HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – SOUTHWEST (WEST LOOP) FALL 2013 _____________________________________________________________________ Gracie A. Roberts, M.A. Psychology 2301- Introduction to Psychology CRN: 64717 8-WK Credits: 3 T,TH 11 a.m- 2 p.m. E-mail address: gracie.roberts@hccs.edu 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 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 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 1995 or more current and the Weiten book. 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 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, 2013 by 4:30 p.m. COURSE SCHEDULE Week 1 - August 27 - 29 Introduction Chapters 1 and 2 – Introduction and Research Methods Week 2 - September 03 - 05 Chapter 3 – Neuroscience and Behavior TEST 1: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 05 (COVERS CHAPTERS 1, 2 & 3) Chapter 5 – Consciousness and Its Variations Week 3 - September 10 - 12 Chapter 6 - Learning Chapter 7 – Memory Week 4 - September 17 - 19 TEST 2: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 (COVERS CHAPTERS 5, 6, & 7) Chapter 10 – Lifespan Development Chapter 11 – Personality Week 5 - September 24 - 26 Chapter 11 – Personality TEST 3: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 (COVERS CHAPTERS 10, & 11) Chapter 15 – Social Psychology LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW – SEPTEMBER 30 BY 4:30 P.M. Week 6 - October 01 - 03 Chapter 15 – Social Psychology Chapter 12 – Stress, Health and Coping RESEARCH PAPERS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS – OCTOBER 01 Week 7 - October 08 - 10 Chapter 13 – Psychological Disorders TEST 4: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 (COVERS CHAPTERS 15, 12, & 13) Week 8 - October 15 - 17 PREPARATION FOR FINAL EXAM FINAL EXAM – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 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.***