NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Psychology

Course prefix, number, and section number: PSYC2301 0970

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2023

Semester start and end dates: 8-28-23 to 12-16

Modality: Face to Face

Class meeting location, days, and times: Thursday 6:00 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Denton Rm. 205 – (Bowie 119 & Graham 1B via Interactive TV)

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: Registration in the course gives you access to the e-book needed for PSYC 2301. You do not need to purchase a separate textbook.

Inclusive Access is a partnership between NCTC and McGraw-Hill Education, to provide the best
learning resources on the first day of class. Students can gain access to McGraw-Hill’s adaptive
online platforms with the latest version of the eBook at a discount. If students would like to
purchase a physical copy of the textbook, they can order a discounted loose-leaf version through the bookstore.

Students who drop before the add/drop date will have their book fees credited back to their
student account, and students who remain in the course will be charged a materials fee by the school to have continued access of the online platforms. If you remain enrolled in the course but wish to opt-out of access to the book please email the NCTC Bookstore with your name and
student number to 1263mgr@follett.com.

Name of instructor: Carolynn Pravatta

Office location: Denton and Webex

E-mail address: cpravatta@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Before and after class and by appointment

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: 6 Activities, 6 discussions, attendance/participation, final paper

Final grade scale: 

Activities (6) 8% each                    =     48%                          A – 90%-100%

Discussions (6) 5% each               =   30%                            B – 80%-89%

Attendance & Participation 7%     =    7%                             C – 70%-79%

2% Intro Week – 5% Overall participation for semester    D - 60%-69%

Final APA Paper 15%                     =     15%                           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.

Extra Credit: Extra Credit is offered throughout the semester. Extra credit will be given to those who seek out assistance from the writing center and/or Student Success Center on any/all writing assignments for this class. Every assignment can be taken to the writing center/SSC to be reviewed and given tips/suggestions on how to improve. Show proof (email or scan SSC slip) that you sought help, and you will receive extra credit. This means it is offered ALL THROUGHOUT the semester. You can also attend workshops that are related to writing/psychology that will earn extra points as well. NOTE: Extra credit is to enhance your grade. NOT make up for missed assignments. Therefore, if you have more than one missed assignment or discussion you may not qualify for extra credit. Any questions please ASK! J Please do not ask about extra credit in the last two weeks of class, you will be redirected here.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

1. No electronics allowed in classroom. Many reasons for this and will be explained on day one.
2. Please respect your peers. Opinions and different perspectives are an important part of leaning and expanding your mind. Respecting those whose opinions differ from yours will be expected.
3. Respecting your peers also includes disruptions…… interrupting others, having side conversations, leaving classroom & arriving late.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS:

PARTICPATE!   PARTICPATE!   PARTICPATE!

Complete the Assignments and Final Paper with Honest Effort and Thought!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Personal writing projects have been repeatedly proven to have lasting effects on students (Huffman & Sanderson, 2014). I would like this class to have a lasting effect on you, therefore, applying what you have learned to life experiences using critical and analytical thinking will be the goal for this class. With a little luck and a lot of applying what you are reading, the information you learn will hopefully have a lasting effect on your life!

So, in short, Bad News: you WILL be writing…Good News: NO TESTS!

It is your choice how you view this! J Perspective is EVERYTHING!

This is Psychology... most information you provide can be argued or critically explained or analyzed. Don't be concerned with being ‘right’...be more concerned with proving your point using EXAMPLES! It is difficult to mark someone 'wrong' if they actually proved their point with evidence, examples and/or theories! I want to know you UNDERSTAND what you have learned and more importantly that you can APPLY it to your life. Final thought……ASK QUESTIONS! If you are not sure, ask. I welcome ALL questions!

Huffman, K., & Sanderson, C. (2014). Real World Psychology, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons.

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

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.

COURSE POLICIES

Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy: I take this policy very seriously. If you are suspected of plagiarism, you will be warned once and then reported to the Dean. See Turnitin tips on home page of canvas. Plagiarism is NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM. Because this class consists of writing and giving examples, it is tempting to do some simple, “copy and paste” work. DO NOT DO THIS. Really. If your assignments contain plagiarism, you will get a ZERO for that assignment. Furthermore, if it happens again, you will reported to the dean of students.

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: November 6, 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:

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