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Psychology 110
General Psychology
(Hybrid)
Dr. Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.
Office: IB2327
Phone: (206) 526-7011
e-mail = ratkins@sccd.ctc.edu
(subject = your student) Please indicate which class and time you are in.
Cell phones: Please turn off cell phones, and do not take phone calls during class. Thank
you
Office Hours: The best times to call or see your instructor are Monday, Wednesday, &
Friday: 9:00 – 10:00am and 12:00 – 12:30pm Pacific Time
Class website http://facweb.northseattle.edu/ratkins/Psy110_Fall_07
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____
Exam #2 _____
Exam #3 _____
Exam #4 _____
Class folder = _____
Total = _______
Outcomes
This course will help you develop attitudes that encourage you to:
 Demonstrate a willingness to learn from many cultures, persons, methods, and
viewpoints.

This course will help you develop the skills to:
* Demonstrate the ability to think critically through discussions of the reading
and class material.
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.

“Hybrid” course: A hybrid course means that you meet in class three days a week
(M, W, & F), and work on the computer two days a week on Tuesday and Thursday on
your own time..
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
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- do not take this course. If you have a disability of any type, you should contact the
Educational Assistance Center.
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Materials for the course:
Available at the NSCC Bookstore.
Required Text:
Psychology by Macionis 8th. Edition
Scan-Tron Answer Sheets and a #2 pencil
One bottle of correction fluid "White out" or Liquid Paper
(For correcting exam errors)
Plastic folder with clear front cover and three brads to hold the paper
Ability to store files in your computer (2nd. Backup disk or method is recommended)
Exams:
There are four exams (50 points each) covering the text, lecture, and class discussion in
the course. These are multiple-choice (objective). Bring a Scan-Tron answer sheet, a #2
pencil, and “White out”.
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. Each of the
examinations covers a separate section of material, and are not cumulative.
Exam Scoring:
The score you receive will be the number printed by the machine. 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.
Correction fluid or correction tape must be used to make any corrections on the
Scan-Tron sheet. Do not simply erase the error and mark the correct answer. When the
machine marks it wrong, no changes will be made, because you knew how to make the
correction to avoid this problem, and did not do it. With erasing, there is no way to know
if the erasure was made before the exam was turned in, or after it was returned with a
grade.
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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 previous 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 (either 1,2,3, or 4). 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.
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 get class assignments, materials, and Power Point slides:
You can access these items from home.
Go to http://facweb.northseattle.edu/ratkins/Psy110_Fall_07
Open the file for this class and download the item you want by dragging it to the
desktop, or open it in the internet browser. Different browsers will work a little
differently.
Net ID: To work from a computer at NSCC
You need to get a “Net ID” to use the computers on campus
There is no additional charge for this.
To get your “Net ID” account, go to: Internet Explorer > NSCC Home Page >
Online Services > NSCC Net ID Account > Create New Account > Read “Acceptable use
policy” and click, “Yes, I have read …” > New Account Setup Form (Put in your last
name, Student ID, User Name, Password – write down your password) and click
“Submit”. If you have trouble, or do not receive confirmation, go to room 3303 (3rd. floor
North end of campus) and ask for help.
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Preparation for each class: Exam Concepts
Exam Concepts are questions and terms derived directly from exam questions, and are
designed to help you study.
In the Daily Calendar (given out on the first day) you will see when each chapter is
discussed.
Before that day, complete the Exam Concepts for that chapter.
1. Read about those concepts in the text
2. Listen to the class recordings with the Power Point slides
3. Complete the “Exam Concepts” papers.
4. Have questions to ask in class if there is anything you do not understand.
When you come to class you should have an understanding of those concepts.
Without an understanding of the material before class you will not understand or get as
much out of the class time.
Class will be used for examples; stories, case studies, questions, group discussion, critical
thinking and instructor presentation to help you further understand the material – not
simply explaining it.
Receiving credit for the exam concepts
Bring these fully completed exam concepts sheets to class each day we are discussing that
chapter.
To give you credit for completing these concepts before class (and therefore being
prepared for class) I will stamp these fully answered sheets randomly ten times
throughout the quarter. These stamps will only be given in class on your exam concepts
paper sheets. They will not be stamped after the class time is over. Having them
completed in your computer but not printed will not receive a stamp, because I can not
stamp your computer screen.
If you are not in class for any reason, you may make up two of the stamps as discussed
below. You then hand in these sheets at the end of the quarter and receive up to 100
points, which is one third of your grade. Please note that these sheets need to be fully
completed to receive a stamp. There is no partial credit for being half done. The date
stamp simply means you have an answer for each item. It is not grading the accuracy of
your answers. If you do not understand the concept, please ask questions in class,
because your understanding will be evident on the exams.
