Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

 

PSYC 1A -Syllabus

                                                                                                         Fall 2017

Course Number:

PSYC 1A

Course Title:

General Psychology

Division:

Arts, Communications, & Social Sciences

Credit Hours:

3

Instructor:

 Alan J Spivey

Days

 TH 

Instructor Phone:

 530-242-2335 Office

 

Times:

INTERNET       

Instructor Email:

 aspivey@shastacollege.edu   

Originating Site:

 Redding  

Office Hours :

  TBA   

 

All students are responsible for being sure they are registered for any classes they are attending.  Students wishing to drop a class or who are no longer attending a class are responsible for completing a drop form with the Admissions and Records Office or an Extended Education Campus.  It is not the instructor’s responsibility to register or drop a student from a class.

Any student not completing the first weeks assignments  may be dropped at instructor's discretion. 

 

ADVISORY

ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

 

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to psychology as a science and as an applied field. The course provides an integration of physiological, cognitive, social-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cultural, and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include research methods, the nervous system, perception, learning, thinking, memory, human development, social behavior, emotions, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

            Apply concepts from general psychology to explain or classify human behavior.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

            Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, perspectives, and findings of psychology across a wide range of topics, including: -

            biopsychology

            sensation and perception

            learning and memory

            cognition, consciousness

            individual differences, psychometrics, personality

            social processes

            human development

            psychological disorders

            emotion and motivation.

            Compare, contrast, and evaluate the various theoretical perspectives within the field of psychology

            Explain how scientific thinking and methods are applied to the study of human behavior and mental processes 

            Critically evaluate information regarding trends and patterns in human behavior 

             Recognize the inaccuracy of common misconceptions about psychology as a field, as well as common misconceptions about human behavior 

            Describe the effect of diversity, in its many forms, on psychological research, theory, and application 

             Apply concepts from general psychology to explain or classify human behavior. 

            Explain how psychological concepts can be used to better understand or improve personal, social, and organizational issues.

 

You must have a dependable Internet connection to take this class as half of the course work is administered through the Class Canvas Shell at Shasta College Online.

 

COURSE CONTENT

  1. Psychology as a Science
    1. History
    2. Perspectives
      1. Biological
      2. Behavioral
      3. Cognitive
      4. Psychodynamic
      5. Humanistic and Positive Psychology
    3. Critical thinking and psychology
      1. Principles
      2. Recognizing common fallacies
    4. What psychologists do
      1. Clinical and counseling
      2. School and educational
      3. Personality and social
      4. Experimental
      5. Industrial, personnel
      6. Other applied areas
    5. Research methods
      1. General issues
        1. Sample versus population
        2. Generalizing results
        3. Ethics
        4. Role of inferential statistics
      2. Methods of observations: case study, survey, naturalistic, laboratory
      3. Correlational methods
      4. Experimental method
      5. Ethical issues
      6. Animal research
    6. Biology and behavior
      1. Neurons
      2. Nervous system
        1. Central nervous system
        2. Peripheral nervous system
      3. Endocrine system
      4. Heredity
    7. Sensation and Perception
      1. Vision, hearing, olfaction, gustatory, and other senses
      2. Thresholds
      3. Sensory adaptation
      4. Perceptual habituation
      5. Constancies and illusions
      6. Pain and perception
      7. Top-down versus bottom-up processing
    8. States of consciousness
      1. Alternate vs. altered states of consciousness
      2. Sleep
      3. Drugs
      4. Meditation, daydreaming, hypnosis
    9. Learning
      1. Classical conditioning
      2. Operant conditioning
      3. Observational learning
      4. Latent learning
      5. Cognitive approaches
    10. Memory
      1. Types of memory
      2. Processes of memory
      3. Theories of memory
      4. Methods for improving memory
      5. Memory as a reconstructive process
    11. Thinking and language
      1. Problem solving
      2. Creativity and intelligence
      3. Decision making
      4. Language development
      5. Language and thought
    12. Intelligence
      1. Theories
      2. Measurement
      3. Testing controversy
      4. Nature vs. nurture in intelligence
    13. Motivation and emotions
      1. Theories of motivation
      2. Cognitive dissonance
      3. Theories of emotions
    14. Developmental psychology
      1. Nature-nurture
      2. Physical and motor development
      3. Cognitive development
      4. Social and personal development
    15. Personality
      1. Psychodynamic perspectives
      2. Trait perspective
      3. Learning, cognitive, sociocultural perspectives
      4. Humanistic perspectives
      5. Measurement of personality; objectives, projective tests
    16. Abnormal psychology
      1. Criteria for abnormality
      2. The DSM: overview and issues
      3. Overview of disorders (etiology, symptoms, cases)
        1. Depression
        2. Bipolar disorder
        3. Anxiety disorders
        4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
        5. Personality disorders
        6. Schizophrenia
        7. Others
      4. Methods of Therapy
        1. Psychodynamic therapy
        2. Humanistic therapy
        3. Behavioral therapies
        4. Cognitive therapies
        5. Biological therapies
        6. Other forms
        7. Assessment of therapy
      5. Health Psychology
        1. Mind/body relationships
        2. Stress and psychology
        3. Behavior and health
        4. Traditional medical vs. patient participation controversy
      6. Social Psychology
        1. Attraction
        2. Obedience
        3. Conformity
        4. Attitudes
        5. Prejudice

