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-2301-027 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

This book is typically cheapest if you purchase both the print loose-leaf version along with the access code to the digital information available through LaunchPad. You will need that digital access code, because there will be assignments due throughout the course that are only accessible through it. If you are able to purchase the access code alone, that is fine, since you will also get access to the digital version of the book with the code.

Supplies

Pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer with Internet connection. If you do not have your own computer, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4^th floor of Ware (the Library) or in The Underground (the basement of Ware).  Your exams will be given online, so you need to make sure you have a reliable computer AND Internet connection.

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

Because this is an online-only course, you will need to read your textbook to get the best grade. In our course in Blackboard, I have also included short videos from the publisher that will help you understand the material, as well as the PowerPoint presentations I use when I teach this class in person. All of these materials will help you learn the material that will be covered on exams. Exam questions are pulled directly from the textbook, and you will also need the access code to use LaunchPad (the publisher’s online textbook and supporting materials), so in my class, the book along with the access code is truly needed. The online access code is required specifically to enable you to complete required assignments throughout this course.  The first week of class, you can sign up for free digital access to the book and everything in LaunchPad, but this free access will expire before all of our assignments are due, so at some point, you will need to buy this access code. The book is usually cheapest if you purchase the bundle, including the print version in a loose-leaf format as well as the digital version (with the access code you need to use LaunchPad). But, you might find an option to ONLY purchase the digital access – that alone will work fine, since that also gives you access to the book in digital format. The first assignment requiring the online access is due Week 2 of our class, so please sign up for your free access within the first two weeks of class, even if you are waiting on financial aid or for your order to be delivered.

All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment.  On Discussion Board videos, in online discussions, and for all other assignments, please be courteous and respectful of the different opinions of your classmates.  AC also expects that each student will engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism.  I expect each student to complete their own work independently rather than copying assignments from classmates or working collaboratively.  Exams should be completed independently, as should all other assignments for this class.  Penalties for cheating as well as plagiarism are outlined in the Amarillo College Student Handbook. 

Typically, I expect all students to complete assignments in a timely manner and do not provide any extensions of any due dates; however, due to COVID-19 disrupting so much of our lives, I will be a little bit more flexible in this class. I still want you to try your best to complete all assignments on time. Please calendar all due dates, take advantage of the time you have, plan ahead, and try to meet all deadlines. If something is going to prevent you from completing an assignment by the deadline, you will need to let me know, and I require you to tell me before 5:00 p.m. on the day the assignment is due. By 5:00 p.m. on the due date, you should know if it will be possible for you to complete the assignment, so please do not procrastinate past that time for all of your assignments.

Grading Criteria

You can check your grades in our course in Blackboard.  For your final overall course grade, I will round up at the standard .5 and above.  Grading will be on the scale:

100-89.5% = A
89.4-79.5% = B
79.4-69.5% = C
69.4-59.5% = D
59.4% and below = F

The points will be earned:

50% of overall grade – Exams (4); each Exam is worth 12.5% of your total grade
20% of overall grade – Modified Social Responsibility Assignment
15% of overall grade – Discussion Boards (3); each Discussion Board is worth 5% of your total grade
15% of overall grade – LaunchPad LearningCurve Activities (15); each is worth 1% of your total grade

