PSYC 2301: Introduction to Psychology Syllabus

Instructor: Roxanne Richards, M.A., C.L.C

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS PSYC 2301 is a survey course of the basic principles underlying human behavior. Emphasis is placed on major areas of study in the field of psychology, such as learning, memory, personality, health and stress, child and adult development, and psychological disorders. This course transfers as three (3) hours of credit to most other colleges and universities.

TEXTBOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS You will be supplied the textbook and accompanying CD for the course. The CD contains many informative and helpful quizzes, videos, and learning activities. It is strongly suggested that you refer to the CD for supplementary exercises.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY I will lecture on most topics, but at other times you may be asked to master sections of the text on your own. Although the topic for each day will reflect material included in the assigned readings, the format will differ from session to session, but it will always focus on active learning. Active participation in class will be helpful primarily in relation to determining borderline grades. I will subjectively evaluate the quality and quantity of your in-class and when applicable, online work.

ATTENDANCE Please refer to the official school syllabus/catalog for questions regarding attendance. TARDY POLICY I understand that emergencies occur. If you must arrive late for class, please be respectful of your classmates and please be discrete. Too many tardies to class may be considered when determining borderline grades.

EVALUATION: GRADES AND TESTING

There will be 4 exams, a comprehensive final, and a Major Research Assignment. If the final exam grade is higher than a regular exam, the lowest test grade will be dropped and the Final Exam grade will count twice; once for the Final Exam and once for the regular exam.

Your final course grade will be calculated according to the following point system formula:

A 537-600 points B 477-536 points C 417-476 points D 357-416 points F ≤356 SCHOLASTIC HONESTY Please refer to your official school catalog for academic honesty policies. TESTING The tests will consist of multiple-choice questions. Most will be selected from the text, but a few may come from class activities, lectures, and the study guide. The Comprehensive Final Exam will also be multiple choice.

MAKE-UP TESTS I will have ONE day for ALL for make-up tests. The make-up tests will be on the Final Exam day. You will need to sign up on the sign-up sheet prior to the make-up test day. Plan to take all tests at the scheduled time.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

Pop quizzes are your extra credit.

MAJOR RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

You will complete a major research assignment this term. You will need to choose a current and relevant social issue relating to the topics in Chapter 8 Thinking, Language, and Intelligence or Chapter 10 Personality. You must cite 3 peer-reviewed research articles written within the last 5-8 years in your research assignment and it is imperative that you complete the research assignment from a Psychological perspective. The research assignment starts with a comprehensive research question that will shape your research assignment. You will be graded on your presentation of the material, your comprehensive knowledge of the material, and your ability to present a thought provoking research question. This is your time to be creative; you may create a video, an oral presentation, or a skit. The research assignment will include a cover page with the course title, the class time, your name and my name; the research body; and the reference page. Your research assignment body should be a 2-3 page synopses. You will be graded on the totality of the information, as well as the presentation of your material. PLEASE DO NOT USE QUOTATIONS!!!! PARAPHRASE YOUR FINDINGS! You may work in groups of no more than 4. The oral presentation should be within 2-5 minutes.

***You will need to hand in a copy in class on the presentation date.

Your paper will be graded on grammar and content, writing will count for 10% of the grade (your synopsis). Writing at the college level means having the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. In addition to knowing correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, students should also become familiar with the writing process, including how to discover a topic, how to develop and organize it, and how to phrase it effectively for their audience.

COURSE SCHEDULE This schedule is subject to change at my discretion. Generally, we will stick to the schedule; however, sometimes things come up and I may teach things in a different order from the date listed. It is your responsibility to attend class regularly so you can stay abreast of what is happening in class. PSYC 2301: COURSE SCHEDULE

Dates Chapter Activity or Material to be Covered

July 7 Introduction to Course: Syllabus

July 8 1 The Science of Psychology July 9 1 The Science of Psychology

July10 7 Memory

July11 7 Memory

July14 2 The Brain and Behavior July15 2 The Brain and Behavior

July16 2 The Brain and Behavior, Review for Exam I

July17 Exam I (Chapters 1, 7, 2)

July18 3 Human Development Major Research Assignment Question Due July21 3 Human Development

July22 3 Human Development July23 8 Thinking, Language and Intelligence

July24 8 Thinking, Language, and Intelligence for Exam II July25 Exam II (Chapter 3)

July28 11 Psychological Disorders Research Assignment Rough Draft Due July29 11 Psychological Disorders

July30 11 Psychological Disorders July31 10 Personality

Aug1 10 Personality

Aug4 10 Personality

Aug5 5 States of Consciousness Aug6 5 States of Consciousness, Review for Exam III Research Written Assignment due

Aug7 Exam III (Chapters 11, 10, 5) Aug8 6 Learning

Aug11 6 Learning Aug12 6 Learning

Aug13 12 Therapies

Aug14 12 Therapies

Aug15 14 Social Psychology Aug18 14 Social Psychology, Review for Exam IV

Aug19 Exam IV (Chapters 6, 12, 14) Aug20 13 Health and Well Being

Aug21 Oral Presentations

Aug22 Oral Presentations, Final Exam Review

Aug25 Final Exam

Aug26 Make-Up Exam Day

***I will periodically give pop quizzes and possibly assign take home assignments. There are no make-up opportunities for missed quizzes or certain take home assignments.

***Any assignments that need to be turned in during class must be turned in during the first 10 minutes of class. After the first 10 minutes of class, the assignment will be considered late.

***If you are tardy to class on an exam day, you will not be allowed to take an exam if you arrive after the first person has turned in their exam and left the classroom.

***Late assignments will receive a deduction of 10 points the first day, and 5 points a day thereafter.