Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

General Psychology - Honors

Course Prefix & Number: 

Psyc2301

Section Number: 

450

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.

 

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

 

 

11 to 12:15 p.m.

 

11 to 12:15 p.m.

 

 

It is my goal to return all phone calls and 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 processes involved in human behavior.

(Chapter Three and throughout class)

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

Graded Course Elements

Point Value

 

Percentage of Final  Grade

1.

Exams

400 points

40%

2.

Group Activities (In Class) / Participation

150 points

15%

3.

Online Weekly Quizzes

150 points

15%

4. 

Weekly Blog

150 points

15%

5.

Poster Presentation Project

100 points

10%

6.

Psychological Disorders Paper

 50  points

5%

TOTAL:        

1,000 points

100 %

 

  • Exams (400 points):    We will have four exams that are worth 100 points each.   Please bring a scantron, notebook paper and a #2 pencil to class on exam days.   Exams will cover material from our text and material from class.   In the event of a documented emergency, a make-up exam (for ONE missed exam) may be offered on the day of the final exam.   No phones or restroom trips during exams.
  • Group Activities / Participation (150 points):  During class we will complete activities that help to reinforce the course concepts.   Credit can only be earned if the student is present.   Grade will be determined by  reviewing attendance records and peer evaluations, and by observation.
  • Online Weekly Quizzes (150 points):   Each week I will post a brief online quiz to complete in Canvas.  Due dates are posted in the calendar below.    Quizzes cannot be completed once the due date has passed.
  • Weekly Blog  (150 points):   Each week I will ask that you reflect on the material from our course by writing a blog entry.    Grade will be determined by meeting length requirement and expanding on the week's content.  Please see the document in Canvas that more fully describes the requirements for this assignment. 
  •  Poster Presentation Project

(100 points):  Due in Week 14.   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.   We will present these posters at NCTC's Honors Symposium on November 28th.

  • 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.
  • TOTAL:   1,000 possible points

 

RUBRIC for

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Grading Criteria

Excellent

Proficient

Approaches Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Presentation of Research

 

~Up to 60 points

51-60 points

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

**Answering of questions is thorough, and demonstrates understanding of subject matter.  

 

36-50 points

**Presents main points in a somewhat organized manner.

**Answering of questions is somewhat thorough, and demonstrates a degree of understanding of subject matter.  

16-35 points

**Presents main points but organization is not fully achieved. **Answering of questions demonstrates some understanding but some uncertainty of subject matter.  

 

0-15 points

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

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

 Visual Presentation

 

~Up to 15 points

12-15 points

**Visually appealing.

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

 

9-11 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.

5-8 points

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

 

0-4 points

**Not visually appealing. 

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

 Sources

 

~Up to 15 points

12-15 points

**Cites all data obtained from sources.

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

9-11 points

**Cites most  data obtained from sources.

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

5-8 points

**Cites minimal data obtained from sources.

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

0-4 points

**Does not cite sources.

** APA citation style is not evident.

 

 Mechanics

 

~Up to 10 points

9-10 points

**Ideas are communicated clearly.

**Accurate grammar/spelling.

 

6-8 points

**Ideas are generally communicated clearly.

**Grammar/spelling generally accurate.

3-5 points

**Ideas are often unclear due to mechanical errors.

**Errors in grammar/spelling noted.

 

0-2 points

**Message is lost due to significant mechanical errors.

**Significant errors in grammar/spelling are present.

 

TOTAL POINTS

 

/100 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


 

TENTATIVE COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE

 

Week

Date

Topics

Reading

(Please complete                                     PRIOR to class.)

1

August 27

Course Overview / Syllabus Activity

 

August 29

Perspectives in Psychology

Chapter 1

*Week One Quiz and Blog Entry due by 9/2/18

2

September 3

Holiday

 

September 5

Research in Psychology

Chapter 2

*Week Two Quiz and Blog Entry due by 9/9/18

3

September 10

Neural Communication

Chapter 3

September 12

The Brain, Sensation vs. Perception

 

Chapter 4

(pg. 101-104 only)

*Week Three Quiz and Blog Entry due by 9/16/18

4

September 17

States of Consciousness

Chapter 5

September 19

Theories of Sleep / Drug Use / Review

 

*Week Four Quiz and Blog Entry due by 9/23/18

5

September 24

Exam 1 (Covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) 

Please bring scantron, #2 pencil and notebook paper.   Exam will include multiple choice and essay questions.

 

September 26

Classical Conditioning

Chapter 6

*Week Five Quiz and Blog Entry due by 9/30/18

6

October 1

Operant Conditioning

 

October 3

Memory

Chapter 7

*Week Six Quiz and Blog Entry due by 10/7/18

7

October 8

Forgetting

 

October 10

Language and Intelligence

Chapter 8

*Week Seven Quiz and Blog Entry due by 10/14/18

8

October 15

Group Activity / Review

 

October 17

Exam 2 (Covers Chapters 6, 7, 8)  

Please bring scantron, #2 pencil and notebook paper.  Exam will include multiple choice and essay questions.

 

*Week Eight Quiz and Blog Entry due by 10/21/18

9

October 22

Motivation;  sign up for Poster Presentation topic

Chapter 10

October 24

Emotion

 

*Week Nine Quiz and Blog Entry due by 10/28/18

10

October 29

Theories of Personality:  Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories

Chapter 12

October 31

Theories of Personality:  Trait and Social-Cognitive Theories

 

*Week Ten Quiz and Blog Entry due by 11/4/18

11

November 5

Life Span Development / Review

Chapter 9

November 7

Exam 3 (Covers Chapters 10, 12, 9)  

Please bring scantron, #2 pencil and notebook paper.  Exam will include multiple choice and essay questions.

 

*Week Eleven Quiz and Blog Entry due by 11/11/18

12

November 12

Psychological Disorders ~ Mood Disorders

Chapter 15

November 14

Psychological Disorders ~ Schizophrenia

 

 

*Week Twelve Quiz and Blog Entry due by 11/18/18

13

November 19

Perspectives on Disorders

Psychological Disorders Paper due

 

November 21

Holiday ~ Happy Thanksgiving!

 

*Week Thirteen Quiz and Blog Entry due by 11/25/18

14

November 26

Treating Psychological Disorders

Chapter 16

November 28

Poster Presentation Project due

 

*Week Fourteen Quiz and Blog Entry due by 12/2/18

15

December 3

Social Psychology

Chapter 13

December 5

Wrap Up / Review 

Extra Credit Projects Due

 

*Week Fifteen Quiz and Blog Entry due by 12/9/18

16

 

Final Exam Week

Exam 4 (Covers Chapters 15,16, 13)  

Please bring scantron and #2 pencil.  Exam will include multiple choice questions.

 


 

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)

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