PSY B111: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I – CRN 10091
Christopher Percy, J.D., M.A.
cjpercy@stcc.edu
Course Overview and Objectives – The purpose of this course is to introduce
students to the discipline of psychology and to the evolving body of knowledge
that has been produced by this discipline. It surveys basic topic areas within
psychology including psychology's history and scientific origins, the
physiological correlates of experience and behavior, human development,
learning, memory, thinking, intelligence, personality, and motivation and
emotion.
Objective
Definition
Build Knowledge
Define, explain, and compare concepts in the
following areas of psychology: the evolution
of psychology as a science, foundational
schools of thought, research methods,
neuroscience, memory, learning, intelligence,
personality, and human development
Apply Knowledge
Apply psychological concepts, theories, and
research findings to explain and analyze
human experience and behavior in diverse
contexts (e.g., home, school, workplace)
Develop the Critical Thinking Skills of a
Psychologist
Identify the types of questions that
psychologists ask about human experience and
behavior and apply the empirical methods they
use to investigate those questions.
Critically evaluate information (e.g.,
journal articles, videos, etc.) about human
experience and behavior and use that
information accurately and ethically
Enhance Written Communication Skills
Effectively communicate the basic critical
thinking skills of a psychologist in written
assignments
Expand Sociocultural Awareness
Recognize how values and assumptions from
different cultural and historical contexts
can influence human experience and behavior
Textbook – Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner & Nock (2014) Psychology, 3rd Ed.
ISBN 13: 978-1-4641-8945-6
Philosophy and Expectations – My philosophy for this course is that basic
information about the study of psychology is best delivered through discussion,
real-life examples, sharing, and recognizing core concepts. Each lecture should
PSY B111: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I – CRN 10091
provide a framework for studying, while also building on the information in your
book. Quizzes will test your knowledge of basic concepts, vocabulary, and
application of the information.
I have structured this course with the idea that you can, and will, prepare for
class by at least skimming the chapter and that each student has read the syllabus
and is familiar with the schedule, email policy, and makeup policy. YOU are
responsible for the information in this syllabus.
Blog, Chapter Summaries, and Additional Resources – I have set up a blog which
has summaries of each chapter, links to personality tests, copies of the syllabus,
and detailed instructions for the written assignments. Sample reflection questions
and book lists are also available on the blog. To access the chapter summaries, go
to www.percypsych101.wordpress.com and select the topic from the drop-down menu.
Overview of Course Grading – Your grade in this class will be based on points
earned on quizzes/exams (100 points) and written assignments (60 points). I
will be using the following scale:
F
D-
<90
90point 94
s
D
D+
C-
C
9599
100- 105- 110104 109 114
C+
B-
B
B+
A-
A
115119
120124
125129
130134
135139
140+
Quizzes – 100 Points – There will be a quiz for each topic area covered in
class, plus a quiz on the syllabus. Each quiz will consist of ten multiplechoice questions. Quizzes are open-note, but closed-book, and last for 15
minutes starting at the beginning of class. Quiz content will include
information from your textbook as well as information covered exclusively in
lectures. We will have 11 quizzes during the semester, and I will drop the
lowest. Missed quizzes result in a score of zero.
Exams – We will have two exams: a mid-term and a final. These exams are optional
and can be used to bring up your quiz grade. Each exam will cover five chapters
and will be fifty questions long, and will replace your quiz total up to that
point only if your score on the exam is higher than your quiz total. You should
consider taking the exams if any of the following apply: you are unhappy with your
quiz grade so far, and believe that you will do better on the exams; you have
missed too many quizzes and are in danger of failing the class; you believe you
can raise your grade by taking the exams.
Exam and Quiz Makeup Policy – I do not give makeup quizzes or exams. If you have
missed too many quizzes, you will have to take the optional mid-term and/or the
final exam in order to make up the difference. If you cannot make the scheduled
mid-term or final then you must notify me in advance so that you can take the exam
prior to the scheduled exam date.
PSY B111: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I – CRN 10091
Written Assignments – 60 Points – The remaining 60 points will come from written
assignments. There are a variety of assignments which you may choose from in order
to earn these points. Assignments which are returned with an unsatisfactory grade
may be “fixed” and resubmitted.
Please note that ONE of the assignments must be either a Book Report or the Women
and Minorities in Psychology paper (each worth 25 points). The remaining 35 points
can be earned by mixing and matching whichever assignments you like. A complete
list of assignment options and requirements can be found on the blog. Note: Papers
will not be accepted by email under any circumstances. All papers and
assignments are due no later than 5/11 for full credit OR during finals
period for 75% credit.
Attendance Policy – An additional 5 points will be added to your final grade for
students who miss fewer than four classes during the semester. All absences are
counted regardless of the reason or whether you have documentation (i.e., a
doctor's note). My attendance sheet is the only official record of whether you
have attended class, therefore it is your responsibility to sign in. If you have
not signed in, you will not be counted as present.
Online Gradebook – I will be using an online gradebook on www.engrade.com to keep
track of grades during the semester. Grades will be updated after each quiz, and
you will be able to see your progress up to that point in the class. Signing up
for Engrade is entirely optional, and you will be able to track your progress by
emailing me if you wish.
Lecture and Assignment Outline
Dates Topic
Chapter
Notes
1/26
Syllabus, The History of
Psychology
Ch. 1
2/2
The History of Psychology
Research Methods and Ethics
Ch. 1, Ch. 2
Quiz on Syllabus
2/9
Research Methods and Ethics
Ch. 2
Quiz on Chapter 1
2/23
Neuroscience and Behavior Pt. 1
Ch. 3
Quiz on Chapter 2
3/2
Neuroscience and Behavior Pt. 2
Ch. 3
Quiz on Chapter 3 (Pt. 1)
3/9
Learning and Conditioning
Ch. 7
Quiz on Chapter 3 (Pt. 2)
3/23
Conditioning/Mid-Term Review
3/30
Mid-Term Exam
1 - 3, 7
Quiz on 7/Mid-Term Exam
PSY B111: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY I – CRN 10091
4/6
Memory
Ch. 6
4/13
Intelligence and Intelligence
Testing
Ch. 10
Quiz on Chapter 6
4/20
Lifespan Development (Pt. 1)
Ch. 11
Quiz on Chapter 10
4/27
Lifespan Development (Pt. 2)
4/4
Personality
5/11
Personality /Final Review
5/18
Final Exam, Late Papers for 75%
credit
Quiz on Chapter 11 (Pt. 1)
Ch. 12
Quiz on Chapter 11 (Pt. 2)
6, 10 - 12
Quiz on 12/Final Exam
Final period is 7:45 –
9:45
If you have a learning disability or special needs that will impede your
ability to take tests, inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.
Confirmation of your learning disability will be requested.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty carries serious consequences. Academic dishonesty refers
to any type of cheating which includes, but is not limited to: cheating on an
examination (using materials not allowed on the test) and plagiarism,
including the submission of others’ ideas or papers (whether borrowed,
purchased, or otherwise obtained) as one’s own.