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General Psychology
3415-PSYC&100.H2 – Winter 2014
Please print out and read this syllabus
Dr. Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.
Phone: (206) 934-7011
Office hours: 9:30 – 10:00 and 11:00 – 11:30 T & Th and online 8:00 – 9:00 M,W,F
Office: Rm. IB2327A
E-mail = Please send email for this class through the instructor’s campus email.
robert.atkins@seattlecolleges.edu I do not check the Canvas course website email.
Subject: Include the item # and class you are in (E.g.#9600 Sociology101.D1)
Class website: https://canvas.northseattle.edu/login
Login material (Write your items in the space below)
User name: _______________________
Your entire student ID number
Password: ______________________
The sic (6) letters of your last name. (Repeat if less than six eg. Liuliu)
“MyPsychLab” Entry code: May be purchased from the NSCC bookstore, or the
publishers at: http://www.mypsychlab.com
“MyPsychLab” Course ID is: atkins70168
If you do not put this course ID# in when you register for MyPsycLab you will not be
in this class on that website!! You will not receive any credit for it!! You should be
able to see, “ PSYC&100.H2-3415-Winter’14” on the home page.
MyPsychLab: Log In = http://www.mypsychlab.com
MyPsychLab Technical support = 800-677-6337
i>clicker Technical support =1-866-209-5698
eLearning student support: http://www.virtualcollege.org/
Course schedule:
The Course Calendar in the back of this syllabus gives you a schedule for the quarter.
Grading: Your class grade is based on the four non-cumulative multiple-choice
midterms (50 points each), “MyPsychLab” (50 points), i>clickers (50 points) and extra
credit (10 Pts. from syllabus quiz).
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____, Exam #2 _____, Exam #3 _____, Exam #4 _____,
MyPsychLab (% of total correct ÷ 2) _____, i>Clicker _____ Extra Credit = _______
Total = _______
(Finding this total on the Grading Scale in this syllabus will give you your final grade).
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Outcome
This course will give you the knowledge to:
* Understand the nature of the individual, of human values and of the relationship
between the self and the community.
Note: Often people have had traumatic experiences or have strong feelings on certain
topics. If you feel any of the topics in the text or class will be emotionally damaging to
you, or difficult to learn about or discuss, or would create a “hostile environment” for you
- do not take this course.
Materials for the course:
1. Text: Myers - Psychology 10th. Ed. Paperback text
(Recommended)
ISBN# 1-4641-0855-2
Using older editions: You may use any edition you wish, however, there
may be some changes from one edition to another.
2. “MyPsychLab: (Without E-book) (Required)
“MyPsychLab” Entry code: May be purchased from the NSCC bookstore or the
publishers at: http://www.mypsychlab.com
or from the NSCC Bookstore
You can see a video about how to register in the “Start Here” section of the class website.
NOTE: Choose the MyPsychLab without the e-book. It is cheaper, and we
are using a different text. This website is used for the required 50 points of
video activities and quizzes, not the text.
MyPsychLab: Log In = http://www.mypsychlab.com
MyPsychLab Technical support = 800-677-6337
“MyPsycLab” Course ID is: atkins70168
If you do not put this course ID# in when you register for MyPsycLab you will not be
in this class on that website!! You will not receive any credit for it! You should be
able to see,” PSYC&100.H2 PSYC&100.H2-3415-Winter’14” on the home page.
3. “i>Clicker+” (Required)
The “i>Clicker+” student response system can be purchased from the NSCC
bookstore, on Amazon.com, and other sources. Please bring this to class every day to
participate.
4. “Scan-Tron” sheets, correction fluid, and a pencil are required for taking the
exams.
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5. Computer:
Your computer needs to be a PC or Mac with a good internet
connection, internet browser, ability to view Power Point, PDF, and MP4 video files.
Most computers come with the ability to view these, if not, you can search for free player
downloads for these items. Search for: “Microsoft Power Point Viewer”, “Adobe PDF
reader”, Windows Media Player MP4” or “Apple QuickTime”.
Google Chrome computers are not recommended.
How to insure your i>clicker is working properly:
How to register your i>Clicker:
Go to” http://www1.iclicker.com” > click on “Register” then “Register an i>clicker”
from the dropdown menu > for “Does you school use a Learning Management System,
click Yes > put in your first name, last name, student ID (your NSCC student ID
number), the remote ID, copy the image code letters, and click “Register”. Finally, print
out the registration information after you click register.
Your instructor will let you know when it has been registered properly in the grade book.
You are welcome to ask if you are uncertain.
