Syllabus-PSYC 2301-500

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:

General Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: 

Psyc2301

Section Number: 

500

Semester/Year:

Spring/2018

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

 7-8 am

10-11 am

 7-8 am

10-11 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

 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 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

75

25

Class Questions @ 1 pt each

 25

 

 

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:

Fifteen chapter  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 assignments 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 11:30 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 6 (and a page number identifying the topic idea from the textbook is REQUIRED).  This first paper & presentation is due at the end of class on Feb 19 for group A (the class will be split up into two groups for presentations).  Although papers may be turned in and presented anytime earlier.  Group B topic papers will be due Feb 21.     Late papers or no presentation of paper, for any reason, will lose 7 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 April 4 for group A, at the beginning of class and must be related to one of the chapters-7 thru 12.  Group B papers will be due April 9 at the beginning of class.

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 (not counting headings) & presents to the class.

 

 

Research Paper (RP):

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 (for example, anxiety is not a disorder, one must select a specific anxiety to research, such as Generalized Anxiety).  One reference MUST be from the textbook.  Research papers should be submitted/presented as a file upload within this course & are due May 7 by the end of class.  Research papers which are not presented will lose 10 points  (there is no final exam, just the chapter 17 online exam).  Research papers may be presented before the due date (students will be divided into two groups with group A papers being due May 2 & group B May 7.   Access to upload the research paper is found under the ASSIGNMENTS tab. Format;  American Psychological Association (APA) or MLA style, with a complete reference page, fully identifying all references used in the paper.

Grading Rubrics:

A = Includes 3 or more of the student learning outcome ideas (identify by placing the letters --LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,  or 6--- at the end of a sentence which relates to a learning outcome ( for example; lets say you are talking abut depression, when you give a definition of depression, after the definition you would cite the reference where you obtained the definition and then in parenthesis type LO-4, because the definition is a psychological term).

For this Dev. Paper references must be included when giving quotes, paraphrases, data, or definitions), double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, not counting title-abstract, page headings, or reference page and must have at least 3 references.

B = Includes at least 2 of the student learning outcome ideas, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, not counting title-abstract, page headings,  or reference page, at least 3 references.

C = Includes at least one of the student learning outcome ideas, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, not counting title-abstract, page headings or reference page, at least 2 references.

D = Does not include student learning outcomes ideas but presents information of loss, double spaced, no larger than 12 pt font, not counting title-abstract, page headings or reference page, at least 1 reference.

Note that these papers should be at least 3 pages, not counting headings, title-abstract-reference pages and be sure to identify where references are used within the body of the paper according to APA style.      

Some extra credit may be earned for exceeding these expectations

Class Questions (Class Q)

One  question will be asked of students on most class meetings.  These questions are worth 1 point each, for a total of 25 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 11:30 pm on due date)

Jan 17  :  Introductions & start ch 1, 2 & 3 tests & reading assignments

Jan 31:    Ch 1, 2, 3 assignments are due

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Feb 5:     Begin ch 4, 5, 6 assignments

Feb:        Topic Papers group A are due at the beginning of class

Feb 21:   Ch 4, 5, 6, & Topic Papers group B are due at the beginning of class

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                            

 

 Feb 26:    Start ch 7, 8, & 9

March 7 :   Chapters 7, 8, & 9 tests & reading assignments are due

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 March 12 thru 18  SPRING BREAK

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March 19:  Start ch 10, 11, & 12.  

April 4 :      Topic Paper 2 is due at the beginning of class for group A

April 5:       Last day to withdraw with a grade of "W"

April 9:        Topic Paper 2 is due at the beginning of class for group B

April 9 :       Ch 10, 11, & 12 tests and reading assignments are due

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

April 11:      Start ch 15, 16, & 17

May 7:        Research Paper is due at the end of class time for group A

May 7 :       Research Paper is due at the end of class time for group B

May 7 : Chapters 15, 16, & 17 are due at 11:30 pm & semester ends.

 

 

  

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 April 5.

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. Bruce King

Office Location:

1525 W. California St., Gainesville, Texas

Telephone Number:

940-668-4267

E-mail Address:

 
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