General Psychology Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

PSYC-2301-013 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, 9^th 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 4^th 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 800 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% 800-720= A

89-80% = 719-640= B

79-70% = 639-560= C

69-50% = 559-400= D

Below 50% Below 400= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams and you get to replace the lowest exam grade with your exam average)

100 points for in-class assignments and online assignments

150 points for Social responsibility learning project and volunteer verification (you will need to answer the essay online and submit your verification online.)

150 points for discussion posts and replies (4 discussion posts total)

 

Total points possible: 800 points

• 4  50 question multiple choice exams on online; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace the lowest test grade with your exam average. The exams will be taken from notes and the chapters in the book.
• 100 points in class assignments. We will randomly do in class assignments that will count for differing amount of points.
• 150 points for discussion.  There will be 4 online discussion assignments. 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.  Responses need to be a minimal of four sentences. 
• 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. 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 taking the exam. Here is an example of what one of the rubrics will look like.

	Service Learning Project Rubric
	Exceeds Expectation	Needs Improvement	Does not meet expectations
Knowledge	30 Points Contains clear, thorough responses to each part of the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently applied or related concepts from at least 2 specific concepts from their textbook to their experience in their agency.	20 Points Does not address all of the parts of question in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is only minimal indication that the student applied or related 1 concept from their textbook in this class to their experience in their agency.	1 Points Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is no indication that the student applied or related any concepts from their textbook in this class to their experience in their agency.
Organization	10 Points Information is clearly organized.	7 Points Information is loosely organized.	1 Points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization.
Mechanics	10 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question.  And the student referenced the concepts they used in their paper with the specific page number from their text.	7 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question with major errors.  And the student referenced the concepts they used in their paper with the specific page number from their text.	1 Points Very poor grammar and spelling used through the answer to the question. The student did not reference the concepts they used in their paper with the specific page number from their text.

 

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!!!

You will receive extra credit for attending every class

Calendar

Additional Information

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

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.