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-2301-023 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

Required: Exploring Psychology with Updates on DSM-5, 11th Edition, + LaunchPad

Supplies

Classic note taking supplies (paper, pen/pencil) for in class

NO IN-CLASS TECHNOLOGY ALLOWED

Personal access to a reliable computer

Reliable Internet connection

Microsoft Office software

Open computer labs on campus are available for use

Student Performance

Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology

Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology

Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology

Use terminology unique to the study of psychology

Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation

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

This 3-hour course is a hybrid.  Instruction in a hybrid course is delivered 50% online and 50% through face-to-face contact. A sizeable portion of this course is completed outside of class.  The course is completed within 8 weeks.

Grading Criteria

A = 100-90%

B = 89-80%

C = 79-70%

D = 69-60%

F  = 50%

Attendance

Students should attend class twice a week (Monday/Wednesday). Role will be taken daily, through in-class participation, and the submission of reading logs and Cornell notes. 

 

Updates and assignments are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and should be monitored daily online. 

Calendar

Additional Information

SHOW TIMES (4)

• There will be four multiple-choice show times; times for the students to show the instructor what he/she has learned. 
• Each exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions and will be worth 50 total points. 
• There will be no opportunities for make up show times regardless the reason.
• All show times will be taken independently through AC Connect/Blackboard. 
• 60-minute limit per exam

READING LOGS/DISCUSSIONS (4)

On specified weeks (see course schedule) students will be required to complete a reading log for the reading assigned.

SPECIFICS

• 1.5 page minimum
• APA formatted
• 3^rd person perspective
• Submitted in class on the assigned due date  
• Adherence to correct basic college level grammar, punctuation, and usage expectations

CONTENT

• 3 total paragraphs:
  • 1 paragraph summarization of the assigned reading
  • 1 paragraph integration
    • How is the information in the assigned reading relevant/applicable to a 21^st century reader?
  • 1 paragraph application
    • What message does the assigned reading give to its audience? 

CORNELL NOTES (3)

On specified weeks (see course schedule) students will be required to complete Cornell notes for the reading assigned.

SPECIFICS

• Hand written
• Legible
• Minimum 2 note pages per chapter
• Submitted in class on the assigned due date

CONTENT

• Top section: name, topic, date
• Large middle section: notes, drawings,
• Left hand column: key terms/points, main ideas, and important people/dates
• These terms correspond to the notes/drawings taken.
• Bottom section: summary (5-7 sentences)

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Skip a line between ideas
• Abbreviate as needed: remember the meaning of the abbreviations

 

SOCRATIC SEMINAR (3)

Covering the assigned chapters, students should

• Read the assigned chapters
• Compose 6 original, subjective questions
  • Subjective questions: questions which require a multiple word response
• Answer each of the questions
  • 50 word minimum response for each question
• APA formatted
• Printed

MINDFUL SELF-CARE ANALYSIS (1)

Using the self-care results from class, students should carefully identity areas of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional self-care needing improvement.  Then students should build practices into their lives aiming to improve those areas.  Throughout the term students should journal their progress, pitfalls, and personal pursuits and write a 3-page analysis of their experience.

SPECIFICS

• 3 page minimum
• APA formatted
• 1^st and 3^rd person perspective
• Submitted in class on the assigned due date  
• Adherence to correct basic college level grammar, punctuation, and usage expectations

CONTENT (3 sections):

• SECTION 1: Explanation of initial self-care results
  • What were the results of the self-care quiz? What did the student learn about him/herself? What is one aspect of the initial assessment that was surprising?
    • 1 paragraph
• SECTION 2: Analysis of the various efforts towards improvement
  • What specific changes did the student implement to improve in each of the four areas?
  • Each of the four aspects of self-care should be addressed
    • 4 paragraph minimum
• SECTION 3: Reflection
  • How did the concepts and content from the course influence the overall understanding of the student as an individual?  Mention a minimum of 5 concepts from the course for credit.

SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT (1)

See separate assignment sheet for specifics