Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

General Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: 

Psyc2301

Section Number: 

342

Semester/Year:

Fall/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 Course Materials:

*King, Laura A. The Science of Psychology. 4th edition. McGraw Hill.  ISBN 9781259973925

*Curtis, Drew, and Leslie Kelley. Foundations of Abnormality: Myths, Misconceptions, and Movies.  Kendall-Hunt.  ISBN 9781524955717

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Jennifer Doran

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth / Room 337

Telephone Number:

(214) 693-6491; (940) 498-6424

E-mail Address:

jdoran@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

By appointment

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

By appointment

 

11 to 12:15 p.m.

 

11 to 12:15 p.m.

 

 

2 to 5 p.m. ONLINE

 

2 to 5 p.m.

ONLINE

 

 

 

*It is my goal to return all calls / emails within 24 hours.

 

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.   (Chapter Two)

 

Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology.  (Chapter One)

 

Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.   (All Chapters)

 

Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.   (All Chapters)

 

Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.

(Chapters Eight, Twelve, Fifteen)

 

Identify factors in physiological and psychological process involved in human behavior.  (Chapter Three)

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

Graded Course Elements

Point Value

 

Percentage of Final  Grade

1.

Exams

300 points

30%

2.

Online Activities

300 points

30%

3.

Weekly Online Quizzes

150 points

15%

4. 

Group Discussions

150 points

15%

5.

Psychological Disorders Paper

50 points

5%

6.

Choice Assignment

 50  points

5%

TOTAL:        

1,000 points

100 %

 

 

  • Exams (300 points):    We will have two exams that are worth 150 points each.   Exams will cover material from our text and material from our online class.   Exams are timed so it is important to understand the material prior to testing.
  • Online  Activities (300 points):  Each week we'll have an activity in Canvas to complete.   Activities cannot be submitted once the due date has passed.
  • Weekly Online Quizzes (150 points):   Each week I will post a brief online quiz to complete in Canvas.  Quizzes cannot be completed once the due date has passed.
  • Group Discussions (150 points):   At least two discussion questions will be posted each week  for you to discuss within your discussion group.   These will require you to reflect on and apply the material from our course.   Grades will be determined by meeting length requirements and by expanding on the discussion's content in a meaningful way. 
  • Psychological Disorders Paper (50 points):  This assignment will be due in Week 13.   Please see the document in Canvas and the rubric below for additional details.
  • Choice Assignment:  Video or PowerPoint Presentation

(50 points):  Due in Week 15.   Grade will relate to inclusion of required elements, content, and visual appeal.   Please see the document in Canvas and the rubric below for additional details.

 

 

  • TOTAL:   1,000 possible points

 

RUBRIC

for

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS PAPER

Grading Criteria

Excellent

Proficient

Approaches Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Content Relevance, Accuracy and Organization

 

~Up to 40 points

31-40 points

**Presents appropriate material clearly and in a well-organized manner.

**Writing clearly demonstrates sound understanding of subject matter.  

21-30 points

**Presents material in a somewhat organized manner.

**Writing demonstrates a degree of understanding of subject matter.  

 

11-20 points

**Presents somewhat relevant material but organization is not fully achieved. **Writing demonstrates some understanding but some uncertainty with  subject matter.  

 

0-10 points

**Content is unclear.   Overall organization is difficult or impossible to follow. 

**Writing demonstrates a lack of knowledge with regard to the subject matter.  

 

 Sources

 

~Up to 5 points

5 points

**Cites all data obtained from sources.

**Sources are reliable and APA citation style is accurate.

 

3-4 points

**Cites most  data obtained from sources.

**Sources are largely reliable and APA citation style is somewhat accurate.

 

2 points

**Cites minimal data obtained from sources.

**Sources are present but not reliable; errors in APA citation style are noted.

 

 

0-1 point

**Does not cite sources.

** APA citation style is not evident.

 

 Mechanics

 

 

~Up to 5 points

5 points

**Ideas are communicated clearly.

**Accurate grammar/spelling.

 

3-4 points

**Ideas are generally communicated clearly.

**Grammar/spelling generally accurate.

 

2 points

**Ideas are often unclear due to mechanical errors.

**Errors in grammar/spelling noted.

 

0-1 point

**Message is lost due to significant mechanical errors.

**Significant errors in grammar/spelling are present.

 

TOTAL POINTS EARNED

 

 / 50 POINTS


 

 

RUBRIC for CHOICE ASSIGNMENT: 

VIDEO/ POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

Grading Criteria

Excellent

Proficient

Approaches Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Presentation of Research

 

 

~Up to 30 points

21-30 points

**Presents main points clearly and in a well-organized manner.

**Narration and/or answering of questions is thorough, and demonstrates understanding of subject matter.  

 

11-20 points

**Presents main points in a somewhat organized manner.

**Narration and/or answering of questions is somewhat thorough, and demonstrates a degree of understanding of subject matter.  

