Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences Division
Course Syllabus for Students Spring 2012
Course Prefix and Number: PSY 101 –19
Course Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets:
Sat
9-1150 Section 19
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this course is to provide the opportunity to acquire comprehensive
knowledge of human behavior. It is equally important to me that you begin to
formulate your own theories on the causes and effects of behavior as a result of
studying the research and theories of leading psychologists in the field. As a behavioral
science, psychology utilizes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on many avenues of
research. Although there are no absolute answers in this discipline, psychology is a
science, which uses both empirical research and statistics to support the merits of each
theory. On the surface much of psychology may appear to be common sense, because
it is subject matter that everyone can relate to; however, psychology is a complex and
difficult field made up of a wide range of theories, philosophies, and convictions about
human nature.
The study of human behavior is essential to understanding not only ourselves, but also
the social context in which we exist. As students examine topics such as interpersonal
relations, mental illness, parenting, and sexuality, they should challenge themselves to
widen their perspectives and apply their growing understanding of human behavior to
the real world.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to psychology as a science and the determinants of
human personality and functioning. This course also focuses on how we may use the
principles of physical and emotional/cognitive growth, learning, personality functioning
and coping, and social interactions in our everyday lives.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Robert Banks
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 888-5432
Instructor e-mail address: robert.banks@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2102.
Office hours: By Appointment
Textbook
Required: Myers, D. G. (2010). Psychology, 9th edition in modules. New York, NY: Worth.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND TRANSFER:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the
A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core
Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and
universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic
advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web
page at www.itransfer.org for more information.
BELIEFS:
Academic Discipline:
The study of psychology involves understanding human behavior and the mental
processes which help determine our behavior. Psychology is one of the few disciplines
in which a student’s interests can range from a love of laboratory science to one of
understanding someone’s psyche. Regardless of your reason for embarking on the
study of psychology, be prepared for an adventure which will take you from the
physical to the emotional processes that are involved in shaping the person you are
today. This is not inherently a course of self-discovery, but it is a course designed to
help you understand what factors best predict and ultimately, influence a person’s
behavior.
Student Learning:
According to your textbook, learning is “a relatively permanent change in behavior,
knowledge, capability, or attitude that is acquired through experience…” By the end of
the semester I hope that you have taken advantage of the opportunities you are
provided, both in and out of the classroom, to attain the knowledge necessary to
prepare you for a future career or simply more effective everyday life. Learning is an
active process, involving not only your attendance at lectures but your preparation,
your participation, and your motivation. You will be successful in this class if you are
enthusiastic about learning and come prepared to each scheduled class.
Instructor’s Role:
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to introduce you to the fundamentals of
psychology. Introduction to Psychology is your window to a fascinating field with varied
career possibilities. Even if it is not your chosen field, its content is universal. I
perceive my role to be one of guidance. I will demonstrate my passion for this science
and provide the information and opportunities necessary to guide you to the successful
completion of this course. You will be challenged to use the information presented to
formulate your own beliefs and theories.
My goal is also to motivate you and see you excited about the possibilities of a career in
psychology. Whether you share my enthusiasm is ultimately in your control. However,
I do care whether you are learning and enjoying the process. I will make every attempt
to encourage you and provide you with the necessary resources to be successful. And
applaud you when you are.
General Education:
Do students have the required skills to live and learn in contemporary society?
Typically, the first two years of a four-year degree are devoted to the general education
curriculum. At Heartland Community College the general education program is
designed to ensure that students have experiences which help develop the abilities to
communicate, problem solve, think critically and value the diversity which abounds in
the world. The general education program is designed to help students make
connections between academic courses & real life, between prior knowledge & new
knowledge, and between prior experiences and different ways of knowing. To help
students make these connections in Psychology 101, we have embedded the general
education curriculum into the learning outcomes of this course.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will develop an increased proficiency in the
following areas:
Communication:
1. Be able to apply the many theories of psychology to real life.
Diversity:
1. Understand, apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of
psychology including biological, psychodynamic, social, behavioral, and cognitive
views.
Problem Solving:
1. Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the history of science and research
methods that have developed in psychology.
Critical Thinking:
1. Understand, apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of
psychology including biological, psychodynamic, social, behavioral, and cognitive
views.
2. Be able to apply the many theories of psychology to real life.
Other:
1. Understand the importance of neurobiology and physiology and its impact on
human behavior and development.
2. Be able to identify and appraise various abilities, functions, failures, and pathology
of human behavior and mental processes.
3. Have acquired an awareness and appreciation of various theories and factors
related to developmental processes throughout the lifespan, and the role of
testing to assess those processes.
