Course Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

General Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: 

Psyc2301

Section Number: 

0230

Semester/Year:

Fall 20

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 978126092230

 

 

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Rene Hernandez

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth

Telephone Number:

e-mail

E-mail Address:

rhernandez@nctc.edu

Please allow 24 hours for me to respond to e-mails. E-mail is the best way to get a hold of me, as Canvas messages don’t always arrive in a timely fashion.

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 

 

 

 

 

Times available by appointment & Weekly optional class meetings

 

 

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.

 

Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology.

 

Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.

 

Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.

 

Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.

 

 

Identify factors in physiological and psychological process involved in human behavior.

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Point Values

1

Midterm

25

1

Final Exam

25

10

LearnSmart Activities (Best of 13, 2 points each)

20

5

Psychology At Work (5, 4 points each)

20

 

Institutional Assessment (See Below)

10

 

Extra Credit Paper (See Below)

Up to 10

 

Total Score

Letter Grade

100-90.0

A

89.99-80.0

B

79.99-70

C

69.99-60

D

≤59.99

F

 

Note: Please ignore the "total" column on the grade book in canvas and calculate your grade manually using the information above. The system will not allow me to hide that column, and it does not always calculate accurately. Additionally, Please Note that I do NOT round grades. If you feel like you may need additional help in order to get your grade where you want it, you will NEED to complete extra credit opportunities. 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Week of…

Items to Complete…

 

Due by….

12-21-2020

1. Self Care 1 (Extra Credit)

Optional Class Meeting- 12-22-2020, 6:00 PM

1. 12-27-2020 at 11:59 PM

12-28-2020

1. LearnSmart Activities (1,2,3,4,6,8,9)

2. Midterm Exam

3. Self Care 2 (Extra Credit)

Optional Class Meeting- 12-30-2020, 10:00 AM

1. 01-03-2020 at 11:59 PM

2. 01-03-2020 at 11:59 PM

3. 01-03-2020 at 11:59 PM

01-04-2021

1. Self Care 3 (Extra Credit)

2. Institutional Assessment

Optional Class Meeting- 01-03-2021, 11:00 AM

1. 01-10-2020 at 11:59 PM

2. 01-10-2020 at 11:59 PM

01-11-2021

1. LearnSmart Activities (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16)

2. Midterm Exam

3. Self Care  (Extra Credit)

4. Class Summary Report (Extra Credit)

5. Psychology at Work (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Optional Class Meeting- 1-11-2021, 7:00 PM

1. 01-14-2021 at 12:01 PM

2. 01-14-2021 at 12:01 PM

3. 01-14-2021 at 12:01 PM

4. 01-14-2021 at 12:01 PM

5. 01-14-2021 at 12:01 PM

 

LEARN SMART ACTIVITY POLICY

Thirteen (13) Learn Smart Activities will be assigned this semester. However, only your top ten (10) scores will count toward your grade. This will help you to be able to better adapt to the Learn Smart program.


Assignments are due by the date and time listed on the schedule above. Assignments for the first half of the class will be available on 12-21-2020. Assignments for the second half of the class will be available starting on 1-2-2021.  NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

 

 

 

PSYCHOLOGY AT WORK

Five (5) Psychology at Work Activities will be assigned this semester. Assignments will be available immediately at the beginning of class. You will have the entirety of the class time available to complete them. They will be due by 12:01 PM on 01-14-2021. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

 

 

OPTIONAL CLASS MEETINGS

Please note that I have scheduled time for optional class meetings. During this time I will be available on WebEx to answer any questions that you may have. Attendance is not required. I will be available to answer any questions about class materials, scheduling, or grading during these times. And, of course, I am always available by e-mail. Meetings are at the following times:

  • 12-22-2020- 6:00 PM
  • 12-30-2020- 10:00 AM
  • 01-03-2021- 11:00 AM
  • 01-11-2021- 7:00 PM

 

 

 

Extra Credit Opportunity- Self Care Activities

I will spend all semester harping on how important self care is for you. Therefore, I will give you an opportunity to engage in some self care AND earn some extra credit at the same time! Submit an image of yourself participating in a self care activity, and earn half a point of extra credit! Completion of all four submissions will result in an additional point of credit!

 

A total of four of these assignments will be available during the class. Images should be of the variety that you wouldn't mind your grandmother seeing. You must be clearly visible in the picture, otherwise I won't know it's you!

 

 

 

Optional Extra Credit Paper- Class Summary Report

  • The paper must be submitted as a complete paper. This means you will need an introduction and conclusion.
  • Appropriate grammar, punctuation, and spelling is required.
  • Citations from your book or any other source must follow APA guidelines.
  • Your paper must include at least one (1) source other than your textbook. Use your best judgment when choosing your source(s).
  • Every submitted paper must include at least one (1) paragraph summarizing the important points of every chapter that we covered in this class. This means that you will need to have a paragraph covering each of the following chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16.
  • Your paper must include at least one (1) paragraph summarizing your thoughts on the material that was covered and what you've learned. Additionally, you may wish to let me know how what you learned has influenced your life. 
  • Your paper is due in my e-mail box by 12:00 on PM 1/14/2021. Late papers will not be accepted.

 

Institutional Assessment

In an effort to assess your learning outcomes, NCTC requires that we assess the skills that you have gained over the course of the class. The Institutional assessment will be comprised of a selection of multiple choice items, as well as a short essay question. The assessment will be completed as an assignment on Canvas, which will open at 12:01 AM on 01-04-2021 and must be completed by 11:59 PM on 01-10-2021.

While this assessment is only worth 10 points of your grade, failure to complete the assessment will result in an automatic F for the class. Exceptions to this policy will not be made.

 

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is 01/05/2021.

 

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)]”. 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Adam Ramsey

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 814

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4925

E-mail Address:

aramsey@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

316 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201

Telephone Number:

940-380-2504

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu