_____________________________________________________________________________
PSYC 100.11 General Psychology
Seattle Central Community College
Spring 2014
Daily
BE 4130
____________________________________________________________________________
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Pat Russell, Psy. D.
BE 4126
By appointment only
Pat.Russell@seattlecolleges.edu
Required Textbook:
Myers, D. G. (2013). Psychology (10th Ed.). New York: Worth Publishers
ISBN-10: 1-4292-6178-1
Price, W. F. & Crapo, R. H. (2002). Cross-Cultural Perspectives in
Introductory Psychology (4th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
ISBN-10: 0-534-54653-6
Course Objectives:
Introduction to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning
and thinking, development, personality & individual differences, social &
abnormal behavior, perception, motivation, and research methods.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the field of psychology, including its scope
2. Understand research methods
3. Utilize the scientific method in critical thinking
4. Describe, compare, evaluate and apply major theoretical perspectives
5. Identify psychological concepts & theories
Requirements
Attendance:
Attendance & participation in class are critical to the learning process. There will be a sign-sheet
at each class. Do not come late & leave early – if you do so it will be counted as an absence.
You are responsible for any information you miss from another student in class. You are
expected to be in class for each and every student presentation. Total=100 points (10 for each
week – you will be allowed one week’s worth of absences except for the student presentations)
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Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell
Course quizzes:
Two in-class quizzes will be given. They will include multiple choice & short answers. There will
be no make-up quizzes if you miss class the day the quiz is given. Total=100 points (50 points
per quiz)
Reading Response Papers:
There will be 10 weekly reading papers due. These are to be 2 pages, double spaced,
comments on the reading assignments for the week and they are due each Friday weeks 1
through 10. No late papers will be accepted. The papers are expected to be double spaced, in
12 point font, hard-copies only. No handwritten papers will be accepted. Total 100 points (10
points per week)
Mid-term presentations:
You will be assigned to a group of students for mid-term presentations. There will be three
groups; each one will focus on a specific area in psychology that has been studied up to
midterm. Each presentation should be 20 minutes in length, give a comprehensive overview,
and cite recent research or controversies from articles outside of the assigned reading. Each
group member will submit a brief, one page summary of their own participation in the group.
Total=50 points (for each group member, including paper)
Final Partner Presentation & Paper:
You will be assigned to a partner who you will research with & present on one of the subfields
of psychology. You & your partner will present on that topic during the final two weeks of the
class. Presentations should be 15 minutes, and you may use PowerPoint, multi-media,
handouts, class exercises, etc. Total=50 points (per group member)
Presentations should include:
 An overview of the topic
 Current research in the field
 How the topic or issue impacts development culturally, socially, with gender, etc.
 The future of the issue
The final paper is an individual write-up of the partner project topic. Included in the paper is a
description of your role in the project. Each paper must be at least 10 pages in length, doublespaced, and hard-copy. It is due on the last day of class. Again, no late papers will be accepted.
Total=100 points
Grade Assignments
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you receive out of the maximum of 500
points. Please do not ask me how many points you have! This is up to you to keep track of. I
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Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell
will return papers & assignments as quickly as possible. It is up to you to pick up your papers
when I bring them in. Grades are assigned on a 4.0 scale:
Letter
Percent
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
E
95-100%
90-94%
87-89%
82-86%
80-81%
77-79%
72-78%
70-71%
65-69%
60-64%
Below 60%
Points
475-500
450-474
437-449
414-436
400-412
388-399
363-387
350-362
337-349
313-366
Below 300
Grade
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Etiquette and Participation
o During class, you are expected to be attentive. You must participate in discussions and
group activities.
DO NOT use your cell phone or other electronic devices – turn off the ringer and place it in your
bag away from your attention during class. Do not call, text, instant message, or chat with your
neighbor
o I recommend that you abstain from using your laptop or tablet during class. Many
students have good intentions in note taking on their laptops, but their learning is
commonly obstructed by the distraction posed by the laptop.
o Be respectful of your classmates at all times. Any actions that I deem to be disrespectful
will result in removal from class.
Academic Honesty & Student Conduct
Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
action and will be handled according to college regulations. Follow the Seattle Community
College student code of conduct at all times. Violations of the student code of conduct will
be reported to proper college officials.
As a college student you are expected to speak & behave in a manner that is respectful of
me and of other students. You are encouraged to critique what is presented in the readings
or in class by me or your peers. However, all critiques should be grounded in theory and
research evidence and not individual experience alone, and should be presented in a
respectful manner. In addition distracting and potentially disruptive or disrespectful
behaviors are out of place in a college classroom. Some of the behaviors that will not be
tolerated are (but not limited to):
o Talking to your neighbor
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Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Reading newspapers, magazines, etc.
Texting
Using your cell phone
Coming to class late
Leaving early
Listening to music
Sleeping in class
4. Reflection Papers: There will be 10 two-page reflection papers on the topics, in-class
discussions & lectures, and weekly readings which will be due at the end of the period on
Friday. These papers are your own thoughts and/or feelings on the topics being examined.