If you have not fully completed the concepts before that class and therefore, did not have
the stamp, you may make up two of them by reading one article for each missed stamp as
discussed below.
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How to make up preparation credit:
I would like you to have experience reading academic journals in the field. They sound
different than textbooks or websites.
You may read full text journals on line, or journals in the library. In the NSCC library,
you may choose one of the following journals: American Journal of Psychology and
Psychology Today. You may also go to the NSCC Proquest database of articles and
review any full text article you find from the following journals:
Journal of General Psychology
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
Journal of Social Psychology
Journal of Genetic Psychology
Psychology and Marketing
British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology
British Journal of Psychology
Qualitative Research in Psychology
Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology
Psychology and Marketing
Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology
Proquest login on campus is at:
https://login.ez.sccd.ctc.edu:2062/login?qurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.umi.com%2fpqdauto
(You may need to copy and paste this into your internet browser)
You can also get there by going to: Northseattle.edu > Services & Resources >
Library/Media Services > Library web site > Periodical Databases > ProQuest. Finally,
type in the name of the journal you want into the “Publication Title” bar, not the “Basic
Search” bar, and click on “search”.
Next, look at several types of journals and find one you like; then, find an article that you
are interested in. Read one of the major articles (at lease six pages), not a book review,
and write a two page (double spaced) report on it. On the entire first page, please
summarize the article. On the second page you may either continue the summary, or you
may critique the article and/or relate it to yourself.
At the top of the first page, please list:
(1) The author(s)
(2) Title of the article
(3) Title of the journal
(4) Volume, and page number(s)
Please list this exactly as indicated above, so I can find the article if I need to.
You will not receive credit if all these items are not included.
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Class folder: Exam concepts
Your class folder will contain each of the stamped “Exam Concepts” sheets and
your response. Type your answer directly into the assignment sheet. The questions
(exactly as presented in the assignment) should be in regular type. Do not paraphrase
(reword) or rewrite the questions. This will result in a zero grade for the folder because
this attempts to hide the wording of the original questions, and therefore, makes it
difficult to grade.
At the end of the quarter, please hand in the Exam Concepts (in the order we did
them) and submit them, along with the provided cover sheet in a folder with a clear front
cover and three brads (see example given in class). Only include the chapters that have
been stamped. A stamp will be put on the first page of chapters selected at random
during the quarter. The stamp will only be given if you are in class on the day we start
discussing that chapter, and have completed answers to all the questions for that chapter.
Back-up your work:
Exam concepts are commonly lost, left in the computer, accidentally erased,
computer malfunction, etc.
It will be a good idea to make a continuing second paper copy of your exam
concepts in case they are lost or erased. Secondly, it is recommended that you back up
these assignments on your hard drive at home, and your “I” drive at school. Finally, it is
recommended that you print out a “hard copy” of each of the exam concepts sheets as it is
completed.
Class folder problem areas to avoid:
Please keep the “Exam Concepts” sheets in a folder and hand them in for grading
(in the order done) on the due date (see “Course Calendar” sheet for that date).
No folder (cover) reduces your score ten points. No completed “Contents” page
reduces your score ten points. “Completed” means you have indicated what stamps and
make-up articles you have, the points for each, and the total points in the folder. If you
put in the Contents page, but it has not been completed, it will still reduce your score ten
points.
The “Contents” page must be the printed one in this handout, not one you write up
yourself.
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CLASS POLICIES
Bringing text to class: Please bring your text to class when requested.
Extra credit: Extra-credit work is not available.
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.
Plagiarism: Any plagiarism (directly copying an internet site, article, or another student’s
paper) will result in a score of zero (“0”) for that portion of the course. For example,
copying someone else’s answer to one of the exam concepts will result in a zero for the
entire folder.
Loaning someone your disk, enabling it to be copied, is also facilitating the
cheating and will result in a grade of zero. In other words, if an essay portion of two
papers are identical, obviously one copied, and the other provided the material to be
copied, so both papers will receive a zero grade. Who copied from whom does not need
to be determined.
Cheating “indicators”: There are cheating “indicators” built into the assignments each
quarter. If you copy even some of the questions from a past student, I will assume you
copied the answers also, and you will receive a zero for the entire internet folder. I will
be able to tell which quarter you copied the material from. Don’t do it!
Cheating: Any cheating on exams (or facilitating another student’s cheating) will result in
a score of zero (“0”) for that exam (which can not be retaken).
Attendance: Past experience indicates students who attend class regularly perform better
on exams. Also, part of what you learn comes from being involved in class discussions
of the topics.