How to tell if everything is working properly:
When you click on a button to respond, the light to the left of that button will turn green
for an instant. This indicates your reply has been recorded, and a return signal has been
sent back from the control box. If you get a red light, it means your reply has not been
recorded, or your instructor has not started polling. If you have new batteries and have
registered your clicker properly, you probably need to reset the frequency as described
below.
Setting the correct frequency:
We will be on frequency “AA”. New clickers will be set on that frequency
automatically. To change to frequency “AA” do the following: 1. Press and hold the
Power button until the Power light flashes green (about one second). Press the “A”
button twice (“AA”). A green light indicates the frequency was changed successfully.
Remember: - Your i>clicker points will be determined by the computer records. Each
day the computer records who received the points and who was absent. Do not come to
me at the end of the quarter and say your clicker must have had a problem because you
were here and participated during all the days the computer says you were absent and
expect me to give you participation credit for all the absences. I will go with the
computer records.
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MyPsychLab
“MyPsychLab” is a website that provides the videos to view and take a short
multiple choice quiz based on the material. This will add interest to the class, and enable
you to be exposed to material we do not have time to cover in class. It will also give you
fifty points in the class. These are designed so you can view the activity, take the quiz, or
view the video again and change your quiz answers as needed before submitting your
answers. Therefore, you should get 100% on this portion of the course.
The activities are seen on the right side of the Course Calendar at the back of this
syllabus. All the activities are available from the first day of class, and will turn off near
the end of the quarter as indicated in the Course Calendar and the MyPsychLab calendar.
Both calendars have the same dates. If you have not completed the quiz by that time, you
will receive a zero for that activity, which cannot be made up – please believe me.
Missing five points will reduce your final grade in the class 1-2 decimal grades. Please
complete these activities on or before the scheduled date in the Course Calendar.
To register for “MyPsychLab”
Internet Explorer (PC) and Safari (Mac) are the preferred browsers.
The steps below are also presented in a video with screen
shots under “Start Here” in your Angel course website
1. Go to:
2. Under “Register” select student
3. Check “Yes, I have a Course ID
4. Enter Course ID: (Find course ID on the first page of this syllabus – atkins*****)
5. Select, “Create a Pearson Account” – Create
6. Complete the account information, check “I accept the license agreement”
7. Click “Create Account”
8. If you purchased an access code from the NSCC bookstore, under “Use an Access
Code” click “Access code”. If you have not purchased an access code from the
NSCCbookstore, you may purchase one directly from the publisher on this page under
“New MyPsychLab”
9. Enter your access code and click “Finish”.
10. Click “Go to your course” (I suggest printing this page with the account information
and order details)
11. You should now see the title of your course, which is the entry point for all the
MyPsychLab materials.
Overview of “MyPsychLab”
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1. Click on the name of your course, “General Psychology - 100”
2. Before you do anything else:
Click on “Tune up your browser” and follow the directions
This will solve 90% of the technical problems you will have later if you
do not do this
Click on “Set your time zone” and follow the directions for Pacific Time.
The time may be set automatically.
Click on “View user guides” and read the materials
3. On the left hand side you will find the following items:
Assignment Calendar:
A. Click the title “Assignment Calendar”, then click “Enter”
B. Go to the last month of the quarter. To change months, click on the
right or left facing triangle on either side of the month.
C. On the last day they are available you will see a clock icon. Click that
date.
Here you will find all the MyPsycLab activities for the entire
quarter, since they all turn off at 11:59 pm (Pacific time) on that
date. This is the date also listed in the Course Calendar at the back
of your syllabus. You may complete that activity on or before that
date, but not after that date. If attempted after that date, the
computer will give you a zero for that activity (which will not be
changed). All the quarter’s activities turn off at that time.
Student Grades for MyPsycLab
Click on “Student Grades”, > “Enter”> “Custom View” (in the navigation
bar at the top) to see your grades.
4. MyPsychLab video (Watch) assignments with quizzes:
I suggest watching the video through once, then take the quiz. You may watch
the video again as often as you want while taking the quiz.
You may change your answers as often as you wish before submitting the quiz.
My expectation is that all students will get 100% correct on all the quizzes.
Scoring for MyPsychLab quizzes
The average percentage correct on the video quizzes divided by two equals the points
received (out of 50) on this portion of the course. For example, if you average a score of
80% on all the MyPsychLab video quizzes you have 40 points on this part of the course.
My expectation is that all students will get 100% correct on all the quizzes and the full 50
points.
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Exams:
General description:
The four mid-term exams (50 points each) are not cumulative and cover only the
chapters for that exam. The exams are all multiple-choice, and will test your knowledge
of concepts, terms, and findings. You will also be asked to apply some of the
fundamental concepts to new situations.
Make-up exams
If you miss a scheduled exam, you may take the make-up exam on the last class
day as indicated in the course calendar.
I recommend you take the exams as scheduled, because the make-up exams are
more difficult. The difference is that I "teach to the test" for the scheduled exams.
The make-up exams are only from the text. I ask the computer to randomly select
questions from a database of questions (e.g. randomly select 50 questions from chapters
1-4). These exams look the same (e.g. 50 multiple choice questions), however, they will
have different questions than the originally scheduled exam.
Extra credit syllabus quiz:
This will be given on the date indicated in the course calendar and cannot be
made up. These extra credit points make up for problems such as, ”I forgot my clicker”,
“The clicker batteries ran out”, “I was in an accident and did not get to class.”, “My
computer had problems”, and all other difficulties.
Scoring exams:
The score you receive will be the grade indicated by the computer. I feel this is
the fairest for the largest number of students. While I am glad to discuss the exam with
you, it will not change your score. Any changes in question wording, etc. will be
considered for next quarter, but will not be used to change scores this quarter.
Use the correction fluid to make any corrections. If you simply erase and put another
answer, the machine will count it as two answers and mark it wrong. Even if your second
answer is correct, you will still lose the point because you did not follow the directions
for making corrections and the machine counted it wrong.
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Grading
Your final grade will be based on the total questions you answered correctly on all
four exams and the website materials.
TOTAL
POINTS
300-270
269-240
239-210
209-180
179-0
%
90
80
70
60
GRADE
"A"
"B"
"C"
"D"
"E"
4.0-3.5
3.4-2.5
2.4-1.5
1.4-0.
0.0
(See the "Grading Scale" page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Exam #1 = 50 pts.
Exam #2 = 50 pts.
Exam #3 = 50 pts.
Exam #4 = 50 pts.
“My Psych Lab” website = 50 pts.
i>Clicker= 50 pts.
Total = 300 points
(See the “Grading Scale” page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Extra credit (10 pts. from the syllabus quiz) is simply added to your total points above.
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Grading Scale
Total
Points
300 (100%)
299
298 4.0
297
296_____
295
294
293 3.9
292
291_____
290
289
288 3.8
287
286
285_____
284
283
282 3.7
281
280_____
279
278
277 3.6
276
275_____
274
273
272 3.5
271
270____(90%)
A
269
268 3.4
267_____
266
265 3.3
264_____
263
262 3.2
261_____
260
259 3.1
258_____
257
256 3.0
255_____
254
253 2.9
252_____
251
250 2.8
249_____
248
247 2.7
246_____
245
244 2.6
243_____
242
241 2.5
240____(80%)
B
239
238 2.4
237_____
236
235 2.3
234_____
233
232 2.2
231_____
230
229 2.1
228_____
227
226 2.0
225_____
224
223 1.9
222_____
221
220 1.8
219_____
218
217 1.7
216_____
215
214 1.6
213_____
212
211 1.5
210____(70%)
C
209
208
207 1.4
206
205
204_____
203
202
201 1.3
200
199
198_____
197
196
195 1.2
194
193
192_____
191
190
189 1.1
188
187
186_____
185
184
183 1.0
182
181
180____(60%)
179 0.0
D
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The grading scale is the same for everyone:
After all grades are in, some students want me to make a new, easier, grading scale just
for them that does not apply to the rest of you.
These requests sound like this: “I only need one more point to get the next higher grade
… please.” “I am failing the class, so don’t give me the grade I earned, give me an NC
(or an Incomplete) instead.” “If you give me the grade I earned, I can not get into the
university.” “I need a 2.0, or I will be deported.” “I will lose my financial aid.” “I
forgot to take the test when it was scheduled with everyone else, so can I take it now
(several days later)?” “I tried (or I learned a lot) so you should give me a higher grade.”
“I did not know I was registered in the class and did absolutely nothing, so I should not
receive a 0.0 grade.” “I had personal problems during the quarter, so you should increase
my grade (or any deadlines should not apply to me).” “I did not remember it was due
then, so can I turn it in now?” I can not grade based on any of these factors. You need to
do the best you possibly can from the first day of class, and feel confident the grade you
receive at the end was the best you are capable of.
If you need help with anything, please see me. I want you to do very well in class and
have established many items to help you do so. These include:
(1) “How To Study” sheet in this syllabus,
(2) Class Presentations
(3) Power point slides,
(4) The text
(5) Study Guides,
(6) Chapter Diagrams
(7) My office hours if you need additional help understanding the material.
