General Psychology Syllabus for 2019-2020
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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

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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Course

PSYC-2301-007 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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. Your exams nd quizzes will be 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. 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% 800-720= A

89-80% = 729-640= B

79-70% = 639-560= C

69-50% = 559-400= D

Below 50% below 400= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4 100 points exams)

150 points for reading quizzes

100 points for in-class assignments

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

Total points possible: 800 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 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
• 100 points for attendance and in 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.

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. 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

Monday- Thursday 7:45 am -8:45 am

If you cannot be here at that time, we can always try to set-up an appointment that will work for both of us. The best way to reach me is my e-mail: eerodriguez@actx.edu

If you email me within the AC connect class then when I reply it will go to your gmail account that is connected with this course. If you do not check your gmail then make sure to email me from the email you use most with your section number so I know what class you are enrolled in.

Most issues can be fixed before or after class.

I do not allow make-up exams or make-up assignments. Please contact me as soon as you know you will miss class and we can work something out. Do not wait until after th fact, waiting shows that you don't care and it leaves me little room to work with you on a resolution.