General Psychology Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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-2301-011 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 11^th Edition, David G. Myers

You can use either the printed textbook or the e-textbook.  The choice is yours.

Supplies

Textbook, syllabus, pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer on a regular basis. If you do not have your own computer, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4^th floor of the Library. It is very important to have reliable internet service on your computer.

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

Expected Student Behavior

My first expectation for this course is that you do well, and enjoy your learning.  This is a college-level course, and is taught as such.  This is a high-pace course, and there are numerous assignments due each week.  If you are planning a "vacation", and are going to be out for any amount of time, you need to plan to take your computer and supplies with you. Assignments must be completed BEFORE the absence.

I have very high-performance expectations for you as college students.  I expect you all to attend class online, read and study your textbook, participate in class discussion boards, be prepared for class discussion and exams, and respect everyone else who is in the class. I cannot tell you how important reading your textbook is in this course. I suggest going through your textbook doing pre-reading (scanning the chapter), then read the chapter, go through and highlight important concepts and terms, and make notes/flash cards/reading logs from the chapter. 

Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although 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. The point of college and college courses is to prepare you for your “real life” and “real career”. If you cheat your way through college then all you have learned is how to cheat and that is not very useful. Plagiarism and cheating is not tolerated.

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!! 

I need to address late assignments…I do not accept late work.  If you have an emergency, email me as soon as possible so I can help you be successful. For this reason, you should not wait until the last minute to start an assignment.

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria:

There will be a total of 750 possible points for the semester. You will be able to check your grade on AC connect. Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

A = 90%-100% (675-750 points)

B = 80%-89% (600-674 points)

C = 70%-79% (525-599 points)

D = 60%-69% (450-524 points)

F = Below 60% (below 449 points)

The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (four 100 points exams)

150 points for online activities (completed during the weeks you don’t have an exam)

100 points for Social Responsibility Learning Project (you will need to complete this essay online)

100 points for attendance

Total points possible: 750 points

• Four 50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points. The exams will be taken from notes and the chapters in the book. (Exams will be assigned after class and you will have until 9:45pm on Monday to complete the exam. You will have 90 minutes and will only be permitted a single attempt.)
• Three 50 point online activities. These activities will ask you to further examine concepts discussed in class and your textbooks. You may be asked to watch and respond to videos online, or write a sample experiment.
• 100 points attendance. Each absence will cost 20 points. If you miss 5 lectures you will have lost all of your attendance points. Be sure to email me if you know you will be gone.
• 100 points for social responsibility serving learning project (THIS ACTIVITY IS REQUIRED OF ALL PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS BY AMARILLO COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION – I CAN NOT EXCUSE YOU FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT)

Attendance

Your success in this class is directly tied to your consistent attendance in lecture. This is an 8 week, hybrid course, which means two things: 1) We only meet 16 times and 2) we have to cover one chapter of material in every class. It is VITAL that you are present in body and mind to engage with the lecture, take notes, and ask questions that will prepare you for the online assignments and exams. Please be prompt and prepared every Monday and Wednesday evening at 5:30pm to receive your attendance points.

Calendar

Additional Information

I will hold office hours by appointment.

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: jmdad@myactx.edu

You can try and contact me on my office phone (806)374-7341 Ext 2048 (Email is the Best)

Most issues can be resolved before or after class, however we can always set-up an appointment that will work for both of us if more time is needed.  

You have been provided with a comprehensive schedule of class and activity dates. Pay careful attention to which chapters will be covered in class, read the chapters ahead of class time, and come prepared to discuss. Make sure you are comfortable with the chapter and the notes you take in class before beginning your online tests. You only have 1 chance and 90 minutes to answer 50 questions. You don't have time to look up every answer.

You are responsible for attending class and completing your exams and assignments on time. Barring an extreme emergency (i.e. you are admitted to the hospital and are unable to operate a computer) you will not be given an extension on your assignments, and you will NEVER be allowed to re-take an exam. If you do have an emergency, or know you have an important conflict, please email me as soon as possible so I can help you be successful. If you fail to email me about a conflict BEFORE there is a problem, there will be very little I can do help you solve it. Remember, your grade is your responsibility, but I’m here to help you achieve success.

 

Dropping the Class: The last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” on your transcript is Monday, May 1.  Please visit with me about your concerns regarding completing the class and desire to withdraw.  As part of the process to withdraw, it will be your responsibility to obtain the necessary form and send it to me to sign. You must officially drop a class through the Registrar’s office.  If you simply stop attending, a grade of F will appear on your transcript.

 

Technical Problems:  If you experience a technical problem with some online aspect of the course, you may contact the Student & Faculty Help Center at 806.371.5992 or by email at ctlstudenthelp@actx.edu.  The Student & Faculty Help Center staff can be located at the Washington Street Campus, WARE, Room 111 or after 5pm on the 4^th floor of WARE.

 

Mental Health Services and the 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 806.371.5191.  The AC Counseling Center website is 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 www.actx.edu/arc.