General Psychology Syllabus for 2016-2017
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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withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education.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-2301-004 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology 9^th Edition Myers

Supplies

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. Your notes, assignments, discussions and exams will be online so you need to make sure you have reliable internet access.

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

Student 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 assignments, quizzes and exams, be prepared for class 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. 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 700 possible points for the semester. You will be able to check your grade on AC connect. Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% 700-630= A

89-80% = 629-560= B

79-70% = 559-490= C

69-50% = 489-350= D

Below 50% below 350= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams. 50 multiple choice questions. Exam swill be given online and they will be timed)

100 points for on-line assignments

50 points for on-line discussions.

150 points for Social responsibility learning project

Total points possible: 700 points

• 4 50 question multiple choice exams on online; each exam is worth 100 points. The exams will be taken from notes and the chapters in the book. You will have study guides available to you with in each folder. You may use your notes, books and study guides on the exams. DO NOT CHEAT!! You must take your own exams.
• 100 points for online assignments.
  • There will be two assignments: each will be worth 50 points.
• 50 points online discussions:
  • you will be required to respond to different discussion topics on-line
  • the discussion will need to include relevant information discussed in lecture notes, web links, YouTube videos and in your textbook
  • All discussions will be worth differing amounts of 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’ posts. 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 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 that verifies your required hours. This verification is worth 50 points
  • You will answer 5 questions with short essays and reading a graph exercise. 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 completing the assignment.

• •  

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

• The best way to reach me is by email: eerodriguez@actx.edu
• If you email me from within the class, when I respond it will send the email to your Gmail account. If you do not check your Gmail account make sure to email me from the email address you do check. Make sure to let me know what class you are enrolled in.
• I do not hold office hours during the summer, but if you feel we need to meet we can set up and appointment
• If you miss an assignment it is very likely that you will not be able to make it up. Please contact me as soon as possible so we can maybe work something out.