NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: General Psychology
Course prefix, number, and section number: PSYC2301 0200
Semester/Year of course: May 2023
Semester start and end dates: May 15, 2023 and ends June 1, 2023
Modality: Asynchronous online
Class meeting location, days, and times: Online
Lab meeting location, days, and times: None
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. 5th edition. McGraw Hill. Connect Access ISBN: 9781264565115.
Name of instructor: Franz Klutschkowski
Office location: Online
Telephone number: Online
E-mail address: fklutschkowski@nctc.edu However, please use the course email to contact me because it is important to me to keep all my student communications within this course. If you email this college email, I will re-direct you to email me using the class email.
Office hours for students: Online
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
Introduction and course syllabus ............................................................. 25 Points
Textbook exam assignments for 15 chapters (20 pts each)................375 Points
Textbook reading assignments for 15 chapters (10 pts each)............150 Points
Institutional Effectiveness exam-10 questions (5 pts each)
& one essay question (worth 100 points)...........................................150 Points
Two discussion forums (50 points each)..................................................100Points
Two video quizzes (50 points each)..........................................................100 Points
One research paper......................................................................................100 Points
TOTAL POINTS........................................................................................1000 Points
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
Introduce yourself and acknowledge course syllabus (worth 25 points):
Please note that it is important for you to introduce yourself, which is found within the assignments tab and you need to send your instructor an email (using this course email-not the NCTC email) indicating that you have read and understand this course syllabus-failure to send this email will result in being removed from this class. If you should have questions about the syllabus, please email the instructor
Textbook Exams:
Fifteen exams will be given weekly (multiple choice). All exams are to be taken online and must be completed before the deadlines. The exams are 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).
Exams will be available in the Assignments section of this course and please pay close attention to the closing date and time of each exam. Exams will be over the assigned chapters with 20 points per each exam chapter. Each exam may be taken twice (highest score is recorded) and will have a specified time limit. Also, the second attempt at the exams do not necessarily include the same questions from the first attempt. 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 and you will need to have the online version of this textbook in order to access this assignment. If you just click on the textbook and answer questions, no credit can be earned; it must be accessed through the Assignments tab. Each reading assignment is worth 10 points each and must be completed before the assigned deadlines and there is no time limit for each chapter reading assignment. Please note that the reading assignments do not necessarily relate to the chapter exam questions, the reading assignments are just designed to have you focus on some of the information from each chapter.
Discussion Forums Instructions
The discussion topic is assigned by the professor and is found in the Discussion tab. Each student is to write/post about the topic which the instructor has presented (which is the initial posting) and respond to other students about their postings. Students may make reply postings at any time and some extra credit may be earned for more than one reply, depending on the quality of the replies. These forums are interactive with students as well as the professor.
For the initial posting (responding to the professors question) you must give at least one complete reference (the textbook must be used and just give the page number within the body of your paper and the complete reference at the end). Grading is based on the quality as well as the quantity of content points); A=1 page (double spaced or ½ page single spaced) and one reference, B=1/2 page and one reference, C or D=less than ½ page depending on the quality of the posting and one reference. Postings may NOT be uploaded, they must be typed within the DF tab (although related website addresses may be included if you wish to provide more information but they are not counted for a grade). Some extra credit may be earned by exceeding these page and reference requirements, depending on the quality.
Please note that this is a very short class and if you make your initial posting on the due date, you will loose 10 points, because other students may not have time to reply.
Reply postings must be made within the DF; clicking on the initial posting(s) of any other students posting; and clicking on the reply tab to make your reply. Replies MUST consist of adding information, with at least one reference for a grade of A or B, to the posting as well as giving your thoughts. Thoughtful responses are requested. Responses such as, ‘I agree’ or ‘I really like what you presented’ etc, will not earn any credit. As well, responses simply complimenting a student's posting without adding anything will receive minimal credit. Reply postings grading: A = 6 sentences with a minimum of one reference B = 5 sentences with a minimum of one reference; C/D = less than 5 sentences depending on the quality of the content: F = no significant response or no response at all.
Also, please note that demeaning, abusive replies are not acceptable and may be cause for loss of discussion forum points as well as possible removal from the course.
Video Assignments:
There are a total of 2 video assignments. Credit is earned by watching the video and discussing your thoughts about the video as assigned within the video assignment. Five points will be earned by simply watching the video and another 45 points will be earned by writing a minimum of a 200 word essay about the video. The essay may be typed in the space below the video, or uploaded in the box. The essay must include at least two references about this topic and the video MUST be used as one reference (cited simply as "class video" in the body of your paper) and one other reference related to this topic which is briefly cited in the paper and a complete reference listed at the end of the essay.