 

6-10 points

**Presents main points but organization is not fully achieved. **Narration and/or answering of questions demonstrates some understanding but some uncertainty of subject matter.  

 

0-5 points

**Main points are unclear.   Overall organization is difficult or impossible to follow. 

**Narration and/or answering of questions demonstrates a lack of knowledge with regard to the subject matter.  

 

 Visual Presentation

 

 

~Up to 10 points

8-10 points

**Visually appealing.

 **Uses varied font sizes / colors / visuals  to enhance audience experience.  **Graphics are engaging and enhance understanding of content.

 

5-7 points

**Somewhat visually appealing.

**Uses varied font sizes / colors / visuals  to somewhat enhance audience experience.  **Graphics are engaging at times and enhance understanding of content to a degree.

 

3-4 points

**Uses varied font sizes / colors / visuals  to slightly enhance audience experience.  *Graphics are used but not overly engaging or relevant.

 

0-2 points

**Not visually appealing. 

**Does not use varied font sizes / colors / visuals  to enhance audience experience.  **Graphics are not included.

 Sources

 

 

~Up to 5 points

5 points

**Cites all data obtained from sources.

**Sources are reliable and APA citation style is accurate.

 

3-4 points

**Cites most  data obtained from sources.

**Sources are largely reliable and APA citation style is somewhat accurate.

 

2 points

**Cites minimal data obtained from sources.

**Sources are present but not reliable; errors in APA citation style are noted.

 

0-1 point

**Does not cite sources.

** APA citation style is not evident.

 

 Mechanics

~Up to 5 points

5 points

**Ideas are communicated clearly.

**Accurate grammar/spelling.

 

3-4 points

**Ideas are generally communicated clearly.

**Grammar/spelling generally accurate.

 

2 points

**Ideas are often unclear due to mechanical errors.

**Errors in grammar/spelling noted.

 

0-1 point

**Message is lost due to significant mechanical errors.

**Significant errors in grammar/spelling are present.

 

TOTAL POINTS EARNED

 

/50 POINTS

 

 

Course Calendar

 

 

Week 1 – Welcome; Perspectives in Psychology

                    August 27th - September 2nd

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 1 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Module 1

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 1 are due on or before September 2nd by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 2 – Research in Psychology

                    September 3rd - 9th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 2 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 2

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 2 are due on or before September 9th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 3 – Biological Psychology

                    September 10th – 16th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 (pg. 101-104 only) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 3

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 3 are due on or before September 16th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

  

Week 4 – States of Consciousness

                    September 17th - 23rd

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 5 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 4

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 4 are due on or before September 23rd by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 5 – Learning

                    September 24th - 30th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 6 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 5

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 5 are due on or before September 30th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 6 – Memory

                    October 1st - 7th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 7 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 6

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 6 are due on or before October 7th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

 

Week 7 – Language and Intelligence

                    October 8th - 14th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 8 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 7

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week
  • Complete Exam One

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 7 are due on or before October 14th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 8 – Motivation

                    October 15th - 21st

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 10 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 8

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 8 are due on or before October 21st by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 9 – Emotion

                    October 22nd - 28th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Review Chapter 10 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 9

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 9 are due on or before October 28th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

  

Week 10 – Theories of Personality

                    October 29th - November 4th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 12 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 10

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 10 are due on or before November 4th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 11 – Life Span Development

                    November 5th - 11th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 9 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 11

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 11 are due on or before November 11th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 12 – Abnormal Behavior; Psychological Disorders

                    November 12th - 18th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 15 in your textbook; Read Chapters 1 and 2 in supplemental text
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 12

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 12 are due on or before November 18th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 13 – Psychological Disorders, cont.

                    November 19th - 25th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapters 3, 4 and 5 in supplemental text
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 13

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week
  • Submit Psychological Disorders Paper in Canvas

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 13 are due on or before November 25th by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

Week 14 – Treatment of Psychological Disorders

                    November 26th - December 2nd

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 16 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 14

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 14 are due on or before December 2nd by 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 15 – Social Psychology

                    December 3rd - 9th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 13 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 15

Assignments: 

  • Respond to both Discussion Boards for this week (Initial response of at least 200 words PLUS at least two follow-up responses for each discussion)
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Take quiz for this week
  • Submit Choice Assignment to Canvas per instructions

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 15 are due on or before December 9th by 11:59 pm CST.

  

 

Week 16 – Wrapping Up

                    December 10th - 13th

***Please note that this is a short week - all assignments are due by Thursday***

Readings:

  • Review

Activities:

  • Continue commenting on Choice Assignments
  • Complete Exam 2
  • Have a fabulous break!

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 16 are due on or before December 13th by 11:59 pm CST.


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 judgment 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)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 8, 2018.

 

 

 

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)]”. 

 

Students may earn a zero for an assignment or for a course due to academic dishonesty.   Please come to me for help with any of these topics.   You may also visit our library for additional information:  http://www.nctc.edu/library/research-help/CitationGuides.html

 

 

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, TX 76240

Telephone Number:

940-668-4267

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu