Course Information
PSYCH 100
Spring
2012
Table of Contents
Grading .............................................................1
Course Schedule ...............................................2
Academic Dishonesty .......................................4
In the Classroom ...............................................4
Resources ..........................................................5
Late Assignment Policy ....................................5
Emailing Policy.................................................5
Exams ...............................................................6
Comprehensive Final
Exam .................................................................6
Make-Up Exams ...............................................6
Textbook: Myers, D.G. (2010). Psychology, 9th ed. New
York, NY: Worth.
Companion website:
http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers9e/#t_512463____
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): After completing this course you
should be able to
1. demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical
perspectives, and empirical findings in psychology by restating them
in your own words and applying them to examples.
2. understand basic research methods in psychology.
3. respect and use critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when
possible, use the scientific approach to solve problems related to
behavior and mental processes.
4. understand and apply psychological principles to personal and social
issues.
5. weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, and understand that behavior is
based on multiple factors.
Grading
Current Event Assignment ................................7
Psychology in My Life
Essay .................................................................8
In-class Activities .............................................8
No-stress Quizzes .............................................8
Extra Credit .......................................................9
CLASS
Item #3410
6:00-8:20am Tu/Th
CC3343
INSTRUCTOR
Anne Richards
OFFICE
IB2423C #2
OFFICE HOUR
before or after class
and by appointment
CONTACT INFO
Email: anne.richards@seattlecolleges.edu
WEB ADDRESS
http://angel.northseattle.edu
Comprehensive Final Exam and Exams (5 – 1 lowest score x 50 pts
each) 200 pts. (SLO 1, 2, 4, 5)
In-class activities are 5 points each for a total of 50 pts. (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
No-stress quizzes are worth 0 pts. (SLO 1, 2, 4, 5)
Psychology in the News is worth 25 pts. (SLO 1, 3 4)
Psychology in My Life Essay is worth 15 pts. (SLO 1, 3, 4,5)
Total Points: 290
Extra Credit:
Your photo: 2 pts.
Book report: Maximum of 10 pts.
Extra in-class activities: 2 pts. each
To calculate your current grade in the course, add up all of the points you’ve
earned in the class so far and divide by the maximum number of points that
are possible so far. Multiple by 100 to get a percentage. Look up your
percentage in the table below to get the equivalent grade point and letter
grade. Grades will be assigned on a decimal grading scale.
A
A
A
AAAB+
4.0
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
%
95
94
93
92
91
90
89
B+
B+
B
B
B
BB-
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
1
%
88
87
86
85
84
83
82
BBC+
C+
C+
C
C
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
2.0
%
81
80
79
78
77
75
73
C
CCCCD+
D+
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
%
71
69
68
67
66
65
64
D+
D
D
D
DDF
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
%
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
Course Schedule
PowerPoints are available on the course website. This schedule is flexible and may change during the
quarter.
Date
Apr 3
Assignment
Prologue
Apr 5
Apr 10
Apr 12
Chapter 1
Chapter 2, extra credit photo due
Chapter 3, p.86-108
Apr 17
Bring a scantron and #2 pencil
Apr 19
Chapter 4, p.133-162 and Ch 5
Apr 24
Chapter 6 p.229-243, bottom p. 258 –
p.279, draft of Psychology in the
News homework due
Psychology in the News due, Chapter
7
Apr 26
May 1
May 3
May 8
Bring a scantron and #2 pencil
Chapter 8
May 10
Chapter 9 p. 369-382, 395-401,
Chapter 10 p.405-431, 437-439, draft
of Psychology in My Life essay due
Chapter 11 p.443-447, Chapter 12
Psychology in My Life Essay due
May 15
May 17
May 22
Bring a scantron and #2 pencil
May 24
Chapter 13 p.553-564, 567-576 and
Ch 14
Chapter 15
May 29
May 31
June 5
June 7
June 12
June 14
Chapter 16
Extra credit book report due
Bring a scantron and #2 pencil
Bring a scantron and #2 pencil
Class time plan
Go over syllabus and class requirements,
Introduction to Psychology, Critical Thinking with
Psychology, in-class activity 1
Research Methods, in-class activity 2
Biology of Mind, in-class activity 3
Consciousness, no-stress quiz 1, review for Exam 1
Exam 1 (on Prologue-Chapter 3), Nature,
Nurture, and Diversity
Lifespan Development, in-class activity 4
Sensation and Perception, peer proofreading, inclass activity 5
Psychology in the News presentations, Learning,
in-class activity 6
continue Learning, no-stress quiz 2, review for
Exam 2
Exam 2 (on Chapters 4-7) Memory
Memory, in-class activity 7
Thinking, peer proofreading, Intelligence, in-class
activity 8
Motivation, Emotions, Stress, and Health, in-class
activity 9
continue Emotions, Stress, and Health, no-stress
quiz 3, review for Exam 3
Exam 3 (on Chapters 8-12), Personality, in-class
activity 10
Psychological Disorders
Therapy
Therapy, in-class activity 11
Social Psychology, in-class activity 12
no-stress quiz 4, review for Exam 4
Exam 4 (on Chapters 13-16), review for final
exam, class party
Comprehensive Final exam 6:00-8:00pm in our
usual classroom
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Academic Dishonesty
By your attendance here, you’ve agreed to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct which states, in part, that
“academic dishonesty, to include cheating, plagiarism, and providing false information to the college” may bring
disciplinary action. The policy of the NSCC faculty is to exercise its professional judgment as to the nature and
cause of each case of suspected or proven plagiarism and to respond in a manner suited to the case.
Academic Dishonesty includes:
• Providing or receiving unauthorized information, in any behavioral fashion, during or prior to any type of assignment or
test.
• Using unauthorized sources during any assignment or test.
• Having someone else do your work (assignment or test) for you.
• Altering work and submitting it for a higher grade.
• Collaboration on any assignment or test without prior instructor approval.
• Stealing work and submitting it as your own.
Consequences include:
 requiring that a piece of writing be revised to eliminate the plagiarism
 denying credit for a piece of writing in which plagiarism has been found
 recording a “0” grade in the student’s class record for this project or paper, thereby lowering the student’s final grade
 forwarding the student’s name to the Vice President for Student Services for possible further action
In the Classroom