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 paper must use APA or MLA formatting. This paper is worth 100 points.
For this assignment, please choose one specific psychological disorder to research (for example, anxiety is not a specific mental disorder but generalized anxiety is one). Using academic articles and your text (use of the textbook or DSM-V is required as one reference), discuss the psychological disorder that you are researching which must include a definition of the disorder and at least one treatment method. Personal information may be presented, as one is comfortable, but the grading requirements are as follows:
A = Three or more complete references which must be noted in the body of the paper. A minimum of three full pages and the content is directly related to the mental disorder (definition and/or treatment aspects). Extra credit may be earned if a student exceeds these expectations.
B = Two or more complete references which must be noted in the body of the paper. A minimum of two and a half full pages and the content is directly related to the mental disorder (definition and treatment).
C= One or more complete references which must be noted in the body of the paper. A minimum of two full pages and the content is directly related to the mental disorder (definition and treatment).
D = One or more complete references which must be noted in the body of the paper. A minimum of one and a half full pages and the content is directly related to the mental disorder.
If there is a question about an acceptable mental disorder, please email the instructor (using the Canvas course email). Please note that 'full pages' means that headings and indentations do not count. No larger than 12 point font, double spaced and must be in a WORD document. The paper is to be sent through the canvas assignments tab.
Institutional Effectiveness Quiz & Essay (IE):
This Institutional Effectiveness (I.E.) quiz has summary questions relating to the assigned chapters in this psychology course. The quiz consists of ten multiple choice questions (5 points each for a total of 50 points) relating to all of the assigned chapters and one essay question with a minimum of 500 words (worth 100 points). For the quiz questions, it is a good idea to be familiar with all the chapters even though you may not have completed all of the chapter exams or reading assignments (of course this is an open book assignment).
For the essay question you are required to provide at least one primary reference, so be prepared with notes and a reference for the essay question, before starting the essay. Note the reference must be cited within the paper and the complete reference at the bottom of the paper. Examples of references are shown in the assignments tab. Once the quiz is started, the 10 questions and essay question must be completed within the 60 minutes. Please note that you are allowed to complete your essay question on your own time and simply copy and paste it into the exam, which will save you a lot of time.
The quiz may be started any time before the due date and time, but once it is started, it must be completed without interruption. Once the quiz is stopped, it cannot be restarted and your grade will be dependent on the number of questions completed before the quiz was stopped, as well as any part answer of the essay question.
Please note that some of the questions have more than one correct answer.
The time limit for this quiz is 60 minutes.
Grades will be posted in the Canvas course directly after completion of the 10 multiple choice questions, but the essay question will be graded by the instructor at a later time.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE : All exams & reading assignments are due at 11:59 on the due date-most of the chapter assignments are open the entire semester.
May 15 thru May 21
Read/study the course syllabus, briefly introduce yourself and complete the module assignments, including the discussion forum and video quiz. Also, it is essential that you either send an email to Dr. Klutschkowski, indicating you have read and understand the syllabus -using this Canvas course email –NOT using the NCTC email, or simply add it to your introduction. Failure to acknowledge the syllabus, WILL result in being dropped from this class.
Complete chapter reading and exam assignments, which are open until June 1st.
Complete Discussion Forum by May 17.
Complete the video 1 essay
May 22 thru May 28
May 25 Last day to withdraw from this class with a grade of "W"
Complete chapter assignments
Complete Discussion Forum 2
Complete the video 2 essay
May 29 thru June 1
Complete chapters 15, 16 & 17.
Complete the I.E. paper by May 30 (which is open since the start of class)
Complete the research paper by May 31 (which is open since the start of class)
Note that chapter 17 will only be available on the last day of class-June 1 because it is considered to be the 'final exam.'
June 1 is the end of class and there is no final exam.
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)]”.
Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy: Academic dishonesty such as plagiarism or copying other students work is not acceptable and will earn a grade of zero.
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: None
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 grade of “W” is: May 25, 2023
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.
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
The student should contact the instructor to deal with any questions, concerns, or complaints specific to the class. If the student and faculty are not able to resolve the issue, the student may contact the chair or coordinator of the division. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may proceed to contact the instructional dean.
Name of Chair/Coordinator: Donna Smith
Office location: Corinth Campus, Room 209
Telephone number: 940-498-6266
E-mail address: dhooper@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean: Crystal Wright
Office location: FSB Exchange/Denton Campus, Room 204
Telephone number: 940-380-2504
E-mail address: cwright@nctc.edu