Psyc 2301.580.161s

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: General Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: PSYC2301

Section Number: 580

Semester: 161S

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.        

Course Prerequisite(s):

Required Course Materials:

 

Access/Connect Code only – The Science of Psychology by Laura A. King, 3rd edition, McGraw Hill

9781259973925

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Dr. Franz Klutschkowski

Campus/Office Location:

Flower Mound

Telephone Number:

972-899-8400

E-mail Address:

Use Canvas Email for course contacts/ or fklutschkowski@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

14

Exams @ 20 points each

140

14

Reading Assignments

140

2

Topic Papers @ 25 points each

50

1

Research Paper

80

 

Class Participation & Attendance

40

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.

Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology.

2.

Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology.

3.

Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.

4.

Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.

5.

Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.

6.

Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Because class participation is an important part of education, attendance will be kept for each class and student participation will be noted and graded for a total of 40 points. 

 

Grades are determined on the following basis:

 

A=90%              405    points or higher    

 

B-80-89%          360 – 404  points   

 

C=70-79%         315 – 459  points

 

D=60-69%         270 -  314  points

 

F=Below 60%   Below 270  points  

 

 

Exams:

 

Twenty point tests will be given weekly (multiple choice or true false).  All tests are to be taken online and must be completed before the weekly deadlines.  The exams may be found within the Assignments tab of this Canvas course ( you will need to have the online version of this textbook in order to access the exams). 

 

There are no exceptions for missing a test deadline.  Tests will be available in the modules section of this course for the entire week or longer.  Tests will be over the related modules which are being discussed each week and content may include class lecture material. Each test may be taken twice (highest score is recorded) and will have a specified time limit.  Please remember once a test is started, it must be completed within the time limit.  If the test taking is stopped for any reason,  only that score will be recorded when the test is stopped.

 

Reading Assignments:

 

Each chapter has a graded reading assignment.  These assignments may be found within the Assignments tab of this Canvas course ( you will need to have the online version of this textbook in order to access this assignment).  Each reading assignment is worth 20 points each and you must complete them before the assigned deadlines.

 

 

Topic Papers: 

Students are required to complete two  topic papers, worth 25 points each ( plus 5 extra credit points for presentation).  Topics for this first paper must be selected from ideas found in one of the following textbook chapters:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,10, and 11.  This first paper is due at the end of class on September 16th at 11am  (although papers may be turned in and/or presented anytime earlier). 

     For example:  a student selects a topic from Chapter 6, say, the student selects the topic of ‘Observational Learning’, then, the paper may consist of the definition of observational learning from the textbook (cite reference and page number) and  ANY aspects that the student wishes to write about observational learning-such as, the history of it, how it relates to other forms of learning, how does it work, what are examples of it, does it work for everyone, etc.

 

Late papers, for any reason will lose 10 points.

 

Presentations for extra credit may include;  power point,  handouts, or encouraging class participation related to your topic.

  

The second topic paper is due October 12 at the beginning of class and must be related to one of the following chapters; 12, 15 (excluding the research paper topic), 16  or 17.

 

These topic papers are intended to be informal (but must be typed), short (1 page is OK) and present your interest in the topic for possible class discussion.

 

 Papers may be emailed in this Canvas Class or a hard copy may be given to the instructor.  Full credit will be awarded if a student has one typed page or more.

 

Research Paper: 

 

Students are required to complete a research paper, worth 80 points relating to any aspect on chapter 15 (Psychological Disorders).   Please select only ONE disorder to research.  One reference MUST be from the textbook.  Research papers should be submitted as a file upload within this course & are due October 14 at the Final Exam date and time (there is no final exam, just the chapter 17 exam, but the research papers will be discussed during this time and students are required to be present).  If a student wishes to present a different topic, it must be approved by the instructor.

 

The research paper also must meet the following requirements;

--- American Psychological Association (APA) or MLA style.

Grading Rubrics ( the three pages does NOT include a title page, abstract, heading or reference page):

A = 3 pages related to the topic, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, at least 3 references.

B = 2 pages related to the topic, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, at least 2 references.

C = 1 pages related to the topic, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, at least 1 reference.

D = 1/2 page related to the topic, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, at least 1 reference.

            NOTE THAT REFERENCES MUST BE USED AND SHOWN WITHIN THE BODY OF THE PAPER AND  INCLUDE A COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST AT THE END OF THE PAPER.

Some extra credit may be earned for various class activities (as mentioned by the professor) as well as exceeding expectations on the papers.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE : Note all exams close at 11:59pm on Sundays except Chapter 17 exam

 

Aug 22             Introductions, review syllabus and class expectations

                                   Study chapter 1

                                   Start working on research & topic papers        

 

Aug 28                     Chapters 1 & 2 Exam    

                                                                   

 

Sept 4                   Chapters  3, 4, & 5 Exam    

  

 

Sept 11                     Chapters  6, 7,  & 8 Exam    

 

                        Sept 16 - Topic Paper # 1 is due at 11am

 

Sept 18                      Chapters  10 & 11 Exam 

 

             

Sept 25                       Chapter  12 Exam 

 

          Sept 26  = Last day to withdraw with a grade of “W”

 

Oct 2                          Chapter  15 Exam 

 

 

Oct 9                         Chapter  16 Exam 

 

            Oct 12 - Topic Paper # 2 is due at 11am

 

Oct 14                       Chapter  17 Exam & Research Paper Discussion 

 

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is September 26, 2016.

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

 

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________           

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         American History

o         Government/Political Science

x        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

x           Critical Thinking

x          Communication

x         Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

x          Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

x        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR DEPARTMENT CHAIR & INSTRUCTIONAL DEAN

If you have a concern that we are not able to resolve, you may contact the department chair for further assistance. Please note that if you contact the department chair prior to discussing the issue with me, then the department chair will simply ask you to discuss the matter with me first, before he becomes involved. If you do not feel comfortable discussing the issue with me, you are free at any time to contact the department chair. 

 

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Dr. Leslie Kelley

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 336

Telephone Number:

940-498-6424 (Email preferred)

E-mail Address:

lkelley@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dean Sara Alford

Office Location:

Flower Mound 200C

Telephone Number:

972-899-8414

E-mail Address:

salford@nctc.edu

 

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