General Psychology Syllabus for 2022-2023
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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-DC004 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, 12th Edition, loose leaf David G. Myers & C. Nathan DeWall. You do NOT need the access code.

Supplies

Supplies: pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer, or if you do not have access to a computer at some other facility, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4^th floor of the Ware Student Commons or the Underground. Quizzes and an assignment will be online so please make to use reliable internet.

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

Expectations:

I expect you all to attend class online, participate in class discussion boards, be prepared for class discussion and exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. 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. You are allowed to use your notes and books on all assignments and exams,however, you 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 where everyone can learn and feels safe!!

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria:

 There will be a total of 950 possible points for the semester. You can check your grade in Blackboard under "My Grades". To calculate your grade you will divide the number of points you have earned (the smaller number) by the number of possible points that you could have earned in the class (the larger number). Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% = 950-855 points A

89-80% = 854-760 points B

79-70% = 759-665 points C

69-60% = 664-570 points D

Below 50% = below 475 points F

Total points possible: 950 points

400 points for exams (4-100 points exams and you get to replace your lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade)

150 points for 15 study quizzes (10 points each)

150 points for Social responsibility essay and community service 

250 points for online discussions and/or assignments (you will be required to respond to discussion online about the chapters in the book and topics discussed in lecture and you will be required to respond to two of your classmates responses)

Points continued...

• 4-50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace your lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade
• 15 study quizzes: you will get to take each quiz as many times as you want in order to get the maximum amount of points possible. These quizzes will help you study for the exams
• Online discussion boards:
  • You will be required to respond to different discussion topics online,
  • The discussion will need to include relevant information discussed in class lecture notes, web links, YouTube videos and in your textbook,
  • All discussions will be worth different amount of  points; There will be  points for your initial response and  points for your responses to your classmates.
  • You will be required to respond to 2 classmates’ responses. Your comments need to relevant responses that show that you have read and understood what your classmates have posted and their point of view. "Nice job" is not enough. Here is an example of a good response: "That is a really great point of view, I really liked that way you related reinforcement to everyday life and I agree with your statement that money is really the number one incentive in the world."
• Online assignments: you will be required to answer prompts in complete sentences and thoughts to receive full credit.
•  150 social responsibility assignment and community service:
  • The essay portion will be worth 100 points and graded using the rubric provided online. Please look over it to earn the most points possible.
  • You will get 50 points for your volunteer verification of 4 hours of community service.

Attendance

Attendance:

You will need to check online every day for updates and assignments. If you miss an assignment and exam due dates, it will negatively impact your grade. I do not allow make-up work or exams.

Calendar

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours by appointment only. Don't hesitate to get in touch with me to schedule a meeting either in person or online. 

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: mlweathersbee@actx.edu 

If you email me from within Blackboard, it will go to your Gmail account when I respond. If you do not use your Gmail account, please email me from the email you check. Make sure to include which class you are in and your name as it appears in the class.

My office phone is (806)371-5462; however, the best way to contact me is through email.

Most issues can be resolved over email; however, we can always set up an appointment that will work for both of us if more time is needed. 

I do not allow make-up exams or make-up assignments. Please contact me as soon as you know you will miss a due date and we can work something out. Do not wait until after the fact, waiting shows that you don't care, and it leaves me little room to work with you on a resolution.