GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY PSYC 2301-63001 Learning Community Spring 2013 January 23 May 16 Division: Communications and Social Science Professor: Dr. Daven Salmi Email: dsalmi@dcccd.edu Office Location W195A Phone: 214-860-8847 Office Hours Before and After class; or, by appointment
Course Syllabus 2013SP-PSYC-2301 General Psychology Professor Daven Salmi COURSE DESCRIPTION Introduction to Psychology surveys major topics in the study of behavior. Factors which determine and affect behavior are examined. Psychological principles are applied to the human experience. (3 Lec.) Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 4201015125. The purpose of this course is to provide you with an overview of the major areas of study in the field of psychology. This course will introduce you to concepts and critical thinking skills that are used in psychology and that will help you learn to think like a psychologist. You will learn about major theoretical perspectives in psychology, research methods, and concepts from different content areas such as physiological psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and cognitive psychology. Understanding some of the major concepts in psychology should prove beneficial for understanding the mental processes and behavior of people, as well as providing a framework for future studies in this field. This course should help you to develop insights into understanding learning and memory, personality, stages of human development, stress and its effects, behavior in groups, and psychological disorders. Thus, the course will expose you to information that is not only interesting but also useful in the real world. COURSE PRE-REQUISITES Developmental Reading 0093 or English as a Second Language (ESOL) 0044 or have met the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standard in Reading. course ID#: salmi98367 for mypsychlab COURSE MATERIALS/RESOURCES NEEDED 1. Required Textbook Package: Ciccarelli, Psychology: An Exploration 2e w/ New MyPsychLab ISBN: 9781256723028 Required Custom Package w/making the Grade discount You have options for obtaining the required course materials (textbook and MyPsychLab): If you are comfortable going all electronic, you can purchase MyPsychLab with the Ciccarelli EText for $75 at www.mypsychlab.com. If you already have a copy of the 2 nd edition of the book and want to purchase MyPsychLab only, you can do so for $35 at www.mypsychlab.com. Remember also that you always have the temporary access option. You can get access to MyPsychLab for a 17-day period, at which time you will need to pay for the program (or enter an access code from the bookstore package) or else their subscription is canceled. 2. Reliable Access to the Internet and ecampus. (You may use on campus computers or your own). INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES Psychology 2301 satisfies the Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 1. READING: the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials (books, documents, and articles) above the 12 th grade level. 2. WRITING: the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience above the 12 th grade level. 3. SPEAKING: the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience above the 12 th grade level. 4. LISTENING: analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication, possess sufficient literacy skills of writing, reading above the 12 th grade level. 5. CRITICAL THINKING: the ability to think and analyze at a critical level. 6. COMPUTER LITERACY: the ability to understand our technological society, use computer-based technology in communication, problem-solving, and information acquisition. The objective of a behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase students' knowledge of how behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity. Page 2 of 5 Dr. Daven Salmi Mountain View College
Course Syllabus 2013SP-PSYC-2301 General Psychology Professor Daven Salmi EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES 1. To employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition. 2. To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories of human behavior. 3. To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary psychological issues. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO S) Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Research methods: Identify research findings through the application of the scientific method. OR Exhibit an understanding and ability to apply basic research methods in psychology including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. 2. Identify factors in the historical development of the study of human behavior including current theoretical perspectives prominent in the field of psychology. 3. Identify terminology unique to the study of psychology. 4. Identify accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation. 5. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior. UNITS of INSTRUCTION Learning and Assessment Chapter 1 The Science of Psychology Chapter 2 The Biological Perspective Chapter 3 Sensation and Perception Chapter 4 Learning Chapter 5 Memory Chapter 7 Development Across the Lifespan Chapter 8 Motivation and Emotion Chapter 10 Social Psychology Chapter 11 Theories of Personality and Intelligence Chapter 12 Psychological Disorders Chapter 13 Psychological therapies INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION for online resources associated with this Class Course materials are available through ecampus Blackboard. Information including the Welcome, Course ID for MyPsychLab, Discussion Board, Test s, and how to contact your instructor are available on the course ecampus site. A second platform you will complete your homework in is www.mypsychlab.com. Communication with your instructor is essential so make sure the email address you have on file with the college ecampus system is correct. Students may acquire a free e-mail account through any of a number of providers such as the MVC Library. If your email is not correct you will not receive communications from the instructor and you may not be certified as enrolled in class which will directly affect student loans and admission status. Emails to your instructor must include your course number and section in the subject line and your full name and student ID number in the body of your email. This allows me to locate your records efficiently and answer your email in a timely manner. Emails without the required information may be filtered as spam and not read. This course requires access to the Internet. Homework assignments, tests, and all MyPsychLab resources are online. If you do not have internet access in your home you may use any computer on the Mountain View campus that is available to students. There are several computer labs on campus. In addition you may use any computer at any location so long as it has access to the internet. This would include such places as public libraries. ecampus Student Tutorials can help you determine if your computer and browser are compatible with ecampus. Page 3 of 5 Dr. Daven Salmi Mountain View College
