General Psychology Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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Course

PSYC-2301-002 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 ed. by David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall

Supplies

A computer with 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. 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

This class may challenge your thinking and elicit strong emotions.  You are invited to ask questions and share ideas as you learn about psychology, but not to speak disparagingly of any classmate or group of people.  You and your classmates will be responsible for maintaining an environment where everyone feels safe and respected.  Remember, your experiences and knowledge are not the same as everyone else’s.

 

Please check your school email at least once a day for important announcements, changes to the syllabus, or communications about your grades.  This is the only way instructors can contact you!

Grading Criteria

4 exams:  15% each (total 60%)

 

Social responsibility project:  10%

 

Online activities/quizzes:  10%

 

Written assignments: 20%

 

You will be able to check your grade in Blackboard.  Online assignments will be available or linked in Blackboard.

 

If you score below a 70 on the first exam, you MUST set up an appointment with me before the next exam so that we can determine together what went wrong and how to help you succeed in the rest of the course.  I may then refer you to the tutoring center.

 

Late Work/Alternative Assignment Policy:

 

Late assignments are never guaranteed a grade. However, if you miss a deadline, please complete the work and submit it to me as soon as possible. I will accept late work up to a point at my discretion, but understand that grading takes time and I have my own deadlines at the end of the term.

 

If you miss an exam, you MUST notify me in advance to make alternative arrangements.  If you fail to make arrangements in advance, you may not take the exam.  At my discretion, you may take a short essay exam instead.

Attendance

Class participation is a large component of this course. You and your classmates benefit the most when you share your questions and ideas in class discussions. However, I understand that you are all adults with responsibilities outside of class.  If you have to miss a class, leave early, or arrive late, please let me know in advance if at all possible. You will be responsible for making up any missed in-class assignments.  If some circumstance gets in the way of you attending class on a regular basis, please let me know immediately so I can work with you to find a compromise.

Calendar

Additional Information

Office Hours:

 

I will hold office hours by appointment.  I highly encourage you to come talk to me at any time throughout the course.  I will be available for chat or video/audio calls with students outside of classes throughout the week, but please let me know in advance when and how you would like to speak with me. I am always happy to help if you need to talk about the class, school in general, psychology topics that interest you, future education options, or anything else.