PSYC 101.008 - GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY – Fall 2015
KINARD 101; 2:00-4:45 MW
3 Credit Hours
Instructor:
Office:
e-mail:
Victoria Evans, Ph.D.
310 Kinard
evansv@winthrop.edu
Ph: 323 - 2543 (on-campus office/hard way to reach me)
328 - 2210 (off-campus office/better way to reach me)
Ofc. Hours: 1:00-2:00 MW (or by appointment)
Required Text:
Myers, D.G. (2014). Exploring psychology with updates on DSM-5 (9th ed.). New York, NY:
Worth Publishers.
ISBN-10: 1-4641-6336-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-4641-6336-4
This text is required for the course. Students are expected to keep up with readings as outlined in
the Course Schedule.
Course Objectives: PSYC 101 counts toward the social science component of the Winthrop
General Education program and contributes to several of the Psychology Department’s goals for
student learning with a focus on the following:
Goal 1: Knowledge Base of Psychology. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the major
concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
Goal 2: Research Methods in Psychology. Students will understand and apply basic research
methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology. Students will respect and use critical and creative
thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related
to behavior and mental processes.
Goal 5: Values in Psychology. Students will be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act
ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
Learning Outcomes: Students will gain a general understanding of core concepts in
Psychology; learn to communicate effectively about psychological issues; begin to think
critically about psychological theories and research; develop competence in acquiring
information and utilizing scientific literature; and develop greater understanding of their own and
others' behavior and mental processes. Outcomes will be assessed through graded in-class
participation, exams, and written assignments.
Writing Requirement: Including exam essays and take-home work, students will be required to
complete a minimum of 8 pages of graded writing assignments.
Global Learning Initiative (GLI): This course participates in the GLI. The global learning
components of this course include cultural influences on individual and social development as
well as cultural perspectives on normal and abnormal behavior.
Student Code of Conduct: As noted in the Student Conduct Code: "Responsibility for good
conduct rests with students as adult individuals." The policy on student academic misconduct is
outlined in the "Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy" in the online Student
Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).
Course Requirements:
Exams: There will be three (3) regular exams plus one (1) cumulative final. Exams will
cover information presented in class and information covered in the text, some of which
will overlap. Exams will include multiple choice and essay questions. The Final Exam
will differ from the three regular exams in that questions will be more conceptual, and
less detailed, in nature. Students who keep up with reading assignments and actively
engage in the course throughout the semester should find themselves well-prepared (after
brief review) for the cumulative final exam. Please bring a #2 pencil (or two) to
complete exams on ScanTron forms.
Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor and only in extreme
situations, such as verifiable medical emergency. Prompt notification (prior to exam) of
illness or other emergency is required.
Research in Psychology: Students will learn to utilize peer-reviewed scientific literature
through homework assignment and journal article review. They will also begin to think
critically about research design through an assignment on research development. More
information about these assignments will be presented in class.
Listserv/E-mail: Students are responsible for checking their Winthrop email accounts regularly,
as announcements, changes, and other important information may be sent by email throughout
the semester. The email address for this class’s listserv is: PSYC101008@class.winthrop.edu .
Most students have already been subscribed to the list and a test email will be sent in the next
few days. If you do not receive this test email, you will need to manually subscribe. Directions
for subscribing manually can be found at:
http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081
Blackboard: You can access the Blackboard site for this course by going to https://bbwinthrop.blackboard.com/ . Use the same username and password you use to login to Winthrop
email. For help, call Technology Support (803) 323-2400 or email helpdesk@winthrop.edu .
Files on Blackboard for this course will include the syllabus and supplementary lecture materials
as well as other information.
Class Attendance/Participation: Attendance and active class participation are expected and
count toward your final grade. To be counted as present, students must be actively engaged in
class and present for the entire class. Students who do not appear to be actively engaged (e.g.,
texting during class, working on other assignments, etc.) will be counted as absent. This does not
necessarily mean that you cannot make a good grade if you have to miss a class due to illness or
family emergency, etc. Your participation grade takes into account several different factors,
including the level of engagement you demonstrate in the class, your involvement in group
activities, your contributions to class discussions, and your completion of any out-of-class
activities that may be announced over the course of the semester. You cannot participate if you
are not here, and so you are encouraged to attend all classes. In the event that you miss a class, it
is extremely important that you get the notes from a classmate, including any announcements or
changes to the syllabus/schedule that were made in the class session you missed.
