INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION PSY1012: An introduction to the field of psychology in which the student becomes better acquainted with the human being as a bio-social organism. Topics include: scientific method in psychology, interaction of heredity and environment, receptor mechanisms, perception, basic statistical concepts, intelligence, motivation, emotion, learning, normal and abnormal reaction to frustration, psychotherapy, and personality structure. This course satisfies the Gordon Rule writing requirement. A grade of C or higher must be attained. 45 class hours. Prerequisites: Appropriate placement test scores or ENC0010 and REA0002 (completed with a grade of C or higher). COURSE INFORMATION Title: Section: PSY 1012 Introduction to Psychology Web Enhanced Section: A basic understanding of computer use is required. PSY 1012 I Introduction to Psychology Internet Section: A basic understanding of computer use is required. 2031, 2132, 2193I, 2262I, 2265I Room, Day: 2132 meets in room A 228 (M/W 2:00-3:15; 2031 meets in A 139 (T/R 12:30-1:45) All other sections are Internet delivery, for which there are no classroom meetings. There are optional SKYPE meetings (INFO PATH: Content tab, Course Instructions link). Required Equipment: Students must have regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet with either a broadband or a 28.8bps (minimum) modem connection speed. PHCC has appropriate equipment in the Computer Labs, Learning Labs, and Libraries. All documents submitted MUST be in MS Word (.doc) only. Text: Professor: Psychology: concepts and connections, Rathus, 9 th ed., Rathus Janet Paskins, Ph.D./ABD Global Organizational Development; M.A, Counseling Psychology ; M.A., Education; SACS Certification, Sociology, B.S. Education Office: A-133 NC Office Hours: As posted and virtual office hours available by appointment. Telephone: 352-797-5118 If leaving a message, please speak slowly and clearly. FYI: For the quickest response time to your questions, please make use of our COURSE Email SYSTEM. E-mail: Make use of our COURSE Email system for E communications. 1
COURSE EXPECTATIONS Class Attendance Class attendance is required. Successful students show up for classes. I encourage behaviors that will help you to be successful. Classroom Sections: More than 4 class absences without medical documentation produces one letter grade loss at the end of the term. Internet Sections: More than two weeks of inactivity without medical documentation produces one letter grade loss at the end of the term Check In Responsibility You are required to log into the course at least one (1) time per week. Check the homepage in the system and email in our system for announcements. Students are responsible for assignments and any changes in assignments, test and project submission deadlines, etc. that may be announced in our system. Title IV Federal Repayment You must attend class through 60% of the term. FAILURE to do so may require you to repay all or a portion of your Title IV Financial Aid (Pell, SEOG, Stafford Loan) to the Federal Government and/or PHCC. Writing Requirements This course requires a 1,000-word writing project as a Gordon Rule requirement; therefore, no student may pass this course without completion of this writing requirement regardless of test or project grades. For this course, you must earn a minimum of 60% of the total points possible in the Gordon Rule writing assignment, and if you are using this course to satisfy the Gordon Rule requirement, you must pass the course with a grade of "C" or higher (in this course the minimum C is 70%). Plagiarism will not be tolerated. It is imperative that you learn proper paraphrasing and use of quotes in your writings. At the discretion of the instructor, the student may be asked to defend the writing orally and produce documentation of specific information, personal notes and draft writings. Should charges stand, a grade of F will be issued for the course, regardless of other test or project grades. Exit Exam The Southern Association of Colleges requires an exit exam in this course. The Exit Exam will replace a final exam. This exam will count as 5% of your grade in this course. 2
GRADING Grades are reported to you, as raw scores (number correct). You can easily keep a percent calculation of your progress by dividing your points by the total possible points ATTEMPTED. Assignments Brief Description Possible Points Quizzes All Chapters quizzed 25 questions per quiz Top 12 counted 300 75% of grade Film Analysis Makes use of Modern Perspectives and terms 80 20% of grade Exit Exam Southern Association of Colleges System (SACS) 20 questions M/C questions 20 5% of grade Total Possible Points 400 GRADING SCALE Percent Letter Grade Point Range 90% A 360-400 80% B 320-359 70% C 280-319 60% D 240-279 BELOW 60% F 239 OR BELOW PROFESSOR NOTES Syllabus Requirements and Project Due Dates The professor reserves the right to make changes/adjustments in the course calendar as necessary to aid the proper flow of the class, otherwise expect dates and assignments to remain as shown. It is the student s responsibility to remain aware of any changes that may be announced in class or within the System environment. Grade Reporting Students will no longer receive grade mailers. Students will find grade reports on the web site: www.facts.org 3
Professor/Student Communication The professor will maintain consistent communications online within the system through the course email Monday through Friday and on weekends, depending on travel responsibilities and internet connection availability. It is difficult to predict how fast, but at the very least, I will generally be able to respond to emails within 24 hours during weekdays and within 48 hours on weekend communiqués. That said, I have an excellent reputation for quick reply. The expectation is that all communications will be written with proper decorum and due respect. Rudeness is not tolerated just because we have not met one another in person. This is a professional and collegial environment. Due Dates of all course activities: Due dates are posted in the course schedule link. There are no make up dates. Early submissions are encouraged. Keep your own pace for task completion, as long as you meet the posted final deadlines. Equity statement I wish you to have every opportunity to learn and participate in this class. Therefore, if you have any hearing, visual, motor limitations, or special needs of any kind, please let me know. I will make every effort possible to facilitate your learning. SKYPE I make use of SKYPE for live online communications. This is an optional potential; it is NOT required. My SKYPE name is: globalprofessor. If you are not familiar with SKYPE and want to know more, see the document titled SKYPE under the Content tab on our homepage. Withdrawal, Audit, Incomplete PHCC POLICY NOTES Information on the deadlines, processes for request, and action steps for withdrawal, audit or incomplete requests are available in Student Development offices. Students who decide not to complete the course are advised to check the College calendar and withdraw by the official deadline. Otherwise, a letter grade will be assigned based on the criteria contained in this syllabus. The grade of Incomplete is only awarded when the student has completed most of the class, but is unable to finish due to a documented medical emergency. Smoking Policy Smoking is allowed ONLY in designated smoking areas on campus. 4
