Revised FALL 2014 PSYC 2301 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (ONLINE) COURSE SYLLABUS OUTLINE

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1 Revised FALL 2014 PSYC 2301 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (ONLINE) COURSE SYLLABUS OUTLINE PSYC 2301 General Psychology (3-3-0) A survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Prerequisite: TSI complete in READ and ENGL. F, Sp, Su ( ). Instructor: Sarah Kranz Office: Phone: (903) Office Hours: By appointment COURSE RATIONALE Any well-educated person should understand to some degree how and why we as human beings behave and think the way we do. Psychology in general, and Introductory Psychology in particular, addresses the scientific approach to the study of behavior and mental processes. Students taking this course will be expected to explore, discuss and learn about important psychological principles and to apply these principles in understanding their own respective physical, mental and social development. EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS Text: Discovering Psychology, 6 th Custom Edition, 2014, by Don H. Hockenbury and Sandra E. Hockenbury, Worth Publishers, New York, New York. ISBN # Equipment: Regular access to a computer with the following components: *Internet connection (broadband preferable) * Web Browser (Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher preferable) EVALUATION As much as possible, this web course opportunity will mirror the student experience offered in the in classroom PSYC 2301 Introductory Psychology course at Kilgore College. Students will be responsible for reading and learning textbook material and studying for examinations on that material. Ancillary information sources and power points are provided to assist in the students selfstudy efforts.

2 Evaluation of Students: EXAMS: Each of the five on-line unit tests will be composed of 50 multiple-choice questions. Test items will be drawn from the textbook (as clarified and illustrated by the appropriate ancillary materials), and a study guide will be available. A comprehensive final examination, worth 50 points, will be given at the end of the semester. For each unit test, the following procedures will be in effect: 1. Make sure you are adequately prepared. Study guides are available in the course. You will have only one chance to take each unit examination. There are no make-ups or do-overs. Do not call up the examination before you are ready to take it; doing so may result in a zero grade for that particular test! 2. Once started, you must complete an examination in 60 minutes. You will be unable to submit answers after the 60 minute deadline. If you exceed the time limit you will receive a zero for that test. 3. All examinations must be proctored. All examinations are to be taken without the aid of notes or the textbook. Proctored exams can be scheduled with the testing center or through CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES: Each chapter (and the appendix) contains a critical thinking exercise. Each exercise is worth 5 point of the final grade, and is intended to help the student apply what they are learning from each chapter. Included within these critical thinking exercises are the required essay and multiple choice questions for meeting the core curriculum objectives. FINAL EXAM: A comprehensive final exam, worth 50 points, will be given at the end of the semester. This exam contains comprehensive questions, as well as questions from the chapter on social psychology. EXTRA POINTS: Up to 30 extra points can be earned by completing the discussion question for each unit (6 points each). Grade scale: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=59 and below. Exams: 5 Major unit exams 50 pts each) 250 points 1 Comprehensive Final Examination 50 points Critical Thinking: 13 Exercises 5 points each) 65 points Extra Points (up to 30 from discussion board) 365 points possible

3 Evaluation of Instructor. At the end of the semester, students will be given an opportunity to evaluate the instructor and the course. Approved evaluation forms are provided by the Office of Institutional Research, which is also responsible for their analysis. CLASSROOM POLICIES Attendance: Students should read the attendance policy in the Kilgore College Catalog and be aware that an instructor may drop a student from class as a result of excessive absences, which is defined as more than six hours, although students who quit attending class are ultimately responsible for withdrawing themselves. Instructors may also withdraw students from a course for lack of participation. Make-up procedure: All activities and tests can be completed early, but cannot be taken after the due date specified in the course. Failure to complete an activity or test by the due date will result in a 0% for that test. There will be no makeup tests and no exceptions. Academic honesty statement: Students are requested to read about the sanctions for academic dishonesty outlined in the Kilgore College Student Handbook. It states in part that the faculty member may recommend penalties such as withdrawal from the course, failing the course, assignment, or in other academic work; denial of a degree and/or performing additional academic work not required by other students in the course. Drop Date: As a general rule, students may drop a course until 75% of the term has been completed. Students are requested to read the Student Initiated Drops and Withdrawals statement of the Kilgore College Catalog which states in part: All course drops, whether instructor or student initiated, shall result in a W during the first twelve weeks of a long term or twenty-one days of a summer term. During the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of a long term, or the twenty-second through the twenty-fourth days of a summer term, such drops will result in a "W" if the student is passing or "F" if the student is failing. A student may not drop or withdraw during the last two weeks of a long semester or following the twenty-fourth class day of a summer term; however, instructors should continue to drop students for absences until final examinations begin. The last day to withdraw with a W during a two week mini semester is day thirteen; during a four week term is day twenty; and during an eight week term is day thirty-four. COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES Common Core Curriculum for PSYC 2301 Social/Behavioral Science -- Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture. PSYC 2301 General Psychology (3-3-0)

