NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): (1) a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination; (2) the learning objectives for the course; (3) a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and (4) any required or recommended readings.  Contact information for the instructor is also provided.

Course Title: General Psychology
Course Prefix & Number: PSYC2301	Section Number: 402	Term Code: 2016SP
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): NA
Course Type:
- Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not    in NCTC Core) x- Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course - WECM Course

 

Name of Depart. Chair:	Dr. Leslie Kelley
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth Campus, Room 336
Telephone Number:	940-498-6424 (email preferred)
E-mail Address:	lkelley@nctc.edu

Name of Instructor:	Marvin Furdge
Office Location:	Corinth Campus
Telephone Number:	940-343-5153
E-mail Address:	mfurdge@nctc.edu

                   

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA # of Graded Course Elements Graded Course Elements Percentage or Points Values 8 Class assignments 200 (8) 25 points each 10 Quizzes 100 (10)points each 5 Learn smart assignments 100 (20) points 4 Exams 200 points 1 Mid-term Exam 100 points 1 Final Project 100 Points 1 Final Project 100 Points Total Points 900 Grading Scale   810-900-A 720-809-B 630-719-C 540-629-D 539 and Below F     STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES       At the successful completion of this course the student should be able to: ·       Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology. ·       Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology. ·       Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology. ·       Use terminology unique to the study of psychology. ·       Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation. ·       Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.             GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER FOR EACH LECTURE/DISCUSSION Topic General Description of Subject Matter  Class Introduction  Class Introduction, Syllabus Overview, Video Ch.1Introduction What is Psychology; Video: Ch.1What is Psychology In this chapter we will discuss the various impacts that psychology has on society. Ch.2 Psychology’s Scientific Method In this chapter we will discuss psychology from a scientific method perspective. Ch.3 Biological Foundations of Behavior In this chapter we will discuss how behavior is influenced by the neuroscience and emotions. Ch.4 Sensation and Perception In this chapter we will discuss the many ways of how the internal and external senses operate. Ch.5 States of Consciousness In this chapter we will discuss the different levels of human consciousness. Chapter 6 Learning This chapter will discuss the various aspects of cognitive development.  Chapter 7 Memory This chapter will discuss the various aspects of information processing.  Chapter 8 Thinking, Intelligence, and Language  This chapter will discuss the development of intelligence as well as the process of reasoning. Chapter 9 Human Development This chapter will discuss how the body develops across the lifespan. Chapter 10 Motivation and Emotion This chapter will discuss function of motivation and emotions across the life span. Chapter 11Gender, Sex, and Sexuality This chapter will discuss the gender identities of individual across the lifespan. Chapter 12 Personality This chapter will discuss how the development of one’s personality. Chapter 13 Social Psychology This chapter will discuss the influence of social psychology on society. Chapter 14 Industrial and Organizational Psychology This chapter will discuss the influence of industrial and organizational psychology on society. Chapter 15 Psychological Disorders This chapter will discuss the mental health aspect of psychology. Chapter 16 Therapies This chapter will discuss the foundational theories in psychology. Chapter 17 Health Psychology This chapter will discuss the influence of health psychology on society.   Last day to Withdraw For this course, the last day to withdraw with a “W” is April 6, 2017.

Student Rights & Responsibilities NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.   These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. Scholastic Integrity

 

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See the Student Handbook for more information.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Disability Services (OSD) The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.   A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD. 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 Early Alert and CARES The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully. The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately. Support Services Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information. http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx Tobacco-Free Campus   NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.

 

 

 

Other Pertinent Information

Class Attendance

Attendance is required. A sign in sheet will be available every class. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the roll each time you attend class. You are allowed to miss three (3) days (excused or unexcused). After three (3) missed absences, your grade will drop five (5) points for every day missed. Points will be deducted from your final points. Remember, when you miss class, you miss important information.

Showing up more than 10 minutes late or leaving before class is over will be considered an absent. I do understand emergencies happen and I will address them on a case by case base. Habitual tardiness and early departure will affect your grade.

If you choose to be absent, late, or leave early, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed from your classmates.

If for any reason you decide to drop this course, please note that I do not take responsibility for dropping you. It is your responsibility to drop the course, if you wish to do so. If you do not participate and do not drop the course you will receive an “F” for the semester grade.

Assignments

The dates for all assignments are in the syllabus. If the due dates change, the new date will be announced in class.

Contacting the Instructor

If you wish to contact the instructor, I can be contacted via e-mail at mfurdge@nctc.edu. My office hours are 9:30 am to 10:30 am and 2 pm to 4 pm on Mondays and Wednesday and my phone # is 940-343-5153.

Canvas

All grades and attendance will be posted in Canvas. You may also find other documents such as the syllabus, assignment instructions, and quizzes in Canvas.

Connect

You are required to have a connect access code. If you do not have the access code, you will not be able to access your reading and learn smart assignments.

 

 

Extra Credit

There will be not extra credit given for this course. To be successful, it is vital that you complete all of the required assignments.

