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General Psychology
Psychology 100
Hybrid
Dr. Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.
Phone: (206) 526-7011
Office hours are M,W,F 9:00-10:00
Office: Rm. IB2327A
Instructor’s campus email: ratkins@sccd.ctc.edu
(subject = your student + the class and time you are in)
Class website: http://northseattle.angellearning.com
Login material (Write your items in the space below)
User name: _______________________
Your entire student id number
Password: ______________________
Your entire student id number
PsycPortal website: http://courses.bfwpub.com/myers9e.php
PsycPortal Tech support = 1-800-936-6899
Tech support can help you with this software better than your instructor.
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____, Exam #2 _____, Exam #3 _____, Exam #4 _____,
PsycPortal= _____, Total = _______
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How to get started:
To log into your class website: Go to:
http://northseattle.angellearning.com
Click “Log On”
Put in your User name and Password. (Your entire student ID number for both.)
Click on the name of the course E.g. PSYC& 100 – General Psychology
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Be sure to deactivate pop-up window blockers on your computer when using Angel.
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Materials for the course:
Required Text:
Psychology – by Myers – 9th. Ed. (regular text, not modules) plus the access code
for PsycPortal.
To purchase the text and PsycPortal from the NSCC Bookstore, go to:
http://northscc.bkstore.com > Student Services > Textbooks > Order Your Textbooks >
follow Steps 1 - 4
Click on: the current quarter > PSYC > 100 > Section #ATKINS > CONTINUE.
If you wish, you may purchase just the access code which also contains an E-book
(the text). However, I believe using the actual text would be better and more
enjoyable to read.
How to sign up for PsycPortal
This is a required portion of the course.
1. Go to the PsycPortal website at: http://courses.bfwpub.com/myers9e.php
2. Click on “REGISTER an activation code” in the center of the right column.
3. Complete the needed information.
The activation code is in the square cardboard folder that came with the
new book. This can be purchased separately from this website if you are using a
used book, or anything else. However, it costs more if it did not come with the
new book.
4. Put is your name, email, password, etc.
5. Put is the state (Washington), the institution, (North Seattle Community College), the
instructor (General Psychology – Atkins, Robert). If you do not put this information in
from the drop-down menus, you will not be in my class, and will not be in my grade
book.
6. Click “Next” and continue.
NOTE: USE FIREFOX VERSION 3.5 OR 3.6. ALSO, USE THE PREVIOUS
VERSION OF INTERNET EXPLORER, VERSION 7.0, NOT THE CURRENT V.8.
Or, in Explorer V. 8, you can change to: Tools > “Compatibility view” if that is easier.
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More information on PsycPortal is available later in this syllabus.
Hardware and software:
Computer: PC or Mac
Internet connection:
Preferably DSL or cable, not a dial-up (however, dial-up can work, it is just slow).
Software:
Internet browser: Firefox (PC or Mac) or Internet explorer (PC) is
recommended
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Power Point Viewer
Ability to listen to WMA files (Windows Media Player)
The ability to use the above software. Your instructor is not “Tech. Support”.
The ability to listen to recorded podcasts (WMA files)
Online materials: Available on class website
1. Class Presentations
2. Study Guides
3. Exam Reviews
4. Chapter Diagrams
5. Power Points
6. “How to” videos
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Outcomes:
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.
Grading:
Grading has two parts, the four midterm exams and the PsycPortal quizzes.
Exams:
There are four midterm exams (50 pts. each). They are all multiple choice. The
four midterm exams are not cumulative and cover only the chapters for that exam. The
exams will test your knowledge of concepts, terms, and findings. You will also be asked
to apply some of the fundamental concepts to new situations.
How to do well on the exams:
The exams come from the text and many additional items to help you understand
the material. Use the course calendar at the back of this syllabus to keep yourself on track
so you will have covered the material and understand it before the exam date.
Before the exam, listen to the exam review and the class presentations. The “How
to Study” sheet in this syllabus discusses how to read the text material prior to the class.
Study Guides to help with exams:
Go to: Course Resources >Useful Links > 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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Exam Scoring:
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.
Make-up exams:
For students who miss a scheduled examination, one make-up session will be held. You
may make-up any one of the four previous midterm exams at that time. There will be no
make-up exams at any other times (see the “Course Calendar” for the make-up date).
Retake exams:
If you feel you did not perform at the level you expected on an exam, you may retake one
exam. In all cases, you will receive the higher of the two scores as your final grade.
Please see the “Course Calendar” for the retake date. There will be no exam retakes at
any other time.
