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Hudson County Community College
Fall 2009
Lillian McMaster, Ph.D.
Introduction to Psychology, PSY 101HI
Thurs 12-2:45pm
Office: Rm. 104, G-Building, 81-87 Sip Avenue
Office Hours: Monday 12-1pm & 4-6pm, Thurs 3-4pm. & hours by appointment
E-mail: lmcmaster@hccc.edu or lmcmaster36@comcast.net
Website: www.lillianmcmaster.com
Phone: (201) 360-4228
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the study of human behavior. Some of
the topics that will be covered are development, thinking, sleep disorders, consciousness,
neurology, and psychiatric disorders. The scientific nature of psychology and research
investigation will also be discussed. Students will be encouraged to distinguish between
the negative and positive aspects of psychological research and its implications.
Class Sessions:
Classes will be a combination of lecture and discussion. We will also view movies and
other materials that will aid in the discussions. Students will also be instructed and
encouraged to visit the professor’s website to download study-guides and articles and
view movies.
 Students may be withdrawn from class if absent 2 or more times without a
reasonable excuse. Students who absent 2 or more times also may fail the course.
Students who miss 2or more classes can also lose financial aid. Lateness will not
be tolerated and students will be considered late if they arrive fifteen minutes after
the class is scheduled to begin. Students who will arrive after 12:15pm. should
enter the class at break which will be on or around 1:30pm. Students who are late
should see the professor after class to get any materials that have been handed out
and find out if they missed any important assignments.
 Students are expected to turn their cell phones on vibrate before class begins, if
you must answer your cell phone for an emergency please let me know before
class begins. Text messaging in class will not be tolerated.
 Academic Integrity is central to the pursuit of education. This means students at
HCCC must maintain the highest ethical standards in completing their academic
work. Violations of academic integrity include: cheating on exams, reporting
false research data or experimental results, allowing other students to copy one’s
work, communicating the contents of an exam to other students who will be
taking the same test, submitting the same project in more than one course, without
discussing it first with your instructors, and submitting plagiarized work by using
another writers words or ideas without properly crediting that person. Any
questions about this please see your instructors.
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Required Textbook:
Zimbardo, Philip, Johnson, Robert, & McCann, Vivian. (2009). Psychology: Core
concepts. Pearson: New York.
Please note: Your book should include the MyPsych lab registration access code, if it
does not please go to the bookstore to get a book that does have it.
 Students will learn how to use MyPsych lab, online and will be given assignments
to complete to help with coursework. Some of these assignments will be
considered extra-credit.
Course Requirements and Credit:
Three exams
70%
Two Quizes
10%
Two Writing assignments
10%
Class participation
10%
 Extra-credit assignments will be given throughout the semester, remember also to
use MyPsych Lab for extra-credit as well.
Examinations:
There will be three exams throughout the semester. The tests will contain objective items
and short essay questions. Class participation will be based on attendance and
involvement in classroom discussions. Make-up exams will only be allowed with a
doctor’s note or something similar. Make-ups must be completed within a week after the
original exam was given. Professor may give pop quizzes to be sure students understand
the material. The quiz will be the same format.
Some important dates this semester:
Add/Drop Period
Convocation No Classes
Mid-term exams
Last day to officially withdraw
Thanksgiving Recess No Classes
No Evening Classes
Early registration
Final exams
9/02-915/09
9/23/09
10/22-10/28/09
11/10/09
11/26-11/29/09
11/25/09
11/02/09
12/15-12/21/09
Disability Statement
Students with special needs who believe they might require accommodations in this class
are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services at (201) 360 4157 as soon as
possible. Disabilities must be documented by a qualified professional such as a
Physician, Licensed Learning Disabilities Specialist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist,
Psychiatric Nurse, Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor, who is
qualified to assess the disability that the student claims to have and make
recommendations on accommodations for the student. All information provided to the
Disability Support Services program will remain confidential.
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Calendar
9/03/09
Chapter 1.
Introduction
What is psychology?
What is critical Thinking?
Why should critical thinking matter?
9/10/09
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Finish Ch. 1.
Mind, Behavior, & Research
Learn how to use MyPsych Lab-we will move class to a computer lab.
9/17/09
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Ch.2
Biology & Neuroscience
Begin watching “Awakenings”
Remember next class there will be a quiz on the neuron
9/24/09
Continue Ch.2
 Finish Watching “Awakenings”
 Quiz on the Neuron
10/01/09

Finish Ch. 2
The Brain
Next class a quiz on the Brain
10/08/09
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Begin Ch. 3
Learning
Quiz on the Brain
Extra-credit assignment on Prejudice is on professor’s website
10/15/09
Finish Ch. 3
 Study-guide for Exam I is on Professor’s website
10/22/09
Exam I on Ch. 1-3
Discuss Stress
10/30/09
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Ch. 14
Stress, Health, & Well Being
“Being Grateful Assignment” on website
Happy Halloween!
11/05/09

Ch. 6
Development over the Lifespan
Discuss Short Paper-this assignment is on the website
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11/12/09
Finish Ch. 6
 Discuss Grateful assignment how did it turn out? & Short paper any questions?
 Study-guide for Exam II on professor’s website
11/19/09
Exam II on Ch. 14 & 6
11/26/09
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Ch. 8. Consciousness
Dreams, Drugs, and Sleep
Extra-credit assignment on dreams is on the website
Short-paper due
12/03/09
Finish Ch. 8
Ch. 12 Psychological Disorders
12/10/09
Finish Ch. 12 & Briefly Discuss Ch. 13
 Study-guide for Final Exam on website
 Watch “Monk”
 Extra-credit on “Monk” on website
12/17/09
Final Exam
Happy Holidays!!!!!!!
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