Gogebic Community College PSY 101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY INTERNET SYLLABUS FALL, 2015 DATES: August 24 December 8, 2015 INSTRUCTOR: Tricia Cullen OFFICE: A314 PHONE: 715.862.0944 EMAIL: 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 I check my email every day; if you need immediate assistance, please call me at 715.862.0944. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Barry Nelson (906.932.4231, ext. 255) barry@gogebic.edu (technical support information) (Please contact Barry Nelson for technical support/computerrelated problems.) TEXTBOOK (required): Myers, D. G. (2014). Exploring psychology (9th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. (GCC Bookstore email: http://bookstore.gogebic.edu/home.aspx)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: PSY 101 is an introduction to the scientific study and interpretation of human behavior. The topics include: scope and goals of psychology, learning, perception, sensation, motivation, stress, physiological basis for behavior, mental illness, motivation, stress, physiological basis for behavior, psychotherapy, personality development, human development, personality, and social psychology. The course reflects the increasing attention being paid to experimental procedures, laboratory techniques, and research findings. COURSE OBJECTIVES: PSY 101 will cover five units with corresponding textbook readings: a. UNIT ONE: OVERVIEW, RESEARCH, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR BEHAVIOR (text chapters 1, 2, & 6) 1) The scope and history of psychology, 2) Major psychological research methods and perspectives in psychology, 3) The parts of a neuron and their functions, 4) Major brain structures and their functions, and 5) Sensory processes and perception. b. UNIT TWO: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, THINKING, LANGUAGE, AND INTELLIGENCE (text chapters 4, 5, & 9) 1) Cognitive, social, and physical development across the lifespan, 2) Issues related to gender and sexuality, 3) Language development, and 4) Issues related to thinking and intelligence. c. UNIT THREE: CONSCIOUSNESS, LEARNING, AND MEMORY (text chapters 3, 7, & 8)
1) The various states of consciousness, 2) The effects of psychoactive drugs on the human body and mind, 3) Learning concepts and procedures, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning, and 4) Processes of memory, retrieval, and forgetting. d. UNIT FOUR: MOTIVATION, EMOTION, STRESS, AND PERSONALITY (text chapters 10, 11, & 12) 1) Physiological, psychological, and social motivation, 2) Various emotions and the impact of stress on psychological and physical health, 3) Methods of coping with and managing stress, and 4) Major theoretical views on personality. e. UNIT FIVE: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS, AND THERAPY (text chapters 13, 14, & 15) 1) Various aspects of social psychology. 2) Issues related to abnormal psychology, 3) Various psychological disorders, and 4) Psychological and biological therapies. GRADING: Your grade in PSY 101 will be based on the following: 5 Unit Tests @ 100 points each = 500 points 10-12 Discussion Board Posts @ 5 points each = 50-60 points
10-12 Responses to Others Posts @ 5 points each = 50-60 points 3 Unit Assignments @ 10-20 points each = 30-60 points 630-680 points Unit Tests will consist of multiple choice and essay questions. When you go into the Discussion Board, you will see instructions on how to complete posts. Grade percentage breakdowns are as follows: 93-100% A 80-82.5% B- 68-60.5% D+ 90-92.5% A- 78-79.5% C+ 63-67.5% D 88-89.5% B+ 73-77.5% C 60-62.5% D- 83-87.5% B 70-72.5% C- below 60% F LATE WORK POLICY: It is VERY IMPORTANT that you submit all work on time! Late assignments will be penalized 2 points per day. I will finish grading on-time submissions before I grade any late work. Be sure to manage your time wisely for this class, as it is easy (and detrimental) to fall behind. TEST POLICY / MAKE-UP TESTS: You will have 4 days in which to complete each of your Unit Tests. I will remove tests after the time allotted. I will allow one (1) make-up test in the event that you are unable to complete a test in the time are unable to complete a test in the time allotted. Use this option only if absolutely necessary. Make-up tests consist of all essay questions. IF YOU MISS A SCHEDULED TEST, YOU MUST CONTACT ME ABOUT MAKING IT UP. It is critical that you give yourself plenty of time in which to take tests, as each can take several hours to complete. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
Academic honesty is of the utmost importance and you must work alone on all assessments. Cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone involved in cheating will earn 0% on the assessment. There is no exception to this rule. 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 the 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 if circumstances warrant. 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 T105C of the ACES Center, call 906.932.4231, x237, or e-mail jessicaln@gogebic.edu to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. This office is responsible for coordinating disabilityrelated 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. A MESSAGE FROM YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Now that you have read this syllabus, you may have questions. Please contact me as necessary with any questions that arise. If you have concerns that require in-depth conversations, please call me at 715.862.0944. Prolonged email conversations often do not yield timely, effective results. We will work through our class together throughout the semester and will learn a lot, not only about psychology, but also about the wonders and frustrations of technology! When you encounter a problem with the technology, try not to panic; contact me and/or computer support services (detailed earlier in the syllabus), and/or someone in your life who has taken or is taking online classes. I am confident that we will have an effective, challenging, fun learning experience! IMPORTANT: LOG INTO OUR CLASS AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY TO CHECK FOR NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS, CHANGES, ETC. Click on titles under the banner (the man sitting atop the head) to access information.
If you have navigation questions, etc., please contact me as soon as you can so that we can take care of them. Also, this syllabus is subject to change. I will inform you of changes as they occur. Good luck and let s begin this journey through General Psychology!