HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SOUTHWEST (WEST LOOP)
FALL 2011
_____________________________________________________________________
Gracie A. Roberts, M.A.
Psychology 2301- Introduction to Psychology
CRN: 52777 8-WK TTH 11 – 2
Link to Syllabus and objectives: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/carol.laman/hccs-psychologydepartment-model-syllabi
E-mail address: gracie.roberts@hccs.edu
Cell: (713) 517-6958
TEXTBOOKS
The textbook is required for this course.
Weiten, W. (2011). Psychology: Themes and variations, briefer version (8th ed). California: Wadsworth
Publishers.
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!
Best 3 out of 4 Tests @ 20% each
Research Paper
Final Exam
TOTAL
60%
20%
20%
100%
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
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student 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.
TESTING
The tests will consist of 50 questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer,
diagramming, and matching. The questions will come from the book and lectures. 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 OR PROJECT/POSTER
One of the requirements of this course is for you to write a research paper on a psychological topic/issue.
To ensure the highest possible grade, follow these strict requirements for the paper:
 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: 3 peer-reviewed/scientific journal articles dated 1995 or more current and the Weiten
book. 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 3 sources (5 maximum), and your Hockenbury book.
 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 (see section on Plagiarism)
 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 END OF CLASS ON THE DAY
THAT IT IS DUE!
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.
The last day to drop is September 30, 2011 by 4:30 p.m.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 -
August 30 – September 01
Introduction
Chapters 1 and 2 – Introduction and Research Methods
Week 2 -
September 06 - 08
Chapter 3 – Neuroscience and Behavior
RESEARCH PAPER TOPICS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE 8TH
TEST 1: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 08 (COVERS CHAPTERS 1, 2 & 3)
Chapter 4 – Consciousness and Its Variations
Week 3 -
September 13 - 15
Chapter 6 - Learning
Chapter 7 – Memory
Week 4 -
September 20 - 22
TEST 2: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 (COVERS CHAPTERS 5, 6, & 7)
Chapter 10 – Lifespan Development
Chapter 11 – Personality
Week 5 -
September 27 - 29
Chapter 11 – Personality
TEST 3: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (COVERS CHAPTERS 10, & 11)
Chapter 15 – Social Psychology
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW – SEPTEMBER 30 BY 4:30 P.M.
Week 6 -
October 04 - 06
Chapter 15 – Social Psychology
Chapter 12 – Stress, Health and Coping
RESEARCH PAPERS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS – OCTOBER 06
Week 7 -
October 11 - 13
Chapter 13 – Psychological Disorders
TEST 4: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 (COVERS CHAPTERS 15, 12, & 13)
Week 8 -
October 18 - 20
PREPARATION FOR FINAL EXAM
FINAL EXAM – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20
11 A.M. – 1 P.M.
***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.***