Semest Spring 2015
er with
Course PSYC 2301- 46796
Refere
nce
Numbe
r (CRN)
Instruc Jennifer Suarez
tor
contact jennifer.suarez@hccs.edu
inform
ation
(phone
numbe
r and
email
addres
s)
Office
By phone or appointment only
Locatio
n and
Please feel free to contact me about any problems or concerns that you may be
Hours experiencing in this course. Do not wait until you have received a poor grade before
asking for my assistance. Please remember to put “PSYC2301-CRN 46796” in the
subject line and allow at least a 24-hour response time when communicating via
email during weekdays and 48-hours on weekends.
Course DE
Locatio
n/Time
s
Course Credit Hours
3.00
Semest Lecture Hours 3.00
er
Laboratory Hours
Credit
Hours
Total
48
Course
Contac
t Hours
Course 16 weeks
Length
Type of Online
Instruc
tion
various assigned readings from textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, books, original
source seminal texts and other original source material, films, field trips, etc.
Course PSYC 2301 is a survey course of the basic principles underlying human behavior.
Descri Emphasis is placed on major areas of study in the field of psychology, such as
ption:
learning, memory, personality, health and stress, child and adult development, and
psychological disorders. This course transfers as three (3) hours of credit to most
other colleges and universities.
Course PREREQUISITE(S):
Prereq
uisite(s
 PSYC 2301 requires college-level reading and writing skills.
)
 Research indicates that you are most likely to succeed if you have already
taken and passed ENGL 1301.
 The minimum requirements for enrollment in PSYC 2301 and PSYC 2314
include placement in college-level reading (or take GUST 0342 as a corequisite) and placement in college-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349
as a co-requisite).
If you have enrolled in this course without having satisfied these prerequisites, you
are at higher risk of failure or withdrawal than students who have done so, and you
should carefully read and consider the repeater policy notice that follows.
Acade
mic
Discipli
ne/CTE
Progra
m
Learnin
g
Outco
mes
The goals of all psychology courses at Houston Community College are as
follows:
Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to
1. Succeed in advanced psychology courses that include related content
and are required for an undergraduate major in psychology1
2. Succeed in advanced psychology and psychology-related courses that
include related content and are required in non-psychology majors such as
nursing and education
3. Understand and evaluate psychological concepts that are covered in
this course and are featured in news reports, self-help materials, and as a
part of the process of seeking and engaging in psychotherapy
Course
Studen
t
Learnin
g
Outco
mes
(SLO):
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge in multiple (8) areas of psychology including
concepts, facts and theoretical perspec vcctives.
2. Define and identify the basic research and evaluation methods used in
psychology, including the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of and identify concepts related to personal
development and the development and behavior of others.
4. Apply psychological concepts to the solution of current issues and problems
including ethics, coping with stressful events, health and wellness, parenting,
learning, memory, and /or evaluation of media presentations.
Learnin
g
Objecti
ves
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #1: Demonstrate knowledge in multiple (8)
areas of psychology including concepts, facts and theoretical
perspectives.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Major schools of thought in psychology
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
1. Components of the neuron
2. Components of the synapse
3. Action potential
4. Major neurotransmitters
5. Medulla
6. Cerebellum
7. Hypothalamus
8. Limbic system
9. Components of the cerebrum
10. Plasticity
11. Endocrine system
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
1. Learning
2. Reinforcement
3. Punishment
4. Observational learning
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
1. Characteristics of short-term memory
2. Characteristics of long-term memory
CORE DOMAIN 5: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
1. Phases of prenatal development
2. Piaget's stages of cognitive development
3. Erikson's stages of psychosocial development
4. Alzheimer's disease
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
1. General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
2. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
1. Personality
2. Conscious, unconscious, preconscious mind
3. Id, ego, and superego
4. Freud's psychosexual stages
5. Big Five personality traits
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
1. Phobias
2. Panic disorder
3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
4. Dissociative identity disorder
5. Schizophrenia
6. Major subtypes of schizophrenia
7. Major depressive disorder
8. Bipolar disorder
9. Personality disorders
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO#2: Define and identify the basic research and
evaluation methods used in psychology, including the strengths
and weaknesses of each method.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Scientific method
2. Descriptive methods
3. Representative sample
4. Experimental method
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
1. Methods of studying the brain
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
1. Methods used by Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
1. Recall
2. Recognition
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
1. Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
1. Objective tests (inventories)
2. Projective tests
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
1. Purpose, organization, and content of the DSM-IV
OBJECTIVE FOR SLO#3: Demonstrate knowledge of and identify
concepts related to personal development and the development and behavior
of others.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Differences among the major theoretical perspectives in psychology
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
1. Processes that occur when a neuron is activated
2. How neurotransmitters affect behavior
3. Functions of the frontal lobes
4. Difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems
5. Functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
6. How the pituitary gland affects behavior
7. How the adrenal glands affect behavior
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
1. How classical conditioning modifies an organism's responses to stimuli
2. How operant conditioning modifies an organism's responses to stimuli
3. Difference between positive and negative reinforcement
4. Factors that influence the effectiveness of punishment
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
1. Information-processing approach to memory
2. Reconstructive memory
3. The function of schemas
4. Causes of forgetting
CORE DOMAIN 5: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
1. Effects of teratogens and other negative factors on prenatal development
2. Relationship between contact comfort and attachment
3. Differences among the various patterns of attachment
4. Difference between the social learning and gender schema theory
explanations of gender role development
5. Process of cognitive development as Piaget explained it
6. Proposed causes of Alzheimer's disease
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
1. Effects of stress on the immune system
2. Effects of daily hassles on stress
3. Factors that influence individual's capacity for resisting the effects of
stress
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
1. Function of defense mechanisms in Freud's theory
2. Views of humanistic theorists regarding the personality
3. Bandura's concept of reciprocal determinism
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
1. Criteria for abnormal behavior
2. Possible causes of schizophrenia
3. Symptoms of major depressive disorder.
4. Symptoms of Bipolar disorder
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO#4: Apply psychological concepts to the solution
of current issues and problems including ethics, coping with stressful events,
health and wellness, parenting, learning, memory, and /or evaluation of
media presentations.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Students will apply
1. Ethical standards for psychological research
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Students will apply
1. Principles of behavior genetics
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
Students will apply
1. Principles of behavior modification
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
Students will apply
1. Techniques for improving memory
CORE DOMAIN 5: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Students will apply
1. Effects of the authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting styles
on children's development
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
Students will apply
1. Difference between problem-focused and emotion-focused coping
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
Students will apply
1. Views of Abraham Maslow regarding self-actualization
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
Students will apply
Difference between psychologists and psychiatrists
Course
Calend
ar
CLASS SCHEDULE
Note: Students should consult the list of objectives in the learning modules to
determine the page numbers they will actually need to read each week to
prepare for the final.
No tech support will be available during dates that HCCS is closed.
Week 1 (1/20-1/25)
Week 2 (1/26-2/1)
DUE 1/25 @ 11:30 pm

