General Psychology Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

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-2301-007 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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 11th Edition, David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall + LaunchPad access code.   LaunchPad access includes an audiobook of the text, as well as an ebook that can be read both online and offline.  If preferred, a LaunchPad access code without a paper textbook is available for purchase when setting up the LaunchPad account via our Blackboard course. Details for this option will be presented the first day of class.

Supplies

Access to a computer and to a reliable internet connection is required for online class meetings, course assignments, and online exams. If you do not have your own computer and internet, you will need to use AC computers. For example, computers are located in Ware both on the 4th floor and in the basement at The Underground. 

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course, at a minimum students 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

My expectation is that each of you will do well in this course. My views of intelligence and academic performance are closely tied with growth mindset (Dweck, 2006).  Good academic performance is developed through persistent effort and good choices in strategy (APA, 2015).  I am always available to discuss learning strategies you may wish to try. 

My expectation is that as you read or listen to the assigned chapter sections in our textbook, you will (gasp :o) find yourself enjoying it. I promise that you will experience much less frustration with all assignments if you first actively engage with the material in the textbook or ebook. The points are best learned in context and not picked through to simply answer questions.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the science of psychology!  

My expectation is that you will respect everyone in this class at all times and will engage in academic integrity. Integrity can be defined as doing the right thing when no one is watching.  Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Avoid placing yourself in any situation where academic dishonesty could be suspected.  Violations include plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments and cheating on tests. Please use your textbook and notes for assignments, but make sure they are yours.  

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria: 

Course includes a total of 1,000 possible points allocated as follows:

Syllabus Quiz			Total of 10 points or 1%
Exams (lowest exam grade is dropped)			Total of 400 points or 40%
	Unit 1 Exam	100 points
	Unit 2 Exam	100 points
	Unit 3 Exam	100 points
	Unit 4 Exam	100 points
	Comprehensive Final Exam	100 points
Social Responsibility Project			Total of 156 points or 15%
LaunchPad Chapter Assignments			Total of 204 points or 20%
	Practice Quizzes/LearningCurves
Class Lab Assignments/Attendance			Total of 230 points or 23%

 

Letter Grades:

A = 895 – 1000 points = 90 – 100%
B = 795 – 894 points = 80 – 89%
C = 695 – 794 points = 70 – 79%
D = 595 – 694 points = 60 – 69%
F = 0 – 594 points = 0 – 59%

Hint to calculate grades: 

Easily calculate your grade by dividing the points you earned by the possible points for the assignment/exam.  For example, if you earned 19 points on an assignment with a possible 25 points, you figure your grade this way: 19÷25=0.76 which is 76% or a grade of 76 for the assignment. You can calculate what your overall grade in the class is following this same process. If you are using the AC app, you can easily find your earned points/possible points for the course. Calculate your grade by dividing the first number by the second number and move the decimal two places to the right. Please approach me if you still have questions. 

Brief assignment descriptions:

1. Syllabus Quiz: The syllabus quiz covers the material presented in this syllabus document to make sure everyone is prepared and aware of the class structure. It will be under the Exams tab and is due during the first week of the course (see schedule).

2. Exams: Five multiple-choice and essay online exams (4 units and 1 comprehensive final) are located under the Exams tab. Each exam is the property of the professor and may not be photographed, circulated or otherwise reproduced.  

3. Social Responsibility Project: The Social Responsibility Project gives you the opportunity to 1) virtually volunteer at any organization that interests you and describe this imagined/ideal volunteer experience or 2) describe a real volunteer experience from your past.  The Social Responsibility Essay Template is to be used for either choice.  All project details, including "verification" of volunteering, are located under the Social Responsibility Project tab. 

4. LaunchPad Chapter Activities:  All LaunchPad assignment links are located in the weekly folders under the Assignments tab. LearningCurve assignments allow you to engage with the chapters' information in a game-like format. Multiple-choice Study Guides for each chapter are in a practice quiz format and may be attempted as many times as you want until the assignment deadline. Note: After you reach 100% correct on a chapter’s Study Guide Practice Quiz, exam hints that can be used as an official study guide will become available to you in the week’s assignment folder in Blackboard.

5. Class Lab Assignments:  Class labs allow application of textbook material to case studies, real world examples, and your personal life.  Complementing our tech-supported course structure, class labs will be in a variety of digital formats.

6. Extra Credit Opportunity:  LaunchPad assignments for Chapter 5 are available to complete for extra credit points. This includes a Study Guide Practice Quiz and two LearningCurve activities. LaunchPad Assess Your Strengths activities are also extra credit and are offered during chapters 4, 10, 11 and 15.

7. Optional Videos:  At the bottom of each week’s folder are links to YouTube videos. Watching these YouTube videos is an optional, entertaining, and fast-paced review of each chapter’s content.  

Attendance

Class participation/remote attendance is critical.  I expect you to participate during class times, unless you are ill or prevented by exceptional circumstances. Some material that will be covered during class may not be in the textbook, yet it may be included on exams or serve as the basis for a written assignment.  We will meet virtually Monday through Thursday at 10:30am using Blackboard Collaborate.

Calendar

Additional Information

Makeup Policy:  Please review the exam and assignment dates for this class. This is an accelerated, eight-week course: You will need to have arranged your affairs to keep up with reading the textbook and completing all assignments. Choose not to wait until the last minute to start an assignment or plan for an exam.  In general, I do not accept late work. Late assignments and exams usually receive zeros.  In view of the challenges we are all facing due to COVID-19, I am willing to work flexibly with you when you contact me before assignment or exam deadlines. Contacting me early allows us to discuss the option of accepting late work. We both want you to be successful!

Technical Problems:  If you experience a technical problem with Blackboard, please contact the Student & Faculty Help Center at 806-371-5992 or ctlstudenthelp@actx.edu.  If you need LaunchPad technical support, please call 800-936-6899 or complete an online form at http://www.macmillanlearning.com/Catalog/techsupport.

Department Tutoring Policy: If students score below 70% on an exam, they will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned exam.  Details on meeting this tutoring requirement for our course will be provided when needed.

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:  You must officially drop a class through the Registrar’s office by completing all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline (Tuesday, March 2, 2021).  If you simply stop attending, likely a grade of F will appear on your transcript. Please visit with me as early as possible if you have any questions or concerns about this.
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. 

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