General Psychology Syllabus for 2018-2019
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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

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-2301-009 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology,11th edition loose-leaf, 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. Your notes, assignments, discussions, quizzes and exams will be online so you need to make sure you have reliable internet access and the access code

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 online, participate in class assignments, quizzes and exams, be prepared for class exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although 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. I do not take late work or make up work. If you have a major issues arise contact me immediately so that we can get it resolved. 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 850 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% 800-765= A

89-80% = 764-680= B

79-70% = 679-595= C

69-50% = 594-425= D

Below 50% below 425= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams. 50 multiple choice questions. Exam swill be given online and they will be timed)

150 chapter quizzes

100 points for on-line assignments

50 points for on-line discussions.

150 points for Social responsibility learning project

Total points possible: 850 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. You will have study guides available to you with in each folder. You may use your notes, books and study guides on the exams. DO NOT CHEAT!! You must take your own exams.
  • 15 chapter reading quizzes. Each is worth 10 points.
  • 100 points for online assignments.
    • There will be two assignments: each will be worth 50 points.
  • 50 points online discussions:
    • you will be required to respond to different discussion topics on-line
    • the discussion will need to include relevant information discussed in 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’ posts. 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 that verifies 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

You will need to check online every day for updates and assignments. If you miss an assignment or exam due date, then that will negatively impact your grade. It is extremely important to check on the class daily.  I do not take late work or make up work. Watch out fro announcements and emails explaining and changes and for up coming due dates. Keep teh syllabus handy because it has all due dates on it.

Calendar

All assignments are open the first day of class. Exams are the only assignments that you are not allowed to work ahead on in this class.

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

Date                                                   Lesson/Lecture

Monday March 18th                      Chapter 1-Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

Tuesday March 19th                      Discussion post #1: Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. Your initial post is due Thursday March 21st and responses to 2 classmates is due Sunday March 24th by 11:59 pm.

Wednesday March 20th               Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind

Thursday March 21st                      Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind

Monday March 25th                      Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind Neuroscience and Behavior  

Tuesday March 26th                      **Reading quizzes for chapter 1-3 are due Wednesday March 27th by 11:59 pm

Wednesday March 27th               ***Exam 1 covering chapters 1-3. It will open Wednesday March 27th and you will need to take it by Sunday March 31st. It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00 pm 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 March 28th                            Make sure you have completed discussion post due March 24th, quizzes March 27th and exam March 31st

Monday April 1st                             Discussion post #2: Chapter 4. Your initial post is due Tuesday April 2nd and responses to 2 classmates is due Wednesday April 3rd by 11:59 pm.

Tuesday April 2nd                            Chapter 4 Developing through Life Span

Wednesday April 3rd                     Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality   

Thursday April 4th                            Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception

Monday April 8th                            Chapter 7 Learning

Tuesday April 9th                                      **Reading quizzes for chapter 4-7 are due Wednesday April 10th by 11:59 pm

Wednesday April 10th                   **Exam 2 covers Chapter 4-7. It will open Thursday April 11th and closes Sunday April 14th . 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 April 11th                                 Make sure you have completed discussion post due April 3rd, quizzes April 10th and exam April 14th

Monday April 15th                                  Chapter 8 Memory

Tuesday April 16th                          Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

Wednesday April 17th                   Chapter 10 Motivation

Thursday April 18th                         Chapter 11 Emotions, Stress and Health assignment due Thursday April 18th by 11:59 pm

Monday April 22nd                                Chapter 11 Emotions, Stress and Health

Tuesday April 23rd                          **Reading quizzes for chapter 8-11 are due Wednesday April 24th by 11:59 pm

Wednesday April 24th                   ** Exam 3 covers chapter 8-11. It will open Thursday April 25th and you will need to take it by Sunday April 28th. It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Friday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes.

Thursday April 25th                         Make sure you have completed stress assignment due April 18th, quizzes April 24th and exam April 28th     

Monday April 29th                         Chapter 12 Social Psychology 

Social Leaning Projects are due Monday April 29th by 11:59 pm

Tuesday April 30th                          Chapter 13 Personality

Wednesday May 1st                      Chapter 14 & 15 assignment Sunday May 5th by 11:59 pm

Thursday May 2nd                          Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders

Monday May 6th                            Chapter 15 Therapy

Tuesday May 7th                             **Reading quizzes for chapter 12-15 are due Tuesday May 7th by 11:59 pm

Wednesday May 8th                     **Exam 4 covers Chapters 12-15. It will open Tuesday May 7th and you will need to take it by Thursday May 9th.  It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Thursday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes.

Good luck on your finals and have a safe summer!!

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours by appointment.

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

If you email me within the class then my response will go back to your gmail account. If you do not check this email than make sur to email me from the email account you check. Please make sure you tell me which class you are in so that I know how to respond.

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:

03/07/19 10:29 AM

Last Edited on:

03/07/19 10:37 AM