Mr. Archer s General Psychology Course Information

Transcription

1 Mr. Archer s General Psychology Course Information COURSE TITLE: General Psychology 2301 INSTRUCTOR: Jim Archer, M. Ed., LPC OFFICE LOCATION: RC Building 4, 405B OR Levelland, AD143 (or AD149) OFFICE HOURS: Reese Campus: Th 3:45pm- 4:15, Fri 9am-Noon Levelland Campus: M, W 8:30am-9:30, M 1-2:30, W 1:30-2:30 ATC: Immediately after class AND by appointment PHONE: (806) (messages only checked on Thursdays & Fridays) jarcher@southplainscollege.edu (quickest communication) TEXTBOOK: What Is Psychology? Essentials. Pastorino, Ellen & Doyle Portillo, Susann. (2010). California: Wadsworth SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE IMPROVES EACH STUDENT S LIFE Course Policies Grading Policy: Your final grade will be calculated based on the following percentages: A 90% -100% B 80% -89% C 70% -79% D 60% -69% F 0% -59% Grade Opportunities # of Opps Percentage Toward Total Grade Tests 4 60% Projects 2 30% Challenges % Attendance Policy: I will take attendance daily. -If you have over 4 unexcused absences, I may be forced to drop you from this course. -Absences are excused only after I have seen some form of documentation, and that documentation must be presented by the beginning of the next class that you attend. -If you complete the course with one or less unexcused absence, you will be able to drop your lowest test or project grade. Make-Up Tests: If you are not able to attend a scheduled exam for any reason, you must notify me prior to the scheduled test date in order to schedule a make up exam. If you miss a scheduled exam without prior notification, you must provide documentation of the major emergency and make up the exam prior to the next class period. Without documentation of a major emergency, you may not have the opportunity to make-up the exam. In order to maintain fairness to all students, your make up exam may not be the same exam administered to the rest of the class. P.S.-A mug shot to prove that you were incarcerated does not constitute an acceptable excuse. 1

2 Challenges: These challenges are presented spontaneously during class as a means of reinforcing assigned reading, encouraging class participation, and applying the concepts we are learning. These challenges will not appear on the schedule, and they may take many forms including traditional quizzes, homework assignments, group projects, and even in-class participation tasks. Again, you need to contact me prior to any planned absence if you expect for me to consider offering you a make-up challenge. If you have not contacted me prior to the challenge date, and you cannot provide me with documentation of a major emergency prior to the next class period, I maintain the right to refuse offering you a make-up challenge. In a further effort to maintain fairness to all students, make-up challenges will rarely be the same challenge that was offered in class, and it could be much more intensive. If you arrive to class after the challenge has been completed, you may be too late to take the challenge. Projects Project #1: Due by Noon on Friday, October 7 th Project #2: Due by Noon on Friday, November 11 th Choose 2 of the project options listed below. You can only use each project once. These projects are graded on how well you utilize information from our course and text, so the text should be your primary reference. You are required to submit a hard copy of your project, and any project submitted after the required due date will result in significant point deductions. I may refuse to accept any project submitted after due date. I will not accept ed projects. *All options are worth a total of 100 points, and both projects will be averaged together for 30% of your final grade in this course. Of course, some of you will be qualified to drop one of these project grades if it is helpful for your average due to your excellent attendance. In that case, your entire project grade will be represented by your highest scoring project. Psychology in Music Choose two songs that are relevant to information covered in this psychology course. For each of these songs, write a one page response that explains how this song is connected or relevant to psychological terms or other information covered in this course. You must be able to provide me with an audio copy and/or lyrics of each song upon my request. If you are a songwriter, you may also attempt to compose you own original songs for this project. For original compositions, you must provide me with a recorded copy of the song as well as a one page response for each song. Songs must include both lyrics and music. -Each song is worth 50 points (2 songs) For each song, find four distinct aspects of the song that directly connect to information in OUR TEXT. Using those four points (or more), make sure to elaborate for one full page. Include within text citations. For Each Song: Communicate 4 different aspects of song relevant to text: Text citation for each point discussed: Each summary must be one full page in length: 10 points per aspect 1 point each (4 citations per song) 6 points per each summary Professional Interviews Conduct face to face interviews of two professionals in fields closely related to psychology. Submit the questions that you asked in the interview, as well as each of the professional s responses during the interview. 2

