General Psychology Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

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By Appointment

Office Hours

By Appointment

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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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.

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Course

PSYC-2301-016 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

On Campus 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. 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. I want you to have your phone because it can be a very valuable resource, just be prespectful.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

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% 1000-900= A

89-80% = 899-800= B

79-70% = 7999-700= C

69-60% = 699-600= D

Below 60% Below 599= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams 

300 points for in-class assignments and attendance

150 chapter 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.)

Total points possible: 1000 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!! 300 points in class assignments attendance. We will randomly do in class and out of class assignments that will count for differing amount of points 15 chapter reading quizzes worth 10 points each. You should complete the reading quiz the day before or the day after we cover the chapter in class. The reading quizzes will close the day before the exam that covers that particular chapter. These quizzes are online and are available through Launchpad, this is why you need the access code. 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 assignment and exam due dates, then that will negatively impact 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. You will be required to sign an attendance sheet every day. If you miss the attendance sheet make sure to sign it after class.  If you forget then you will be counted absent for that day. You must contact me the day or your absences or before to get help with missed assignments. I do not take late work or make up work. 

 

Calendar

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

Date                                              Lesson/Lecture 

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

Tuesday March 19th                Chapter 1- Thinking Critically with Psychological Science 

Wednesday March 20th         Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind

Thursday March 21st                Finish Chapter 2; 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                Chapter 3 in class assignment 

Wednesday March 27th         Finish Chapter 3 

 

Thursday March 28th                    Chapter 4 Developing through Life Span

***Exam 1 covering chapters 1-3. It will open Thursday March 28th and you will need to take it by Sunday March 31st. 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 April 1st                       Finish chapter 4 and start Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality    

Tuesday April 2nd                      Finish Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality and start Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception

Wednesday April 3rd               Finish Chapter 6 and Start Chapter 7 Learning

 

Thursday April 4th                      Finish Chapter 7 Learning   

**Exam 2 covers Chapter 4-7. It will open Thursday April 11th and closes Sunday April 14thIt 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 April 8th                      Chapter 8 Memory

Tuesday April 9th                       Finish Chapter 8

Wednesday April 10th             Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

Thursday April 11th                   Chapter 10 Motivation

Monday April 15th                    Chapter 11 in class assignment

 Tuesday April 16th                   Chapter 11 Emotions, Stress and Health

 

** 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 Sunday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes.

Wednesday April 17th             Chapter 12 Social Psychology  

Thursday April 18th                   Finish chapter 12 

Monday April 22nd                        Chapter 13 Personality 

Tuesday April 23rd                    Finish Chapter 13: in class assignment

Wednesday April 24th             In class assignment over Chapter 14 and 15

Thursday April 25th                   Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders 

Monday April 29th                   Finish Chapter 14 

Social Leaning Projects are due Tuesday April 30th by 11:59 pm

Tuesday April 30th                    Chapter 15 Therapy

Wednesday May 1st                Finish Chapter 15 

Thursday May 2nd                    Finish up any chapters we need to finish 

 

**Exam 4 covers Chapters 12-15. It will open Monday May 6th and you will need to take it by Wednesday May 8th.  It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Wednesday to take the exam. If you run into issues that late I will not be able to help before the exam closes. 

Monday May 6th                       Review

Tuesday May 7th                       Review                   Reading Quiz 14 and 15 are due by 11:59 PM

Wednesday My 8th  Final Due

 

 

Additional Information

I will hold office hours by appointment.

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: kdriggs@wtamu.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 sure 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 after class as well

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:

03/11/19 2:50 PM

Last Edited on:

03/11/19 2:50 PM