General Psychology Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List

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.

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

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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-2301-006 General Psychology

Prerequisites

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

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Human Development 10^th Edition Crandell, Crandell and Zanden

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

Student performance and learning outcomes for PSYC 2314:

1.    Learn and gain mastery over the basic facts and research findings, terminology, principles, and theories important in the various areas of lifespan developmental psychology.

2.    Develop understanding, skills, and techniques for analyzing human behavior using a scientific approach.

3.    Gain a basic understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental influences on human development.

4.    Gain a basic understanding of physical, cognitive, emotional and social development across the lifespan.

5.    Gain a basic understanding of family, school and work achievement, and death and dying as they apply to lifespan development.

6.    Analyze current issues and controversies in the field of developmental psychology.

7.    Practice and develop critical thinking skills, and written communications skills.

8.    Find ways to apply psychological findings to everyday life.

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, 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

Grading Criteria

There will be a total of 960 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 (usually 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% = 960- 864 points and above A

89-80% = 863-768 points B

79-70% = 767-672 points C

69-50% = 671-480 points D

Below 50% = below 480 points F

The points will be earned:

500 points for exams (5 100 points exams and you get to replace your lowest exam with your highest exam score)

150 points social responsibility learning project

310 points for attendance and in class assignments throughout the 8 weeks.

Total points possible: 960 points

• 4  50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace your lowest test grade with your highest test grade
• The class assignments: 310 points
  • We will do doing different in class assignments that will be worth a differing amount of points. If you know that you will not be attending class that day or you wake up sick please let me know and you can complete the assignments on your own. I will not do make-up in-class assignment.
•  150 points for social 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. The essays are worth a total of 100 points.  You will be able to access the rubric when you are uploading your essays.

Attendance

Attendance policy:

It is college, but it is an 8 week course so 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!!! You will need to scan in with your ID each day of class. IF you are more than 30 minutes late you will be counted absent. This class moves really quickly and if you miss once sometimes you feel very behind. Just come to class and everything will be easier. If something does come up please notify me immediately so we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves me little room to work with you.

Calendar

Additional Information

Office Hours:

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: eerodriguez@actx.edu

We can always try to set-up an appointment that will work for both of us. Email first and if I do not respond you can call (806)371-5192. When I am not in class I will be in my office willing to meet with you. Please just email and we can set up an official appointment to make sure we can get everything handled.