Hardware and software requirements Students must have regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet with either a broadband or a 28.8bps (minimum) modem connection speed. PHCC Computer and Learning laboratories Computer laboratories are available to you as a registered PHCC student. NO student is required to own his or her own computer in order to participate in a web-enhanced or online course. PHCC Software Policy Students are to review the PHCC computer use policy in the Catalog/Student Handbook. Only authorized College staff may download or install software on College equipment. Use, installation or downloading of software or other computer files without proper authorization or licensing may be a violation of Federal and/or State laws and/or Rules of the District Board of Trustees. Students found to have violated this policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with the catalog/student handbook. In order to complete the class projects, Microsoft Office 2000 or higher is required. With MS Office 2000, you should have access to Microsoft Word (MS Word). All other formats are incompatible. Personal computer hardware, software and connection issues are not the responsibility of the professor or PHCC. It is the student s responsibility to make use of proper equipment. Check your clock with that of the system. The clock in the system is used for timing tests/exams and providing dated/timed submissions. We do not recalibrate according to any global system. Technical Assistance For questions regarding the system, first, read the Course Instructions pages carefully. If your question was not answered in these documents, make use of the technical assistance link within our course (on the homepage). 5
PSY 1012 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Course Learning Outcomes 1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the historic contributors to the field of 2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental perspectives of psychology and the definition of modern 3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the research methods used in the field of 4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the basic biological bases of behavior. 5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the process involved in language and cognition. 6. The student will demonstrate an understanding of human behavior in a social context. 7. The student will demonstrate an understanding of personality development, psychological health, psychological disorders, and psychological treatment methods. Course Objectives 1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the historic contributors to the field of psychology as measured by the ability to: 1.1 differentiate between structuralism and functionalism and identify the respective founders of these historic schools of thought. 1.2 identify the founder of and basic tenets of psychoanalysis to the field of 1.3 identify the founder of and basic tenets of behaviorism to the field of 1.4 identify the founder of and basic tenets of Gestalt 2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental modern perspectives of human psychology and the definition of modern psychology as measured by the ability to: 2.1 identify the basic tenets of the biological/evolutionary perspective. 2.2 identify the basic tenets of the humanistic-existential perspective. 2.3 identify the basic tenets of the psychodynamic perspective. 2.4 identify the basic tenets of the cognitive perspective. 2.5 identify the basic tenets of the behavioral perspective. 2.6 identify the basic tenets of the sociocultural perspective. 2.7 identify the definition of modern 3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the research methods used in the field of psychology as measured by the ability to: 3.1 identify various research methods commonly used in the study of human behavior from the description of the method. 3.2 identify specific components of scientific method given a research report of a psychological study. 3.3 identify specific correlational information when given a research report of a correlational study. 3.4 identify the method of sampling given the description of the sampling method. 3.5 identify ethical considerations common in psychological research and practice. 6
4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the basic biological bases of behavior as measured by the ability to: 4.1 identify major brain structures. 4.2 identify major neural structures. 4.3 identify major genetic terms and application of terms. 4.4 identify major neurotransmitters and their function as excitatory or inhibitory. 5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the process involved in language and cognition as measured by the ability to: 5.1 identify theory of cognitive learning and language development 5.2 identify theories and tenets of intelligence and cognition 5.3 identify theorists of intelligence and cognition and language development 6. The student will demonstrate an understanding of human behavior in a social context as measured by the ability to: 6.1 identify from where attitudes are derived. 6.2 identify the social influences on behavior. 6.3 identify the tenets of cognitive-dissonance theory. 6.4 identify the tenets of attribution theory. 6.5 identify the effects of a group on the individual. 6.6 identify the tenets of environmental 7. The student will demonstrate an understanding of personality development, psychological health, psychological disorders, and psychological treatment methods as measured by the ability to: 7.1 identify physiological components affecting psychological health. 7.2 identify psychological components affecting physiological health. 7.3 identify stress factors affecting psychological health. 7.4 identify theories regarding the body s response to stress. 7.5 identify types of conflict leading to stress. 7.6 identify coping strategies for stress relief. 7.7 identify sources of motivation and emotion. 7.8 identify the classification system used world-wide. 7.9 identify the major theoretical views of psychological disorders. 7.10 identify techniques used in psychoanalysis. 7.11 identify techniques used in biological intervention therapies. 7.12 identify techniques used in the behavioral therapies. 7.13 identify techniques used in the humanistic therapies. 7.14 identify techniques used in cognitive therapies. 7.15 identify the definition and theories, and tenets of personality development. Criteria Performance Standard: The student must master the above objectives with a minimum 70% level, based on examinations, homework and other assignments. 7