Leaving class early: If you can not attend the entire class period, please do not come at
all; simply arrive early where you need to be at that time. Leaving is considered rude and
disruptive to the class. Please use the restroom or complete other needed activities before
class starts. Thank you
Posting 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.
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GRADING
Your final grade will be based on the total questions you answered correctly on all
four exams, plus the Class Folder.
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.
Class Folder = 100 pts.
Total = 300 pts.
(See the “Grading Scale” page for a more detailed grade distribution)
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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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HOW TO STUDY
1. Before class: Read the chapter
A. Read the chapter summary “Key Points” first.
B. Read the “Exam Concepts”.
C. Scan the chapter and highlight the key exam concepts and terms.
In bold print and italics
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. Before class: Complete the exam concepts
Open the Power Point slides and the class recordings for that chapter. Listen to
the recording, follow along with the slides and complete the exam concepts.
3. Come to class each day
A. Take good notes in class
B. Compare the notes to the book to see what topics were discussed
in both class and text.
C. Fill in missing “exam concepts” items
4. After class
A. Review notes quickly
B. Check off terms that were discussed in class from the, "Terms and concepts to
remember". Review the exam concepts material presented.
5. Between the review day and the exam
A. Tape record the review class
B. Listen (repeatedly) to the tape
C. Read sections of the book that
I. Were presented in the review
II. Not discussed in class.
D. Review the exam concepts
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Late Class Folders are reduced 20 points for each calendar day
late.
Late folders containing the stamped Exam Concepts are reduced 20 points for each
calendar day they are late. For example, if they are due on Monday, and you hand it in on
Friday, it is four days late. This reduces your score by 80 points.
You know the date and time the folders are due on the first day of class. On the day they
are due, hand in whatever you have at the beginning of class.
Folders may be handed in early.
I will accept these folders up to seven (7) calendar days (one week) before they are due.
The exam concepts are available from the first day of class, and may be completed
anytime during the quarter.
How to get your folder in on time:
Here are suggestions to help you avoid common problems.
1. “I will be out of town, or unable to be in class the day the folders are due”
A. Hand it in early, or have someone else bring it in.
B. Mail it by certified mail with a return receipt (to be signed for by someone in
the mail room of the college, not myself personally), with a clear date stamp (or
by Fed. Ex.) on or before the day it is due.
2. “I couldn’t find that kind of folder”
Buy the folder during the quarter – before the last minute.
3. “My printer broke last night.”
A. Print each exercise out as you do it during the quarter.
B. Print it at Kinkos (some are open 24 hours)
C. Print it at the open lab. At NSCC (Rm. 3303)
4. “I forgot my folder at home.”
Put it in the car the day (or several days ) before class.
5. “My disk crashed and I can’t get to my assignments”
A. Print out the assignments as you do them.
B. Put the completed assignments on the “I” drive.
C. Make a back-up copy of you disk.
6. “I have all except the last two assignments.
Hand in what you have when they are due, and don’t hand in
what you don’t have.
7. “I lost all my assignments when I moved.”
Print out assignments from copies on your “I” drive. You did
save them on your “I” drive … didn’t you?
8. “I don’t have a hole punch.”
Punch them ahead of time at (a) Kinkos, (b) at home, (c) at
the NSCC library.
9. “I was in a car accident on the way to school on the day they were due.”
A. Have someone else hand it in.
B. Include a police report of the accident with the date, time and an officer’s
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signature. If you were injured, include the ambulance and hospital paperwork.
Hand in this paperwork with your folder within 24 hours of the accident or release
from the hospital. If you don’t have the paperwork, don’t mention the accident.
10. “I was dying in the hospital.”
A. If you died, you do not have to hand it in.
B. Have someone else bring it in.
C. Hand in all the hospital paperwork, including the date and time admitted and
date and time released with a physician’s signature. These dates and times must
overlap with the date and time the folders are due. Hand in this paperwork with
your folder within 24 hours of being released. If I am not on campus, have a
secretary put a date and time stamp on it. If you don’t have the paperwork, don’t
mention the hospital.
11. “I had to pick up my parents at the airport.”
A. Hand it in early, or have someone else hand it in.
B. Mail it to arrive on time. (See #1.)
C. Include copies of the tickets, dated to arrive the day your paper was due.
12. “I do not have my folder because: (Pick the one you like.)
(A) I didn’t read the material above
(B) I don’t care
(C) I expect you to make an exception for me … please
(D) I was not in class the first day when you told us
(E) I don’t believe you will enforce this deadline because other people in my life
never did
(F)I could always hand it in late in high school.
Answer: Hand in whatever you have at the beginning of class on the day it is due.
