General Psychology Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>WSC (Library) 410</p>

Office Hours

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 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-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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Exploring Psychology, 12th Edition, David G. Myers & C. Nathan DeWall. You do not need the access code. This text can be purchased at the Amarillo College bookstore or online through the publisher: 

 

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 4th floor of the Ware Student Commons or the Underground. Quizzes and assignments will be online so please make sure 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

I expect you all to check the class online, participate in class discussion boards, be prepared for class discussions and exams, and respect everyone else who is in the class. Students are 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 can use your notes and books on all assignments and exams. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students’ responses within the class. There will be zero tolerance for any harassment!! I want this to be an environment where everyone can learn and feel safe!!

Grading Criteria

 There will be a total of 950 possible points for the semester. You will be able to check your grade on AC Connect.

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 The points will be earned:

400 points for exams (4-100 point exams, and I will replace your lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade)

150 points for 15 chapter quizzes

150 points for Social Responsibility Assignment and community service

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

Total points possible: 950 points

 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 chapter quizzes: you will get to take each quiz as many times as you want to get the maximum amount of points possible. These quizzes will help you study for the exams

 Online discussion forums:

You will be required to respond to different discussion topics online.

Your responses must include relevant information discussed in class lecture notes, web links, YouTube videos, and in your textbook.

 All discussions will be worth different amounts of points; There will be points for your initial response and points for your responses to classmates.

 You will be required to respond to 2 classmates’ responses. Your comments must include relevant responses that show that you have read and understood what your classmates have posted and their points 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 must answer prompts in complete sentences and thoughts to receive full credit.

Social Responsibility Assignment

 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

You will need to check our course on Blackboard online every day for updates and assignments. I do not allow make-up work or exams. Contact me as soon as possible if something happens so that we can work on a solution before the due date passes. Any school activity such as sports, band, or competition should be addressed before the due date, not after the due date for assignments, exams, or quizzes.

Calendar

Dates  

Chapters Covered  

Content  

Assignments Due  

Week 1  

 

Chapter 1  

Thinking Critically Scientific Method  

What is Psychology Assignment 

Response due Sunday, 1.21 

 

Chapter 2  

Biology of Behavior

 

Week 2  

 

 

Chapter 3  

  

  

 

 

Consciousness & the 2-

Track Mind  

  

 

 

Study Quizzes for Chapters 1, 2, & 3 (3 total), all due Thursday, 1.25

 

Biology of the Mind and Drugs Assignment

Response due Friday, 1.26

  

EXAM 1, covering chapters 1-3  

Opens Thursday, 1.25

Closes Sunday, 1.28

 

Week 3  

 

Chapter 4 

 

 

  

Developing Through the Life Span

Chapter 4 Human Development and Adolescence

Discussion Board 

Initial Post due 2.1 

Responses to 2 classmates due 2.4  

Week 4  

 

Chapter 5

  

 

Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Chapter 5 Gender and Sexuality Discussion Board 

Initial Post due 2.8 

Responses to 2 classmates due 2.11 

 

Part 1 of Social Responsibility Assignment  

Decide which agency you plan to volunteer for 4 hours. IF you have arranged your hours with them, consider writing your answer to #1 on the template. You could also complete question #5 on the template. Do not wait until the last minute to start on this assignment, worth 20% of your grade.  

For this Part 1, simply email me the name of the agency. 

Due Friday, 2.9 

 

Week 5  

 

  

Chapter 6

  

 

Sensation and Perception

Perception and Learning Assignment

Response due Friday, 2.16

 

Week 6

Chapter 7

Learning

Study Quizzes for Chapters 4, 5, 6, & 7 (4 total) all due Thursday, 2.22  

  

EXAM 2, covering chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7  

Opens Thursday, 2.22  

Closes Sunday, 2.25  

Week 7

  

Chapter 8

  

Chapter 9  

 

Memory

 

Thinking, Language, and

Intelligence

Part 2 of Social Responsibility Assignment  

Works Cited page. Please submit, through 

Blackboard, your Works Cited page, with the required TWO citations. There is a Blackboard drop box where you can turn in the Works Cited page. Please submit a standalone page Due 3.1

 

Week 8

 

Chapter 10  

  

Chapter 11  

Motivation and Emotion

 

Stress, Health, and

Human Flourishing

Chapter 10 Motivation and Emotion Discussion Board 

Initial Post due 3.5 

Responses to 2 classmates due 3.10 

 

Chapter 11 Health & Stress Discussion Board 

Initial Post due 3.7 

Responses to 2 classmates due 3.10  

Week 9

 

Amarillo College

Spring Break

March 13 - 19

 

 

If you have not already, you should complete your 4 hours of volunteering THIS WEEK.

I HIGHLY recommend you use this week to complete your social responsibility assignment template. It is due next week 3.24  

Week 10

 

 

Study Quizzes for Chapters 8, 9, 10, & 11 (4 total) all due Thursday, 3.24  

  

EXAM 3, covering chapters 8, 9, 10, & 11

Opens Thursday, 3.21  

Closes Sunday, 3.24  

 

Social Responsibility Template COMPLETED

Submit your completed template through Blackboard.  

Due Sunday, 3.24

 

Week 11

Chapter 12

Social Psychology

Social Psychology Assignment Response due Friday, 3.29  

Week 12

Chapter 13

Personality

Online Personality Quiz 

Due 4.3 

 

Chapter 13 Personality Discussion Board 

Responses to 2 classmates due 4.7

 

Week 13

Chapter 14

Psychological Disorders

Psychological Disorders Assignment Response due Friday, 4.12

Week 14

Chapter 15

Therapy

Study Quizzes for Chapters 12, 13, 14, & 15 (4 total) all due Thursday, 4.18  

 

Exam 4, covering chapters 12-15 (NOT cumulative)  

Opens Thursday, 4.18

Closes Sunday, 4.21  

 

Week 15

 

 

No assignments are due this week  

 

Week 16

 

 

Class CLOSES Thursday 5.9 at NOON

 

Final Grades Due 

 

Note:  I am required to submit final grades (in all psychology classes) by end of the day, Thursday, 5.9. ALL assignments in my course are due by NOON on Thursday, 5.9 which is the last day of the course.     

 

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours by appointment only. 

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

If you email me from within the class, my reply will go to your AC gmail account. If you do not use your AC gmail account, please email me from the email you check most frequently. Make sure to include which class you are in and your name as it appears in the class.

You can try and contact me on my office phone (806)371-5192

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 class and we can work something out. Do not wait until after th fact, waiting shows that you don't care and it leaves me little room to work with you on a resolution.

Syllabus Created on:

01/15/24 11:33 AM

Last Edited on:

01/15/24 11:53 AM