Course Title:	Intro to General Psychology
Course Prefix & Number:		Psyc2301	Section Number:	500	Semester/Year:	Spring/2021
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 Per the department, students are expected to secure the above textbook. Today, there are several formats from which to choose (ebook, rental, etc.), and students are welcome to shop around for the cheapest version. If a student wishes to rent/buy an older version of the textbook, I wouldn't go back more than one edition. I don't use publisher access codes, so that's not a requirement for this course. I provide all Power Points and supplemental materials, and I personally create all exams based on chapters we'll cover.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Stacie Stoutmeyer
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth, 339 (Not on Corinth campus this semester. Email instead.)
Telephone Number:	(Use Canvas email instead.)
E-mail Address:	sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email preferred.)

 

OFFICE HOURS

In light of the on-going pandemic and teaching on a different campus this semester, my office hours will be conducted online. Feel free to email me any time you have a question or need clarification. I'm also happy to schedule a WebEx meeting with any student.

 

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	Percentage or Point Values
3 (out of 4)	Exams (100 points each)	300 points total
1	Assignment: Conspiracy Theories	50 points
1	Assignment: "Who do people...?"	50 points
1	Assignment: PSYC 2301 Assessment (Required by Dept)	50 points

 

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

Grades are based on 3 (out of 4) exams (300 points total), one assignment on conspiracy theories (50 points), one "Why do people...?" assignment (50 points), and one learning outcomes/objectives assessment (50 points). Total = 450 points.

Point Scale: A = 450-403;  B= 402-358;  C = 357-313;  D = 312-268;  F = 267-0

 

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR - Use CANVAS email.

Canvas email is my preferred method of contact because it clearly identifies students/sections. Click the Inbox tab in Canvas then choose this class and instructor. I check email at random times during weekdays; however, emails sent after 5PM will typically be answered the following day. I do not check email on Saturdays. On Sundays, I check email at random times. Please allow 24 hours for return emails. If you email me outside of Canvas, please identify yourself using your full name and class section (e.g. 340, 400, etc.). 

 

ONLINE EXAMS (300 points total; 67% of grade)

All exams this semester will be given ONLINE. Since online students have the benefit of using notes during tests, I've shifted to online exams to give my face-to-face students the same advantage. Having said that, all exams are TIMED so students will not have time to casually flip through notes. You'll need to study and prepare in advance, just as if you were taking an in class exam. Exams will be open for four days (Thursday-Sunday), giving students plenty of time to find a 70-minute block that works with their schedule. 

Students are required to take three (out of four) exams. I give four exams, but students are only required to take three. This allows a bit of leeway in case a student misses or scores low on one exam. Exams 1, 2, and 3 cover their associated modules. The final/fourth exam is a comprehensive final covering all chapters. Most students aim to do well on Exams 1, 2, and 3 and not worry about the final/fourth exam.

Students Who Miss an Exam:

The only students REQUIRED to take the comprehensive final (Exam 4) are those who MISSED a previous exam and must replace that zero. If a student misses two exams, the final can only replace one zero; the other zero will still count in the gradebook. All students who take Exams 1, 2, and 3 are exempt from the final regardless of their overall letter grade heading into finals week. For example, if a student has taken Exams 1, 2, and 3 (i.e. has not missed any previous exam) and has an overall C average heading into finals week, that student is still exempt from taking the final. The exemption is not reserved solely for As.

Students Who Did Not Miss a Previous Exam But Want to Try for a Higher Score:

Students who did not miss any previous exams (#1, 2, 3) but who'd like to try and replace a lower exam score are welcome to take the final and possibly replace their lowest test score. If the student scores lower on the final than the exam that student hoped to replace, the final exam just gets dropped (i.e. the final cannot hurt their grade).

 

TAKING ONLINE EXAMS

Online exams are not designed for students to casually flip through and copy off notes at their own pace. Exams are TIMED. Students are given ONE ATTEMPT and 70 minutes to answer about 50-55 questions. Questions will be primarily be multiple-choice, with a few matching and true/false. I do not re-open exams for students who run out of time while taking exams. Doing so would be unfair to other students.

Once you begin an exam, you CANNOT save it and come back later. If you sign out of an exam, that counts as your one attempt, Canvas will score all unanswered questions as incorrect, and that will be your grade. Once you begin the exam, you must complete it in one sitting.

Exams are open for four days, giving students plenty of time to find a block which works around their other obligations.

Exams are listed in the "Quizzes" tab when they are ready to open. I also put a direct link to the exam on the home page when the exam is set to open. Do not wait until the hour before an exam closes to start the exam as you may run out of time. Due dates are listed in the syllabus, the "Assignments" tab, and the "Quizzes" tab.

Studying for Exams:

I test primarily from my lectures and PPTs, which were constructed to coincide with textbook material. I'll also add concepts to lecture that are not in the textbook, and those additions will be on exams. Pay close attention to any concept mentioned in multiple places (i.e. lecture AND the textbook AND the Power Point) as that's a good indicator it has been deemed very important. I will provide a review sheet prior to each exam.