If you still have to hand it is late, give it to my personally. If I am not on campus,
have a secretary put a date and time stamp on it, sign it, and put it in my mailbox. If there
is no date and time stamp on it, your folder is considered “received” on the day I
personally have it in hand.
Ten things to avoid telling me on the day the folders are being handed in:
1. My disk crashed and all my assignments were lost … but I did them.
2. My disk doesn’t work, but here it is. All my assignments are in there somewhere.
3. My printer broke last night.
4. Somehow my disk didn’t copy the last assignments … can you email them to me?
(This is said two days after everything was due.)
5. I lost my disk.
6. I can’t get my files to open up.
7. Since I didn’t have a disk I emailed it to myself, but it never got there, so all my work
was lost.
8. I forgot to bring my folder (or it isn’t done yet) … can I bring it tomorrow?
9. Do you have a hole punch? Stapler? folder?
10. I didn’t know they were due today!
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PSYCHOGY 110
(Hybrid)
DATE
Sept. 24
26
28
Oct. 1
3
5
8
10
12
15
17
19
22
24
26
29
31
Nov. 2
5
7
9
12
14
16
19
21
23
26
28
30
Dec. 3
5
7
TOPIC
Introduction & Syllabus
Thinking Critically (Ch.1)
Neuroscience & Behavior (Ch.2)
Neuroscience & Behavior (Ch.2)
NAMES & Nature / Nurture (Ch.3)
The Developing Person (Ch.4)
REVIEW
EXAM #1
Perception (Ch.6)
States of Consciousness (Ch.7)
Learning (Ch.8)
Learning (Ch.8)
Memory (Ch.9)
REVIEW
EXAM #2
Intelligence (Ch.11)
Motivation (Ch.12)
Motivation (Ch.12)
Emotion (Ch.13)
Stress (Ch.14)
REVIEW
Holiday – Veterans Day
EXAM #3
Personality (Ch.15)
Psych. Disorders (Ch.16)
Psych. Disorders (Ch.16)
Thanksgiving Holiday
Therapy (Ch.17)
Therapy (Ch.17)
Social Psychology (Ch.18) Class folders due
REVIEW
EXAM #4
Retake exams
Above dates may vary
Oct. 5th. is the last day to withdraw.
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Name : ____________________
Class Time: ________
Class folder: Contents
Psy. 110
Total
Pts.
______ Preparation Stamps X 10Pts.@=
_____ Make up articles X 10 Pts.@ =
(Max. of 2 make up articles)
Total =
To avoid losing points on the Class Folder, please check:
_____ Handed in on time?
(Late papers are reduced 20 points for each calendar day late.)
_____ In a folder with a clear front cover? (with three brads, not a slider or three ring
binder, etc.) (-10 Pts. if not)
_____ This original page completed and included? (- 10 Pts. if not)
“Completed” means you have listed the points you have for the stamps and
articles, and totaled them up in the form.
_____ Any item listed on this sheet that is not actually there, will reduce your score by
fifteen (15) points each.
_____ Put your name on the back of the folder (on a label if needed) so you can find
yours when they are returned.
Type (or write) your answers directly below the questions on the assignment.
Student statement: Read and sign before handing in for grading
I have carefully examined all the items in this folder and state they are all my
work done during this quarter, and all assignments were downloaded after the start of
class. I realize the grade for this folder will be based only on what is presented here.
Nothing may be added or substituted later.
I realize any written material taken from other students (or a previous quarter) and
presented here will result in a zero grade for this entire folder.
_______________________________
Signature (Required prior to grading)
Read the information of the back of this sheet. You are responsible for knowing it!
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Remember:
1. If you “copy & paste” directly from a web site (or another student’s report) into your
paper, it is plagiarism, and will result in a zero (“0”) for the entire report. See
“Plagiarism” and “Cheating Indicators” in this syllabus.
2. If you just list the answers without the questions or rephrase the questions you will
receive a zero (“0”) because I do not know what questions you are answering, or where or
when you obtained the questions (or the answers).
3. If you are handing in the paper late, either give it to me personally or have our Division
secretary write a date and time on this page, sign it, and put it in my mailbox, not the
folder on the wall. If there is no date, time, and signature it is considered “received”
when I personally pick it up.
4. Hand it in during class on the date indicated in the syllabus and the course calendar.
You will have 20 points taken off for each calendar day it is late.
5. Keep copies of all materials handed in until after you receive a final grade. Your
instructor may want to see them.
6. Do not tell me,” I handed it in, you must have lost it.” The folders are counted coming
in, and grades are counted going out. If the numbers match, and you do not have a grade,
you did not hand it in.