General Psychology Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202L

Office Hours

Email or through Blackboard Collaborate 

By appointment if contacted by email eerodriguez@actx.edu

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-AH05 General Psychology

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills</p>

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 9th or 10th Edition, David G. 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 4th floor of the Library. You exams will be given 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. 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 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. No cell phones. 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 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. 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 650 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% 650-585= A

89-80% = 584-520= B

79-70% = 519-455= C

69-50% = 454-325= D

Below 50% below 325= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams)

100 points for in-class assignments

150 points for Social responsibility learning project (you will need to answer this essay online)

Total points possible: 650 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. These exams will be taken online.
  • 100 points for online and in class assignments. We will randomly do in class assignments that will count for differing amount of points.
    • 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. 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 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. 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’s college; I know you want to skip, but if you just show up you will do better in the class. It’s an 8 week class so if you miss you will get behind very quickly. You will be required to scan your ID for attendance each day in class. If you are over 30 minutes late then you will not be counted present. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!!

Calendar

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if needed. Some chapter titles have changed and will be updated.

Date                           Lesson/Lecture

Tuesday August 22nd          Introduction, Chapter 1-Thinking Critically with

Psychological Science

Thursday August 24th         Finish Chapter 1 and start Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind

Discussion #1: your initial post is due Thursday August 24th and your responses to 2 classmates is due Sunday August 27th by 11:59 pm.

Tuesday August 29th           Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind

Thursday August 31st          Finish Chapter 3

 Exam 1 covers chapters 1-3. It will open Thursday Aug. 31st and will close Sunday Sept. 3rd at 11:59 pm.   Please do not wait until 10:00 pm Sunday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Tuesday Sept. 5th                 Chapter 4 Developing Through the Life Span

Thursday Sept. 7th               Chapter 5 Gender And Sexuality

Discussion # 2: your initial post is due Thursday Sept.7th and your responses to 2 classmates is due Sunday Sept. 10th by 11:59 pm

Tuesday Sept. 12th               Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception

Thursday Sept. 14th             Chapter 7 Learning

Exam 2 covers chapters 4-7. It will open Thursday Sept. 14th and will closes Sunday Sept. 17th at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Sunday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Tuesday Sept. 19th               Chapter 8 Memory

Thursday Sept. 21st                         Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

Tuesday Sept. 26th               Chapter 10 Motivation and Emotion

Thursday Sept. 28th             Chapter 11 Stress and Health

Exam 3 covers chapters 8-1. It will open Thursday Sept. 28th and will close Sunday Oct. 1st at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Sunday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Tuesday Oct. 3rd                   Chapter 12 Personality

Social Learning Project Due Tuesday Oct. 3rd at 11:59 pm

Thursday Oct. 5th                  Chapter 13 Social Psychology

Tuesday Oct. 10th                 In class assignment over Chapter 14 Psychological disorders and Chapter   15 Therapy

Exam 4 covers chapters 12-15. It will open Tuesday Oct. 10th and will close Thursday Oct. 12th. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Thursday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Thursday Oct. 12th               No class

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours by appointment.

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

You can try and contact me on my office phone (806)371-5192

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.  

Syllabus Created on:

08/07/17 2:10 PM

Last Edited on:

08/07/17 2:13 PM