HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SOUTHWEST (WEST LOOP)
FALL 2014
_____________________________________________________________________
Gracie A. Roberts, M.A.
Psychology 2301- Introduction to Psychology
CRN: 30819 8-WK Credits: 3 TTH 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
E-mail address: gracie.roberts@hccs.edu
TEXTBOOKS
The textbook is required for this course.
King, L. A. (2014). The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View, (3rd Edition). McGraw-Hill
Education: New York.
The book is a package with an internet-based assignment and assessment tool called Connect and
contains an access code for you to register on Connect. This is a valuable learning tool that can be used to
help you succeed in this course. It contains an eBook and a SmartBook, which is extremely helpful in
targeting those areas in which each individual student needs more assistance. Your homework/quizzes
must be completed on Connect as part of your grade. Be sure to have a good internet connection and
time allotted to complete the assignments.
GRADES
There are 4 regular tests scheduled. The best 3 out of 4 test grades will be calculated into your final grade.
Lowest test grade will be dropped (Test 1, 2, 3, or 4). Because the lowest test grade is dropped, there will
be no make-up exams. Try your best to not miss any tests and to do your best!
You will have 4 homework/quiz assignments worth 100 points each. The average of those four
assignments will be averaged for 15% of your grade.
Best 3 out of 4 Tests @ 15% each
Research Paper
Homework/Quizzes
Final Exam
TOTAL
45%
20%
15%
20%
100%
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 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 on above.
Final grade will be converted into letter grades as follows:
90-100% =A; 80-89% =B; 70-79% =C; 60-69% =D; 0-59% =F
TESTING
The tests will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions will come from the book and lectures.
You can access a review for every test on my learning web page.The final exam will consist of 100
questions of the same format and will be comprehensive. You will need a Scantron Form 882-E for each
test, including the final exam.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON TIME FOR ALL TESTS. IF YOU ARE LATE, YOU ARE GIVING YOURSELF
LESS TIME TO TAKE THE TEST!!
RESEARCH PAPER
To ensure the highest possible grade, follow these strict requirements for the paper:
 2 - 3 pages of text, but no more than 3 pages of text
 Typed, 12-pt. font, double-spaced
 Title page with title, name, date, class day and time, centered in 12-pt font.
 Reference page in APA format (APA is different from MLA so be sure to know the difference!)
 Citations within text in APA format; any information used from sources must be cited within the
text. You only have to cite the author(s) names of the printed journal article, not the ones within the
article.
 Sources: 2 peer-reviewed/scientific journal articles dated 2000 or more current and the King
textbook. All sources must be turned in. Any of the information that is used from the sources
must be highlighted within the sources, no matter how minute the information!
 Do not use Google, Yahoo, or any other internet search engine similar to these.
 You are allowed to use more than 2 articles (5 maximum). The requirements are the same for all
sources, including turning them in and highlighting.
 Sources cannot be from a newspaper or “popular” magazine (i.e., Newsweek, Wall Street Journal,
Forbes, Psychology Today, etc.). Also, no book reviews or editorials are allowed.
 Do not write in 1st person (using “I” or “me”); write in 3rd person
 No personal experiences allowed; only examples from sources may be used; you are limited to 1 small
example no longer than ½ page in length
 Conclusion: must be your opinion of your research findings and you are allowed to use 1 st person here.
Must be a well-developed paragraph stating more than just if you agree or disagree with your research
findings; must be at least ½ a page
 Use correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, etc.
 The majority of the paper should be paraphrased, meaning you tell in your own words what the author
has said, without your opinion, and include a citation at the end of the paraphrase. Even though you
are putting it in your own words, remember that it is not your original idea so you must cite where the
information came from
 Turn in paper in a lighter-colored (no dark blue or black) folder with pockets and prongs
 Hole-punch your research paper and place the paper in the prongs; staple the sources individually and
place in the pockets of the folder
 Write your name, date, and class day and time on the front of the folder where it is easily visible
You will receive a failing grade if:
 Plagiarize
 Do not turn in correct/approved articles
 Information within the sources is not highlighted
 If paper is written with incorrect sources
More requirements for paper will be given during the semester so stay posted!!!!
IF YOUR PAPER IS LATE, 10 POINTS WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EVERY DAY THAT IT IS LATE!
YOUR PAPER IS CONSIDERED LATE IF IT IS NOT TURNED IN BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS!
ATTENDANCE AND DROP POLICY
It is very important that you attend and participate in class. If you have to miss a class, it is your
responsibility to get the material/notes that you missed. Please do not contact me for the notes. I do not
give out my notes to students. It is your responsibility to take good notes or obtain them from another
student in the class if you are absent. It is also important that you arrive to class on time to avoid being
marked absent or missing important information or announcements usually given at the beginning of class.
I do not drop students so it is your responsibility to drop the class if you are unable to continue in the class.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 -
August 26-28
Introduction
Chapters 1 & 2 – Introduction and Research Methods
Week 2 -
September 02-04
Chapter 3 – Biological Foundations of Behavior
TEST 1: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 04
HOMEWORK #1 FOR CHAPTER 3 DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ONLINE ON
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 04
Chapter 6 - Learning
Week 3 -
September 09-11
Chapter 6 - Learning
Chapter 7 – Memory
Week 4 -
September 16-18
TEST 2: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
HOMEWORK #2 FOR CHAPTER 6 DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ONLINE ON
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Chapter 9 – Human Development
Week 5 -
September 23-25
Chapter 12 – Personality
TEST 3: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
HOMEWORK #3 FOR CHAPTER 9 DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ONLINE ON
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Chapter 13 – Social Psychology
Week 6 -
September 30-October 02
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW – SEPTEMBER 29
RESEARCH PAPERS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS – SEPTEMBER 30
Chapter 13 – Social Psychology
Chapter 17 – Health Psychology
Chapter 15 – Psychological Disorders and Therapies
Week 7 -
October 07-09
Chapter 15 – Psychological Disorders and Therapies
TEST 4: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 09
HOMEWORK #4 FOR CHAPTER 15 DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ONLINE ON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 09
Week 8 -
October 14-16
FINAL EXAM: OCTOBER 16
***This schedule is tentative and may be changed during the course of the semester. You are responsible
for getting the changes if you miss a class.***
NOTES