With all this support, please remember, the grading scale is the same for everyone.
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**Instructor created support materials:
Class Presentations (Videos):
To view the presentation, click on the file. After the introductory slide appears, click on
the right pointing triangle in the center. This will start the presentation. Be certain the
volume is on (mute turned off) and the volume is turned up to a comfortable level. You
may then simply sit back and listen to the presentation as if you were attending the class
which created these presentations. However, you have the advantage of being able to
pause or rewind and review the presentation using the controls at the bottom of the
screen.
These recordings have been made “live” in class.
When listening to the recordings and watching the slides, it is good to have the Study
Guide, Chapter Diagram, and text in front of you to use as guides to what will be on the
exam. If you wish to print out the slides, they are available in a file entitled “Power Point
Slides”.
These recordings, and the related Power Point slides, have been included for the
following reasons:
1. It gives you a feeling of being in class, complete with stories, examples, and
comments.
2. You get to know your instructor on a more personal level
3. You get to hear explanations of topics that may be difficult to comprehend
otherwise.
A fun way to listen to the videos:
Rather than listening to the videos alone, if you have friends in the course it may
be more fun to get together with pizza and popcorn and listen to them (like going to the
movies). Pause the tape at the “Do You Remember” questions and discuss them among
yourselves to see if you understand them. This is also a good time to take a break before
continuing. CAUTION: Do not take the exam immediately afterward with the other
students. You could be accused of helping each other with the answers, which is
cheating, and everyone would receive a zero for the exam.
Power Point slides:
The Power Point slides are not “canned” from the textbook, they have been made by your
instructor specifically to help you with the exams, and are the same ones used in the class
presentations.
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Chapter Diagrams:
Chapter diagrams are “Concept Maps” of the key concepts being discussed in
lecture, test, and exams. The theory behind these maps is that you can remember a
diagram (or photograph or drawing) better than written text or an outline. This is
particularly true of visual learners.
How to use them:
The best way to use these is to print them out on a color printer and have them in
front of you (along with the study guides) when you listen to the lectures. When listening
to the lectures, or reading the text, you can take notes and transfer the key ideas to the
concept diagrams for later study.
When writing the notes into your diagram, ask yourself if you understand them;
then explain it to yourself (or someone else). It will work even better if you can say this
aloud to yourself so you can hear it.
How to study with them:
1. Add any notes you want to the diagram
2. Develop a mental image of the diagram
3. Try to reproduce that image on a blank piece of paper without looking at the
original diagram.
4. Compare your diagram to the original.
A. The missing items are the ones you need to concentrate on
B. Repeat this process.
Finally, these are just study aids. You do not need to use them if you do not want, and
there is nothing to complete or hand in.
Study Guides:
This file gives you a study guide for each chapter. These are designed directly from the
exams. While you read the text, listen to the class presentations, and view the Power
Point slides, keep these sheets with you, and work toward being able to answer each of
the questions. These will then help you during the exams.
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How to study:
Look at the course calendar to see what materials need to be covered that day.
MyPsychLab:
Complete these items on or before the date they are scheduled in the course calendar.
All activities are available from the start of class. However, this will keep you on
schedule, and eliminate any computer problems preventing you from receiving credit
after the assignment turns off near the end of the quarter.
Class materials (for each chapter):
1. Print out the study materials. This includes the power points (3-6 to a page), chapter
diagrams, and the study guide.
This will help you focus your studying on the most important items.
2. Spread out the text and all the materials in front of you, then listen to the lecture video.
Pause the video to make notes on the study materials.
This will help you recall the lecture material.
3. In the text, highlight and review the “Terms and Concepts to Remember” at the back of
the chapter that are covered in the power points. Also, turn to Appendix B, Complete
Chapter Reviews, and read about the items covered in the power points. Finally, read
that section of the chapter for a more detailed discussion of each item.
Use the text as a reference book, do not read page after page.
This will help you review the class material, and see how it relates to the text.
4. After listening to the video and reading the text:
A. Add to any notes you may have made on the power points, diagrams, etc.
B. Complete the study guide questions. They do not need to be handed in.
This will help you further understand the material presented in the video and
focus your study time on what is most apt to be on the exam.
Each day:
Take about fifteen minutes per chapter to review the materials presented since the last
exam.
Learning research tells us that many short reviews helps you remember the
material much better than one long review.
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Miscellaneous items
Extra credit: You may receive up to ten points extra credit for the syllabus quiz.
