NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Psychology

Course prefix, number, and section number: PSYC2301 0343

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2024

Semester start and end dates: Monday, August 26th through Saturday, December 14th

 

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid): Asynchronous Online

 

Class meeting location, days, and times: Class Meets Online

 

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 nctc@bibliU.com.

Name of instructor: Matt Diggs

Office location: Online

Telephone number: None - Please Email.  Zoom/Phone Calls available by appointment.

E-mail address: mdiggs@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Online 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:

Chapter Quizzes (13 x 30) = 390 points (39% of the grade)

Extended-Time Quizzes (4 x 20) = 80 points (8% of the grade)

Module Discussion Boards (4 x 20) = 80 points (8% of the grade)

Paper Preparation Assignments (1 x 20, 2 x 15) = 50 points (5% of the grade)

NCTC Institutional Effectiveness Assessment (1 x 100) = 100 points (10% of the grade)

Term Paper (1 x 300) = 300 points (30% of the grade)

Final grade scale: This class is graded on a 1000-point scale.  The following letter grades correspond to the letters.

A = 895 to 1000 (89.5%)

B = 795 to 894 (79.5%)

C = 695 to 794 (69.5%)

D = 595 to 694 (59.5%)

F = 594 and Under (Under 59.4%)

Late work policy: It is your responsibility to ensure that not only do you know how to log into Canvas, that you know how to submit an assignment, but it is also imperative that you understand which file you are uploading and ensure you have uploaded the correct file.  Broken files or file errors are not an affirmative defense to late assignments given you have the ability to double check what was submitted as well as a plagiarism report for papers.

 

If you use google docs, be sure you are submitting the CONVERTED DOC file, not the “gdoc” file.  Do not submit a link to your google doc on the web; this usually requires me to have access to your personal account.  Do not submit PAGES files (Macintosh) or LNK files – these are common errors that are made.

 

It is your responsibility to ensure the correct file is submitted – much like it would be your responsibility if you were handing it in that you handed in the right paper.  If I catch an incorrect file (because you turned in the project a couple days early) – I will let you fix it provided I catch the mistake before the due date.  If you submit an incorrect file and I do not catch it until after the deadline, you’ll get a zero.  Again, you can double check this yourself and avoid any issue.

 

If you are struggling with uploading a file, it is your responsibility to ensure you work with Tech Support to upload the file through Canvas on time – regardless of how slow the system is. 

 

Often, students who are having problems uploading files are uploading disallowed files.  Be sure you are uploading a PDF or DOC file.  Almost all software systems can convert files to either of these universal file types.

 

If you choose to submit via email, the college timestamp of the email will be the time used.  Email should only be used as a last resort if you have no other options or tech support suggests to email.  This policy is not meant to be scary – simply informational.  99% of students are able to successfully upload and turn their papers in on time without file errors.  This policy is dealing with the 1% who do not.  One of the benefits of Canvas is that they guarantee 99.9% uptime – so it will be hard to find too much fault with Canvas.  

 

When submitting a written assignment, everyone will have a similarity report generated.  Your similarity report is your receipt; what is listed in that report is what you can factually ensure will be graded.  It is essential you turn in your written assignments through Canvas and not through other websites, even if they are connected loosely with Canvas.  It is recommended that you use a computer/laptop for graded assignments and not your cell phone.

 

Generally speaking, late work is only accepted for documented exceptional involuntary multiple-day events over the guideline.  I have two guaranteed current exceptions (which fit the criteria) to my late policy.  If you are in the military and have a deployment over the deadline, I will work with you.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!  If you are involuntarily in the hospital for multiple days including the deadline, or you have a medically documented reason written by a doctor why you couldn’t complete an assignment over a period of time, including the deadline, I will also work with you. (Having an elective procedure where you’re aware of the date should inspire you to work ahead – that will not be an acceptable reason).  Both guaranteed exceptions will require verification at the end of the semester, and it may require an “incomplete” in the class.  These exceptions are generally documentable, exceptional, multi-day and involuntary.

 

Other reasons, as authorized by federal law and approved by the college, will be eligible for extensions as well.

 

Furthermore, if you feel you have a documented reason that you feel should qualify for an exception, please contact me (if possible, proactively) for a discussion of that documented reason.  As with the above exceptions, they should be multi-day, exceptional. documentable and involuntary as criteria I use to judge the reason.  The two reasons mentioned above I can confidently say would qualify, but there may be other reasons that could qualify (but are not necessarily guaranteed to qualify).  Please reach out if you feel there is something going on that falls within this range.  If you were able to email me within a few hours of the deadline to ask for an exception, you probably will not qualify for an exception.  

 

When submitting a medical note (or other documentation), the medical note must include:

 

• Dates of medical inactivity

• When you'll be eligible to return

• What about your condition renders you unable to complete school work online during this time frame

 

Anything less than this will be referred back to you.  A general 'sick note' will not be sufficient.  A doctor or authorized medical professional will need to let me know why you couldn't complete online school work during the period over the deadline and at what point you'll be able to resume school work.  (An example was a student who was in a car accident, and had a concussion, and was not medically cleared to look at a computer screen for more than five minutes for ten days).

 

If you have an issue or a concern where you might have repeated issues, you may need to go through the OSD (Office of Student Disabilities) and document your short-term (or long-term) disability through them, at which time they may offer an equivalent note to allow for flexibility in work submission.

 

Also, to offer flexibility and grace within the course, I offer the opportunity to complete your paper early for a pre-grade.  Taking advantage of this nearly guarantees you the grade you want on your paper and also guarantees you won’t run afoul of the late policy.

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)]”. 

 

AI/Natural Language Programs (NLPs)/Large Language Models (LLMs) Usage Policy: This information is used with permission and citation with gratitude to Princeton University: The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning.

• Intellectual honesty is vital to an academic community and for my fair evaluation of your work.  All work submitted in this course must be your own, completed in accordance with the College's academic regulations. You may not engage in unauthorized collaboration or make use of ChatGPT or other AI composition software/NLPs/LLMs.

• Students must obtain permission from me before using AI composition software (like ChatGPT) for any assignments in this course. Using these tools without my permission puts your academic integrity at risk. 

• This course does make use of AI/NLPs/LLMs plagiarism checker software for the purpose of detecting the use of AI programs.

• Any violation of this policy will be considered academic dishonesty and will be documented as such

Professor Diggs’ Academic Dishonesty Policy: Students found responsible for scholastic dishonesty offenses will receive an authorized disciplinary penalty or penalties from the Dean of Student Office. The student may also receive an academic penalty in the course where the scholastic dishonesty took place. The faculty member will determine the appropriate academic penalty.  In my course, an academic integrity violation’s consequence will range from an F on the assignment to an F on the class – depending on the severity noted by the Dean of Students office.  You may not re-use assignments from other courses as part of any written work unless you have expressed consent from me in writing and have discussed the reason for the assignment recycling. 

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 judgment 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)

Professor Diggs’ Attendance Policy: This is an online course, therefore no formal attendance is taken; however, there is a strong correlation between logging in multiple times in a week and those who receive A’s in the course.  Canvas Analytics lets me know how long you are logged in, how many times you’ve logged in, and what pages you accessed while you were logged into the course. This information is looked at frequently and used at the end of the semester in all decision making. 

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: Monday, November 4th

 

CANVAS & CONNECT ACCESS:  All students must have complete access to Canvas and Connect for the entire semester.  It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet, as well as all needed programs to complete both face to face and online courses.  Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas or Connect account.  Students can be removed from the course immediately by violating this rule.  Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.

 

COMPUTER ACCESS:  Students must have access to a computer for various assignments in this course.  You cannot use a cell phone to perform all requirements of this course.  If you do not have a computer, then you need to make sure that you access a computer at one of the NCTC campuses, a public library, etc. 

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

  

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.

AI STATEMENT

Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other similar technologies shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person, agency, or entity. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

 

When students use generative AI to replace the rigorous demands of personal engagement with their coursework, it runs counter to the educational mission of the college and undermines the heart of education itself. Artificial Intelligence, large language models, and other such technologies hold promise for deploying knowledge in service to others and accelerating the discovery of new knowledge. However, such technology poses new challenges to pedagogy and to integrity. Within the context of the teaching mission of the college and consistent with the Student Code of Conduct, the authority to define the appropriate use, study, and deployment of these technologies rests with the faculty.

 

Individual course instructors, in coordination with their divisions, set policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors will set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

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

 

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 208

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