 

COMPUTER ISSUES - I require documentation.

It is well known that some students fabricate stories of computer issues. As such, students who experience a legitimate computer issue need to provide the following before make ups will be considered:

1) First, immediately take a snapshot IMAGE or a VIDEO of the ERROR MESSAGE so you have something to show me and our IT department. If you do not have a smart phone, you can take a snapshot image by hitting the "PrtSc" (Print Screen) key on a your PC. If you have a Mac, Google the process now so you are ready should something happen in the future. If you take a VIDEO of the issue, that video must show the exact time, date, and issue--all three--or it will not be considered.  Without VISUAL proof of an issue, I do not consider options.

2) After taking an image or video, you may then email me. Include that image or video in the email and a detailed description of what occurred. That EMAIL must be sent IMMEDIATELY upon experiencing the issue. For example, if you experience an issue at 8PM, the email needs to be in my Canvas email no later than 8:15PM.

3) Some issues may require the assistance of the NCTC eCampus HelpDesk. You may send them a request TICKET for assistance. Click on the word "Help" in the upper right hand corner of Canvas, near "LogOut," and follow the instructions. The phone number is (940) 668-3335, and the direct website to submit a request for technical assistance is https://ecampushelpdesk.nctc.edu/hc/en-us/requests/new. You then need to give me the TICKET NUMBER, usually at the top of the email.

 

THREE ASSIGNMENTS (150 points total, 33% of grade)

Instead of the originally-planned research project, students will complete three assignments worth 50 points each.

1) First Assignment--Conspiracy Theories (50 points, 11% of grade): Due to current events and common misconceptions, I'll give special mini-lecture on conspiracy theories. Students will then complete a predominantly fill-in-the-blank assignment in Canvas. Date to be determined/announced the second week of class.

2) Second Assignment--Why Do People...? (50 points, 11% of grade): It's important to understand that humans typically have many different reasons, motives, etc. for engaging in a particular behavior. As a current example, first responders are reporting various reasons for refusing the coronavirus vaccine (i.e. they're not all turning it down for the same reason). Pick a behavior you find unique or confusing and research the potential reasons/motivations. Your answers will be placed in a discussion board for other students to see. Additional instructions will be placed in that board. Due before 11:59PM Sunday, April 18th.

Note: I want to see a mixture of behaviors submitted by the class. As such, no more than two students can cover the same topic. (This is not a group project, so even if two students are approved for the same topic, they're required to work alone.) I'll open a "Topics" discussion board the second week of class, and students will be able to post their selected topic there. If two students list the same topic, that topic is closed and cannot be selected by any additional students. As such, get your topic in ASAP!

3) Third Assignment--PSYC 2301 Assessment (50 points, 11% of grade)

This assessment is required by the department. It's designed to gauge whether students meet the required learning outcomes and core objectives at the end of the semester. It will be given in the form on an online quiz consisting of ten multiple-choice questions and one short essay component (300 words). It's a timed assessment (60 minutes) given in Canvas. Due towards the end of the semester, Date to be determine/announced.

 

MAKE-UP POLICY - I require documentation.

Due dates are listed under the "Tentative Due Dates" section below. Students are encouraged to put those dates in a planner, a cell phone calendar, or whatever location they access regularly. 

Make-ups are only offered to students who experience a formally DOCUMENTED medical emergency or military service requirement. 

Medical Emergencies: Students who experience a medical emergency (e.g. ER visit, unexpected surgery, etc.) which interferes with an assignment should contact me within a week so we can determine how to proceed. Original documentation from the medical provider is required; however, that documentation does NOT need to disclose any private info about your actual diagnosis. For example, students often send me an image of their medical bracelet as that shows they received care at a facility on a certain date but does not disclose their diagnosis. Or, students send me an image of the top of their discharge instructions sheet which shows their name, date of service, and location, but info on diagnosis can remain concealed.

COVID-19: If you or a dependent tests positive for COVID-19 during the semester and it impacts your schoolwork, email me immediately and we'll go from there. Do NOT show up to class. Do NOT wait until the end of the semester to let me know as I will not backtrack weeks worth of work. Instead, email me as soon as you receive the positive diagnosis, and we'll go from there. In your email, attach an image of the positive documentation. I cannot make special considerations without documentation as we are aware of student fabrications in this area. NCTC also requires students who are positive to notify the college. Please review NCTC's COVID-19 policy via the PDF and website provided below.

Funerals: Unfortunately, some students fabricate stories of a death in the family. As such, documentation is required if you miss an assignment/exam and seek a make-up for this reason. As above, students should contact me within a week so we can determine exactly how to proceed. Students typically provide an image of the pamphlet from a memorial service alongside their textbook. A general link to an online obituary does not count unless the student is identified within the obit. Death is a serious matter and to protect students who sadly do experience such an event, I do not tolerate fabrications in this area. Fabricating a family sickness/death for personal gain is a form of scholastic dishonesty.

