General Psychology Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-2301-002 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 11th Edition or 12th Edition, David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall 

Supplies

Access to a computer and to a reliable internet connection is required for online course assignments and online exams. If you do not have your own computer and internet, you will need to use AC computers. For example, computers are located in Ware both on the 4th floor and in the basement at The Underground. 

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course, at a minimum students 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

My expectation is that each of you will do well in this course. Good academic performance is developed through persistent effort and good choices in strategy (APA, 2015). I am always available to discuss learning strategies you may wish to try. 

My expectation is that as you read the assigned chapter sections in our textbook, you will find yourself enjoying it. I promise that you will experience much less frustration with all assignments if you first actively engage with the material in the textbook. The points are best learned in context and not picked through to simply answer questions.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the science of psychology!  

My expectation is that you will respect everyone in this class at all times and will engage in academic integrity. Integrity can be defined as doing the right thing when no one is watching.  Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Avoid placing yourself in any situation where academic dishonesty could be suspected.  Violations include plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments and cheating on tests. Please use your textbook and notes for exams and assignments, but make sure they are yours.  

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria: 

Course includes a total of 1,000 possible points allocated as follows:

Syllabus Quiz                                                                         Total of 20 points or 2%

Five Exams (only the four highest grades are kept)          Total of 400 points or 40%

            Unit 1 Exam                                        

            Unit 2 Exam                                        

            Unit 3 Exam                                        

            Unit 4 Exam                                        

            Comprehensive Final Exam                

Social Responsibility Project                                               Total of 160 points or 16%

            Completed Essays       

            Volunteer Verification    

Class Labs and Attendance                                                Total of 280 points or 28%

Online Chapter Assignments                                              Total of 140 points or 14%

            Study Guide (Practice Quizzes)     

            Gamified Reviews                                

Letter Grades:

A = 895 – 1000 points = 90 – 100%
B = 795 – 894 points = 80 – 89%
C = 695 – 794 points = 70 – 79%
D = 595 – 694 points = 60 – 69%
F = 0 – 594 points = 0 – 59%

Hint to calculate grades: 

Easily calculate your grade by dividing the points you earned by the possible points for the assignment/exam.  For example, if you earned 19 points on an assignment with a possible 25 points, you figure your grade this way: 19÷25=0.76 which is 76% or a grade of 76 for the assignment. You can calculate what your overall grade in the class is following this same process. Please approach me if you still have questions. 

Brief assignment descriptions:

1. Syllabus Quiz: The syllabus quiz covers the material presented in this syllabus document to make sure everyone is prepared and aware of the class structure. It is due during the first week of the course (see schedule).

2. Exams: Five online, multiple-choice and essay exams (4 units and 1 comprehensive final) are included in this course. Each exam is the property of the professor and may not be photographed, circulated or otherwise reproduced.  

3. Social Responsibility Project: The Social Responsibility Project gives you the opportunity to volunteer for four hours at a community organization and describe your experiences in essay format using the provided Social Responsibility Essay Template. All project details, including verification of volunteering, are located inside the Social Responsibility Project module.

4. Online Chapter Activities:  Two online assignments for each chapter can be found in the weekly modules. 1) A multiple-choice, Study Guide uses a practice quiz format and may be attempted as many times as you want until the assignment deadline. Note: After you reach 100% correct on a chapter’s Study Guide Practice Quiz, a hint file that can be used as an exam study guide will automatically become available to you within the week’s module. 2) A review assignment will allow you to engage with each chapter’s information in a game-like format with the grade dependent on participation.

5. Class Labs and Attendance:  Standards to retain full points include:

• Participate and volunteer relevant information from reading and personal experience.  Ask timely questions for clarification or further exploration of topic.
• Attend and be prepared to work when class begins.
• Listen actively and attentively. Keep focused on class discussion and lab assignments. Avoid using devices and cellphones, talking out of turn, or holding side conversations.

6. Extra Credit Opportunity:  A Chapter 5 assignment is available for extra credit points.

7. Optional Videos:  At the bottom of each week’s folder are links to YouTube videos. Watching these YouTube videos is an optional, entertaining, and fast-paced review of each chapter’s content.  

Attendance

Class attendance is critical. A pattern of lateness or absence will negatively impact your final grade since you cannot participate or turn in assignments when you miss class. Material covered in class may not be in the textbook yet can be included on exams or serve as the basis for a written assignment. If you know in advance that you will be absent, please let me know and follow up with appropriate documentation. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered and obtain notes from another classmate. 

Calendar

Additional Information

Makeup Policy:  Please review the exam and assignment dates for this class. This is an accelerated, eight-week course: You will need to have arranged your affairs to keep up with reading the textbook and completing all assignments. Choose not to wait until the last minute to start an assignment or plan for an exam. I do not accept late work. Late assignments will receive zeros. If you have an emergency or serious circumstances, contact me as soon as possible, so I can help you be successful.

Use of Wireless Devices and Cellphones:  Students are expected to act professionally in the classroom.  Laptops and other electronic devices should be silenced and put away unless invited to use them; they are permitted only when indicated by the instructor for specific class activities.

Technical Problems:  If you experience a technical problem with Blackboard, please contact the Student & Faculty Help Center at 806-371-5992 or ctlstudenthelp@actx.edu. 

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:  If you wish to withdraw from this course, you must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline (Tuesday, October 3). If you simply stop attending, likely a grade of “F” will appear on your transcript. Please visit with me as early as possible if you have any questions or concerns about this.  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. 

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.

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 .