______________________________________________________________

ASSIGNED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS, AND REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:

 

Open Stax Psychology Text book.  The text is imbedded in the weekly modules and is available for download inmultiple formats through the class Canvas Shell.

______________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD:

Lecture and discussion

 

EVALUATION, GRADING, AND DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADE

                Course Grades will be based upon the following criteria

 

Quizes and Discussions

30%

Annotated Bibliography

20%

Final Exam (cumulative)

10%

 

 

Uint Test (Essay Exams)

40%

 

My policy is to automatically drop the lowest Unit test grade. If you miss a unit test, that grade will be scored a 0 and dropped as the lowest grade.

 

  • If you miss a unit test, you will receive a 0% on the missed test. There are no Make-up tests.
  • A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 65-79; D = 50-64;  F = 0-49

 

Annotated Bibliography will be at least 15 entries; each entry will be a summary of an article from a juried or academic journal addressing the chosen topic.  Each entry will be on a separate page and will be documented in APA format.  Attached below  is an example of an annotated bibliography page.

 

Once you’ve finished your Annotated Bibliography, Submit it in the class shell as a single .pdf attachment. No other format will be accepted, so make sure your computer skills are up to date. Prior to the end of class, you’ll get your bibliography back via e-mail with a grade and comments.

 

Student Name

Psych 1A

Today’s date

Sample Annotated Bibliography Entry

Substance Abuse

Segal, S. D., & Fairchild, H. H. (1996). Polysubstance abuse--a case study.           Adolescence, 31(124), 797.

This article presents the case history of a 23-year-old white male's recovery from 12 years of alcohol and other substance abuse. The article discusses marijuana use beginning at age 11 and the path he took to pot and methamphetamine use and addicition. The article discusses the importance of peer pressure.

Over the last twenty years we have seen an increased effort to understand and solve the adolescent drug abuse problem. Lots of the research has been used to try and find ways to prevent drug abuse.   However, in spite of progress that has been made, adolescent drug abuse remains an ongoing problem.

Adolescents typically derive a sense of ethics from their parents, while peers tend to be used for establishing social status. In addition, drug use is often accompanied by delinquency, depression, low self-esteem, lack of self-control, and a high level of social enstrangement (Downs & Rose, 1991; Priest, 1985; von-Knorring, 1991).

Stuck and Glassner (1985) examined a drug abuser's transition to recovery. Their study provided a number of insights into the onset and duration of substance abuse and the transition to a drug-free lifestyle, but it was comparatively lacking in relevant information with regard to the maintenance of that lifestyle. The current study attempted to provide more information about the process of rehabilitation.

Antonio is a 23-year-old male who was involved in drug use for a period of four years. He reported a history of abusing alcohol, marijuana, Robitussin DM (Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide), LSD, and amphetamines. He also sold drugs and was arrested several times on drug-related charges. After a binge on amphetamines, Antonio concluded that he had to give up drugs, which he has done for several years. The case of Antonio demonstrates some of the ways adolescents conquer their drug problems.

 

 

 

 

 

Missed exams or assignments

Students will prepare for reading and writing assignment before class and will be required to participate actively in class discussion.  Papers and homework must be handed in at the beginning of class on the day assigned.  Late papers are not accepted except in extraordinary situations and will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the instructor.

 

Late exams are not given.

