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-2301-010 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 9th or 10th Edition, David G. Myers with access code

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, check-up online, participate in class, be prepared for class discussion and exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. Turn the ringers off on your 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. No tweeting, instant-gram or whatever else. Just wait until after class or you can do all of that before class. 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. This means that although that some of 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

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

100 points for in-class assignments and attendance

150 points for Social responsibility learning project and volunteer verification (you will need to answer the essay online and submit your verification 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. If you are caught cheating you will be reported and possibly kicked out of college. It is not worth it!!
  • 100 points in class assignments attendance. We will randomly do in class and out of class assignments that will count for differing amount of points
  • 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 completing the assignment.

Attendance

You will need to check online every day for updates and assignments. If you miss assignments in class and exam due dates then that will negatively effect your grade. It is extremely important to come to class. If you miss a class in the 8 week format you get behind very quickly.

Calendar

Class Schedule/Outline:

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if needed.

Date                                         Lesson/Lecture

Monday Oct. 23rd              Introduction, Chapter 1-Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

Tuesday Oct. 24th              Chapter 1- Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

Wednesday Oct. 25th       Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind

Thursday Oct. 26th             Finish Chapter 2; Chapter 3 Consciousness and the     Two-Track Mind

Monday Oct. 30th              Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind Neuroscience and Behavior  

Tuesday Oct. 31st               Chapter 3 in class assignment

Wednesday Nov. 1st         Finish Chapter 3

Thursday Nov. 2nd              Finish any chapters and Review for Exam 1

**Exam 1 covering chapters 1-3. It will open Thursday Nov. 2nd and you will need to take it by Sunday Nov. 5th. It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes. .

Monday Nov. 6th                    Chapter 4 Developing through Life Span

Tuesday Nov. 7th                In class assignment Chapter 4

Wednesday Nov. 8th         Finish Chapter 4 and start Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality   

Thursday Nov. 9th                    Finish Chapter 5 and start Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception

Monday Nov. 13th             Finish Chapter 6 and start Chapter 7 Learning        

Tuesday Nov. 14th             Chapter 7 Learning

Wednesday Nov. 15th       Chapter 8 Memory  

**Exam 2 covers Chapter 4-7. It will open Wednesday Nov. 15th and you will need to take it by Sunday 19th . It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes. .

Thursday Nov. 16th             Finish Chapter 8

Monday Nov. 20th              Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

Tuesday Nov. 21st               Chapter 10 Motivation

Wednesday Nov. 22nd      Chapter 11 Emotions, Stress and Health

Thursday Nov. 23rd             NO CLASS! HAVPPY THANKSGIVING                          

** Exam 3 covers chapter 8-11. It will open Wednesday Nov. 22nd and you will need to take it by Sunday Nov. 26th. It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes. .

Monday Nov. 27th             Chapter 12 Personality

Tuesday Nov. 28th              Chapter 13 Social Psychology

Wednesday Nov. 29th        Finish Chapter 13

Thursday Nov. 30th             In class assignment over Chapter 14 and 15

Monday Dec. 4th               Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders

Tuesday Dec. 5th              Finish Chapter 14

Social Leaning Projects are due Tuesday Dec. 5th at 11:59 pm.

Wednesday Dec. 6th        Chapter 15 Therapy

Thursday Dec. 7th               Finish Chapter 15

**Exam 4 covers Chapters 12-15. It will open Thursday Dec. 7th and you will need to take it by Sunday 10th.  It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes.

 

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:

09/18/17 8:49 AM

Last Edited on:

09/18/17 8:49 AM