Review Syllabus

Review Sample Discussion Posting

Review Student Guide

Review and PRINT Course Schedule

Register for LearnSmart on CONNECT

Complete Introduction Quiz

Complete Introduction Discussion

Post 2 Discussion Responses
DUE 2/1 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Review PowerPoint
Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 1

Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 1
Complete Discussion #1
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 3 (2/2-2/8)
DUE 2/8 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 2: Psychology's Scientific
Method
Review PowerPoint
Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 2
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 2
Complete Discussion #2
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 4 (2/9-2/15)
DUE 2/15 @ 11:30 pm
Complete Student Supplement Handbook
(Ch. 1 & 2) BEFORE Quiz
Complete Unit Quiz 1
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2/16- ALL CAMPUSES CLOSED FOR PRESIDENTS' DAY
Week 5 (2/17-2/22)
DUE 2/22 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 3: Biological Foundations of
Behavior
Review PowerPoint
Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 3
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 3
Complete Discussion #3
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 6 (2/23-3/1)
DUE 3/1 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 6: Learning
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 6
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 6
Complete Discussion #4
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 7 (3/2-3/8) DUE 3/8 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 7: Memory
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 7
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 7
Complete Discussion #5
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 8 (3/8-3/15) DUE 3/15 @ 11:30 pm
Complete Student Supplement Handbook
(Ch. 3, 6, 7) BEFORE Quiz
Complete Unit Quiz 2
3/16-3/22 SPRING BREAK- ALL CAMPUSES CLOSED
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3/24- LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW @ 4:30pm
Week 9 (3/23-3/29) DUE 3/29 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 9: Human Development
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 9
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 9
Complete Discussion #6
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 10 (3/30-4/2) DUE 4/2 @ 11:30 pm (Thursday due date!)
Read Chapter 10: Motivation & Emotion
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 10
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 10
Complete Discussion #7
Post 2 discussion responses
4/3- SPRING HOLIDAY- ALL CAMPUSES CLOSED
Week 11 (4/6-4/12) DUE 4/12 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 12: Personality
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 12
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 12
Complete Discussion #8
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 12 (4/13-4/19) DUE 4/19 @ 11:30 pm
Complete Student Supplement Handbook
(Ch. 9, 10, & 12) BEFORE Quiz
Complete Unit 3 Quiz
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Week 13 (4/20-4/26) DUE 4/26 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 15
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 15
Complete Discussion #9
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 14 (4/27-5/3) DUE 5/3 @ 11:30 pm
Read Chapter 16: Therapies & Chapter 17:
Stress & Health
Review PowerPoint
 Complete LearnSmart Module Ch. 16 &
17
Complete Student Supplementary
Handbook Ch. 16 & 17
Complete Discussion #10
Post 2 discussion responses
Week 15 (5/4-5/6) DUE 5/6 @ 11:30 pm
Complete Student Supplement Handbook
(Ch. 15 & 16) BEFORE Quiz
Complete Unit 4 Quiz
Week 16 (5/8, 5/9, 5/10)
Friday 5/8:
Central Campus - San Jacinto Building. - 1300 Holman - 1st Floor
Exam times: 4:00 PM -9:00 PM Last Admit 7:00pm
Saturday 5/9:
Spring Branch Campus - 1010 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N 1st floor (600 area)
Exam times: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Last Admit 1:00pm
Sunday 5/10:
Eastside Campus - 6815 Rustic 3rd floor (Workforce Building)
Exam times: 10:00 AM -3:00 PM Last Admit 1:00pm
You can access testing center information by clicking here.
Instruc Distance Education (100%)
tional
Method various assigned readings from textbooks, peer-reviewed articles, books,
s
original source seminal texts and other original source material, films, etc.
Studen A. Unit Quizzes (30%): There are 4 Unit Quizzes. Unit Quizzes are taken
