Pscy 2301

COURSE SYLLABUS: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

Course Number: PSYC2301.S02

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: Lecture Hours: 3 credit hours
Lab Hours: None

Placement Assessment(s): Placement in ENGL1301; College-Level Reading. Student Learning Outcomes:
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.

Withdrawal Policy: “See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to withdraw.“

Collin College Academic Policies:
“See the current Collin Student Handbook.”

Americans with Disabilities Act: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.

Instructor’s Name: Qingwei Wang Ph.D.
Office Number: K237
Office Hours: By appointment only. For any appointments, students should email the instructor in advance to set up a time based on mutual communication.

Phone Number: 972-881-5800

Email: [e-mail]

Class Information:
Section Number: PSYC2301 S02
Meeting Times: MWF 9:00AM - 9:50AM
Meeting Location: SCC Room I216

Course Resources:

Textbook: Myers, D. (2010). Psychology 10th edition. ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-6178-4 New York: Worth Publishers. A copy of this text is placed on “reserve” in the library.

Lusk, B. & Johnson, A. (Eds.) (2007). General Psychology laboratory Manual Seventh Edition. Nevada: Bent Tree Press. (ISBN 1-933005-72-6) (Optional)

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

Attendance Policy:

(1) Attendance is mandatory and will be taken each class. Most of my lectures and our discussions will go beyond the required readings and include materials not found in the text. In some cases I shall disagree with the author and be critical of the text. As a result, a good set of class notes will be extremely helpful to you – indeed, they are essential if you plan on excelling in this course.

(2) I shall 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.
==> Excessive unexcused absences (10 hours or more) will likely cost you a letter grade.

Students who have zero absences will receive a 5 point bonus at the end of the semester.

The last day to withdraw and receive the grade of "W" is March 22, 2013.

Method of Evaluation:

This class will include four exams, five quizzes, and two written assignments.

Exams: There will be four exams (each worth 100 points) during the semester. Exam with the lowest score will be dropped when calculating the final grade. All the exams will consist of multiple-choice questions and cover the designated textbook chapters and take-home exercises.

Quizzes: There will be five quizzes (each worth 20 points) during the semester. The quizzes will cover all the materials discussed in the class.

Written Assignments: Two written assignments will be assigned throughout the semester (see course outline) and are worth 25 points each toward the final grade. The purpose of the assignment is to enhance critical thinking skills as well as appreciation for the various areas of psychology.

Written assignments must be typed and double-spaced with 12 point maximum font. APA style.

Group work and Participation: Students are encouraged to actively participate in classroom discussion. Students will be provided team work opportunities throughout the semester.

Extra Credit: There are a couple of opportunities to earn extra credits toward the final grade in addition to full attendance. A maximum of 20 points can be earned. These extra credits are determined at the discretion of the instructor.

Late Work:
Students are required to submit each assignment by the due date indicated in the course outline. Late work (including exams) will not be accepted without a verifiable excuse. Regardless of the reason, points will be deducted on all late work.

Grading:

Exam #1 100 points
Exam #2 100 points
Exam #3 100 points
Written Assignments 25x2= 50 points
Quizzes 20x5= 100 points
Total 450 points

A = 450 - 405
B = 404 - 360
C = 359 - 315
D = 314 - 270
F = Academic dishonesty: Students caught violating academic ethics could receive a zero for that assignment or exam and be referred to the Dean of Students.

House Rules:

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

(2) Pagers and phones are to be turned off (or put on vibrate) during the class period. If I hear a phone ring during class I reserve the right to answer it.

(3) Electronic devices may be used in 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 without a verifiable excuse. If you are unable to attend the day that a paper is due it must be emailed to me no later than 12:15 PM that day. Regardless of the reason, points will be deducted on all late work. Make-up exams will be given at my discretion.

(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.

Course Calendar: (This schedule is tentative. The instructor reserves the right to make necessary changes.):

Week Date Chapter Topic Written Assignment Notes
1 Jan.22-25 Prologue The Story of Psychology
2 Jan.28- Feb. 1st Chapter 1 Psychological Science
3 Feb. 4- 8 Chapter 2 The Biology of Mind Feb 4th is Census Date.
4 Feb. 11- 15 Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind Exam 1(Prologue, Chapter 1, 2)
5 Feb.18- 22 Chapter 4 Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity
6 Feb.25- Mar. 1st Chapter 5 Developing through the Life Span Written assignment 1: Life-span development event
7 Mar.4- 8 Chapter 6 Sensation and Perception Exam 2 (Chapter 3, 4, 5) Mar. 11-15 No. Class. Spring Break
8 Mar. 18-22 Chapter 7 Learning Written assignment 1 due on Friday March 22. March 22 last day to withdraw.
9 Mar.25 -29 Chapter 8 Memory No class on March 29, Spring Holiday
10 April 1st- 5 Chapter 9 Thinking and Language 11 April 8- 12 Chapter 10 Intelligence Exam 3 (Chapter 6, 7, 8, 9)
12 April 15- 19 Chapter 12 Emotion, Stress, and Health Assignment 2: Identify an emotion construct: happiness
13 April 22- 26 Chapter 13 Personality
14 April 29- May 3rd Chapter 15 Psychological Disorder Assignment 2 due on Friday May 3rd
15 May 6- 10 Chapter 15 & wrap up Psychological Disorder
16 May 13-17 Final Week Final Exam Exam 4 (Chapter 10, 12, 13, 15)