4. Be able to identify and appraise how psychology research and theory can improve
human functioning at all stages of life.
COURSE OUTLINE:
This outline is a brief representation of what may be included in this class. There may
be additional material that is included;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Introduction to the history and science of Psychology
Biology and Mind
Conscious and the two track mind
Nature Nurture and Human Diversity
Developing through the Life Span
Sensation and perception
Learning
Memory
Thinking Language and Intelligence
Motivation and Work
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Thinking Language and intelligence
Emotions Health and Stress
Personality
Psychological Disorders
Therapy
Social Psychology
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES AND RATIONALE:
Methods of instruction for this course will be varied, but will primarily utilize a
lecture format. In addition, class discussion, in-class group projects, videos, and
outside homework assignments may be used.
COURSE POLICIES:
Method of Evaluation (Grading System/Exams):
Grading System:
All grades in this course will be assigned using the following percentages:
A = 100% - 90%
B = 89% - 80%
C = 79% - 70%
D = 69% - 60%
F = 59 % and below
Total possible points:
4 Unit Exams – 100 pts each
4 Quizzes
20 pts each
1 Paper
50 pts
530 pts
400
80
50
Exams:
You will be given four exams throughout the semester. Exam questions will be
comprised of multiple-choice, True/False and Essay Questions. Each question
will be worth 2 points a piece. Material covered on an exam will be available
through your textbook, lectures, videos, or additional assigned readings.
Quizzes
You will take four quizzes each covering two chapters. The quizzes will consist
of 20 questions that will be T/F or Multiple Choice. The questions are worth one
point a piece. Under no such circumstances will you be allowed to reschedule a
quiz. The quiz date will be announced in advance so that you can plan to attend
class accordingly. Should you miss a quiz, please do not request a makeup quiz.
Paper
During the semester I will have a guest speaker come in and talk to our class.
You will write a reflective paper regarding the speaker’s presentation. You will
be asked to integrate some of the principles that you have learned in class into
your paper. The paper must be 4 to 6 page typed double spaced. If used, the
citations in the text and reference list must be prepared according to the stylistic
guidelines set forth in the Publication Manual (6th ed.) (APA, 2009). Clarity,
detail, convergent thinking, insight, and writing style are the dimensions on
which proper will be assessed.
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Every instructor will require a minimum of 10 pages (equivalent to 10 typed,
double spaced, pages) of writing from each student. This may be accomplished
through a combination of various writing requirements such as: term papers,
essay questions on exams, journaling assignments, writing within projects,
reflective papers, or other written assignments.
Class Attendance and Participation:
You are expected to attend all scheduled classes throughout the semester. In
addition, your attendance and participation will insure that you have all the
information you need to prepare for exams and quizzes. I will not put notes
online, and you will be tested on material that may not be available through the
use of your text book.
Incompletes:
(See College Catalog for official policy)
Extra Credit:
You may attend and submit a summary of up to four events on the Heartland
campus (lectures, plays, etc.). These have to be spread out (one per each
quarter of the semester). You need my prior approval for each event. The
essay summary has to be at least two pages long, typed, double-spaced. You
are encouraged to add your commentary (evaluation, your thoughts, etc.
regarding the event). However, the latter is not a substitute for the former. The
essay will be evaluated both in terms of its substance and the quality of writing.
You can receive a maximum of ten extra credit points for the entire semester.
You will receive 2.5 points for each “A” essay. The second extra credit option is a
two page, typed double spaced Literature Review. The article must be preapproved by your instructor. The same conditions apply.
Make-up Exams/Assignments/Deadlines:
Unit exams are to be taken on the day that they are scheduled. If an emergency
arises and you can not take the exam on the scheduled date please talk to your
instructor so that if applicable arrangements can be made for make a make- up
exam. Make-up exams will usually be essays, and you will likely find them much
more difficult than the original.
Student Conduct:
Students are expected to interact respectfully and professionally with fellow students
and
faculty. At all times I will treat you with respect and expect that you will demonstrate
the same. Disruptive behaviors (including talking while others are speaking) will not be
tolerated, and students will be asked to leave the classroom if they are displaying such
behavior. In addition, students will be asked to have cell phones turned off and
conversations ended by the beginning of class. I reserve the right to drop a student
from this class if his/her behavior is disruptive to the learning process in any way.
Academic Support Center Services:
Library
The Library, located in the Student Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus,
provides Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online
journal databases, videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan.
Librarians are available to assist in locating information. For more information, please
call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Services
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland
students at the Tutoring and Testing Center in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln
Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups
are also available by request. For more information about services available at each
location, please call the Tutoring and Testing Center in Normal (309) at 268-8231, the
Pontiac Center at (815) 842-6777, or the Lincoln Center at (217) 735-1731.