t
online and must be completed by 11:30 pm on the scheduled due date. You will
Assign have 60 minutes to complete each quiz.
ments
&
Each quiz will consist of 30 multiple choice questions.
Assess
ments (CORE COMPETENCIES: COMPUTER LITERACY, READING)
B. LearnSmart Activities (30%): LearnSmart
activities on CONNECT are included with your
textbook purchase. These activities include a variety of
video activities, interactive lessons, mini quizzes, etc.
For each chapter, you must complete your LearnSmart
module for full credit.
Your CONNECT Course URL is:
http://connect.mheducation.com/class/j-suarez-psyc2301-spring-2015
C. Discussions (20%): You will have 10 Discussion Postings grades. You are
expected to complete each of these in order to help you connect the course
material with your real life experiences. However, only your top 8 grades will
be averaged for your final Discussion Posting grade.
Discussion Postings Grades will be based on the following criteria:



Content (60 pts): answering the question thoroughly AND supporting
your experience with information from the text through MLA or APA
citations of resources. The primary source of your response should be
your personal experience. You must use a quote or information from the
text to support your response. DO NOT quote definitions.
Length (30 pts): 200 words for discussion posting & 2 responses at 100
words each
Other (10 pts): grammar, punctuation, academic language
Must be submitted by 11:30 pm on the scheduled due date. No late assignments
will be accepted nor will assignments be accepted via email.
Student assignments will be graded approximately 7 days after the due date.
(allow extra time for holidays/campus closures)
I would recommend you read the relevant information in the text. You do not
have to agree with the information in the text, but if you do not agree, you must
post your reasons or evidence. You should also read the postings of other
students so that your posting does not simply repeat theirs or ignore
information they have added to the discussion. You may not relate to EVERY
question posed in the discussion forums. This is another reason why only your
top 7 postings will count.
Treat this as a class discussion where you are listening as well as talking.
Despite the informality, keep in mind that this grade is the writing component
of this course. APA or MLA citations within the text are required in order to
receive full credit. I would also encourage you to participate early and often.
No questions offered the final week of class.
D. Departmental Final Exam (20%): The departmental final exam must be
taken at a testing center on final exam weekend.
The exam consists of 100 multiple choice items and has a 2 hour time limit.
You will need to bring a picture ID with you to the testing center and arrive
during the times listed on the schedule.
This exam is based on the core objective/key concepts listed in your student
supplement. The supplement is available on the instructor’s website at: Student
Supplementary Handbook with Key Terms/Objectives for Final Exam.
PLEASE NOTE:
A minimum raw score of 50% correct must be earned on the final exam in
order to have the possibility of passing this class. If you earn a 49% or
lower on the final exam, you will automatically get an F regardless of all
previous grades that you have earned in the class. If you earn a raw score
of 50% or higher on the final exam, it does not guarantee a passing course
grade. Your final exam score will be averaged in with the rest of the
semester’s grades to determine your final grade, using the formula which
appears above.
MAKE-UP/LATE POLICY:
I do NOT accept ANY late work or work submitted via email. Please plan for
unexpected situations by working on weekly assignments early rather than the
day they are due. In the case of computer malfunctions, you can go to any
campus and use the computer labs or library computers to complete work.
In the case of a missed quiz, your Departmental Final exam will count twice
(once for the missed quiz and once for the final). The Departmental Final Exam
can only be a substitute for one missed quiz.
(CORE COMPETENCIES: Computer Literacy, Communication, Writing,
Critical Thinking, Reading)
HCC Policy Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in
fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/ or disciplinary proceedings may
be initiated by instructors, department chairs, and/or instructional deans against
a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
“Scholastic Dishonesty” includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism,
and collusion.

