Course Number: PSYC 2301

Spring Semester 2010

COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Course Number: PSYC 2301.RW1/ PSYC 2301.S24/PSYC 2301.S25

Course Title: General Psychology

Course Description: Introduction to scientific psychology as applied to human behavior, including research methods, physiological factors, learning, motivation, emotions, personality, adjustment, stress, psychological disorders, and therapies. These principles will be applied to the human experience.

Course Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite: None

College Repeat Policy: A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including “W”.

Course Delivery Method: Class sessions will consist of a variety of formats, including multimedia presentations, group exercises, lectures, on line assignments, and open discussion.

Instructor: Patricia Prewitt Coble

Office Number: Spring Creek CampusK237

Office Hours: By Appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays

Contact Information:

Office Phone: 972.881.5759

Division Office: 972.881.5800

Cell Phone: 972.722.6253

Email (preferred method of contact):

Class Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays RW111:30 am –12:45 pm Room 605

S24 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Room I112

S25 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm Room I 112

Class Meeting Location:RW1 meets at the Higher Education Center of Rockwall

S24 and S25 meet at Collin College Spring Creek Campus

See room numbers above

Textbook (and websites):

Myers, D. (2010). Psychology 9th edition. New York: Worth Publishers. ISBN: 1-4292-1597-6 ISBN-13: 978-1-429-21597-8

A copy of the textbook will be on reserve in the library

Textbook Website:

Coble Psychology Class Instructional Website:

Supplies: Course textbook, student ID, library card, scantron forms, folder for portfolio, sharpened pencils, paper.

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of psychology and its development.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific methods used to study behavior and mental processes.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic vocabulary of psychology.
4. Describe the basic theories of psychology, how they are used, and their current status in the discipline.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of basic process such as motivation, learning, emotions, group processes, personality, and human development.
6. Demonstrate an appreciation for the uniqueness of the individual.
7. Demonstrate a respect for cultural differences in the human experience.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how to apply the above to everyday life.

Course Requirements:

1. Class attendance and participation.

2. Reading of all assigned materials.

3. Completion of exams and projects.

Method of Evaluation:

Class Attendance and Participation: Weekly in class documented activities are completed and reviewed and are to be organized into a “participation portfolio” that will be turned in (use folder) at the end of the semester. These activities will be worth up to 10 points each. The total number of points you can earn is 130. Designated on your psychology course calendar plan as “class participation and activities for portfolio”.

Assignments: In addition to required textbook reading, out of class interactive reading assignments include online activities (or approved alternative) that are documented weekly! On line assignments earn up to 10 points each. The total number of points you can earn is 70. Designated on your course calendar plan as “homework assignments”.

Exams: There will be 4 exams each worth 100 points toward the final grade.

Exams will consist of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions. Make up exams are offered on the day of the final exam immediately after completing exam 4. Other times for approved make up exams are at the discretion of the instructor. Designated on your course calendar plan as “exam”.

Psychology News Reports: This semester long project explores current events and current research related to psychology and connects it to topics in your textbook. In addition to expanding your knowledge and understanding of psychology, the project promotes continuous development and use of skills in evaluating different sources of information, reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, collaborating, and other skills. Project instructions are provided in writing on a separate form, verbally in class, and digitally on the instructional web site. Designated on your course calendar plan as “Psychology in the News”.

Alternative Assessments: Opportunities to earn extra credit are posted on the instructional web site: iws2.ccccd.edu/pcoble. Some additional opportunities will only be announced in class! Up to 70 points can be earned! Your final course grade may increase up to one letter grade based on these alternative assessment opportunities.

Grading (points available):

Exam #1 / 100
Exam #2 / 100
Exam #3 / 100
Exam #4 / 100
Assignments / 70
Participation Portfolio / 130
Project (Psychology in the News) / 100
Alternative Assessment / 70

A = 630 pts and over

B = 560 – 629 pts

C = 490 – 559 pts

D = 420 – 489 pts

F = <419 pts

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend each class session.

The last day to withdraw isMarch 12, 2010. Students who decide to not complete the course are responsible for officially withdrawing themselves from the course; failure to do so will result in a performance grade of "F".

Religious/Holiday days: Please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook

ADA Statement:

It is the policy of Collin County Community College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This college will adhere to al applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Academic Ethics: The College District may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.

Plagiarismis the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.

Cheatingis the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for the assignments as if it were one’s own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.

Collusionis intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.

At a minimum, the consequence of academic dishonesty will result in a “zero” grade on the particular assignment or test. A report is filed with the Dean of Students if further investigation is needed.

Frequently asked Questions:

Can electronic devices be used in the classroom?