The papers will be graded on both content & quality.
Grading:
 In-class quizzes:
100 points
 Reflection papers:
100 points
 Mid-term presentation:
50 points
 Research Partner Presentations:
50 points
 Final paper:
100 points
______________________________________________________________________________
Total possible points:
500 points
______________________________________________________________________________
Grades are assigned on a 4.0 scale:
Letter
Percent
Points
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
E
95-100%
90-94%
87-89%
82-86%
80-81%
77-79%
72-78%
70-71%
65-69%
60-64%
Below 60%
475-500
450-474
437-449
414-436
400-412
388-399
363-387
350-362
337-349
313-366
Below 300
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Course Policies
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Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell
Attendance
o Attendance is required for success in college courses – you will not be graded on your
attendance, but attendance will be recorded periodically for administrative purposes.
o All material on quizzes and exams will be covered in class, thus your participation and
attention during class is essential for your success. Participation points will only be
awarded if you are present in class.
o If you miss a class, please complete the following:
o First, turn in all assignments prior to your absence.
o Second, check the syllabus and complete all reading.
o Third, talk to a fellow student to determine what you missed.
o Fourth, see me to collect any assignments and ask any remaining questions.
Etiquette and Participation
o During class, you are expected to be attentive. You must participate in discussions and
group activities.
DO NOT use your cell phone or other electronic devices – turn off the ringer and place it in your
bag away from your attention during class. Do not call, text, instant message, or chat with your
neighbor
o I recommend that you abstain from using your laptop or tablet during class. Many
students have good intentions in note taking on their laptops, but their learning is
commonly obstructed by the distraction posed by the laptop.
o Be respectful of your classmates at all times. Any actions that I deem to be disrespectful
will result in removal from class.
Academic Honesty & Student Conduct
Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
action and will be handled according to college regulations. Follow the Seattle Community
College student code of conduct at all times. Violations of the student code of conduct will
be reported to proper college officials.
Students with Disabilities:
In compliance with Seattle Central Community College’s policy and equal access laws, I am
available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a
student with a disability. Requests for academic accommodations should be made as early
as possible to avoid delays in implementing the accommodations. Students should register
with the Disability Services office for disability verification and for determination of
reasonable academic accommodations.
Inclement Weather:
Please see the SCCC website to determine whether campus operations have been
suspended. The instructor will also post an announcement on the course webpage
whenever possible to notify students of cancelled classes.
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Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell
COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS
This schedule is preliminary and is subject to change
Changes to the schedule will be announced in class
Week 1
April 7-11
Week 2
April 14-18
Week 3
April 21-25
Week 4
April 28-May 2
Week 5
May 5-9
Week 6
May 12-16
Week 7
May 19-22
[Instructor out on the
22nd]
Week 8
26-30
6
Myers: Prologue – The Story of Psychology
Start Chapter 1 – Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
Price & Crapo: Part One Psychological Research & Theory
Response paper 1 due on the 11th
Myers : Finish Chapter 1 – Thinking Critically with Psychological
Science
Start Chapter 2 – The Biology of Mind
Price & Crapo: Part Two & Three
Response paper 2 due on 18th
Myers : Chapter 3 (Abbreviated) – Consciousness and the Two-Track
Mind
Chapter 4 – Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity
Price & Crapo: Part 4 & 5
Response paper 3 due on the 25th
Myers : Chapter 5 – Developing through the Life Span
Chapter 6 – Sensation and Perception
Price & Crapo: Part Six & Seven
Response paper 4 due on the 2nd
Myers : Chapter 7 – Learning
Chapter 8 – Memory
Price & Crapo: Part Eight & Nine
Response paper 5 due on the 9th
Mid-Term Presentations
Myers : Chapter 9 – Thinking and Language
Start Chapter 10 – Intelligence
Price & Crapo: Part Ten & Eleven
Response paper 6 due on the 16th
Myers : Finish Chapter 10 – Intelligence
Start Chapter 11 – Motivation and Work
Price & Crapo: Part Twelve & Thirteen
Response paper 7 due on the 30th
Myers : Finish Chapter 11 – Motivation and Work
Start Chapter 12 – Emotions, Stress, and Health
Price & Crapo: Part Fourteen & Fifteen
Response paper 8 due on the 30th
Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell
Week 9
June 2-7
Week 10
June 9-13
Week 11
June 16-20
7
Myers : Finish Chapter 12 – Emotions, Stress, and Health
Price & Crapo: Part Sixteen
Response paper 9 due on the 7th
Student Presentations
Myers : Chapter 13 – Personality
Chapter 14 – Social Psychology
Chapter 15 – Psychological Disorders
Response paper 10 due on the 13th
Student Presentations
Myers : Chapter 16 – Therapy
Final Papers due on the 20th
Spring 2014 PSYC 100: General Psychology
Instructor: Russell