NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: General Psychology

Course prefix, number, and section number:  PSYC2301.502

Semester/Year of course:  Spring 2025

Semester start and end dates:  1/21/25 - 5/17/25

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

Class meeting location, days, and times:

Days & Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Location: Flower Mound campus, Room 202

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: 11:00 a.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: 

EXAMS – 60% of overall grade

All students are required to submit 3 (out of 4) in-class exams. Each exam is worth 100 points, for a total of 300 points. Students may bring/use one 4x6 notecard of notes. Read the detailed “Exam Dates, Format, and Policy” page provided in Canvas.

SYLLABUS & CLASS POLICIES QUIZ – 4% of overall grade

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 Sunday, January 26^th (the first Sunday of this semester).  

SHORT ASSIGNMENTS – 16% of overall grade

All students are required to submit 4 relatively short assignments over course material and/or special lecture topics. Each is worth 20 points, for a total of 80 points. Topics vary by semester.

PSYC 2301 INSTITUTIONAL/IE ASSESSMENT – 20% of overall grade

This “assessment,” as I’ll refer to it in class to distinguish it from other assignments, is required by NCTC’s psychology department for all students enrolled in a PSYC 2301 class. It consists of a 10-question online quiz & a 500-word essay on depression. In this class, the quiz is worth 20 points and the essay is worth 80 points, for a total of 100 points. Read every page in the “2301 Institutional Assessments” module in Canvas as that module provides very detailed instructions, useful resources, etc.

Final grade scale:   Out of 500 total points

A = 448 – 500 points

B = 398 – 447 points

C = 348 – 397 points

D = 298 – 347 points

F = 0 – 297 points

Late work policy:  I do NOT accept late work, even if it’s “only a few minutes” late. Please do not email me late work after a due date/time has passed in an attempt to bypass this policy. A zero will still be entered in the gradebook. Read the detailed “Late Work & Make Up Policies” page in Canvas for additional information on my late policy and for special make-up considerations (for documented medical emergencies and military service obligations only).

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

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.

Mrs. Stoutmeyer’s AI Policy: I use various AI programs/platforms on a near-daily basis, and I incorporate AI into my courses. As part of the learning process in my classes, I also teach and demonstrate how students can use various AI programs effectively and responsibility. As such, I allow students to use AI assistance for specific aspects of coursework, which I’ll clarify as the semester progresses. For instance, in this introductory-level course, students may use AI to help interpret the complex language and methodologies in scholarly articles and empirical studies. However, transparency in AI usage is required. Read my “Mrs. Stoutmeyer’s AI Policy” page in Canvas for additional information, resources, etc. Keep in mind that my policy applies only to MY courses. Since AI policies differ among instructors, make sure you understand and adhere to each instructor's expectations.

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: I take attendance each day, but students do not receive a separate attendance grade in this class. However, since exam information comes primarily from class lectures, and I discuss the details of coming course work each work, daily attendance is key to doing well in this course.

Late Entry to Lectures is Not Allowed: Late arrivals are generally disruptive to the flow of lecture. As such, I’ll close the classroom door 10 minutes after our class start time. After that time, and once the door is closed, late entry is no longer permitted. If you suspect you may be a bit late one morning due to an early doctor’s appointment or important obligation, just email me BEFORE that day. In that case, late entry would be permitted, though this should be a rare occurrence.  

Late Entry on Exam Days is Not Allowed: As above, 10 minutes after the regularly-scheduled start time, I’ll post an “EXAM IN PROGRESS. DO NOT ENTER.” sign on the door. No student may enter after that time as it’s very disruptive—and unfair—to students trying to concentrate on their exam. In this case, the late student will be turned away, will earn a ZERO for that exam, and, instead, will be required to take the cumulative final at the end of the semester to replace this missed exam/zero.

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 April 7, 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