Electronic devices may be used in the classroom to enhance learning of the day’s psychology topic. If you plan to use electronic devices in the classroom you will be assigned to seating that will complement the use of the device for you as well as minimize distraction to others. Playing games, text messaging, listening to music, using cell phones, etc would not be considered as appropriate use of an electronic device in a learning environment. Please turn off the audio features of these devices before you enter the classroom. Violation of appropriate use of devices will immediately disallow your use of them in this class for the rest of the semester.

How do you handle disruptive students?

The classroom is a scholarly environment and students are expected to behave accordingly. Expression of ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc. is encouraged, but has to be done in a respectful manner. Students who express willful disrespect towards their classmates or the instructor may be asked to leave the classroom.

Do I have to type my work?

Semester reports, reaction papers, extra credit reports are all required to be ‘typed’. Typed papers should be double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt times roman font.

What if I have to leave class early?

If you must leave class early, please let me know before class starts. Also sit close to the door so that you do not disrupt class (or me) when you leave. Thank you for your respect!

Spring 2010 Psychology Course Calendar (subject to change):

*Instructions for Homework Assignments are given verbally in class and digitally online at the instructional website: Class Participation Activities are conducted in class, handouts and instructions are passed out in class.

Week Number
Week of: / Classroom Topics and Exam Dates / Reading Assignment Myers Psychology 9e / Class Participation and Activities for Portfolio +
DUE dates for Psychology in the News Papers and Presentations / Homework Assignments
1 Jan 18 / Orientation
-Course Design & Mgmt.
-Your Assignments
-Navigating the course web sites
Overview Introducing Psychology / Prologue -”The Story of Psychology” / -Syllabus
-Preview of Psychology / -Student Questionnaire
- Review Syllabus and Class
Instructional Web Site
-Review and register at Myers Psychology 9e
Textbook Website

2 Jan 25 / Psychology’s history, contemporary perspectives, and enduring issues / Chapter 4- Nature,“Nurture, and Human Diversity” (reference) / -Identifying Perspectives
OR
-Enduring Issues / PsychSim5 Tutorial
“Psychology’s Timeline”
3 Feb 1
Feb 1 - Census Date / Psychological Science and Research Methods / Chapter 1-
“Thinking Critically with Psychological Science” / -Research terminology
-Identifying types of research
-Designing research studies / PsychSim5 Tutorial
“Helplessly Hoping”
4 Feb 8 / Neuropsychology / Chapter 2 –“The Biology of Mind” / -Brain Users Primer / STUDY for next week’s exam 1
5 Feb 15 / Tues -Exam One
Group Processes / Chapter 16-“Social Psychology” (reference) / -Psychology in the News Critique/Group Activity
Group Photo Shoot / BeginPsychology in the News Report 1Written report and presentation due March 11
6 Feb 22 / Sensation and Perception / Chapter 6-“Sensation and Perception “ / -Personal examples of Sensation Principles / PsychSim5 Tutorial
“Visual Illusions”
7 March 1 / Learning / Chapter 7-“Learning” / -Classical and Operant Conditioning worksheets / PsychSim5 Tutorial
“Mind Reading Monkeys”
8 March 8 / Memory / Chapter 8 –“Memory” / -Interactive Memory notes
Psychology in the News Report 1Presentations and Peer Reviews / STUDY for exam 2
Spring Break Week of March 15 - 19
9 March 22 / Tues- Exam Two
Thurs – Motivation / Chapter 11-“Motivation and Work”(reference) Motivational Concepts
pgs 444- 446 / -Human Nature Debate / BeginPsychology in the News Report 2
Written report and presentation due April 15
10 March 29 / Emotion / Chapter 12 – “Emotions, Stress, and Health”
Also see pg. 412 Emotional Intelligence / -Universal Emotions / PsychSim5 Tutorial
“All Stressed Out”
11 April 5 / Personality / Chapter 13–
“Personality” / -Personality Case Study / Personality Trait Assessment

12 April 12 / States of Consciousness / Chapter 3 -“Consciousness and the Two Track Mind” / -Circadian Rhythms
Psychology in the News Report 2
Presentations and Peer Reviews / STUDY for next week’s exam 3
13 April 19 / Tues- Exam Three
Thurs – Human Development Theories / Chapter 5-“Developing through the life Span” (reference) / -Reflective Questions / BeginPsychology in the News Report 3
Written report due
14 April 26 / Psychological Disorders / Chapter 14-“ Psychological Disorders “ / -Identifying Disorders / PsychSim Tutorial
Mystery Client
15 May 3 / Therapy / Chapter 15-
“Therapy “ / *Portfolios due*
Psychology in the News Report 3 due / STUDY for next week’s exam 4
16 May 10 / Exam Four
RW1 Thurs May 13 11:30 to 1:30 S24 Thurs May 13 2:30 to 4:30 S25 Tues May 11 4:00 to 6:00