NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Course title: Introduction to Psychology
Course prefix, number, and section number: PSYC2301 0381
Semester/Year of course: 2024
Semester start and end dates: Start: March 18, 2024 End: May 11, 2024 Drop Date: April 22, 2024.
Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid):
Class meeting location, days, and times: None.
Lab meeting location, days, and times: None.
Semester credit hours: 3
Course description: Introduction to Psychology is a general study of varies theories, theorists, and descriptions with key terms related to mental development and growth throughout the human condition.
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 nctc@texasbook.com.
Name of instructor: Joe A. Rivas, M.S.
Office location:
Telephone number:
E-mail address: jrivas@nctc.edu
Office hours for students: 11:00am until 3:00pm Monday through Saturday (off on Sundays).
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:
COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA
(Required Assignment) Exam One-Midterm Exam, 120 Points.
(Required Assignment) Exam Two-Final Exam, 120 Points.
(Required Assignment) 6 Discussion Forums, 30 Points.
(Required Assignment) 6 Quizzes, 60 Points.
(Required Assignment) PSYC 2314 Institutional Assessment (2023) 100 Points.
(Required Assignment) Student Online Participation (All points will be granted if student participates with nearly all activities), 20 Points.
(Required Assignment) Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Tour Discussion Forum, 55 Points.
Total Amounts of Possible Points, 505 Points.
Grade Point Scale with Letter Grade:
450 to 505 = A
400 to 449 = B
350 to 399 = C
300 to 349 = D
299 and Below = F
Late work policy: I only allow late assignments during a medical emergencies or under special conditions regarding one missed assignment upon request from student.
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)]”.
[Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty 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:
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: 04/22/2024
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:
- Describe the stages of the developing person at different periods of the life span from birth to death.
- Discuss the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that affect the development process of the individual.
- Identify factors of responsible personal behavior with regard to issues such as sexual activity, substance abuse, marriage and parenting.
- Explain the biosocial, cognitive and psychological influences throughout the lifespan as an ongoing set of processes, involving both continuity and change.
- Describe the different developmental perspectives of the major theories of development (i.e. cognitive, learning, humanistic and psychodynamic).
- Identify examples of some of the cultural and ethnic differences that influence development throughout the lifespan.
- Discuss the various causes or reasons for disturbances in the developmental process.
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