videos, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 11 due December 2nd by email. Please use your Unit 3 study guide to prepare for your Exam.
Exam 3: December 1-4: This exam is taken online; it is not taken in the classroom. Exam 3 covers the material assigned in Unit Three. Your exam will open at 12:00am on Thursday the 1st and remain open until 11:59pm Sunday the 4th. You may take the exam at any time during the day, but once you begin you will only have 75 minutes to complete it. You cannot go back to a former question. Please STUDY! You will not have time to look up each answer on the test. This is done on purpose. Also, the questions are randomized for each student to avoid cheating. Please abide by the honesty policy, if you are caught cheating you WILL FAIL THIS COURSE!
Unit Four
Chapters 12-15
December 5-16th
Personality-Who are you?
Read and Outline Ch. 12 - Personality (Myers), Crash course videos, lecture notes, discussion for chapter 12 due December 7th by email.
Social Psychology-Wanna be part of our group, man?
Read and outline Ch. 13 - Social Psychology (Myers), Crash course videos, lecture notes, Trust assignment due December 9th by email.
Disorders-What have you been diagnosed with? Crash Course videos. notes/lecture, discussion questions due.
Group assignment: Diagnose the problem
Read and Outline Ch. 14 - Disorders (Myers), Crash course videos, lecture notes, diagnose the disorder assignment due December 12th by email.
Treatment-Who do you see? Crash Course videos
Read and Outline Ch. 15 - Treatment (Myers), crash course videos, lecture notes, name that therapy game assignment due December 12th by email. Please use your Unit 3 study guide to prepare for your Exam.
Exam 4: December 13-15 This exam is taken online; it is not taken in the classroom. Exam 4 covers the material assigned in Unit four. Your exam will open at 12:00am on Tuesday the 13th and remain open until 11:59pm the 15th. You may take the exam at any time during the day, but once you begin you will only have 75 minutes to complete it. You cannot go back to a former question. Please STUDY! You will not have time to look up each answer on the test. This is done on purpose. Also, the questions are randomized for each student to avoid cheating. Please abide by the honesty policy, if you are caught cheating you WILL FAIL THIS COURSE!
Final Grades will be posted by 8am December 16th
Additional Information
I will hold office hours by appointment.
The best way to reach me is my e-mail: s0190021@amarillocollege.com
You can try and contact me on my office phone (806) 676-7199 in an emergency.
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 to be successful!
Syllabus Created on:
10/24/16 10:30 AM
Last Edited on:
10/31/16 2:01 AM