General Psychology Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.
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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.

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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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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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.

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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-H General Psychology

Prerequisites

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:

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

Textbook: Exploring Psychology, 11^th Edition, loose leaf David G. Myers & C. Nathan DeWall with access code. You do need the 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 4^th floor of the Library. Exams, discussion posts and assignments will be online.

Student Performance

Student performance and learning outcomes for PSYC 2301:

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. No cell phones ringers on. 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, Instagram, Facebook or selfies during class! If it is so important that you have to text right away or check in, you may leave and please do not return. 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. 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 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 exams)

150 points for reading quizzes

100 points for on-class assignments

150 points for Social responsibility learning project (you will need to answer this essay online)

150 for social experiment

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 and the chapters in the book. These exams will be taken online.
• There is a practice 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
• 100 points for on class assignments.
  • We will randomly do in 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. This verification is worth 50 points
  • You will answer 4 questions with short essays and one question reading a graph exercise. There is a rubric which will be used for grading that is available to you before you complete the assignment so you know exactly what is expected of you. 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 for the Social Experiment
  • Each of you will be in a group and each group will research, conduct and present a social experiment. You will be turning in a discussion with each group members name, experiment idea, method to run experiment and hypothesis. The discussion is worth 50 points. Once it is approved you will run the experiment and present your findings to the class. The presentation is worth 100 points. This is fun and you will work with your group on your own time.

If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

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 and its hybrid so if you miss you will get behind very quickly. You will be required to sign attendance each day in class. If you are over 30 minutes late then you will not be counted present. We will also be doing assignments in class if you miss them there is no make-up assignment. If you contact me before the class if you miss, we may be able to work something out. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!! If you contact me after missing class about an assignment you leave little room for me to work with you.

Calendar

Additional Information

I usually do not allow any make-up assignments or exams. If something crazy happens email me immediately. After the fact is never a good way to handle anything. If you contact as soon as possible or before hand we can usually work something out.

If you ever have any questions or concerns email me right away!! Or just come see me.

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours 7:45 am-8:45am.

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

If you email me within the class my response will go back to your gmail. If you do not check your gmail, please email me fromm the email you do check. Just mak sure to tell which class you are enrolled in.

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. If need be we can set up an appointment that works best for both of us.