• There will be four 50-question multiple-choice exams taken online in Blackboard. 
  • I will drop your lowest exam grade.
  • The exam questions will be taken directly from the textbook.
  • Exams will open at 12:00 a.m. on the date indicated on the course calendar and will close when indicated, at least 5 days later, at 11:59 p.m. 
  • You must complete the exam, all at once, within the allotted time of 90 minutes. 
  • Please do not wait until the last minute, when you will not find anyone to assist you with technical problems.  I, and most all other AC staff, will be unavailable to answer questions after 8 p.m. each night. 
  • Do NOT take exams on a laptop connecting to the Internet wirelessly, a cell phone, or when using an unreliable connection.  Use an actual computer that has a dedicated cable for the Internet connection.
  • You may take each exam from any location – from home, in an AC computer lab, at the public library, etc.
  • These exams are open-book/open-note.
  • You will be able to see your exam grade immediately, but you cannot access all of the questions/answers until after the due date has passed.
• For the Social Responsibility Assignment (modified):
  • Historically, this assignment has required students to complete 4 hours of volunteer work at a local service agency. In light of COVID-19, AC is NOT requiring you to complete 4 new hours of volunteer service. Instead, we ask that you reflect on community service/volunteer hours you have completed in the past (perhaps for this very assignment – which is required by many AC classes – or through your church, or as part of a high school program) OR decide what agency most interests you and conduct research on what you would have done, if there weren’t social distancing/shelter-in-place mandates still in place around the country.
  • If you have never volunteered anywhere before, look through the possible agencies in the Amarillo area. You will find a web link to a page listing those agencies in the “Instructions” document, available in our course in Blackboard, on the page in our course for this assignment.  Select an agency that interests you and where you could see yourself volunteering.
    • If you are NOT in the Amarillo area, you should still find this list of agencies in Amarillo helpful. Find a similar type of agency in your own area to research. If you are unsure if your agency will work for this assignment, ask me!
  • By the date indicated on our course calendar, tell me which agency you plan to complete the template about – either one where you have volunteered previously or the one you think looks most interesting.
  • Then, either reflecting on the volunteer hours you have previously done OR keeping in mind the agency where you are interested in volunteering someday, you will conduct some research about your agency and then answer questions on the “Social Responsibility Assignment Template.”
    • If you haven’t actually completed any volunteer hours yet, you will need to research on the Internet and possibly call volunteers and staff who have worked at your chosen agency to find out what volunteering there looks like. If you were to have completed these hours, what would they likely have asked you to do? What do you expect you would have learned there or gotten out of this experience?
  • After completing the “Social Responsibility Assignment Template” you will submit it through Blackboard as a Word document or Rich Text file.   
    • Do NOT create your own file – use the TEMPLATE, inserting your answers after each question.
    • Do NOT submit this assignment as a PDF.  Only Microsoft Word or Rich Text files are acceptable.
  • The template is the only thing you will need to turn in for this class. (Normally, I also require verification of your volunteer hours, but we will not be doing that in this class.)
  • Each question has a rubric, which will be used for grading. The questions are worth different amounts of points.  You will be able to access the rubric within the assignment in Blackboard and in the “Instructions” document for this assignment.
  • Submit your own independent work for a grade.
  • If you have done this for another class in a previous semester, you cannot simply turn in the form that you used for that previous class. You must use the template I have provided in our course and tailor your answers to THIS class.
    • For example, you are required to cite our textbook – use the textbook we are using in this class.
    • I recommend that you update all of your answers, but your answer to #3 will definitely need to be redone, with information from the book we use in this class.
  • See additional information about this project in our Blackboard class, including the rubric by which you will be graded.
  • I have created a video on this assignment, which will help you identify where I deduct points and what I expect of you; however, please understand that in this video, I talk as if you will be completing these 4 hours for this assignment and that you’ll have to verify them. Normally, that is true, but in this case, for this class, I am NOT requiring you to complete any volunteer hours.
  • If you’re actually reading this, thank you. Please email me: “I read the syllabus” and I’ll give you a bonus point. My email is below.
• You will need to complete 3 Discussion Boards online in our course in Blackboard. Rather than using the more standard Discussion Board format, I use a website called Flipgrid. You will be making videos for your initial post as well as the 2 replies to your classmates (3 total videos for each Discussion Board).
  • Each Discussion Board will require you to submit an initial video post responding to TWO of my prompts.  
  • Then, within two days, you will need to have replied to 2 of your classmates (2 different people) about their initial posts. These 2 replies will also be videos.
    • These replies must be substantive (not simply “good job” or “I agree.”)
    • Please make sure to select “Add a Comment” (appearing directly below your classmate’s initial post) to associate your reply with your classmate’s post. If you select “Record a Response” that will NOT be tied to the student’s initial post but will seem as if it’s another new initial post.
  • I will drop your lowest Discussion Board grade (just 1 of the 3).
• LaunchPad LearningCurve activities
  • If needed, I will drop 4 of these LearningCurve activities. If you score a 100 on each of the 15, you will receive bonus points.
  • Through your electronic access to our book (in LaunchPad) you will need to complete one LearningCurve activity for each chapter.
  • These LearningCurve activities are tied to, and will hopefully prepare you for, each exam.  For example, before Exam 1, I will ask you to complete 3 LearningCurve activities:  on Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3. 
  • See our course calendar for the specific LearningCurve activities and when they are due.
  • If you have technical problems using the LaunchPad system, contact Customer Support.  You can also call them at (800) 936-6899.
• Finally, throughout this course, I will offer chances for you to earn bonus points that are added on to your final average in the class. This often helps people who are hovering near their target letter grade get bumped up to it. But you will have to take advantage of these opportunities as they come, all along the 8 weeks. I don't offer last-minute chances to save a poor grade.
• In our class in Blackboard, you will find additional information about all assignments, including videos I have made for each of them.

Attendance

Attendance is measured by your completion of assignments by their due dates. As an online-only class, if you do not complete the first assignments by their deadlines, you will be automatically dropped from the course due to nonparticipation. Automatic withdrawals occur if students do not submit their first assignments through Blackboard.

It is up to you to check our class online each day and to calendar and keep up with when all assignments are due. You should also check the Announcements page. Periodically, I post announcements, which I also send out via email. Checking your email regularly is also highly recommended, particularly as we continue to deal with COVID-19.

Calendar

Additional Information

Please contact me if you have questions or problems that are impacting your performance in this class.  As much as possible, I will be happy to help you.  My contact information is below.

I will hold office hours by appointment.  I am happy to schedule times that are convenient for you, even after-hours or on weekends.  If you are unable to meet with me in person, we could arrange a time for a video call or Blackboard Collaborate session.

The best way to reach me is by sending me an email (mseder@actx.edu) or a message using the Remind app.

You can also contact me on my office phone (806)345-5582, but that will only work during typical business hours. I typically work 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Fridays.  If you do not reach me when calling, leave me a message.  I will check voicemail messages periodically throughout most workdays.  If you do not leave a complete message, I may not be able to help you.  Please tell me your full name and which class you are attending (for example, “Sue Smith in General Psychology online class”). 

I cannot guarantee that I will respond to any messages after 5:00 p.m.  I can guarantee that I will not respond to any messages left on my office number after 5:30 p.m. or to very many messages sent via email or Remind after 8:00 p.m.