Incompletes: No “Incomplete” (I) grades will be given.
No Credit “NC” grades and Withdrawals: You must request an "NC" grade or
withdraw by the “last day to withdraw” indicated on the course calendar. If you
have not, you will receive a decimal grade for this course.
************************************************************************
When the Registrar’s office says you can get an “NC” grade up until the end of the
quarter, they mean they will process it. What they tend not to tell you is that you
can only receive an NC if requested by the instructor based on the criteria for
assigning an NC grade. My criteria are that you can only receive an NC grade if it
is requested prior to the last day to withdraw. After that date you will receive a
decimal grade. Do not tell me the Registrar said you could get an NC grade up until
the end of the quarter – you cannot.
************************************************************************
Cheating: Any cheating on exams will result in a score of zero (“0”) for that exam (which
can not be retaken). Copying an exam, sending an exam to another student, or keeping
an exam is considered cheating. Facilitating the cheating of another student is also
considered cheating, and both parties will receive a zero.
Posting Final Grades: Final grades will not be posted. You may check your grades via
the internet at: NSCC home page > Online Services > Look Up Your Grades.
Guidelines for Student Conduct: Students are expected to comply with student conduct
policy and procedures. Information on student responsibilities and rights is available at
the following website: www.seattlecolleges.com/services
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodation
because of a disability; you must contact Disability Services at phone 527-3697, or TTY:
526-0079 or on the web at http://access.northseattle.edu/services/ds.htm
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is highly valued at NSCC. A student must
always submit work that represents his/her original words or ideas.
i>clicker cheating: Using another student’s clicker to respond for them when they are not
in class is cheating. This will result in the owners of both students receiving a zero in the
clicker portion of the entire grade.
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How to check your internet browser if you are having problems
1. Go to the class website and log in.
3. Often, simply turning off “pop-up blockers” on your web browser will solve problems.
4. Another way to check your browser is to try all the class activities, such as the Power
Points, the recordings, and the class materials. If these all work, you are ok. If you still
have questions, contact the eLearning office on the first page of this syllabus.
How to see your final course grade:
You may check your grades via the internet at: NSCC home page > Online
Services > Look Up Your Grades. Put in your Student ID and Student PIN, then click on
“Get My Transcript”.
How to withdraw from the course:
You may withdraw from a course via the internet at: NSCC home page > Services >
Online Services > Register/Add/Drop Classes, and follow the directions
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Course Calendar
PSYC&100- Winter 2014
Listen to the video for that class before coming to class that day.
Class Presentation Videos &
Exams
Read syllabus
Register your i>Clicker
1 – Thinking Critically
Bring your (registered)
i>Clickers.
“My Psych Lab” Activities
All are on March 20th, when they turn off
Register for MyPsycLab
See “Start Here” in class website
Scientific Research Methods
Thinking Critically
Resolving conflict
How am I being Influenced
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2-Biology of the brain
16
3-Consciousness
My Brain made me do it
How the brain works Part 1
How the brain works Part 2
Brain imaging
States of consciousness
Rhythms of consciousness
21
23
Extra credit syllabus Quiz
4-Nature - Nurture
Exam #1
28
5-Development & Life Span
30
6-Sensation & Perception
Date
January 7
9
Preschool years: Egocentrism
Attachment
Conservation of liquids
Erikson’s first four stages
Erikson’s last four stages
Managing Pain
Five well known illusions
February
4
7-Learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
More tips for studying
Making it stick
Cramming
6
8-Memory
11
13
Exam #2
9-Thinking & Language
The mind is what the brain does
18
10 - Intelligence
Theories of intelligence
16
Intelligence testing then and now
Intelligence tests and success
Robert Sternberg on intelligence
Basic theories of emotion and motivation
20
11-Motivation
25
27
12-Emotion, Stress & health
Exam #3
March 4
13-Personality
6
14-Social Psychology
11
15-Psychological Disorders
13
16-Therapy
18
20
Exam #4
Make-up exams
Class ends
(There is no final exam)
February 28th. is the last day to withdraw
Eating disorders
Detecting lies
Sexual orientation
Sexual problems & dysfunction
Personality theories
Measuring personality
Locus
Attribution
Cognitive dissonance – Need to justify our
actions
Conformity and influence in groups
Helping a stranger
Internal and external attributions
What does it mean to have a mental
disorder?
Diagnosing mental disorders
Major Depression
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Phobias
Schizophrenia
Therapies in action
Cognitive behavioral therapy-1
Cognitive Behavioral therapy-2
Finding a Therapist
All activities have turned off by 11:00 pm.