NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Psychology

Course prefix, number, and section number: PSYC 2301.0940

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2022

Semester start and end dates: 8-22-22 to 12-10-22

Modality: Face to face

Class meeting location, days, and times:  Thursdays 6:00 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. Denton Room 205

Lab meeting location, days, and times: N/A

Semester credit hours: 3

Course description: General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Course prerequisites: none

Required course materials: King, Laura, A. The Science of Psychology. 5^th edition. McGraw Hill. Connect Access ISBN: 9781264565115

4^th ed. Is also acceptable.  

Name of instructor: Carolynn Pravatta

Office location: Denton Campus by appointment only

E-mail address: cpravatta@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Available by appt. via phone/zoom/in person Denton campus

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments: 5 Activities, 4 discussions, attendance/participation, final paper

Final grade scale: 

Activities (5) 10% each                 =     50%                             A – 90%-100%

Discussions (4) 5% each               =     20%                            B – 80%-89%

Attendance & Participation 10%   =   10                                C – 70%-79%

                                                                                                     D - 60%-69%

Final APA Paper 20%                      =     20%                           F – 0 - 59%                                    

                                          ___________                                    TOTAL                                       100%             

Late work policy: I do not accept late work for this class. My reason for this is simple. I do not like to decide which ‘reason’ or ‘excuse’ is valid and which is not. To keep it fair, no late work is accepted no matter the reason (except under extreme extenuating circumstances). I do not feel comfortable deciding who/what - reason/excuse is worthy of submitting late work, therefore, I do not accept ANY late work. However, you are given ample time to complete an activity and I offer extra credit. I state again… NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. Remember…only YOU are responsible for the grade you get.

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy: 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)]”. 

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:  You will be expected to attend ALL classes every Thursday night. One absence will not hurt your participation/attendance grade but more than one will, and several will cause you to lose those points. Participation matters. It is important as a psychology class that everyone participate as this will help develop your critical thinking skills. Attendance and participation are crucial to learning and expanding your critical thinking.

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: October 31, 2022

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.
   
   

Core Objectives: Critical Thinking, Communication, Empirical and Quantitative, Social Responsibility

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS