General Psychology Syllabus for 2020-2021
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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-2301-004 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 11th Edition, David G. Myers & C. Nathan DeWall 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 Ware Student commons or the Underground located in the basement of the Ware student commons.  Your notes, assignments, discussions and exams 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 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. 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 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

69-60% = 559-480= D

Below 60% Below 480= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams

250 points for ONLINE CLASS assignments and attendance

150 chapter reading quizzes

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. If you are caught cheating you will be reported and possibly kicked out of college. It is not worth it!!
  • 250 points ONLINE CLASS assignments attendance. We will complete 2 discussion boards in which you will be required to respond to 2 classmates and 2 assignments. Each of these is located in the content tab of the class and will be open from day one to allow you to work ahead if you want.
  • 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. Each quiz will be open from day one so you can work ahead if you want.

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. Your work online illustrates your participation and attendance. If you have a problem with something contact me right away. After the fact makes it hard to work with you on a solution before it’s too late.

Calendar

Class Schedule/Outline:

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

Date                                         Lesson/Lecture

Monday June 8th               Chapter 1- Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

**Chapter 1-3 reading quizzes due Thursday June 18th  by 11:59 pm 

Tuesday June 9th                 Finish chapter 1

Wednesday June 10th      Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind

Thursday June 11th              Discussion post chapters 1 & 2 due Thursday June 11th by 11:59 pm    

Monday June 15th              Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind

Tuesday June 16th               Chapter 3 Drug assignment due Tuesday June 16th by 11:59 pm  

Wednesday June 17th      Chapter 3 Drugs

Thursday June 18th            Finish Chapter 3 Drugs

***Exam 1 covering chapters 1-3. It will open Thursday June 18th and you will need to take it by Sunday June 21st. 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 June 22nd            Chapter 4 Development

**Chapter 4-7 reading quizzes due Thursday July 2nd by 11:59 pm

Tuesday June 23rd              Chapter 4 adolescent discussion post due Wednesday June 24th by 11:59 pm

Wednesday June 24th        Finish chapter 4

Thursday June 25th              Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality

Monday June 29th             Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception

Tuesday June 30th              Chapter 7 Learning

Wednesday July 1st           Chapter 8 Memory

Thursday July 2nd                Finish 8 chapter

***Exam 2 covers Chapter 4-7. It will open Thursday July 2nd and closes Sunday July 5th. 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 July 9th by 11:59 pm

Monday July 6th                 Chapter 9 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

 Tuesday July 7th                 Chapter 10 Motivation

Wednesday July 8th          Chapter 11 assignment due Wednesday July 8th by 11:59 pm

Thursday July 9th                 Chapter 11 Emotions, Stress and Health

***Exam 3 covers chapter 8-11. It will open Thursday July 9th and you will need to take it by Sunday July 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 July 13th                  Chapter 12 Social Psychology

**Chapter 12-15 reading quizzes due Thursday July 23rd by 11:59 pm

Tuesday July 14th                Finish chapter 12

Wednesday July 15th        Chapter 13 Personality  

Thursday July 16th               Finish chapter 13

Monday July 20th             Assignment over Chapter 14 &15 due Tuesday July 21st by 11:59 pm

Tuesday July 21st                Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders

Wednesday July 22nd       Finish Chapter 14

Thursday July 23rd               Chapter 15 Therapy

July 27th-30th                   Finals Week

***Exam 4 covers Chapters 12-15. It will open Thursday July 23rd  and you will need to take it by Monday July 27th.  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 rest of  summer break!!

Additional Information

Office Hours:

Virtual office hours during class time

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.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL EVERY SINGLE DAY

Syllabus Created on:

06/07/20 9:45 AM

Last Edited on:

07/28/20 8:08 AM