NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE Introduction to Psychology Fall 2017 Syllabus

 

Course Title: Introduction to General Psychology
Course Prefix & Number: PSYCH 2301	Section Number: 500	Semester: Fall 2017
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): none
Required Course Materials: Access/Connect Code only – The Science of Psychology by Laura A. King, 4th edition, McGraw Hill ISBN Number: 978-1-259-54437-8

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Krystal Stephen
Campus/Office Location:	NCTC Flower Mound Campus
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	krystalstephen@my.nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
1	Exam 1	100 pts
1	Exam 2	100 pts
1	Exam 3	100 pts
1	Exam 4	100 pts
1	Participation Exercises (4 total)	25 per exercise

 

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.

 

*Most important objective of this course is that you learn! My goal for you is walk away from this class feeling more confident about your knowledge regarding this topic

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

You are expected to attend every course lecture. Keep in mind you are now in a professional school, and a member of a learning community.  Thus you are expected to comport yourself as a professional person.  For instance, be on time for class, do not leave the class while it is in progress for other than emergencies, turn off cell phones and personal computers, be respectful of others’ viewpoints even if you disagree with them, and dress appropriately for a professional activity. Your presence in class is ultimately your decision and will in no way either enhance or hinder your final grade in this course.

 

Learn Smart Exercises:

To ensure that you are reading and comprehending the assigned reading material, I am asking that you complete 4 Learn Smart exercises by the end of the semester. To complete the exercise, you will review the chapter using the Connect resource and answer assigned questions throughout. It does NOT matter what chapter you choose to complete a Learn Smart exercise, just be sure to have it completed by the assigned due date. For each exercise, you will receive points (25) as part of your overall grade. Please note that your actual score on the exercise is NOT what counts, this is simply a completion grade.

 

Communication

Please try to be polite and professional when emailing me about information pertaining to the course. When emailing, be sure that the subject line includes 2301.500 and your first and last name!

 

Date                                                 Topic                                                     Readings

8/28                                 Introduction to Course; what is Psychology?         Ch. 1                          

8/30                                         The Scientific Method                                                Ch. 2

9/4                                          Labor Day Holiday J                                     Read Ch. 3                 

9/6                                           Chapter 1-3 Review                                        None

9/11                                    Learn Smart Due /Exam Review                       None

9/13                                                        Exam 1                                            None

9/18                                             Sensation & Perception                               Ch. 4                               

9/20                                             States of Consciousness                              Ch. 5                          

9/25                                                           Learning                                        Ch. 6

9/ 27                                                         Memory                                        Ch. 7

10/2                                                     Exam Review                                       None

10/4                                                             Exam 2                                       None

10/9                             Thinking, Intelligence, and Language             Ch. 8              

10/11                                       Motivation and Emotion                          Ch. 10

10/16                                       Gender, Sex, and Sexuality                           Ch. 11            

10/18                                   Learn Smart Due/ Exam Review                      None

10/23                                                   Exam 3                                               None

10/25                                                Personality                                             Ch. 12

10/30                                            Social Psychology                                      Ch. 13

11/1                                        Intimacy, Friendship & Love                           None

11/6                                            Psychological Disorders                               Ch. 15

11/8                                   Therapies/Learn Smart Due                                Ch.16

11/13                                       Power & Communication                               PPT

11/15                                       Marriage, Work & Economics            PPT

11/20                                                   No class                                               None

11/22-11/25                               Happy Thanksgiving J                                Eat Lots!

11/27                                       Participation Exercise                                     None

11/29                                         Health Psychology                                        None

12/4                     Final Learn Smart Due/ Review for Final Exam             None

12/6                                         Review for Final/Optional Day                      None

 

NOTE: This syllabus does not constitute a contract. Changes in class content and assignments may occur as the semester progresses. Changes will be communicated to you by the instructor.

* If you are struggling in this course, please feel free to contact me about meeting throughout the semester and speak up, I care about helping you!

 

 

 

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday September 28, 2017.

 

 

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______________________________           

 

         Communication

         Mathematics               

         Life and Physical Science

         Language, Philosophy & Culture

         Creative Arts

 

         American History

         Government/Political Science

         Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

         Critical Thinking

            Communication

            Empirical and Quantitative

 

            Teamwork

            Personal Responsibility

            Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

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

         Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

         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:	Crystal Wright
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 824
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731 (Email preferred)
E-mail Address:	cwright@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