Course Syllabus 2013SP-PSYC-2301 General Psychology EVALUATION (Determining Your Grade) Professor Daven Salmi Discussions, MyPsychLab and exams are designed to measure student progress toward the performance objectives. NOTE: You can check your average at any point in the semester through ecampus - MyPsychLab. MyPsychLab Homework Assignments 100 points 10% (started in MyPsychLab submitted to ecampus dropbox) Integrated Assignments w/ LF 500 points 50% (Same assignment as in Learning Framework) Three Major Tests (+100 each) 300 points 30% (Completed directly on ecampus course site) Final Exam (+100) 100 points 10% Total 1000 points A = 1000-900; B = 899-800; C = 799-700; D = 699-600; F = 599 or lower MyPsychLab Homework Assignments 100 points (10% of overall grade in the class) For each chapter the homework is all started in MyPsychLab and consists of: A) Watching a video and responding in written form; or, B) Completing an activity and responding in written form. Withdrawal Policy If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally. The withdrawal request must be received in the Registrar s Office by the stated drop date on your registration receipt. Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an "F." Students often drop courses when help is available that would enable them to continue. Please discuss your plans with your instructor if you feel the need to withdraw. If you drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a "W" (Withdraw) in each class dropped. STOP BEFORE YOU DROP For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the Fall of 2007, Texas Education Code 51.907 limits the number of courses a student may drop. You may drop no more than 6 courses during your entire undergraduate career, unless the drop qualifies as an exception. Your campus counseling/advising center will give you more information on the allowable exceptions. Remember that once you have accumulated 6 non-exempt drops, you cannot drop any other courses with a W. Therefore, please exercise caution when dropping courses in any Texas Public Institution of higher learning, including all seven of the Dallas County Community Colleges. For more information, you may access: https://www1.dcccd.edu/6drop Cell phones, electronic devices and pagers: Students are expected to turn off all cell phones, electronic devices and pagers during class time unless specifically allowed by the professor for instructional purposes. You may bring Smart phones, ipads, laptops, Blackberry s, etc. as we will sometimes use these in class. Repeating This Course: Effective for Fall Semester 2005, the Dallas County Community Colleges will charge additional tuition to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. This class may not be repeated for the third or subsequent time without paying the additional tuition. Third attempts include courses taken at any of the Dallas County Community Colleges since the Fall 2002 semester. More information is available at: https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0506/ss/oep/third_attempt.cfm. Financial Aid: Students must begin attendance in all classes of enrollment. No exceptions. Financial Aid will not be granted to students who have been certified as not attending by the certification date. For on-campus lecture classes, your physical participation in class, on or before the certification date, will allow you to receive credit for FA purposes. For certification dates, check with the division or FAO for further information. Students, who are not certified as beginning class, are responsible for any payments due as a result of non-certification, to include the dropping of courses. Students who are receiving any form of financial aid should check with the Page 4 of 5 Dr. Daven Salmi Mountain View College
Course Syllabus 2013SP-PSYC-2301 General Psychology Professor Daven Salmi Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes. Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment for the current semester. Students who fail to attend or participate after the drop date are also subject to this policy. If you are receiving financial aid grants or loans, you must begin attendance in all classes. Do not drop or stop attending any class without consulting the Financial Aid Office. Changes in your enrollment level and failing grades may require that you repay financial aid funds. The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a statewide program designed to ensure that students enrolled in Texas public colleges and universities have the basic academic skills needed to be successful in college-level course work. The TSI requires assessment, remediation (if necessary), and advising of students who attend a public college or university in the state of Texas. The program assesses a student's basic academic skills in reading, writing, and math. Passing the assessment is a prerequisite for enrollment in many college level classes. Students who do not meet assessment standards may complete prerequisite requirements by taking developmental courses in the deficient area and passing them with a grade of C or higher. Additional information is available at https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0506/admiss/tsi_requirements.cfm. Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected, and integrity is valued in the Dallas County Community Colleges. Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult. Your enrollment indicates acceptance of the DCCCD Code of Student Conduct published in the DCCCD Catalog. More information is available at https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0406/ss/code.cfm. ADA Statement: Mountain View College and the Office of Special Services are committed to upholding the laws and the spirit of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed in 1990. Religious Holidays: Absences for observance of a religious holy day are excused. A student whose absence is excused to observe a religious holy day is allowed to take a make-up examination or complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence. Disclaimer Reserving Right to Change Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as necessary in order to enhance learning. Inclement Weather Statement: In the event of severe weather conditions, please listen to local radio or television stations for information concerning official closing of Mountain View College facilities. You can also call the inclement weather hotline at 214-860-8888, or check for updates on the web site www.dcccd.edu Decisions for evening classes will be made by 4:00 pm. *Course Calendar will be accessed through ecampus. Page 5 of 5 Dr. Daven Salmi Mountain View College