Class time. Since I will often add material in class that goes beyond what is in the textbook it will be very
important for you to come to class. During class my goal is to keep things interesting by breaking up
PowerPoint presentations with videos, recordings of radio interviews, demonstrations, graded and ungraded
activities, and class discussions.

Multitasking in class. Multitasking is an inefficient use of time. I’m going to do my part to do all I can to
provide interesting class sessions so you won’t feel the need to shift focus onto something else, and I’m
going to ask that you help with this by keeping your cell phone where you won’t be tempted to check
incoming texts and only using your laptop for taking notes for our class (not email, solitaire, or homework
due for another class).

Class atmosphere. It is important to me for the classroom to have an atmosphere of a community, so treat
everyone with respect so that they can feel comfortable and welcome to participate in our discussions.
Please participate but do not go off topic when you do so. I would also like the class to be an environment
that allows people to concentrate and learn. Please plan to arrive on time and leave when class is over, it is
disruptive to have students going in and out of the classroom. We will have a 10 minute break about half
way through the class period. If you are not feeling happy with the classroom atmosphere please speak to
me privately.

Class cancellations. If just our class is cancelled, a note will be posted outside the classroom, and if I am
able, I will send the class an email as early as I can. I will also post an announcement on Angel. Check
http://schoolreports.org for unexpected campus closures usually due to weather. If class is cancelled for any
reason, check Angel and assume that the class calendar remains unchanged, and any assignments due during
the cancellation will be due the next time class is in session.

Missing class. If you miss class for any reason, I’m afraid that you are still responsible for turning in your
assignments by the due date and knowing about any announcements. Ask a trusted classmate for
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information on the material you missed. Check Angel for announcements. You do not need to notify me if
you are missing class. You are an adult and I know that there are many reasons for missing class.
Resources

Read the textbook. The number one thing you can do to help yourself succeed in this course is study the
textbook. The reading assignment for each class period is listed on the class schedule.

Angel website. Your grades will be available for you to view online as soon as I enter them. If you believe
there is a mistake then contact me right away. You are required to keep track of your grades as we go along.
You have 2 weeks after I post grades for an assignment or exam to talk to me about it and straighten out any
issues. I will also post announcements, powerpoints, recorded lectures, and study guides on the website.

Students with Disabilities. To request academic accommodations due to a disability, contact Disability
Services (Room CC2445B). Provide me with a letter from D.S. indicating the accommodations required, so
that we can discuss your needs for the class.

Help with Writing. Grammar and spelling will affect your grade, so if this is not your greatest strength you
are encouraged to visit the Loft Writing Center. https://northseattle.edu/tutoring/loft-writing-center

Individual assistance is always available. By assistance I mean going over topics we covered in class or
covered in the textbook that we didn’t go over in class, help with deciding which classes to take next
quarter, exploring career options that have a psychology focus or angle.

