COLLIN COLLEGE
MAYMESTER 2018

PSYCHOLOGY 2301 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course Credit Hours: 3
Course Prerequisite: Meet TSI college-readiness standard for Reading and Writing or equivalent

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

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 Credit Hours: 3

Course Prerequisite: Meet TSI college-readiness standard for Reading and Writing or equivalent

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

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 processes involved in human behavior.

Course 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, and open discussion.

Textbooks: 

  Lilienfeld, Lynn & Namy (2018).  Psychology: from Inquiry to Understanding, 4th edition, Pearson Publications, ISBN-13: 9780134637716.

*Please note that a limited number of textbooks will be on reserve in the library

Supplies: Course textbooks, supplemental readings on reserve in the library, student ID, student library card, Scantrons.

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

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 processes involved in human behavior.

Course Requirements:

1.   Class attendance and participation.
2.   Reading of all assigned materials.
3.   Completion of exams, quizzes, and homework assignments

Method of Evaluation:

Major Tests

• Two unit exams valued at 100 points
• A final examination (comprehensive) valued at 125 points
• Exams may consist of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and/or essay questions.
  Make-ups are at the discretion of the instructor

Quizzes:

• Five short quizzes valued between 10 and 15 points each (65 points total) will be given during the course of the semester, typically covering one to two chapters. 

Homework:

• Four assignments valued at 15 points each (60 points total) will be given. The purpose of this work is to enhance communication and critical thinking skills. Any homework that contains a significant writing component (essays or short answer questions) must be typed.

Make-ups:

• No make-ups are allowed for missed quizzes or homework. 
• A hard copy of each homework assignment must be turned in on the due date--at the beginning of the class session. 

• Formal documentation (a doctor’s signed note, summons, etc.) must be provided in order for any student to be considered eligible for a make-up on a major test. The student is responsible for contacting me to initiate the process.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit will be an option for all students and will be offered in the form of additional questions on quizzes and tests. I will inform the class about the total number of available extra credit points to be earned during the semester.

 

Grading:

A = 403 - 450
B = 358 - 402
C = 313 - 357
D = 268 - 312
F = 267 and below

Class Attendance:

Class attendance is mandatory to your success in this course.  Much of my lectures and our class discussions will go beyond the required readings.  Taking good class notes and participating in these discussions will help you learn and remember this material.

I will allow students--with good reasons--to arrive late or depart early. Attending for only one-half of a class on a given day is better than not attending at all. If you need to either arrive late or depart early, please do so unobtrusively with a minimum of disruption. It must be said, however, that excessive unexcused absences (10 hours or more) will likely cost you a letter grade.

Participation:

Participation of students in class discussions typically enhances learning. Your comments, questions, insights are important to a successful learning experience for you and the other members of this class. Please know that “active participation” is certainly not limited to simply talking in class—clearly some students are not comfortable speaking their minds in public and can still be very actively engaged in the class.

Withdrawal Policy:
See the current Collin Registration Guide

Students are expected to attend each class session.  Students are responsible for officially withdrawing themselves from the course; failure to do so will result in a performance grade of "F".
Excessive unexcused absences (10 hours or more) will likely cost you a letter grade.

The last day to withdraw is May 18, 2017. 

Religious/Holiday days:

Please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook

Americans with Disabilities Act Statement:

Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state, ad local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to affod equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.

Collin College Academic Policy:
See the current Collin Student Handbook

Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Collin College 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 of 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, use of information about exams posted on the Internet or electronic medium, and/or falsifying academic records. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any conduct through electronic or computerized means:

Plagiarism is 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.

Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination; collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using, buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for assignments as if it were one’s own; or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.

Collusion is intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate about an examination or any other course assignment; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.

Academic dishonesty may result in the grade of zero for that particular test, quiz, or assignment.

Behavior in Class (“House Rules”):

(1) Please refer to your current Collin Student Handbook for the complete student code of conduct.

(2) Phones are to be turned off (or put on vibrate) and put away during the class period; exceptions due to individual special circumstances must be discussed with the professor in advance.

(3) With my permission, electronic devices may be used in the classroom to enhance learning. 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.

(4) Late papers will not be accepted.

(5) Above all, students—and the Professor—will conduct themselves in the classroom in a civil manner and treat all others and their ideas with respect. Students who are disruptive will be asked to leave, an incident report will be completed and submitted to the Dean of Students.