Testing Services
The Tutoring and Testing Center provides a secure testing environment for students
who are enrolled in online, hybrid, and other distance learning courses; have a
documented disability; or need to take a make-up exam. Testing accommodations for
students having documented disabilities must be arranged by the student through the
Office of Disability Services, and Testing Services will only administer make-up exams at
the request of the instructor. Contact Testing Services at (309) 268-8231 for more
information.
Open Computing Lab
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient
times throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and
offers the use of approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric
typewriter.
Disability Support Services
Heartland Community College offers Disability Support Services (DSS) with offices
located in the Academic Support Center. DSS ensures that students with disabilities
have equal access to the college’s programs, services and activities through the
provision of reasonable accommodations as outlined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. DSS offers a wide range of services to
support students with disabilities, including: assistive technology, document conversion
services, personnel, classroom and testing accommodations. Students with a
documented disability who wish to discuss academic accommodations can contact
disability support services at (309)268-8259.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community
College and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs.
Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their
academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views
any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures,
including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition,
an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially
imposed penalties. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to
cheating, aiding or suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records or documents and
unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems.
Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a
paper, create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that
all the work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your
own. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following
forms:
• Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
• Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
• Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
• Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
• Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
• Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it
were your own.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research
Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for
plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in
the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
On-Line Course Evaluations
On-line course evaluations are completed by selecting the link in your myHeartland
account during the last 3 weeks of the semester.
Philosophy of Grades
The Heartland Community College grading philosophy grows out of our vision of
educational excellence. This common philosophy provides a framework for each
academic division and instructor as they establish their own individual course grading
system, evaluation methods, and course policies using the shared general rubrics for
letter grades given below.
Letter grades serve as a vehicle to promote meaningful evaluation of student
achievement, to inform students of academic progress, and, as necessary, to improve
student performance, habits, and practices. Using a letter grade as a prerequisite for
subsequent courses means we believe that the grade was assigned through a conscious
judgment about a student’s readiness to proceed to more advanced study.
At Heartland, students’ academic achievement is measured by their mastery of course
objectives and content. We challenge students to meet these recognized standards of
achievement and we assign grades based on their success in doing so. Simply stated,
we believe that the responsibility for academic achievement rests with the student and
that holding students responsible for their learning promotes their academic growth.
Letter Grade Rubrics
“A” This grade represents consistently outstanding performance that demonstrates
superior understanding and skillful use of important course concepts. Performance at
this level signifies that the student is extremely well prepared to continue with more
advanced study of the subject.
“B” This grade represents performance significantly beyond the level necessary to
achieve the course objectives. Work is of high quality but not consistently at an
outstanding level. Performance at this level signifies that the student is well prepared to
continue with more advanced study of the subject.
“C” This grade represents an acceptable achievement of the course objectives.
Performance at this level signifies that the student is reasonably well prepared to
continue with more advanced study of the subject.
“D” This grade represents less than adequate performance. It signifies questionable
readiness to proceed with more advanced study of the subject.
“F” This grade reflects unacceptable performance. The student is not yet ready to
proceed with more advanced study of the subject, and must repeat the course
successfully to receive credit.
MyHeartland
Just a reminder that to access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will
need to log into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu.
Syllabi disclaimer: The contents of this syllabus are subject to change by the
instructor at any time throughout the semester. These changes will be discussed in
class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain this information if absent
from class.
CLASS CALENDAR:
(Note: All readings are to be completed BEFORE the scheduled class date to
facilitate discussion and questions you might have)
DATE
Week 1
TOPIC
Introduction/ Syllabus Chapter 1
Module 1-3
Week 2
Module 4-6
Quiz 1 over module 1-6
Week 3
Module 7-10
Week 4
module 11-12
Exam 1 over Module 1-12
Week 5
Module 13-16
Week 6
module 17-22
Quiz 2 over modules 13-22
Week 7
Module 23-25
Week 8
Module 26-30
Exam 2 over modules 13-30
Week 9
Module 31-35
Week 10
Module 36-39
Quiz 3 Module 31-39
Week 11
Module 40-44
Week 12
Module 45-47
Exam 3 over Module 31-47
Week 13
Module 48-52
Week 14
Module 53-55
Quiz 4 module 48-55
Week 15
guest speaker
Week 16
Module 56-59
Final exam week
Exam 4 over Module 48-59
Section 19 Final is May 12th at 8 am
We will be out of school for spring break on March 12 thru March 18.