Military Service: The military service stipulation for late work is only offered to the military personnel himself/herself/themself since that student's access to a computer may be temporarily disrupted. It does not extend to significant others who, albeit a stressful time, still have home/school access to computers. Students who need to meet a military service requirement during the semester should contact me in advance of leaving for service so we can determine how to proceed with schoolwork. If a student is unexpectedly called into service--as some of my students were for the pandemic or recent hurricanes--please notify me via email as soon as the word comes down so I can anticipate any necessary adjustments. Usually, there is not a problem making adjustments, so don't worry. Feel free to email me any questions on this matter.

 

GRADES

Grades are always posted in Canvas. If you have a question about your grade, check Canvas first and then you are welcome to contact me via email in Canvas.

 

EXTRA CREDIT - I do not offer additional extra credit opportunities for individual students.

Leeway is already built into this course by way of the "3 out of 4" exam policy and any extra credit I include on exams. I do not grant additional opportunities to individual students as that's not fair to others. Students who email me seeking more points/opportunities will simply be directed back to this section.

 

VIDEOS

I may upload various videos throughout the semester. Typically, they're posted in Canvas; however, I also have a YouTube channel to house videos. I'm in the process of uploading various videos in case there's an issue (such as slow buffering) with the Canvas platform. Direct link & click on "PLAYLISTS" to select your class: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwrjUf1FNzL2pnfYYarQNKQ)

 

TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE

MODULE ONE

Chapter 1: What is Psychology?

Chapter 2: Psychology's Scientific Method

Extra info on Disaster Behavior

Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of Behavior

Chapter 4: Sensation and Perception (Only pages 102-113 and 130-37)

Chapter 5: States of Consciousness (Only pages 142-144 and 160-162)

EXAM 1 - Opens Thursday, February 18th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, February 21st

 

MODULE TWO

Chapter 6: Learning

Chapter 7: Memory (Only pages 214-220, 227, 230-245)

Chapter 8: Thinking, Intelligence, Language (Only pages 250-252, 256-260, 275-276, 282-283)

Assignment #1: Conspiracy Theories

Spring Break March 15-21

Chapter 9: Human Development

Chapter 12: Personality

EXAM 2  - Opens Thursday, April 1st & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, April 4th

 

MODULE THREE

Chapter 13: Social Psychology

Assignment #2: Why do People....?

Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders (Read full chapter plus pages 331-333)

Assignment #3: Course Assessment

Chapter 16: Therapies

Chapter 17: Health Psychology

EXAM 3 - Opens Thursday, May 6th & closes at 11:59PM Sunday, May 9th

 

Final Exam/Exam 4--To be taken ONLINE Monday, May 10th. It will close at 11:59PM Monday, May 10th. *Unlike previous exams, the final will only be open for ONE day. This day is set by the college. The only students required to take the cumulative final in this class are those who need to make-up a previously missed exam. See aforementioned exam policy.

 

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:

DAILY ATTENDANCE

Attendance is the key to passing this course. I take attendance each class as required by NCTC; however, students do not receive a separate grade for attendance in this class.

ENTERING LATE/LEAVING EARLY

Entering late and/or leaving early is very disruptive to the flow of lecture. After the third late entry or early exit, the student will lose all extra credit opportunities for the next exam. If you have to leave early one day for another obligation, simply be courteous and let me know in advance at the start of class. In that case, it's usually not a problem. However, this should not be a frequent occurrence.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Monday, April 5th.

 

NCTC'S COVID-19 POLICY

Please read the attached PDF. It contains detailed information on NCTC's COVID-19 policy for Spring 2021: Covid Related Syllabi Addendum Spring 2021.pdf

NCTC Website: https://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

If I become ill, test positive, or have to quarantine due to contact with a COVID-positive individual, I'll notify the class via an email and class announcement. If I'm not ill, I can hold lecture during our usual time via WebEx. If I'm ill and cannot lecture, the plan will be to create and upload short videos to keep us moving forward until I return. Since all exams and assignments in this class are online anyway, hopefully we can proceed with minimal disruption.  

 

BEHAVIOR

I have never had a major behavioral issue in a class. However, so we're on the same page, students are expected to remain civil in all forms of communication. Specific action taken during and following a disruptive incident will depend on the nature of the incident, but it is possible to be reported and removed from the course for behavioral issues.

 

STUDENT SERVICES

Please read the attached PDF. It provides information and links to numerous student services at NCTC: Syllabus Addendum-Student Services Spring 2021.pdf

 

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.

OSD Students: Please email me asap so I can make sure all accommodations are met. You do not have to disclose your disability/diagnosis; that's confidential. Instructors only need to know your allowed accommodations. 

 

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: Plagiarism, cheating, and/or collusion of any type will result in a zero for that assignment, exam, or project. Also, a few students have fabricated stories about not being able to access Canvas and wanted make-up work for missed assignments. Be aware that Canvas allows instructors to track student log-in's, work, etc. Fabricating stories of any kind for personal gain is also a form of scholastic dishonesty. Any form of scholastic dishonesty will result in a zero and may be reported to administrators at NCTC.

 

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