Gogebic Community College PSY 111 HONORS GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY SYLLABUS FALL, Section 01; room A326; 10:10:53 MW and 10:11:53 a.m.

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1 Gogebic Community College PSY 111 HONORS GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY SYLLABUS FALL, 2015 Section 01; room A326; 10:10:53 MW and 10:11:53 a.m. T INSTRUCTOR: Tricia Cullen OFFICE: A314 PHONE: , ext patricia.wendt@gogebic.edu OFFICE HOURS: Mondays: 8:00-8:45 a.m.; 11:00-12:00 noon; 1:00-2:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 12:00-1:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 8:00-8:45 a.m.; 11:00-12:00 noon; 1:00-2:00 p.m. Thursdays: By appointment Fridays: 10:00-12:00 noon TEXTBOOK (required): Myers, D. G. (2014). Exploring psychology (9 th ed.). New York, NY: Worth. COURSE DESCRIPTION: PSY 111 is an introduction to the scientific study and interpretation of human behavior, with an emphasis on the critical analysis of said behavior. Through discussion, individual research, and small group work, students will explore major topics in the field and investigate the impact of biological, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, psychoanalytic, and sociocultural factors on human behavior. COURSE OBJECTIVES: PSY 111 will cover six units with corresponding textbook readings: a. UNIT ONE: OVERVIEW, HISTORY, PERSPECTIVES, AND RESEARCH (text chapter 1) 1) The scope and history of psychology, 2) Theoretical perspectives in psychology, and 3) Major psychological research methods.

2 b. UNIT TWO: PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR BEHAVIOR (text chapters 2 & 6) 1) The impact of biological factors on behavior, 2) The parts of a neuron and how it functions, 3) Major parts of the brain and their functions, and 4) Sensory processes and perception. c. UNIT THREE: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, INTELLIGENCE, AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (text chapters 4, 5, & 9) 1) Issues regarding nature and nurture in relation to human development, 2) Physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development through the lifespan, and 3) Issues related to gender, intelligence, language development, and thought. d. UNIT FOUR: CONSCIOUSNESS, LEARNING, AND MEMORY (text chapters 3, 7, & 8) 1) States of consciousness, including sleep, 2) The effects of psychoactive drugs on the human body, 3) Learning concepts and procedures, including classical and operant conditioning and social learning, and 4) Processes of memory, retrieval, and forgetting. e. UNIT FIVE: MOTIVATION, EMOTION, STRESS, AND PERSONALITY (text chapters 10, 11, & 12) 1) Physiological, psychological, and social motivation, 2) Theories of and issues related to emotion, 3) The impact of stress on psychological and physical health, 4) Stress management and coping methods, and 5) Major theoretical views on personality. f. UNIT SIX: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, THERAPIES, AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOLGY (text chapters 13, 14, & 15) 1) Various psychological disorders, including symptoms and possible causal factors, 2) Psychological and biological therapies, and 3) Issues related to social psychology.

3 GRADING: Your grade in PSY 111 will be based upon the following: 7-8 Essay 50 points each = points 1 Formal 50 points = 50 points 4 Small Projects / Informal 20 points each = 80 points points (Note: The above is subject to change.) Grade percentage breakdowns are as follows: % A % B % D % A % C % D % B % C % D % B % C- below 60% F ATTENDANCE POLICY: Class attendance is critical for your success in PSY 111. Class discussions cannot be made up! If you attend ALL class sessions, you will earn 10 extra credit attendance points. If you miss only 1 hour, you will earn 8 extra credit points. If you miss 2 hours, you will earn 6 extra credit points (3 hours-4 points, 4 hours / 1 week-2 points). Absences beyond 1 week will result in no extra credit attendance points. Again, your attendance in class is very important! TEST AND ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Most of our tests will be out-of-class essay tests. With regard to in-class tests, it is very important that you take them on the scheduled days. ONE (1) make-up test is allowed. With regard to out-of-class tests, there will be a point penalty (which varies) for late submissions. In addition, dishonesty of any kind, including cheating on tests or any assigned work, may be dealt with in any manner deemed suitable by the instructor, including a recording of a failing grade for the class. Cheating on tests may also result in the student appearing before the Student Personnel Committee and possible suspension from school if circumstances warrant. OTHER CLASSROOM-RELATED INFORMATION: Cell phone use during class is not permitted. Cell phones should be placed on silent or turned off prior to the start of class. Students are expected to be on time for class. In the event that this is not possible, students should not disrupt the class when they enter. Classroom disruption in general will not be tolerated.

4 ADA ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT: If you believe that you need academic accommodations for a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact the Office of Disability Services, located in office T105E of the ACES Center, call , x237, or jessicaln@gogebic.edu to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. This office is responsible for coordinating disability-related academic accommodations and will issue students with verification letters as appropriate. Because accommodations may require early planning and generally are not provided retroactively, please contact the office as soon as possible. This syllabus may change; students will be alerted to such changes. Have a great semester!

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