“Cheating”includes:
o Copying from another student’s
work
o Using unauthorized materials
including electronic devices for
tests, assignments, and classroom
activities
o Collaborating with another student
during a test without authority
o Knowingly using, buying, selling,
stealing, transporting or soliciting
in whole or part the contents of an
un-administered test
o Bribing another person to obtain a
test that is to be administered
o Unauthorized talking during tests,
assignments, and classroom
activities

“Plagiarism” means using another
person's words or ideas as one’s own
without properly citing where and from
whom you obtained the original work.

“Collusion” means the unauthorized
collaboration with another person in
preparing written work submitted for
credit.
Other actions may constitute scholastic dishonesty. This is not an exhaustive
list.
Violation of Academic Scholastic Dishonesty and Grievance:
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of
“0” or “F” on the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or referral
to the Dean of Student Services for further disciplinary action. Students who
wish to appeal a grade penalty should refer to the Grade Appeal Process.
HCC
Gradin
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
g Scale C = 79 - 70:
D = 69 - 60:
59 and below = F
IP (In Progress)
W(Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
AUD (Audit)
2 points per semester hour
1 point per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must reenroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing
education courses. To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade
points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and
"I" do not affect GPA.
See "Health Science Program/Discipline Requirements" for grading scale.
Instruc Final Grade will be based on the following:
tor
Gradin 30%- Unit Quizzes (4)
g
Criteria
30%- LearnSmart Activities on CONNECT
20%- Average of top 8 discussion postings
20%- Departmental Final Exam
__________
100%
Instruc Required Reading
tional
Materia King, L.A. (2013) The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View (3rd
ls
edition) New York: McGraw Hill.
ISBN-13: 978-0078035401 ISBN-10: 0078035406 Edition: 3rd
Required Supplements


Student Supplementary Handbook with Key Terms/Objectives for
Final Exam
CONNECT access
HCC Policy Statement:
EGLS- At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student
Evaluat
ion for
Greater
Learnin
g
Studen
t
Survey
System
feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated
time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based
questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be
made available to your professors and division chairs for continual
improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston
Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
Access
Studen
t
Service
s
Policie
s on
their
Web
site:
The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to
the DE student. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the handbook's
contents and part of the mandatory orientation. The handbook contains valuable
information, answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and procedures
(how to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid,
degree planning, etc.), course information, testing procedures, technical support, and
academic calendars. Refer to the DE Student Handbook by visiting this link:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies
Access http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf
DE
Policie
s on
their
Web
site:
Access
CE
Policie
s on
their
Web
site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
Houston Community College is committed to providing an accessible
and supportive environment for students with disabilities. In compliance
with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and under the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Disability Support Service Office (DSSO) at each
college of Houston Community College is responsible for arranging
reasonable accommodations for all qualified students with a
Studen documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
ts with hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must
disabili contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college. It is
ties:
recommended that students meet with an ADA counselor at least 60
days prior to the beginning of each term. Faculty is authorized to
provide only the accommodations requested by the Ability Services
Support Office