3 After you have completed both interviews, complete a one page reaction to each interview that explains how psychology is used throughout these careers. The professionals that you interview must be one of the following: licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed professional counselor, licensed master s level social worker, or a licensed marriage and family therapist. Only those with these qualifications are eligible to be interviewed. Interviews with anyone not meeting these qualifications will result in no credit for that interview. You must submit interview notes/audio recording for each interview, as well as your one page response to each professional interview in order for your project to be evaluated for full credit. Notes/audio recording from Each Interview: (25 points per interview) 1 page response for each interview detailing what you learned regarding the use of psychology in that person s career: (25 points per interview) The Reality of Psychology Watch this season of the reality shows Survivor, Biggest Loser, or American Idol. As you watch, take notes on anything that you observe as relevant to our course and text. Then, write a 3 page paper citing and explaining at least 5 separate psychological concepts that you observed. You will be graded on your application of psychological concepts cited in our text and course, not a play by play summary of the show. Fully Elaborated Concepts: 18 points each (5 Concepts) Within Text Citations: 2 points per concept Hungry for Psychology Read the novel series The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. As you read, take notes on anything that you observe as relevant to our course and text. Then, write a 3 page paper citing and explaining at least 5 separate psychological concepts that you observed. You will be graded on your application of psychological concepts cited in our text and course, not a play by play summary of the novels. Fully Elaborated Concepts: 18 points each (5 Concepts) Within Text Citations: 2 points per concept Psychology On the Big Screen Choose to watch 2 of the following movies listed and write a one page response for each of your choices to explain how each movie is relevant to information discussed in this course. 1) The Help 2) Rango 3) X-Men: First Class 4) The Beaver 5) How to Train Your Dragon 6) Just Go With It 7) The Book of Eli 8) True Grit (original or remake) 9) The Social Network Per Movie 4 Concepts per Movie: 10 points per concept Within Text Citation for each concept: 2 points per citation Length (full page response): 2 points per movie Professor You Choose one of the following topics and prepare a twenty minute lesson on the topic to be presented to your classmates. You will schedule this lesson to be presented to the class during a normal class meeting throughout the semester. You must turn in a typed basic outline of your lesson plan to me prior to presenting the topic and at the time of project due date. This outline should be one page in length and follow a traditional outline format. Power point notes can be used in place of an outline. If you choose to teach for your first project, you will need to follow additional submittal requirements for project #2 if you choose to do a second project. This project will be evaluated based on the accuracy of your lesson, my perception of your preparation efforts, appropriate length, and the overall effectiveness of your presentation. If you believe that you can present on another topic that is closely related or covered in our course, you are welcome to discuss this with me for possible approval PRIOR to choosing this as your topic. Topics I have not approved will not be accepted. 3

4 Pre-Approved topics: -Substance Abuse -Cultural Stereotypes and Stigmas of Mental Illness -Eating Disorders -Psychological applications/dynamics related to all/any networking technologies of Face book, YouTube, Twitter, and text messaging -Psychological dynamics of Las Vegas and/or gambling -Bieber Fever The Psychology of Jersey Shore Prep and Presentation of every 5 mins of Course Relevant Info.: 20 points for each 5 mins Citations at some point DURING presentation: 10 points Hard Copy of Outline Provided at due date: 10 points General Writing Tips for all Projects All written assignments should be presented using the conventions of Standard Written English. South Plains College requires all students to become proficient in "academic English," a form of English that is typically used in academic, professional, and business contexts. While slang, regional idioms, and informal kinds of self-expression are appropriate in some contexts, they are out of place in academic writing. Writing instructors and professors in courses across the campus expect all students to demonstrate proficiency in using the conventions of academic English in their written work, whether it is in-class exams or take-home essays. 1. All work should be typed or computer generated, double spaced, with one inch margins in a standard 12 pt. font. Please include a title page with your name, course number, semester, section time, my name and the date you submit the paper. This should be centered on the page. 2. Any references used should be listed at the end of the paper using APA style and within the body of the text according to APA procedure. Using reference material without proper documentation constitutes plagiarism which is a serious academic offense and could result in a failing grade for the work in question. The following website gives examples of how to cite your sources according to the APA format: rlrc-proxy.elgin.edu/apa.htm 3. Be sure to proofread your work for grammatical and spelling errors. Also remember that healthy paragraphs are usually comprised of at least three sentences organized around a central idea. Academic Integrity: As stated in your college catalog, Offering the work of another as one s own, without proper acknowledgement, is plagiarism Students found guilty of plagiarism could fail or receive a zero on the work in question for the first offense and could be dropped from the course should a second offense occur. Cutting and pasting information directly from websites without citing your source also constitutes plagiarism. I will check your paper for plagiarism if I suspect it has occurred. -If I determine that you are cheating on any phase of your course work, I will take action that could include giving you a zero on the course work or even possible dismissal from the course. Cell Phones, Texting, Laptops, and other electronic devices: Make sure to silence and put away any electronic devices prior to the beginning of class. If I catch you texting during class, you may receive an unexcused absence for that class period. I have the right to confiscate and utilize any electronic device that causes a distraction to me, you, or your classmates. I will return the confiscated item at the conclusion of the class period. You may use a tape recorder to record lectures. -Laptops are permitted for note-taking only, however, you must sit in a designated laptop area. If I catch anything on your screen besides notes, you may be given an unexcused absence for that class period, and you will no longer be able to utilize your laptop in my course. -If I see you using any electronic device during the course of a test or quiz, you may receive an automatic zero on the exam. 4

