SYLLABUS

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:

General Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: 

Psyc2301

Section Number: 

850

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

 

9:30am-10am

 

9:30am-10am

 

 

11:25-noon

 

11:25-noon

 

 

 

 

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

2

Topic Papers @ 50 pts each

100

1

Research Paper

100

25

Class Questions @ 2 pts each

 50

 

 

Grades are determined on the following basis:

 

A=90%              900    points or higher    

B-80-89%          800 – 899  points   

C=70-79%         700 – 799  points

D=60-69%         600 -  699  points

F=Below 60%   Below 600  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 Papers: 

Students are required to complete two  topic papers, worth 50 points each.  Topics for this first paper must be selected from ideas found in one of the following textbook chapters:  1 thru 9 (and a page number from the textbook is REQUIRED).  This first paper & presentation is due at the end of class on Sept 19 & 21  (although papers may be turned in and presented anytime earlier).  During the first week of class students will be assigned a date for presentation.  Late papers or no presentation of paper, 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 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.

The second topic paper is due Nov 28 & 30 at the beginning of class and must be related to one of the following chapters; 10, 11, 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 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 December 12 & 14  (there is no final exam, just the chapters 16 & 17 online exam, but the research papers will be discussed during this time for extra credit).  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 Assessments 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

One or two questions will be asked of students on most class meetings.  These questions are worth 2 points each (even if only one question is asked), 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.

 

Tentative Schedule (all tests & reading assignments close at 11:59pm on due date)

 

Aug 29 thru Sept 10:  Introductions & Ch 1 & 2 tests & reading assignments due.

                                    .

Sept 11 thru Sept 24:  Chapters 3, 4, 5. 

                                         Topic 1 paper is due Sept. 19 & 21

 

Sept 25 thru Oct 8:     Chapters 6, 7, & 8

 

Oct 9 thru Oct 22:        Chapters 9 & 10

 

Oct 23 thru Nov 12       Chapters 11 & 12—Last day to withdraw with a “W” is Nov 9

                                      Topic 2 paper is due Nov 28 & 30

                                

Nov 13 thru Dec 3:  Chapter 15

 

Dec 4 thru Dec 14    Chapters 16 & 17  

                                       Research paper (due Dec 12 & 14), exams, and reading     

                                       assignments are due Dec. 14 by 11:25 am and the 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:

Last day to withdraw from this course with a “W” is November 9.

Note:  your instructor does not drop any student from the class.  If you wish to withdraw from the class, you must complete the withdrawal process,   or your final grade will be posted as

an “F.”

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

 

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