________________________________________________________________________

CLASSROOM POLICIES

 

 

 

 

CLASS PARTICIPATION:  Participation in class involves demonstrating an interest in the reading material and sharing insights with others in class discussions.  

 

 

RESPECT:  Each person in this classroom comes from a different place, has experienced different things and is unique.  This classroom will have a positive educational environment where we can learn from each other and grow intellectually.  Treat everyone in the classroom with courtesy and respect

 

COLLEGE POLICIES

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY:   According to the Shasta College Student Handbook and the Shasta College Catalog, there are a number of unauthorized behaviors that violate the campus academic honesty policy. Each student should become familiar with the policy.

Failure to acknowledge the work of other scholars constitutes an egregious breach of ethics and is a violation of civil law. You must, in all cases, do your own work, acknowledge sources, and document them appropriately. Otherwise, disciplinary sanctions will be applied. If you have any questions about plagiarism, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In other words, cheating of any sort will not be tolerated and will result in an “F” for the assignment, quiz, or exam, and the case may be reported to Student Services.

 

STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE:  In accordance with the Student Code of Conduct (Board Policy 5500), students are expected to obey all California State laws and all Federal laws that pertain to behavior on a college campus. Shasta College’s jurisdiction and discipline shall be limited to conduct that occurs on Shasta College premises or that is related to school activities. Any student found to have committed misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions outlined in Board Policy, Section 5520.

 

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS IMPOSED BY A DISABILITY:  If you feel that you will need academic accommodations in this class due to limits imposed by a disability then contact the office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) (242-7790) to make the necessary arrangements. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation that verifies the disability and the type of limitations that may result. The DSPS office has been delegated the authority to, 1) evaluate that documentation and determine if it is sufficient to justify accommodations, 2) determine which accommodations are appropriate, and 3) facilitate the provision of approved accommodations.

 

DROPPING:  If a student misses two consecutive weeks of class or more it may be assumed they are no longer interested in the course. School policy notes that these students may be dropped by the instructor either on census day or via the instructor initiated drop process. Nevertheless, if the student decides to stop attending, it is always the student’s responsibility to officially drop or withdraw from the class.

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION:  The Shasta-Tehama Trinity Joint Community College District (“Shasta College”) does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religious preference, age, disability (physical and mental), pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Shasta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

 

 

NOTE:  The syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor

 

 

Course Description:

 

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The content focuses on the exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior, perception, cognition and consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology.

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, core empirical findings, andhistoric trends in psychology.
  • Explain (including advantages and disadvantages) and compare major theoretical perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic and socio-cultural);
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following nine general domains: (1) biological bases of behavior and mental processes, (2) sensation and perception, (3) learning and memory (4) cognition, consciousness, (5) individual differences, psychometrics/measurement, personality, (6) social processes (including those related to socio-cultural and international dimensions), (7) developmental changes in behavior and mental processes that occur across the lifespan, (8) psychological disorders, and (9) emotion and motivation;
  • Describe and demonstrate an understanding of applied areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, forensic, community, organizational, school, health);
  • Draw the distinction between scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding and analysis.
    • Recognize and understand the impact of diversity on psychological research, theory and application, including (but not limited to): age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and sexual orientation.
    • Understand and apply psychological principles to personal experience and social and organizational settings.
    • Demonstrate critical thinking skills and information competence as applied to psychological topics.

Course Content:

  • Exploration of major theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology.
  • Research methods, including the scientific approach, research design, the use of statistics, and ethics.
  • Major sub-disciplines in psychology including but not limited to: the biological bases of brain-behavior relationships, perception, cognition, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology.

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Psychology from OpenStax, ISBN 1938168356 

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Important Notes:

  • All first week assignments need to be completed and submitted by the due date to avoid possibly being dropped from the class.  You have a Discussion Assignment and  multiple Choice Tests to complete.
  • Any student needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the PACE (formerly DSPS) office early in the quarter so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible.  All information will remain confidential.
  • Academic dishonesty and plagiarism will result, as a minimum, in a failing grade on the assignment. Using someone else's ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as our own, either on purpose or through carelessness, is a serious offense known as plagiarism. "Ideas or phrasing" includes written or spoken material, from whole papers and paragraphs to sentences, and, indeed, phrases but it also includes statistics, lab results, art work, etc. 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due