Please note: The date for retaking an exam, and making up an exam is the same day.
Therefore, if you have taken all the exams, you may retake one, however, if you have
missed an exam, this period would need to be used for making up this missed exam. If
you missed two, you will receive a zero (“0”) on one of them.
Therefore, you may take only one exam. It can be either a make-up or a retake exam, but
not both. If you take more than one exam, I will only use your first score.
Make-up and retake exams are considered more difficult
I recommend you take the exams as scheduled. Generally, the retake and make-up exams
are considered more difficult. The difference is that I tend to "teach to the test" and
review for the scheduled exams.
The retake and 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.
Remember, if you take the original exam, regardless of your score, you can always retake
it and receive the higher of the two scores.
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How To:
How to check your internet browser
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, call one of the distance learning resources 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 > Online Services > Register/Add/Drop Classes, and follow the
directions.
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CLASS POLICIES
Extra credit: Extra credit is not available
(except 5 pts in PsycPortal).
Incompletes: No “Incomplete” (I) grades will be given.
Withdrawals: You must withdraw, or request an "NC" grade by the “last day to
withdraw” indicated on the course calendar. If you have not, you will receive a
decimal grade for this course.
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.
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
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GRADING
Your final grade will be based on the total questions you answered correctly on all
four exams and the Communication Log.
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 =
Exam #2 =
Exam #3 =
Exam #4 =
PsycPortal =
Total =
50 pts.
50 pts.
50 pts.
50 pts.
100 pts.
300 points
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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 1.4
207_____
206
205 1.3
204
203_____
202
201 1.2
200
199_____
198
197 1.1
196
195_____
194
193 1.0
192
191_____
190
189 0.9
188
187_____
186
185 0.8
184
183_____
182
181 0.7
180____(60%)
179 0.0
D
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The grading scale is the same for everyone:
After all grades are in, students come to my office wanting 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.”
“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 had personal problems
during the quarter, so you should increase my grade.” 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) the “How To Study”
sheet in this syllabus, (2) the online recordings, (3) the online power point slides, (4) the
text (5) the class questions, examples and discussions, (6) the study guides which come
from the tests, (7) the review for the tests, (8) Chapter Diagrams, plus (9) 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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HOW TO STUDY
1. Read the chapter ahead of the lecture
A. Read the study guides first
B. Read the chapter review & the “Terms and Concepts to
Remember”
C. Scan the chapter and highlight the key concepts and terms
(in bold print and italics) that apply to the study guides
D. Underline definitions of terms in the text
E. Read the chapter
I. Ask yourself questions about each major heading
Turn headings into questions
II. Read just for the answer to the question
2. Come to class each day.
A. Look at the Course Calendar to see what topics are being
discussed that week.
B. Play the class presentation for that chapter
C. Take good notes
D. Compare the notes to the book to see what topics were discussed
in both class and text.
3. After class
A. Review notes quickly
B. Check off terms that were discussed in class from the, "Terms and
Concepts to Remember".
C. Answer the questions in the study guides to be sure you understand
the information.
4. Between the review day and the exam
A. Listen (repeatedly) to the review tape
B. Read sections of the book that
I. Were presented in the review
II. Not discussed in class.
Remember:
Anything in class or the book may be on the exam. However, this approach
will help you focus your study time on the material that is most apt to be on
the exam.
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PsycPortal Activities
NOTE: USE FIREFOX VERSION 3.5 OR 3.6. ALSO, USE THE PREVIOUS
VERSION OF INTERNET EXPLORER, VERSION 7.0, NOT THE CURRENT V.8.
Or, in Explorer V. 8, you can change to: Tools > “Compatibility view” if that is easier.
*********************************************************************
PsycPortal contains assignments which are either video programs, or tutorials to help you
understand the material. You either listen to the video or complete the tutorial and
answer the two to five related multiple choice questions. The tutorials have five
questions, and the videos have 2-3 questions.
Log in for the first time:
Go to the PsycPortal website at : http://courses.bfwpub.com/psych.php
Put in your access code (in the cardboard package that came with your text).
Follow the directions to log in.
Completing the tutorials:
1. Go to the calendar at the back of the syllabus to see when to do each activity.
2. Log into PsycPortal
3. Click on ”Assignments”
4. Click on “PsycSim5 Tutorials (name of lesson)
The first lesson (Correlation) is a trial lesson to enable you to get familiar
with the system, and can possibly give you five extra credit points.
