General Psychology Syllabus for 2020-2021
Return to Syllabus List

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-2301-008 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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook: Exploring Psychology, 11^th edition loose-leaf, 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 4^th floor of the Ware Student Commons or in the basement which is the Underground. All classes will meet online each day scheduled for class. Your exams will be given online and some assignments will be submitted online so you need to make sure you have reliable internet access.

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

Classroom 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. It is your responsibility to let me know if you are going to miss class and/or an assignment. I do not take make-up work or allow make-up exams, so waiting until after you are already missed will hurt you grade. 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 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% = 719-640= B

79-70% = 639-560= C

69-60% = 559-480= D

Below 60% Below 479= F

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams

150 points for in-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: 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!!
• 150 points in 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 learning project
  • 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

Attendance policy:

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. I do not take make-up work. It is extremely important to come to class. If you miss a class in the 8 week format you get behind very quickly. I will be taking attendance every day.  Waiting until tthe 7th or 8th week to check with me about your grade and or attendance is too late.

Calendar

Additional Information

Office Hours:

Monday- Thursday 8:00 am -8:50 am

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.

I do not take make-up assingments or make-up exams.