PSYC 2301 General Psychology Course Syllabus PSYC 2301 General Psychology Psychology Behavioral Sciences Department Division of Arts and Sciences Instructor: Chris Straface, M.A., LBSW, LPC-Intern South Plains College Note: The first section of the syllabus is a Common Course Syllabus and is used by all sections of PSYC 2301 at SPC. The second section of the syllabus is titled Instructor s Course Information and contains the requirements for this particular section. The first thing you need to do for this course is to READ THE ENTIRE SYLLABUS. I know it is long, but it is very important that you understand all that is expected of you, the student, in this course. 1
PSYC 2301 General Psychology Course Syllabus SPC Common Course Syllabus for PSYC 2301 General Psychology 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 Textbook: Psychology 10 th Ed., Myers, David G., Worth Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-6178-4. 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. 2
PSYC 2301.007 General Psychology Course Syllabus 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and in the specific instructor s opinion, minimum course objectives cannot be met due to absences, the student will be withdrawn from the course.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. 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, apply psychological knowledge to every-day life which fosters personal growth and selfawareness 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, interrelate the past to the present. 3
PSYC 2301.007 General Psychology Course Syllabus PSYC 2301.007 General Psychology Room: AD 149 Monday, Wednesday 4:00 5:15 Fall Semester, 2012 Contact Information: Chris Straface, MA, LBSW, LPC-Intern cstraface@southplainscollege.edu Office: Counseling and Guidance Center (Levelland Campus) Office Hours: I can be reached by appointment MWF 8:00-5:00, TR 8:00-2:00 Class Begins: Wednesday, August 29 th, 2012 Class Ends: Wednesday, December 12 th, 2012 Final Grades Due: Sunday, December 16 th, 2012 Academic Integrity See SPC General Catalog, p. 23 and p. 11 of the Student Guide. You are expected to do your own work. You may not work with another person to complete your quizzes, exams, or any other assignment given as homework. You may not copy another student s work and present it as your own. You may not allow another student to copy your work. This is your reminder that any form of cheating will not be tolerated. Complete honesty is required of the student in the presentation of any and all phases of course work. This applies to quizzes, class exams, final examinations, and daily reports and term papers. SPC General Catalog, p. 23. If the instructor determines that cheating is occurring or an assignment has been plagiarized the resulting grade will be zero for that assignment. A second offense will result in failure of the course. Guidelines for Classroom Behavior I would like to welcome all students into an environment that creates a sense of community, pride, courtesy, and respect; we are all here to work cooperatively and to learn together. In order to create a smooth and harmonious learning community, please make every attempt to come to all the class sessions, to come to class on time, and to stay until the end of the class unless you have informed the instructor that you must leave early. There may be a time when you are unavoidably late for class. In that case, please come into the room quietly and choose a seat closest to the entrance. Please see me after class to record your attendance; otherwise you will be marked absent. Once the class session has begun, please do not leave the room and then re-enter unless it is an emergency. If you miss a class meeting for any reason, you are responsible for all material covered, for announcements made in your absence, and for acquiring any materials that may have been distributed in class. 4
PSYC 2301.007 General Psychology Course Syllabus It is important that we are all able to stay focused on the class lecture/discussion and not have disruptive behaviors in the class. For this reason, only one person at a time in the class should be speaking. Side conversations are distracting for surrounding students and for me. Also, it is very rude to read papers, sleep or work on assignments for other classes in this class. If you feel the need to do any of these things you may leave and return the next class. For additional information on student misconduct refer to pages 11-15 of the Student Guide. Failure to abide by policies may result in expulsion from the class and an F for the semester. As you can see, simple norms of courtesy should be sufficient to have our class run in the best interests of all of us. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Cell Phone, pagers, and other Electronic Devices Cellular phones, pagers, and other electronic devices will not be used for this course. Cell phones should be set in a manner that will not cause disruption in the classroom (either silenced or off) and placed out of sight of the instructor. Any student seen using a cell phone during class will be asked to leave the class immediately. Any devices that ring, beep, or otherwise disrupt the classroom during an exam will result in immediate expulsion from the class and a grade of zero (0) will be given for the exam. The use of a lap top during class is not permitted. Attendance You are expected to attend class each time it meets. Regular attendance is to your advantage, as test questions will include information from the lecture, class discussion and other material presented in class. Roll will be taken at each class session and a record of attendance maintained. Students will be allowed two (3) absences during the semester. Upon the fourth (4) absence, a student may be administratively withdrawn from the course with a grade of X. Any student missing four consecutive classes will automatically be dropped from the course. Tardiness Being late does not constitute being absent, but it is very disruptive and rude to come to class late so allow enough time in your schedule to arrive a few minutes early to class. If you do arrive late, quietly take a seat closest to the entrance. Two events of tardiness will equal one absence. Grading Policy: Exams (300 points) There will be 3 class exams, each worth 100 points. The test questions will cover the chapters assigned, lecture notes, and class discussions over material that may or may not be in your text. Because of the brevity of the course and my teaching schedule, students must be present for all exams. If an emergency or other situation makes it impossible for you to attend an exam, contact me as soon as possible to make arrangements to take the exam at another time. 5
All electronic devices will be turned off and put out of sight during exams. Any violation of this rule will result in a zero (0) for that exam. No hats, caps, or any type of headwear (including earphones) will be allowed during an exam. Short Essay Assignments (100 points) Students will complete one research paper over an assigned topic by the instructor. Further details will be given later in the semester. Group Presentation (100 points) Students will get into small groups, determined in class, and will complete a project for presentation in the classroom. The project will earn each participant 100 points, dependent on their level of participation in the group, and the outcome of the project. Further details will be provided in class. Attendance/Participation (100 points) Students who attend class regularly, and participate in class discussion, and who are active in the classroom, will receive full credit. This is a very important aspect of the class and one that you have complete control over; please take advantage of this, and make an effort to be involved in the classroom. Grading Scale 537 pts. to 600 pts. = A 477 pts. to 536 pts. = B 417 pts. to 476 pts. = C 358 pts. to 416 pts. = D 0 pts. to 357 pts. = F Any student concerned with their grade is welcome to meet with he instructor throughout the semester to discuss ways of improving study habits, test-taking skills, etc Disabilities Statement: 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 Coordinator 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 Levelland Special Services Office in the Student Services building, (806) 894-9611 ext. 2577, or Reese Special Services in Building 8, 885-3049, ext. 4654. Lecture notes over the presentations are available on Blackboard. Students are encouraged to read each chapter in the book and print out the notes for each class. 6
August 27 August 29 September 3 September 5 September 10 September 12 September 17 September 19 September 24 September 26 October 1 October 3 October 8 October 10 October 15 October 17 October 22 October 24 October 29 October 31 November 5 November 7 Introduction to Class Prologue The Story of Psychology Ch. 1 Thinking Critically with Psychological Science Pt. 1 No Class Labor Day Ch. 1 Thinking Critically with Psychological Science Pt. 2 Ch. 2 The Biology of Mind Pt. 1 Ch. 2 The Biology of Mind Pt. 2 Ch. 3 Consciousness and the Two Track Mind Pt. 1 Ch. 3 Consciousness and the Two Track Mind Pt. 2 Ch. 4 Nature, Nurture Ch. 4 Nature, Nurture Review Exam 1 Exam 1 Ch. 11 Motivation and Work Pt. 1 Ch. 11 Motivation and Work Pt. 2 Review for Exam 1 Group Presentations 1-4 Ch. 4 - Human Diversity Pt. 1 Ch. 4 - Human Diversity Pt. 2 Ch. 5 Development Through the Life Span Pt. 1 Ch. 5 Development Through the Life Span Pt. 2 Ch. 7 Learning Pt. 1 Review Happy Halloween Exam 2 Ch. 7 Learning Pt. 2 Ch. 13 Personality Pt. 1 7
November 14 November 19 November 21 November 26 November 28 December 3 December 5 December 10-14 December 14 December 17 January 1 Ch. 13 Personality Pt. 2 Ch. 15 Psychological Disorders No Class Thanksgiving Break Classes Resume Monday November 26 Ch. 16 - Therapy Ch. 10 Intelligence Pt. 1 Group Presentations 5-8 Ch. 10 Intelligence Pt. 2 Review Finals Week Exam 3 Final Grades Due Holiday Break 8