5. Read the tutorial and do the activities as you go through it. You do not need to
complete the essay questions, just click “Next”.
6. When you finish the tutorial, close that, and go back to the lesson and click on
“PsycSim5Quizzes (name of lesson), and take the five point quiz. You may try
this trial quiz unlimited times, and the grade book will record your highest score.
However, with the other quizzes, you will only be able to take it once. Please
notice the time limit. Your quiz will be stopped and recorded when your time
limit is up.
Completing the Video activities
1. Click on the name of the lesson.
2. Listen to the video.
3. Take the related 2-3 point quiz.
PsycPortal Assignment dates:
The assignments are available from the beginning of the quarter until the last day
of the quarter. If they are not completed by then, there is no make up. I suggest you
complete them based on the Course Calendar in this syllabus. This will help you do
better on the exams.
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How to print power Point slides:
You can save paper by printing three or six slides per page.
If you want to print out the slides, and do not have PowerPoint on your computer :
Most computers with Microsoft Office software will be able to view Power Points and
play WMA recordings. If you do not, here are some places that will help.
Here are links for the PowerPoint viewer. I believe these are free downloads.
Power Point Viewer for a PC
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=428D5727-43AB-4F2490B7-A94784AF71A4&displaylang=en#Requirements
PowerPoint viewer for the Mac
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e25cb1e5-209c-4a58b283-23e84b616477&DisplayLang=en
Another cross platform product that can play PowerPoint slides:
I also understand the free download called Open Office has a section called Impress that
will play PowerPoint presentations. It also can be used on a PC. or a Mac. This can be
found at: http://www.openoffice.org/
How to listen to the WMA ( exam review) recordings
If you want to listen to the exam review recordings and do not have a WMA player on
your computer, (most all computers do) the following items are helpful.
To listen to the audio recordings, you need to download a copy of Windows Media
Player.
For a PC, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/Browse.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=4
You may need to copy and paste this into your browser.
For Mac, go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/mac/mp9/default.aspx
You may need to copy and paste this into your browser.
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Course Calendar
General Psychology 100 H
The PsycPortal activities (T & V) are best completed according to the
schedule below. “T” = Tutorial, “V” = Video
DATE
Sept. 27
29
Oct. 1
4
6
8
11
13
15
18
20
22
25
27
29
Nov. 1
3
5
8
Introduction
Sign up for PsycPortal with access code attached to book. Be
sure you are registered with the correct email.
Thinking Critically (Ch.1)
T – Correlation ( Extra Credit)
Thinking Critically (Ch.1)
V- Schacter’s Affiliation Experiment
T – What’s wrong with this study?
Biology of the Mind (Ch.2)
V – Neural Communication
Biology of the Mind (Ch.2)
T – Hemispheric Specialization
Consciousness and the two-Track Mind (Ch.3)
T – EEG & Sleep Stages
T-Your Mind on Drugs
V – Hypnosis
Nature, Nurture (Ch.4)
V – Casual Sex
Review
EXAM #1
Developing Through The Life Span (Ch.5)
T – Cognitive Development
V – Piaget’s Conservation
Sensation and Perception (Ch.6)
V – Visual Attention
V – Upside Down World
Learning (Ch.7)
T – Classical Conditioning
Learning (Ch.7)
T – Operant conditioning
T – Monkey See, Monkey Do
Memory (Ch.8)
Memory (Ch.8)
V – Creating False Memories
Review
Exam #2
Thinking and Language (Ch.9)
V – Can Chimpanzees Plan Ahead?
Intelligence (Ch.10)
T – Get Smart
15
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
29
Dec. 1
3
6
8
10
13
Motivation and Work (Ch.11)
T – Hunger and the Fat Rat
V – Homosexuality and Nature / Nurture
Emotion, Stress, and Health (Ch.12)
T – Catching Liars
V – Emotion=Arousal Interpretation
Review
EXAM #3
Personality (Ch.13)
V – Personality and the Brain
Psychological Disorders (Ch. 14)
Psychological Disorders (Ch. 14)
V – Post Partum Psychosis
V – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Thanksgiving Holiday
Therapy (Ch.15)
V – Early Treatment of Mental Disorders
T – Mystery Therapist
Therapy (Ch.15)
Social Psychology (Ch.16)
V – Stanford Prison Experiment
V – Milgram’s Obedience Study
V – Whom Do We Help?
Review
EXAM #4
Personal leave (No class)
Retake exams (optional)
PsycPortal activities turn off at 9:00 pm
Above dates may vary
Nov. 19th. is the last day to withdraw