NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	General Psychology
Course Prefix & Number:		Psyc 2301	Section Number:	501	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 or Recommended Course Materials: King, Laura A.  The Science of Psychology. 4th edition. McGraw Hill.  ISBN 9781260223545 Curtis, Drew, and Leslie Kelley. Foundations of Abnormality: Myths, Misconceptions, and Movies.  Kendall-Hunt.  ISBN 9781524955717 Access card only for online textbook is required

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Dr. Franz Klutschkowski, Ed.D, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), Nationally Certified Psychologist (NCP)
Campus/Office Location:	Flower Mound/Faculty Offices
Telephone Number:	972-899-8400
E-mail Address:	Please send all course related questions or communications through the Canvas course email.  If unable to do so, I may be contacted at fklutschkowski@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
7:30-9:30 am	11:30-12:30pm	7:30-9:30 am	11:30-12:30pm

 

 

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	375
15	Reading Assignments	375
2	Topic Papers	100
1	Research Paper	100
25	Daily Class Questions (2 points 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  

 

Class Questions (CQ):

One or more questions will be presented to students during each class day, worth a total of 50 points and are related to the previous or in class lecture.  Questions  will be presented at the start of each class. Students who come late or are absent cannot make up these points.  Also, there are more than 25 questions this semester, but the most a student can earn is 50 points.  Note that questions will also be asked during class about topics/videos which are presented.

Topic Paper (TP-1, TP-2):

Students are required to complete two topic papers which must be a minimum of 3 full pages.

TP-1 must be selected from ideas found in textbook chapters 1 thru 5 (and a page number identifying the topic idea from the textbook is REQUIRED).  The paper MUST include the following:

-select a topic

-describe some historical psychological influences on your topic

-describe how the topic may relate to the treatment of mental health

-identify research method(s) which relate to the topic and present & discuss one chart/graph

      For example:  a student selects a topic from Chapter 5, say, the student selects the topic of ‘REM Sleep’, then, the paper may consist of the definition  from the textbook.   Discuss some of the history of  how REM sleep was discovered & how does REM sleep relate to a person’s mental health.  Provide a chart/graph about REM sleep and discuss the chart.

 

TP-2 must be selected from ideas found in textbook chapters 6 thru 9  (and a page number identifying the topic idea from the textbook is REQUIRED).  The paper Must include the following: 

-at least one complete primary reference, noted according to APA style

-describe how the topic can be assessed

-identify how psychological/physiological processes may be involved in the topic

-how does your topic relate to individual, social or family responsibilities

All papers need to be presented to the class on or before the due date (two class sessions will be given for each topic paper presentation).  Students will be assigned which day they are to present their paper.  Although papers may be turned in and presented anytime earlier.  late papers or no presentation of paper, for any reason, will lose 7 points.  Note that the presentation is not graded (points are only lost if not presented).  Students who initiate interaction with other students about their topic, during the presentation will earn extra credit.  Draft papers may be submitted to the professor for comments and review, at least two days prior to presentation

GRADING:

A= paper includes all four requirements

B= paper includes three requirements

C= paper includes two requirements

D= paper includes one requirement

  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 met all 4 requirements.

Exams:

Fifteen exams will be given weekly (multiple choice or true false).  All exams are to be taken online and must be completed before the 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). 

There are no exceptions for missing an exam deadline.  Exams will be available in the Assignments section of this course for 4 days.  Exams will be over the assigned chapters with one 25 question exam per chapter.  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 you are taking is stopped for any reason, only that score will be recorded when the exam is stopped (because you cannot return to the exam once stopped).

Reading Assignments:

Each chapter has a graded reading assignment.  These assignments may be found within the Assignments tab of this Canvas course & then the McGraw Hill Connect tab (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.

 Research Paper (RP):

Students are required to complete a research paper relating to a psychological disorder found in chapter 15 (Psychological Disorders);  or any disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).   The selected disorder MUST be approved by the professor in advance, who will decide approval on a first come, first served basis.  So, it is a good idea to decide early in order to be able to write about a disorder in which you have an interest.   The paper must also include at least one idea/reference from the supplemental textbook on the “Foundations of Abnormality-Myths Misconceptions and Movies.” Research papers should be submitted as a file upload (or a hard paper copy) within this course & are due & presented the final day of class.  Research papers which are not presented will lose 10 points  (there is no final exam, just the chapter 17 online exam and the presentation of the research paper).  Research papers must be presented on the day of finals.  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. The textbook must be used as one reference, but cannot be counted as more than one reference.  

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; let’s say you are talking about 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  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

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE : 

 Aug 27                      Introductions, review syllabus and class expectations

Sept 9                    Ch 1 & 2 Exams &  reading assignments due                                   

Sept 16               Chapter 3 reading assignment  & exam due____

Sept 23               Chapter 4 reading assignment  & exam due____

Sept 25 & 27                           Topic paper 1 is due

Sept 30               Chapter 5 reading assignment  & exam due____

 

Oct 7                 Chapter 6 reading assignment  & exam due____

Oct 14               Chapter 7 reading assignment  & exam due____

Oct 21               Chapter 8 reading assignment  & exam due____

Oct 28               Chapter 9 reading assignment  & exam due____

Oct 30 & Nov 1                          Topic paper 2 is due

 

Nov 4                Chapter 10 reading assignment  & exam due____

Nov 8               Last day to withdraw with a grade of ‘W’____

 

Nov 11               Chapter 11 reading assignment  & exam due____

Nov 18               Chapter 12 reading assignment  & exam due____

 

Dec 2                 Chapters 15 & 16 reading assignments  & exams due

Dec 9                 Chapter  17 reading assignment  & exam due

  

Finals Week         Research Paper is  due & 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:  Please note that the instructor does NOT drop students.  If a student wishes to withdraw from this course, the student is responsible for completing the paperwork.  If this is not done, the student will receive a final grade of “F.”

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

 

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:	1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408
Telephone Number:	940-498-6464
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu