General Psychology Syllabus for 2022-2023
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Dutton 202M</p>

Office Hours

SPRING I 

    • Daily: 8:30am-10:30am
    • By appointment

SPRING II

  • Daily: 8:00am - 8:45am and 11:45am-12:30pm
  • By appointment

SUMMER

  • By appointment only 

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-2301-010 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

Required: Exploring Psychology, 12th Edition, Worth Publishers, ISBN-10: 1-319-13211-1.

*Used textbooks are acceptable for this class. 

Supplies

  • Classic note taking supplies (paper, pen/pencil) for in class
  • Blue/black pen or pencil only – no colored writing utensils
  • Technology may be used at various points throughout the course.
  • Personal access to a reliable computer
  • Reliable Internet connection
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Open computer labs on campus are available for use

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

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 3-hour course is a hybrid style course.  Instruction in a hybrid course is delivered 50% online and 50% face-to-face contact. A sizeable portion of this course is completed outside of class. In class time involves lecture, discussions, activities, and out of class participation.  The course is completed within 8 weeks. Course format will consist of the following:

  • Mondays: Talk About It
    • Discussion orientated, activity based, creative interaction with content
  • Wednesdays: Think it Through
    • Case studies and student led discussions 

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA

A = 100-90%

B = 89-80%

C = 79-70%

D = 69-60%

F = 50%

 

ASSIGNMENT

QUANTITY

PERCENTAGE

Quizzes

4

10%

Discussions: In-Class / Online

8

25%

Reading Logs, Activities, Participation

10

20%

Social Learning Project

1

10%

GROW Project

1

20%

Final Exam

1

15%

 

How are grades calculated?

 

  • Let us say, for example, that you made the following grades in the course:
    • Quiz 1 = 82; Quiz 2 = 85; Quiz 3 = 93; Quiz 4 = 78
    • D1: 88; D1: 76; D3: 88; D4: 70; D5: 91; D6: 88; D7: 92; D8: 65
    • Reading Log / Discussion / Participation (10 total): 80 + 100 + 100 + 70 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 70 + 100 + 100
    • Service Learning Project = 100
    • GROW Project: 85
    • Final Exam: 83

 

  • Here is how you would do the math:
    • Average the Quiz grades: 82 + 85 + 93 + 78 = 338/4 = 84.5
    • Average the Discussion grades: 88 + 76 + 88 + 70 + 91 + 88 + 92 + 65 = 658/8 = 82.3
    • Average the Reading Log / Discussions / Participation (10 total) = 80 + 100 + 100 + 70 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 70 + 100 + 100 = 920/10 = 92

 

  • Then multiply by the percentage:
    • 84.5 X .10 = 8.5 (Quizzes)
    • 82.3 X .25 = 20.5 (Discussions)
    • 92 X .20 = 18.4 (Reading Logs / Discussions / Participation)
    • 100 X .10 = 10 (Service-Learning Project)
    • 85 X .20 = 17 (GROW Project)
    • 83 X .15 = 12.5 (Final Exam)

 

  • Now, add the numbers for each category: 
    • 8.5 + 20.5 + 18.4 + 10 + 17 + 12.5 = 86.9 = B (Course Grade)

 

Attendance

  • Attendance is taken daily.
  • Students should attend class twice a week (M and W). Role will additionally be taken through in-class participation, discussions, and submission of reading logs.
  • Updates and assignments are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and should be monitored daily online. 

Calendar

WEEK

READING

ASSIGNMENT(S)

DUE DATE

WEEK 1

Thinking Critically w/Psy. Science

Oct. 24th – Oct. 28th 

EP: Ch. 1

Course Orientation Email; Discussion #1; Discussion Post #1

  • Course Orientation email: Oct. 25*
  • Discussion #1: Oct. 26 in class
  • Discussion Post #1: due Oct. 28*

WEEK 2

Biology of Mind, Consciousness, Two Track Mind

Oct. 31st – Nov. 4th 

EP: Chs. 2 and 3

Quiz #1; GROW/SLP Day; Reading Log #1

  • Quiz #1: due Oct. 31 in class
  • GROW/SLP Day: Nov. 2
  • RL #1: due Nov. 4*

WEEK 3

Developing Life Span & Gender and Sexuality

Nov. 7th – Nov. 11th

EP: Chs. 4 and 5

Discussion #2; Discussion Post #2

  • Discussion #2: due Nov. 9 in class
  • Discussion Post #2: Nov. 11*

WEEK 4

Sensation, Perception, Learning & Memory

Nov. 14th – Nov. 18th

EP: Chs. 6-8

Quiz #2; GROW/SLP Day; Reading Log #2

  • Quiz #2: due Nov. 14 in class
  • GROW/SLP Day: Nov. 16
  • Reading Log #2: due Nov. 18*

WEEK 5

Thinking, Language – Human Flourishing

Nov. 21st – Nov. 25th

EP: Chs. 9-11

Quiz #3; Discussion Post #3

  • Quiz #3: due Nov. 21 in class
  • Discussion Post #3: Nov. 25*

WEEK 6

Personality & Social Psychology

Nov. 28th – Dec. 2nd

EP: Chs. 12-13

Discussion #3; GROW; SLP; Reading Log #3

  • Discussion #3: due Nov. 30 in class
  • GROW Project: Nov. 30*
  • SLP: due Nov. 30*
  • Reading Log #3: due Dec. 2*

WEEK 7

Psychological Disorders & Therapy

Dec. 5th – Dec. 9th  

EP: Chs. 14-15

Quiz #4; Case Study Assignment; Discussion Post #4

  • Quiz #4: Dec. 5 in class
  • Case Study: Dec. 7 in class
  • Discussion Post #4: Dec. 9*

WEEK 8

Concluding Thoughts

Dec. 12th – Dec. 16th

Review and Final

Discussion #4; Final Exam

  • Discussion #4: Dec. 12 in class
  • Final Exam: Dec. 14 in class

Additional Information

TECHNOLOGY POLICY

During class the use of personal cell phones is prohibited unless specified by the instructor. Laptops/tables are allowed for note taking purposes only. ALL technological use should be limited to course related content. No photo imaging is allowed at any point throughout the entirety of the course. The instructor may limit technology at various points due to improper usage.

Syllabus Created on:

10/15/22 7:03 AM

Last Edited on:

10/15/22 7:59 AM