CAS Policy on Handheld and Wireless Technology in the Classroom: Students are
encouraged to review the College of Arts and Sciences policy on handheld and wireless
technology in the classroom:
http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/artscience/AppropriateUseOfHandHeldWirelessTechnol
ogyApprovedPolicyMar2010.pdf
Note on Late Assignments: Assignments are expected to be turned in on time (i.e., the
beginning of class on the due date.) Late papers may be accepted at the discretion of the
instructor and will incur a 10% penalty beginning at 2:00 p.m. on the due date for each 24-hour
period, or fraction thereof, that they are late (e.g., the score on a paper turned in 2 days and 2
hours late will be reduced by 30%.) No late papers will be accepted after the graded papers have
been turned back to the rest of the class. Although papers and class assignments are expected to
be turned in on hard copy, late assignments may be emailed to the instructor in MS Word format
to avoid subsequent late penalties. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up to ensure that any
emailed assignments were received and open-able in MS Word format. There is no penalty for
turning papers in early if you know that you will have an excused absence (e.g., team athletics
event) on the due date.
Grading:
Regular Exams:
300 points
Final Exam Cumulative Portion:
100 points
Research in Psychology
Assignment – Journal Article:
75 points
Assignment – Research Study:
25 points
Assignment – APA Style:
25 points
Class Participation:
75 points
_____________________________________________
TOTAL:
600 points
Final grades are based on the percentage of total points earned.
A
AB+
B
B-
561 and above (93.5% - 100%)
537 – 560 (89.5% – 93.4%)
519 – 536 (86.5% – 89.4%)
501 – 518 (83.5% – 86.4%)
477 – 500 (79.5% – 83.4%)
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
459 – 476 (76.5% – 79.4%)
441 – 458 (73.5% – 76.4%)
417 – 440 (69.5% – 73.4%)
399 – 416 (66.5% – 69.4%)
381 – 398 (63.5% – 66.4%)
357 – 380 (59.5% – 63.4%)
356 and below (59.4% and below)
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course contact Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-­3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
Class Schedule
Date
Topic
Oct. 12 M
Course Introduction
Nature vs. Nurture
Introduction to Research
FALL BREAK
Development
Development
Oct. 14 W
Oct. 19 M
Oct. 21 W
Oct. 26 M
Oct. 28 W
Module(s)
Ch. 2-13 thru 2-15 (pp. 62-72)
Ch. 1 (pp. 1-31)
Ch. 4-1 thru 4-10 (pp. 117-139)
Ch. 4-11 thru 4-15 (pp. 139-149);
Ch. 5-9 thru 5-11 (pp. 178-187)
Exam 1
Biology & Behavior
Nov. 2 M
Biology & Behavior
Ch. 2-1 thru 2-12 (pp. 35-62)
Nov. 4 W
Consciousness
Ch. 3-1 thru 3-3 (pp. 77-82)
Sensation & Perception
Ch. 6-1 thru 6-12 (pp. 191-215)
Nov. 9 M
Learning & Memory
Ch. 7 (pp. 237-266)
Nov. 11 W
Learning & Memory
Ch. 8 (pp. 271-300)
Nov. 16 M
Exam 2
Disorders & Treatment
Nov. 18 W
Disorders & Treatment
Ch. 14 (pp. 505-541)
Nov. 23 M
Disorders & Treatment
Ch. 15 (pp. 545-578)
Nov. 25 W
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Nov. 30 M
Social Psychology
Dec. 2 W
Social Psychology
Dec. 7 M
Exam 3
EXAMS GIVEN IN
Cumulative Final Exam
KINARD 101
Please note: This calendar is my plan for the semester, but changes may occur if needed.
Students will be notified of any changes as they occur.