Free tutoring. Take advantage of the tutoring that is available through the school.
https://northseattle.edu/tutoring

Syllabus. This contains everything you need to know about the course; keep this in your notebook and refer
to it often. I reserve the right to change this syllabus in writing or by announcement on angel or in class.
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments are due by 11:59pm on the date given (see calendar).
Homework will be accepted for full credit during class or by email by midnight on the due date. Homework assignments
will be accepted late but your total possible score for the assignment will be reduced by 5% for each day it is late
(including non-class days). If you turn in an assignment later than 10 days you can receive up to 50% credit for the
assignment.
Emailing Policy
All group email communications from me will be to your Angel and North Seattle email accounts. When you email me
please write a short description of what you are emailing me about in the subject heading. I will not open emails with
blank subjects because those can be viruses. Be sure to state which class you are in and sign the email with your first and
last name. I try to reply within 24-hours except on the weekends.
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Exams
See the course schedule for testing dates.
Bring a #2 pencil and scantron form.
There will be four exams during the quarter. They will each be worth 50 points. They will NOT be cumulative
except in that some of the material builds upon earlier class material. The question types will be mostly
multiple-choice or true/false, on a scantron. There will also be a few short essay questions which you will
answer on a test page I will provide.
Three tips for preparing for the exams:
1. Read the textbook.
2. Use the study guide. Once you can answer these questions thoroughly, you’re ready to test yourself. Make
sure you can answer everything and give examples of all the concepts and terms without using your notes or
the book.
3. Study groups. If you can find people who are as serious as you about succeeding in this class then studying
together can really help. As I know from experience, one of the best ways to learn something (or find out
that you don’t quite understand something) is to explain it to someone else. If you don’t have a study group,
try telling your friends and family about what you are learning in class. Psychology is a topic that many
people are interested in so they probably won’t mind.
Exam regrades. After your exam is returned, if you find something you think is a mistake, turn in your exam
with a written explanation of why you think you should have received the points for the question. Please turn in
the exam with the notes for regrades within 2 weeks of getting your exam back.
Comprehensive Final Exam
See the course schedule for testing date.
Bring a #2 pencil and scantron form.
The comprehensive final exam will also have mostly multiple choice questions with a few short essay
questions. For this exam you will be given a study guide ahead of time.
Your lowest exam grade will be dropped. Therefore, if you are happy with your grade before the final and have
not missed any of the other exams, you do not have to take the final.
Make-Up Exams
Make-up exams will not be given because your lowest exam score will be dropped. If you miss more than one
exam then you will not pass the class so save your freebie for an emergency. Talk to me if you know in advance
that your absence is unavoidable about the possibility of taking the exam early.
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Psychology in the News Assignment
25 points. See the course schedule for due date.
Part A. Select a news article from a popular periodical.
If you are not sure how to tell the difference between scholarly and popular periodicals go to this website created
by North’s librarian http://libguides.northseattle.edu/content.php?pid=197200&sid=1650351 . Go to Google News or
directly to the website of a newspaper or news television station. Alternatively, look in the science or medicine section of
the newspaper or news magazine you subscribe to. You must use an article from a valid news source – not just anywhere
on the web. Here are some examples below. Email me if you are not sure if you chose an acceptable article.
www.cnn.com
www.nytimes.com
seattletimes.nwsource.com
www.washingtonpost.com
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
www.sfchron.com
Search for an article that focuses on anything related to the topics discussed in the assigned reading so far.
You must choose a news article that discusses the results of one or more scientific studies (making the
article a secondary source). If you are searching online you will need to decide what topics you are
interested in so that you can narrow your search. For example, if you wanted to find an article about Autism
then you will be more likely to find it if you search for the word “autism” than if you search for
“developmental disorders”.
Part B. What you will turn in: 20 points
-3 pages in list format.
r at the top of your paper with your name, the course, and the date.
follow this guide to writing citations for online sources in APA here: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
NOTE: You do not need to put your whole paper in APA format. Just follow my formatting guidelines above and put your
citation in APA format.
in list format, the following questions. Please type the question first, then your
answer, for each of the following:
1. What are the article title, author, and source?
2. What claims about human behavior or mental processes are being made in the article?
3. If there is an “expert” who is quoted, what qualifications does the expert have (can you tell?) and what claims is
he/she making?
4. What information is provided about the research behind the claim?
5. Does the information provided in the article support the title of the article?
6. Identify how well or poorly the article addresses the 7 guidelines for critical thinking, according to the following
prompts. Explain how the article meets or violates each guideline, and give at least one clear example from the
article to support each answer. Remember, critical thinking means pointing out strengths AND weaknesses, if
both are present.
Guideline 1: Source should define terms.
Are scientific terms defined? Is jargon used? What meanings are conveyed? What is left vague or undefined?
Guideline 2: Source should examine the evidence.
What information is provided about the research that was done? (Who were the subjects? What was done to
them/observed/measured? What were the results?)
