General Psychology Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Administrative Drop Policy

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Course

PSYC-2301-H 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

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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. Turn cell phone ringers off. 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, tweeting, Facebook or selfies! If it is so important that you have to text, tweet or check-in right away, you may leave and please do not return. I want you to have your phone because it can be used as a valuable resource. Use your phone respectfully and appropriately. If you do miss a 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

Grading criteria:

            There will be a total of 950 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% 950-855= A

89-80% = 854-760= B

79-70% = 759-665= C

69-50% = 664-475= D

Below 50% Below 475= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points for each exam)

100 points for in-class assignments and online assignments

150 points for reading quizzes

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

150 social experiment presentation

Total points possible: 950 points

• 4 -50 question multiple choice exams on online; each exam is worth 100 points. The exams will be taken from notes, lecture and the chapters in the book. These exams will be taken online. I do expect you to use your notes and book, you just cannot use another person, student or classmate. That is cheating and cheating is wrong.
• 100 points in class assignments and online assignments. We will randomly do in class assignments that will count for differing amount of points. There will be 2 online 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.
• There is a reading quiz for each chapter. 15 quizzes and each is worth 10 points for a total of 150 points. All quizzes will close right before the exam on those chapters is opens
• 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. There is 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.
• 150 points Experiment presentation

• Each of you will be in a group and each group will research, conduct and present a social experiment. You will need to turn in your group names, experiment idea and process and hypothesis in a discussion to get approve. This will be worth 50 points. Your presentation to the class will be worth 100 points. There are some instructions and an outline available online under the experiment tab. This should be a lot of fun but will require you to work in a group on your own time.

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. We are going to have to use our time together wisely and missing is not a good idea. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!!

Calendar

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.