 

Instructions for all assignments

Learn Smart

You will have five (5) Learn Smart Assignments worth 20 points each. The available dates for the Learn Smart Assignments will be announced in class and will be posted in Canvas. The assignments will consist of you reading the assigned chapter and answering the questions that follow. To access the assignments, you will need to log into Canvas and then access Connect. To access connect, you will need the code that comes with your textbook.

Class assignments

There will be 8 class assignments given throughout the semester worth 25 points each. The assignments will be given in essay form as you will be expected to give feedback on the information covered during the class lectures and assigned readings.

Quizzes

You will have ten (10) quizzes worth 10 points each. The available dates for quizzes will be announced in class and posted in canvas. The quizzes will be multiple choices, consisting of ten (10) questions. To access the quizzes, you will need to log into canvas and then access connect. To access connect, you will need the code that comes with your textbook.

Exams

You will take four (4) regular exams worth 50 points each that will consist of 50 multiple choice questions. The chapters the exams will cover are listed in the class calendar. All exams will be administered in the classroom. It is your responsibility to take good notes, come to class, and study to be successful on the exams.

Mid-term Exam

The mid-term exam will consist of one hundred (100) multiple choice questions from chapters 1through 8, the exam is worth 100 points. The question from the exam will consist of information covered during the lectures of the chapters. The exam will be administered in the classroom.

Final Exam

The Final exam will be 100 multiple choice questions from chapters 9 through 17, the exam is worth 100 points. The question from the exam will consist of information covered during the lectures of the chapters. The exam will be administered in the classroom.

 

Final Project (Application Assignment) LO #2 and #6

For your final project, you will write a five (5) page paper describing some of the ways that behavior can be influenced. By the end of week 4, you will be expected to turn to your instructor (1) the name of the approach you will use (behavioral approach, psychodynamic approach, evolutionary approach), (2) the type of process that will be discussed (physiological or psychological), and (3) one paragraph (at least 5 sentences) explaining why you chose to use this specific approach. These three characteristics will count up to 10 points toward your final project’s grade. Failure to submit your chosen person by the listed deadline will result in a deduction of your grade.

The second part of you final project will require you write about how this particular field of psychology has been an influence in society. Second, discuss some of the historical influences and early schools of thought that have helped shaped the field of Psychology. This part of your project is worth up to 90 points.

This paper must meet the American Psychological Association (APA) style. The title and reference pages are not counted as part of the five required pages for this project. Note, references must be used and shown within the body of the paper and a complete reference list at the end of the paper is expected.

 

 

                                                                            Class Calendar

January 16-January 20/Week 1

1. Class Introduction
2. Review Syllabus
3. Video
4. Read Chapter 1 LO#2 and LO#4

 

January 23-January 27/Week 2

1. Finish Chapter 1
2. Class assignment #1
3. Start Chapter 2
4. Complete Chapter 2 LO #1 and #5
5. Class assignment #2

 

January 30-February 3/Week 3

1. Start/Read Chapter 3
2. Complete Chapter 3
3. Class assignment #3

 

February 6-February 10/Week 4

1. Exam #1 Chapters 1,2, and 3
2. Start/Read Chapter 4
3. Start Chapter 5
4. Class assignment #4
5. Turn in Names for Final Projects

February 13-February 17/Week 5

1. Complete Chapter 5
2. Start/Read Chapter 6
3. Complete Chapter 6

 

February 20-February 24/Week 6

1. Start/Read Chapter 7
2. Exam # 2 Chapters 4,5, and 6
3. Start/Read Chapter 8

February 27-March 3/Week 7

1. Complete Chapter 8
2. Prepare for Mid-term exam

March 5-March 10/Week 8

1. Take Mid-term exam Chapters 1 through 8.
2. Read Chapter 9 LO #6
3. Complete Chapter 9
4. Class assignment #5

March 13-March 17/Week 9

                                                SPRING BREAK

March 20-March 24/Week 10

1. Start/Read Chapter 10
2. Start/Read Chapter 11

 

March 27-March 31/Week 11

1. Start/Complete Chapter 12
2. Class assignment #6
3. Exam #3 Chapters 10,11, and 12
4. Read/Complete Chapter 13

April 3-April 7/Week 12

1. Start/Read Chapter 14
2. Complete Chapter 14
3. Class assignment #7
4. Start/Read Chapter 15

April 10-April 14/Week 13

1. Complete Chapter 15 LO #3
2. Class assignment #8
3. Exam #4 Chapters 13, 14, and 15
4. Start/Read Chapter 16

April 17-April 21/Week 14

1. Complete Chapter 16
2. Turn in Final Projects

April 24-April 28/Week 15

1. Read/Complete Chapter 17
2. Prepare for Final Exam

May 1-May 5/Week 16

1. Read Chapter 17
2. Prepare for Final Exam

May 8-11 Final Exam week/Week 17

1. Final exam TBA

Please be mindful that this is a tentative calendar and may change at the instructor’s discretion.