General Psychology Syllabus for 2019-2020
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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

COVID-19 Protocols

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:

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.

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-2301-008 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

Textbook: Exploring Psychology, 11th edition loose-leaf, David G. Myers  c. Nathan DeWall with access code

Supplies

  • Supplies: pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer, or if you do not have access to a computer at some other facility, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4th floor of the Library and the Underground locatedin the basement of the Ware Studnts commons.
  • All exams will be given on-line.
  • We will be meeting during class time on blackboard collaborate

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. Define psychology and list and discuss the goals of psychology
  2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary psychology
  3. Explain what is meant by the scientific method and describe the various research methods
  4. Describe the parts and functions of the nervous system
  5. Define and discuss sensation and perception
  6. Describe learning from the behavioral and the cognitive perspectives
  7. Describe the functioning of sensory, short-term and long-term memory
  8. Define motives, needs, drives and incentives
  9. Explain and evaluate the cognitive-appraisal theories of emotion
  10.  Discuss the nature-nurture controversy in developmental psychology
  11. Define Piaget’s concepts and outline Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development, describing the major characteristics of each
  12. Describe the major personality theories and projective and objective measures of personality
  13. Describe the psychological disorders and the biomedical and psychological therapies that are used
  14. Describe the social context of human behavior, emphasizing attribution theory, relationships between attitudes and actions, conformity, group/cultural influences, prejudice, aggression, social conflict, attraction, altruism and peacemaking

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. 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

Grading criteria:

            There will be a total of 750 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% 750-675= A

89-80% = 674-600= B

79-70% = 599-525= C

69-60% = 524-450= D

Below 60% Below 450= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams

100 points for ONLINE CLASS assignments and attendance

150 chapter reading quizzes

100 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: 750 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!!
  • 100 points ONLINE 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.
  • 100 points for social responsibility serving reflection
    • 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

  • It is extremely important that you check on blackboard acconect for this class every day. This is an 8-week  If you miss class you will possibly miss an entire chapter of material and that could be very damaging to your grade. Please check online for updates and assignment due dates. If you miss an announcement or due date it will hurt your grade. Keep the syllabus handy for due dates on assignments. . I understand things do come up so please contact me as soon as possible so that we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves little room for me to help you and I do not take late work.

Calendar

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

Date                                         Lesson/Lecture

Monday March 30th         Chapter 1- Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

**Chapter 1-3 reading quizzes due Thursday April 9th by 11:59 pm 

Tuesday March 31st            Finish chapter 1

Wednesday April 1st          Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind

Thursday April 2nd                Finish Chapter 2 and start Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind Neuroscience and Behavior  

Monday April 6th                 Finish Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Drug assignment due Tuesday April 7th

Tuesday April 7th                 Chapter 3 assignment

Wednesday April 8th         Chapter 3 Drugs

Thursday April 9th                Finish Chapter 3 Drugs

***Exam 1 covering chapters 1-3. It will open Thursday April 9th and you will need to take it by Sunday April 12th . 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 13th                          Chapter 4 Development

**Chapter 4-7 reading quizzes due Thursday April 23rd  by 11:59 pm

Tuesday April 14th              Finish Chapter 4 Chapter 4 adolescent assignment due Wednesday April 15th

Wednesday April 15th       Chapter 4 in class assignment

Thursday April 16th             Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality   

Monday April 20th              Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception

Tuesday April 21st               Chapter 7 Learning

Wednesday April 22nd      Finish ch 4-7 quizzes

Thursday April 23rd             Exam 2 opens and ch 4-7 quizzes are due

***Exam 2 covers Chapter 4-7. It will open Thursday April 23rd and closes Sunday April 26th. 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.

** Chapter 8-11 reading quizzes due Thursday April 30th by 11:59 pm

Monday April 27th              Chapter 8 Memory

 Tuesday April 28th             Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

Wednesday April 29th       Chapter 10 Motivation

Thursday April 30th             Chapter 11 in class assignment over Chapter 11 Emotions, Stress and Health

***Exam 3 covers chapter 8-11. It will open Thursday April 30th and you will need to take it by Sunday May 3rd . 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.

**Chapter 12-15 reading quizzes due Thursday May 14th  by 11:59 pm

Monday May 4th                   Chapter 12 Social Psychology

Tuesday May 5th                Finish chapter 12

Wednesday May 6th         Chapter 12 & Chapter 13

Thursday May 7th                Chapter 13 Personality

Assignment over Chapter 14 and 15 due Monday May 11th

Monday May 11th             In class assignment over Chapter 14 and 15

Social Leaning Reflection are due Tuesday May 12th by 11:59 pm

Tuesday May 12th               Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders

Wednesday May 13th       Finish Chapter 14

Thursday May 14th              Chapter 15 Therapy

Monday May 18th           Final exam review in class

***Exam 4 covers Chapters 12-15. It will open Thursday May 14th and you will need to take it by Wednesday May 20th.  It will close at 11:59 pm. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Monday 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 great summer break!!

Additional Information

Office hours:                     

  •  The best way to reach me is by email: eerodriguez@actx.edu
  • If you email me from within the class, when I respond it will send the email to your Gmail account. If you do not check your Gmail account make sure to email me from the email address you do check. Make sure to let me know what class you are enrolled in.
  • Most issues can be resolved before or after class.
  • We will be working on class through blackbard collaborate . Please get on everyday

Syllabus Created on:

03/23/20 1:55 PM

Last Edited on:

04/22/20 10:51 AM