5 Equal Opportunity: South Plains College strives to accommodate the individual needs of all students in order to enhance their opportunities for success in the context of a comprehensive community college setting. It is the policy of South Plains College to offer all educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or age. In addition, this instructor will not tolerate remarks or gestures that can be construed as sexist, racist, or in any way disparaging to another person in this classroom. Students who exhibit such behavior could be dropped from the class with a semester grade of F regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or religion. Accommodations: Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Special Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Special Services Coordinator. For more information, call or visit the Special Services Offices on the Levelland or Reese campuses. -Levelland Counseling Center, Student Services Building (806) , ext. 2529, Reese Counseling Center, Building 8 (806) , ext Thank You: I consider it an honor that you have chosen to be in my course. I want to thank you in advance for the time and hard work that you will put into this learning experience. One of the keys to being successful in college is to maintain communication with your instructor. Feel free to call, , or come by during office hours if I can help you be successful in this course. I wish you all the luck this semester and hope that the grade that you achieve in this course will reflect the effort you put into it. -Jim Archer Common Course Syllabus: General Psychology 2301 Department: Behavioral Sciences Discipline: Psychology Course Number: PSYC 2301 Course Title: General Psychology Credit: 3 Lecture, 0 Lab Satisfies a core curriculum requirement? Yes, Behavioral or Social Science Prerequisites: TSI compliance in Reading Available Formats: Conventional, INET, ITV Campus: Levelland, Reese, ATC, Plainview Textbook: What Is Psychology? Essentials, Pastorino, E. and Doyle-Portillo, S. Wadsworth. (2010). California: Wadsworth Course Specific Instructions: Each instructor will attach his/her course specific instructions. Course Description: An introduction to the fundamental concepts in psychology with emphasis on heredity and environment, individual differences, personality dynamics, and group processes. Course Purpose: To acquaint students with the diverse field of psychology, methods of research used and how it contributes to the body of knowledge in psychology, promotion of critical thinking, generation of new ideas, and consideration of alternate explanations when evaluating information. Course Requirements: To maximize the potential to complete this course, a student should attend all class meetings, complete all homework assignments and examinations in a timely manner, and complete all other projects or papers as assigned on the course specific instructions. Course Evaluation: See the instructor s course information sheet for specific items used in evaluating student performance. Attendance Policy: Whenever absences become excessive and in the specific instructor s opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met due to absences, the student will be withdrawn from the course. Each instructor will have additional information about attendance on his/her course information sheet. 5

6 Student Learning Outcomes: Students who have completed this course will be expected to: demonstrate knowledge and understanding of major perspectives in psychology (e.g., behaviorism, psychoanalytic, and cognitive), demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biological bases of behavior and mental processes (e.g., physiology, sensation, and perception), understand the nature of psychology as a science and basic research methods used in psychology (e.g. descriptive, correlational, and experimental), evaluate the quality of information with an open but critical mind, (e.g., differentiating empirical evidence from speculation), understand major applied areas of psychology (e.g. clinical, counseling, and industrial/organizational), recognize the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology, tolerate ambiguity and realize that psychological explanations will often be complex and tentative, and apply psychological knowledge to every-day life which fosters personal growth and self-awareness and increases awareness and understanding of others. Through course assignments, papers, activities, and assessments, students will: demonstrate the ability to read and write clearly and concisely, value diversity and differences in people, explore relationships of ideas and see their similarities and differences, gain a basic understanding of the career fields related in the major, assimilate and synthesize information, integrate ideas across the curricula, and interrelate the past to the present. Topical Course Schedule (subject to change according to individual section needs) Weeks 1-4 Chapter One: Origins of Psychology, Psychology in the Modern World, Psychological Research Chapter Two: Biological Influence on Behavior, Communication in the Brain Chapter Three: Sensation & Perception Weeks 5-8 Chapter Four: Conscious States, Psychoactive Drugs Chapter Five: Learning, Classical/Operant Conditioning, Social Learning Chapter Six: Memory Weeks 9-12 Chapter Eight: Motivation & Emotion Chapter Nine: Human Development Chapter Ten: Social Psychology Weeks Chapter Eleven: Health, Stress, and Coping Chapter Twelve: Personality Chapter Thirteen: Psychological Disorders Chapter Fourteen: Therapies and Treatments 6