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Guideline 3: Reader must identify and analyze assumptions and biases.
Who did the research? Who printed this article? Why was the research done? Who funded the research? What
assumptions are made about the audience reading the article? What agenda is served by this article?
Guideline 4: Source should avoid emotional reasoning.
Does the article play on readers‟ emotions (including fear)? Does it use emotional terms or words that arouse emotion?
Does it rely on emotional or logical explanations?
Guideline 5: Source should not oversimplify.
Does the article gloss over important considerations? Does it omit relevant information?
Guideline 6: Source should consider other interpretations.
Does the article provide alternate explanations for the findings?
Guideline 7: Both source and reader must tolerate uncertainty.
Does the article speak in definitive terms such as “prove”? Does it acknowledge that more research may contribute a
different interpretation or explanation? Were you left with the feeling that more research will be done, or was this the final
conclusion?
Grading: You will be graded on the thoroughness of your answers to each question above, as well as spelling and
grammar. This assignment will be graded according to the following rubric:
19-20 points = A: The news article chosen meets the criteria described in part A. All questions are thoroughly answered
and critical thought has been applied to the contents of the article. Viewpoint to the article remains objective without
personal opinion or emotion in analysis. Points made are illustrated with specific quotes from the article, and source
information is accurately cited. Grammar and spelling are correct throughout.
17-18 points = B: The news article chosen meets the criteria described in part A. All questions are answered and critical
thought has been applied to the article. Grammar and spelling are correct throughout.
15-16 points = C: The news article chosen meets the criteria described in part A. Questions may be answered but perhaps
not as thoroughly as they could be. Not enough critical examination/deeper thinking about the research behind the article
has not occurred. Perhaps there is more of an emphasis on personal opinion/emotional response to the article. Citation has
errors. Some grammar and spelling errors.
13-14 points = D: Some questions are perhaps not addressed or answered. Article is given a pass when there should be
critical analysis applied or an unsuitable article has been chosen. Grammar and spelling errors abound.
12 points or fewer = E: Assignment requirements are not met, critical analysis not applied, questions not answered.
Problems with grammar and spelling throughout.
Part C. Give a presentation in class. 5 points
The presentations will be about 2 minutes long so that everyone will have a chance to present in one class period.
Please practice and time yourself so that you will be able to stick to that time frame. Feel free to read from a paper if
you need it. In your presentation give a brief summary of what the article is about. If there is time we will give the
other students a chance to ask questions or give comments.
Psychology in My Life Essay
15 points. See the course schedule for due date.
For this assignment you will write a 2 page (double-spaced) essay exploring the relevance of one of the topics discussed
in this class to your life. Pick something out of the chapter(s) or class we have covered and discuss it; the topics you
choose must relate directly to the course. If the connection to the course seems unclear, make it clear in your paper.
Choose a topic that you feel strongly about. Discuss something you learned about psychology that changed your view
about something or someone in your life. Discuss your opinion about the topic and whether you agreed with the way the
textbook and the class covered this topic. Make sure your essay has an introduction and a conclusion.
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Not many people will need to but if you include information from outside sources , e.g., websites, books, magazines, in
the writing of your paper, you must cite your sources in the text of your paper and include a works cited page at the end.
The works cited must be APA-style.
In-class Activities
50 points
We will have several graded in-class activities. Some of these will be group work and some will be individual work.
There will be worksheets that you fill out as a group, hands-on lab activities, and small group discussions. These in-class
activities will allow you to be active learners during class. It will not be possible to make up the in-class activities but
everyone will be able to miss two in-class activities without penalty. There are 12 possible in-class activities but you will
receive 100% in this category as long as you participate in at least 10.
No-stress Quizzes
0 points
There will be weekly self-graded quizzes. We will go over them together right after they have been taken. The purpose of
these is to help you understand the expectations for the exams, to review material, and to give you an idea of your level of
understanding of the material. These quizzes are not worth any points.
Extra Credit
See the course schedule for due date.
Photo (2 points)
Within the first week of class email a recent photograph of yourself to me with a good picture of your face so that I can
use it to learn your name.
Book Report (up to 10 points)
1. Read at least 100 pages of a book. Book selection: find a book related to a topic in our class and ask for
permission to use it. You can also ask me for suggestions.
2. Report:
a. Length: 2 pages minimum, 4 pages maximum, typed, double-spaced.
b. Content: Spend the first ½ page to 1 page summarizing the book (describe what the book is about). For
the rest of the report discuss what you liked and disliked about the book, how it related to specific things
we have been learning in class, how it gave you a deeper understanding of a psychology topic, and
whether you agreed or disagreed with any opinions put forth by the author. In order to get full credit you
need to address all of these in a thoughtful way with correct grammar and spelling.
Extra in-class activities (up to 4 points)
If you participate in more than 10 in-class activities, you will receive extra-credit for those. There are 12 possible in-class
activities so if you don’t miss any, you will receive 4 points of extra credit. If you miss one activity then you will receive
2 points of extra credit. These points will be added onto your grade at the end of the quarter.
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