SYLLABUS

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:

General Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: 

Psyc2301

Section Number: 

580 mw

Semester/Year:

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 or Recommended Course Materials:

Access/Connect Code only – King, Laura A. The Science of Psychology. 4th  edition. McGraw Hill.

 

ISBN 978-1-259-54437-8

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Dr. Franz Klutschkowski, Ed.D, LPC, NCP

Campus/Office Location:

Flower Mound/ Faculty Office

Telephone Number:

972-899-8400

E-mail Address:

fklutschkowski@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

11:30-12:30

 

11:30-12:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will 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 process involved in human behavior.

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

15

Chapter Exams @ 25 pts each

375

15

Textbook Reading Assignments @ 25 pts each

375

1

Topic Paper @ 50 pts

50

1

Research Paper

100

50

Class Questions @ 1 pt each

 50

 

 

Grades are determined on the following basis:

 

A=90%              855    points or higher    

B-80-89%          760 – 854  points   

C=70-79%         665 – 759  points

D=60-69%         570 -  664  points

F=Below 60%   Below 570  points  

 

Exams:

 

Twenty five point exams will be given (multiple choice and/or true false).  All exams are to be taken online and must be completed before the posted deadlines.  The exams may be found within the modules tab of this Canvas course ( you will need to have the online version of this textbook in order to access the exams). Most exams consist of 25 multiple choice/true-false questions and have a time limit of 30 minutes.  However, chapters 12 & 15 will have 50 such questions (worth ½ point each) and a time limit of 60 minutes (more class time will be devoted to these two chapters).

There are no exceptions for missing an exam deadline.  Exams will be available until the end date as noted in the schedule which is listed below.  These online exams will close at 11:59 pm on the due date (except for the last exam which will close at the end of the class time).  Exams will be over the related chapters which are being discussed each week and content may include class lecture material. Each exam may be taken twice (highest score is recorded) and will have a specified time limit.  Please remember once an exam is started, it must be completed within the time limit.  If the exam taking is stopped for any reason, only that score will be recorded when the exam 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 25 points each and you must complete them before the assigned deadlines.

Topic Paper: 

Students are required to complete a topic paper, worth 50 points.  Topics for this paper must be selected from ideas found in any one of the textbook chapters which are noted in this course syllabus (a page number is REQUIRED) and is due on September 18 & 20th at 12:30pm  (although papers may be turned in and presented anytime earlier).  Students will be assigned which date to present their papers).  Late papers or no presentations, for any reason will lose 15 points.

     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.

Topic papers are expected to be presented to the class by giving a brief summary of the paper (what interested you in the topic & what did you learn from the topic).  Although the presentation is not graded (only the paper is graded) if a student provides graphs, power point, engages other students in the topic, extra credit will be earned.

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 class discussion.

 Papers may be emailed in this Canvas Class by selecting the Assignment tab and clicking on ‘topic paper’ or a hard copy may be given to the instructor.  Full credit will be awarded if a student has one typed page or more & presents to the class.

 

 

Research Paper: 

Students are required to complete a research paper, worth 100 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 16 & 18  (there is no final exam, just the chapter 17 online exam).  Research papers will be discussed during these two days (students will be assigned which day they are to present).   If a student wishes to present a different topic, it must be approved by the instructor.  Access to upload the research paper is found under the MODULES tab, or a hard copy may be presented.

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.

Extra credit may be earned for exceeding expectations on the paper.

 

Class Questions

Class questions will be asked of students on most class meetings, during the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class hour.  These questions are worth 1 point each, for a total of 50 possible points for the semester.  If a student is absent or misses the question(s), these points cannot be made up.  However, since there will be more than 50 questions throughout this semester, students may not earn more than 50 points.

 

Tentative Schedule-all exams are due by 11:59pm of due date except 10-18 date

 

Aug 28 & 30:     Introductions & Chapters 1 & 2 exams & reading assignments. 

                                 Exams must be completed by 11:59 on Sept 3.

 

Sept 4 & 6  :     Chapters 3, 4, & 5 exams & reading assignments

                                  Exams must be completed by 11:59 on Sept 10.

Topic 1 paper is due Sept. 26.

 

Sept 11 & 13:    Chapters 6, 7, 8 exams & reading assignments

                                   Exams must be completed by 11:59 on Sept 17

 

Sept 18 & 20:    Chapters 9, 10, 11 exams & reading assignments

                                  Topic papers are presented on the 18 & 20 as assigned

                                  Exams must be completed by 11:59 on Sept 24

 

Sep 25 & 27:      Chapter 12 exam & reading assignment

                                  Exam must be completed by 11:59 on Oct 1.

 

Oct 2, 4, & 9:      Chapter 15 exam & reading assignment

                                 Exam must be completed by 11:59 on Oct 9.

 

Oct 11, 16 & 18:  Chapters  16 & 17 exams & reading assignment

                                   Research Papers are due Oct 16 & 18 as assigned

                                   Exams must be completed by 3pm on Oct 18.

                                    Semester ends at the end of class.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR INSTRUCTOR DOES NOT DROP STUDENTS FOR ANY REASON.  THEREFORE IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP THE CLASS IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO ATTEND.  IF YOU DO NOT DROP THE CLASS, YOUR GRADE WILL BE SUBMITTED AS AN “F” ON YOUR TRANSCRIPT.

Last day to withdraw from this course with a “W” is September 28.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______     

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         Government/Political Science

X         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

o         American History


 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

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 and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

[Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy:

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal R.M. Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 24

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu