NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: Intro to General Psychology 

Course prefix, number, and section number:  PSYC 2301.381

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2025 

Semester start and end dates:  3/24/25 - 5/17/25 

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

Class meeting location, days, and times: 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:  Mrs. Stacie Stoutmeyer

Office location:  Corinth Campus, Room 339

Telephone number: 940-468-6467 (Canvas email is my preferred method of contact.)

E-mail address: sstoutmeyer@nctc.edu (Canvas email is my preferred method of contact.)

Office hours for students:

Mondays & Wednesdays: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  & 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Corinth campus, Room 339

Tuesdays & Thursdays:  By appointment after 2:00 p.m., Flower Mound campus, Room 201

Sundays: By appointment, online via WebEx for any student

For Appointments: Email me in Canvas to schedule a time that works for us both.

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: 

1 - Syllabus & Class Policies Quiz  (20 points)

• All students are required to submit a 10-question “Syllabus & Class Policies” quiz in Canvas, worth 20 points. This quiz is due BEFORE 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th.

3 - Going Beyond the Textbook: AI-Based Exploration Assignments  (60 points)

• The chapters we'll cover this semester are grouped into three modules. Each module includes one AI-based exploration assignment worth 20 points, for a total of 60 points. After a brief "special topic" reading, you’ll create two original questions and use an AI tool to answer your questions and explore your topic further. Detailed instructions will be provided. If you're unfamiliar with AI, I can offer support or a non-AI alternative. (Note: This course does not use discussion boards. These assignments have replaced that format.)

5 - Practice Quizzes - McGraw-Hill Connect Platform  (100 points total)

• Students are required to complete five out of seven chapter practice quizzes (20 points each) in the McGraw-Hill Connect platform. While all seven quizzes are valuable, only five are required--giving students a bit of breathing room in the event of particularly busy week or an occasional missed quiz. These publisher-created quizzes reinforce key concepts and help students gauge comprehension prior to major exams. If you are new to the Connect platform, instructions for accessing and navigating it are provided in Canvas under the “Connect Info & Help” module.

3 - Major Exams  (300 points total)

• All students are required to complete three out of four time-restricted online exams. Each exam is worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points. Exam 1 covers Module One (Ch. 1, 2, 3). Exam 2 covers Module Two (Ch. 5, 6, 7). Exam 3 covers Module Three (Ch. 12, 15). Exam 4 is a cumulative final that covers material from the entire course; however, the only students required to take the cumulative final are those who missed a previous exam. Read the “Exam Dates, Format, and Policy” page in Canvas for full details.

1 - PSYC 2301 Institutional/IE Assessment -with- Three Components  (120 points total)

• Empirical Study Summary (20 points): Required by Mrs. Stoutmeyer, this assignment ensures students understand empirical methods and findings before writing their course essay. The 5–8 sentence summary is due two weeks before the essay to allow time for instructor feedback and any needed revisions.
• Multiple Choice Quiz (20 points): Required by the department, all PSYC 2301 students must complete an Institutional/IE Assessment consisting of a 10-question multiple-choice quiz. The questions cover core concepts (e.g., history of psychology, research methods, psychological approaches, etc.), drawn from multiple chapters. Read every page in the “2301 Institutional Assessments” module on Canvas for detailed instructions, grading criteria, and helpful resources.
• Course Essay on Depression (80 points): Required by the department, all PSYC 2301 students must write a 500-word essay on depression (Major Depressive Disorder). The essay has several required components that are not listed here. Therefore, it is essential to read every page in the “2301 Institutional Assessments” module on Canvas for full instructions, grading criteria, and helpful resources.

Final grade scale:   Out of 600 total points

A = 540 – 600 points (90–100%)

B = 480 – 539 points (80–89%)

C = 420 – 479 points (70–79%)

D = 360 – 419 points (60–69%)

F = ≤ 359 points (0–59%)

Mrs. Stoutmeyer's Late work policy: 

Late work is not accepted, even if it is submitted only a few minutes past the deadline. Please do not email late assignments after the due date/time in an attempt to bypass this policy—a grade of zero will still be entered.

For full details, including limited exceptions for documented medical emergencies and military service obligations, please review the Late Work & Make-Up Policies page in Canvas.

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)]”. 

Mrs. Stoutmeyer's Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Plagiarism, cheating, and/or collusion of any type will result in a zero for that assignment, exam, quiz, essay, or any other form of graded work. At times, students fabricate stories of illness, emergencies, computer issues, etc. Presenting false information to me or fabricating stories of any kind for personal gain or special consideration also constitute scholastic dishonesty and will result in a zero for that assignment, exam, quiz, essay, or any other form of graded work.

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

Mrs. Stoutmeyer’s Instructor-specific AI Policy:

I incorporate AI into this course to enhance learning and help students prepare for a future in which AI will play an ever-expanding role. You’ll see AI used in some study aids, handouts, and assignments to help you explore both its benefits and limitations.

AI should be used ethically and responsibly—never as a replacement for your own thinking. It is a tool meant to support learning, not to serve as a shortcut. As part of the learning process, AI assistance is permitted on a few designated assignments. These assignments will clearly indicate when and how AI may be used. However, transparency in AI use is always required.

If you haven’t used AI platforms before, I can provide a non-AI alternative for those assignments. You’re also welcome to contact me in advance, and I will walk you through how to use AI appropriately.

Submitting AI-generated work as your own without proper credit is considered scholastic dishonesty and will result in serious consequences. AI use is not permitted on any exams or quizzes, and it may not be used to write your course essay. Violating these rules constitutes scholastic dishonesty.

Please note that this AI policy applies only to my course. AI policies vary across departments, courses, and instructors, so be sure to check and follow the expectations for each of your classes.

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)

Mrs. Stoutmeyer's Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

While there is not a separate "attendance grade" in this 8-week class, students are expected to sign into this Canvas course at least 3 times each week. That doesn't mean there will be assignments due every time you log in. However, frequently logging in allows you to stay on top of all email, class announcements, due dates, etc. 

Students with Overall Grade Below 30% F Will Be Dropped from Course in the 5th Week: 

NCTC expects all students enrolled in courses to regularly attend classes, log in weekly, participate, and submit required work. In this 8-week online course, any student with an overall grade ≤ 30% (F) as of Friday, April 25 (i.e., five weeks into the semester) will be automatically dropped from the course by the instructor. Because the grade at the time of the drop is an "F," it will appear as such on the student’s transcript. This policy is in place because a grade that low, that late in the term, typically reflects poor attendance/participation and multiple missed or incomplete assignments.

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, April 24, 2025.

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 up 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