General Psychology Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-DC001 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 Resources Student 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

Required: Open Source Online Textbook (link available in course)

Supplies

• Personal access to a reliable computer
• Reliable Internet connection
• Microsoft Office software

Student Performance

• Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology
• Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology
• Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology
• Use terminology unique to the study of psychology
• Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation
• Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior

Students 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

This 3-hour course is an online style course.  Instruction in an online course is delivered through virtual contact. A sizeable portion of this course involves independent reading, discussions, activities, and online interaction.  The course is completed within 16 weeks. Course format will consist of the following:

• Interactive discussion posts
• Quizzes
• Academic writing submissions
• Common Assessment

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA

A = 100-90%

B = 89-80%

C = 79-70%

D = 69-60%

F = 50%

LATE WORK

Late work is accepted up to one week after a due date has passed. Students can earn up to 85% of the overall grade within the week after the due date. NO work is accepted more than one week after a due date.

Attendance

LET’s PARTICIPATE IN CLASS (ATTENDANCE - read this, no really, read it)

• Attendance is taken through class participation.
• All students are expected to interact within the online portal at a minimum of every week; every other day is preferred as expectations may change at the instructor’s discretion
• Updates and assignments are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and should be monitored daily online. 

Calendar

Additional Information

WAYS to USE GENERATIVE AI CORRECTLY

• In this class, AI may be used under the following circumstances:
  • At the discretion of the professor: this means, that Dr. Hargrove must specify when students may use generative AI during class or on an assignment.
  • To generate assistance with course content NOT assignment completion: Student may ask AI questions for further clarity, about summaries of readings, or for extended resources pertaining to class content, but may NOT use AI to create assignment for submission.
  • When documented correctly: ANY TIME generative AI has been used, students must provide explanation(s) as to how AI was used.

STUFF STUDENTS MAY NEED

Amarillo College provides students resources to manage the realities of the expectations outside the classroom. See the Student Resources page in Blackboard for a full list and accessibility of all Amarillo College student resources. 

LET’s HAVE GOOD ACADEMIC CHARACTER :: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

A.K.A DON’T CHEAT

• In order to provide a learning process and academic environment that permits students to pursue their educational goals, it is essential for all faculty, students, and staff to maintain academic integrity.
• Students should adhere to the highest level of academic honesty possible in this and every class. Academic honesty includes: doing one’s own work, avoiding cheating, plagiarism, or aiding or abetting others to cheat or plagiarize.
• All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students in the classroom.  The instructor will maintain and uphold zero tolerance for any type of harassment or disrespect.
• This includes any kind of supplemental support on assignments in the form of internet, artificial intelligence, or peer sharing.
• DO NOT CHEAT!

STUDENT WITHDRAW PROCEDURES

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdraw Request Form by the course withdraw deadline (Apr. 23rd, 2026). 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 withdraw limitation does not include dual credit or developmental courses (Senate Bill 1321 Rule 4.10.). For more information on Drop / Withdraw policies, please visit the Registrar’s office website.