4 General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Prerequisite: Must be TSI complete in reading and writing. F, Sp, Su ( ). How will the objective be addressed? How will the objective be assessed? Critical Thinking Analysis of information Evaluation of information Students will be introduced to the five skills of critical thinking. These five skills will encompass but not be limited to analysis of information, evaluation of information and synthesis of information. This will be addressed by lecture, class discussion, power point presentations, and text readings. Students will be introduced to the five skills of critical thinking. These five skills will encompass but not be limited to analysis of information, evaluation of information and synthesis of information. This will be addressed by lecture, class discussion, power point presentations, and text readings Students will apply the five skills of critical thinking to a controversial area in psychology, by writing an essay with a clearly developed thesis, along with relevant supporting evidence, and be a minimum of two pages in length. The department will create a list of controversial topics in psychology from which the students will choose. The department will develop a grading rubric based on content, critical thinking skills, and standard English grammar. Instructors will require students to use Turnitin.com as a means to further reinforce students own personal responsibility when citing sources and/or using their own words. APA style will be used in citing sources. Students will apply the five skills of critical thinking to a controversial area in psychology, by writing an essay with a clearly developed thesis, along with relevant supporting evidence, and be a minimum of two pages in length. The department will create a list of controversial topics in psychology from which the students will choose. The department will develop a grading rubric based on

5 Synthesis of information Creative thinking Inquiry Innovation Communication Effective development, interpretation and expression of Students will be introduced to the five skills of critical thinking. These five skills will encompass but not be limited to analysis of information, evaluation of information and synthesis of information. This will be addressed by lecture, class discussion, power point presentations, and text readings content, critical thinking skills, and standard English grammar. Instructors will require students to use Turnitin.com as a means to further reinforce students own personal responsibility when citing sources and/or using their own words. APA style will be used in citing sources. Students will apply the five skills of critical thinking to a controversial area in psychology, by writing an essay with a clearly developed thesis, along with relevant supporting evidence, and be a minimum of two pages in length. The department will create a list of controversial topics in psychology from which the students will choose. The department will develop a grading rubric based on content, critical thinking skills, and standard English grammar. Instructors will require students to use Turnitin.com as a means to further reinforce students own personal responsibility when citing sources and/or using their own words. APA style will be used in citing sources.

6 ideas through -written communication -oral communication -visual communication Empirical and Quantitative Skills Manipulation of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions Analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions Social Responsibility Intercultural competence Knowledge of civic responsibility See the Analysis, Evaluation, and Synthesis sections. Using raw data students will covert that data into measures of central tendency and measures of variability that will lead to a scientific explanation of the data. Using parametric statistical data, students will analyze a bell curve, including illustrating the relationship between IQ classifications and a person s predicted ability to survive in an academic setting. This exercise will aid in a basic understanding of research parameters and to develop better consumers of researched data. Presentation of social psychological concepts including prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, ethnocentrism delivered by lecture, text readings, power point presentations and class discussions. Presentation of the national social problem of drug abuse and psychological Essay graded based on content, critical thinking skills, and standard English grammar using a departmental rubric. Embedded questions multiple choice test All instructors will use standard embedded questions. All questions are addressing the basic obtainment levels held across the field of General Psychology. Embedded questions multiple choice test All instructors will use standard embedded questions. All questions are addressing the basic obtainment levels held across the field of General Psychology. Embedded questions - multiple choice test All instructors will use standard embedded questions. All questions are addressing the basic obtainment levels held across the field of General Psychology Embedded questions multiple choice test

7 Ability to engage effectively in regional communities -national communities -global communities components of drug addiction delivered by lecture, text readings, power point presentations, and class discussions.. All instructors will use standard embedded questions. All questions are addressing the basic obtainment levels held across the field of General Psychology.. Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities Student learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 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. ADA STATEMENT Kilgore College is committed to making reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities in reaching their academic potential. If you choose to request accommodations for a documented disability which may impact your performance, attendance, or grades in this course, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services. Please note that classroom accommodations cannot be provided prior to your instructor s receipt of an accommodation letter from the Office of Disability Services. For more information about accommodations, please contact the Disability Services office on the second floor of the Devall Student Center: (903)

8 COURSE OUTLINE FOR THE SEMESTER Unit I: Introduction & Memory Reading Assignment: Chapter 1 & 6 *** Examination 1*** Unit II: Perception & Stress Reading Assignment: Chapter 3 & 12 *** Examination 2 *** Unit III: Consciousness & Motivation Reading assignment: Chapters 4 & 8 *** Examination 3 *** Unit IV: Life Span & Personality Reading Assignment: Chapter 9 & 10 *** Examination 4 *** Unit V: Abnormal Psychology & Therapies Reading Assignment: Chapter 13 & 14 *** Examination 5 *** ***Final Examination*** Reading Assignment: Chapter 11 & Appendix A DISCLAIMER Your instructor reserves the right to make modifications in content and schedule as necessary to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this course.