Introduction

PSYC 2301 340 - INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title:	General Psychology
Course Prefix & Number:		PSYC 2301	Section Number:	340	Semester/Year:	Spring/2019
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 9781260223545

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Jennifer Doran
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth / Room 337
Telephone Number:	(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.
2:30 to 5:30 p.m. ONLINE		2:30 to 5:30 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.	Class Discussions	150 points	15%
5.	Mythbuster Infographic	50 points	5%
6.	Psychological Disorders Paper	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.
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.
Class Discussions (150 points): Discussion questions will be posted each week. 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.
Mythbuster Infographic (50 points): This assignment will be due in Week 9. Please see the document in Canvas and the rubric below for additional details.
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

MYTHBUSTER INFOGRAPHIC

Grading Criteria

Excellent

Proficient

Approaches Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Presentation of Research and Ideas

~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

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

Course Calendar

Week 1 – Welcome; Perspectives in Psychology

January 22^nd – 27^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the two Discussion Boards for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 1 are due on or before January 27^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 2 – Research in Psychology

January 28^th to February 3^rd

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 2 are due on or before February 3^rd by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 3 – Biological Psychology

February 4^th – 10^th

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 the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 3 are due on or before February 10^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 4 – States of Consciousness

February 11^th – 17^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 4 are due on or before February 17^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 5 – Learning

February 18^th – 24^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 5 are due on or before February 24th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 6 – Memory

February 25^th – March 3^rd

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 6 are due on or before March 3^rd by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 7 – Language and Intelligence

March 4^th – 10^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
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 March 10^th by 11:59 pm CST.

***SPRING BREAK MARCH 11^th - 17^th***

Week 8 – Motivation

March 18^th – 24^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 8 are due on or before March 24^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 9 – Emotion

March 25^th – 31^st

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week
Submit Mythbuster Infographic Assignment

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 9 are due on or before March 31^st by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 10 – Theories of Personality

April 1^st – 7^th

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
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 10 are due on or before April 7^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 11 – Life Span Development

April 8^th – 14^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

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

Week 12 – Abnormal Behavior; Psychological Disorders

April 15^th – 21^st

Readings:

View PowerPoint for this week
Read Chapter 15 in your textbook
Review other Canvas materials for Week 12

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 12 are due on or before April 21^st by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 13 – Psychological Disorders, cont.

April 22^nd – 28^th

Readings:

View PowerPoint for this week
Review other Canvas materials for Week 13

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
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 April 28^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 14 – Treatment of Psychological Disorders

April 29^th– May 5^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 14 are due on or before May 5^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 15 – Social Psychology

May 6^th– May 12^th

Readings:

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

Assignments:

Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
Complete online activity for this week
Take quiz for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 15 are due on or before May 12^th by 11:59 pm CST.

Week 16 – Wrapping Up

May 13th – May 16th

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

Readings:

Review

Activities:

Complete Exam 2
Have a fabulous summer!

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 16 are due on or before May 16^th 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 April 4, 2019.

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