Syllabus
PSYCHOLOGY 300
General Principles
Spring 2013
Instructor:
Sylvia S. Spencer, Ph.D.
Campus: Sacramento City College Main
Phone:
(916) 286-3602, ext. 2823
Division: Behavioral/Social Science
Email:
spences@scc.losrios.edu
Dean:
Frank Malaret Ph.D.
TA:
Staci Shaw
Instructor’s Website: http://web.scc.losrios.edu/spences
COURSE INFORMATION
Title:
Course Code:
Units:
Semester:
Time:
Text:
Supplies:
Psychology 300, General Principles
20111
3
Spring 2013
Tuesday and Thursdays 4:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Room RS 263
Psychology 10th Edition, 2012 by David G. Myers
882 - Scantron (qty. 4), #2 pencil
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Course Objectives: To awaken and develop in the student a genuine interest in psychology as a
basic attempt to obtain a scientific understanding of psychiatric disorders, treatment, and therapy.
This course is designed to develop the capacity of the student for critical thinking, and to give the
student some analytical and intelligent understanding of how psychology has been developed. It
will promote understanding of oneself and others, and of environmental, scientific, and
hereditary influences on behavior.
Course Prerequisite: This course is not recommended for students entering their first college
semester. Students MUST be able to read and understand the textbook. Therefore, it is advised
that students should be taking (or have completed) English 1A, 57 or ESL 3B/4B. ESL students
may use a dictionary during tests.
Contributions to General Education: Introduction to an area of knowledge that will aid the
student in understanding him/herself and others. The student will learn to apply scientific
methods to behavioral problems including anatomical and biological descriptions.
Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior.
Students will be introduced to foundation principles and current trends in the field of
psychology. Concepts that are explored include methods of psychological inquiry, the biological
basis of behavior, sensation, perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, cognition,
motivation, emotion, stress and health, personality, developmental psychology, psychological
disorders, psychotherapy, and social psychology. This course is designed for psychology majors,
behavioral and social science majors, and other students who desire a broad overview of the
field.
Course Overview: This exciting and informative psychology course will take the students on an
exploratory journey which covers a broad range of behavioral topics, and explores scientifically
based biological, neuro-scientific, social-environmental and interpersonal-personality challenges.
This will also include key studies that have shaped the science of psychology. The course
discusses aspects of psychology that many students never assumed were part of psychology, such
as the functioning of various parts of the brain and how it affects behavior. This course is
especially appropriate for potential psychology majors, nursing majors and other students
wanting a comprehensive and transfer-level introductory course.
This class combines lectures, films, demonstrations, announced quizzes and small group work,
all of which is designed to help students learn, grow, and pass exams. All class handouts will be
available to students who miss a class.
Methods of Instruction: Lectures, discussions, guest speakers, demonstrations of adult concepts,
films, tapes, and student research sharing.
Methods of Evaluation: Assignments, in class group chapter quizzes, topic sharing, and four (4)
examinations. Exams will consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. Students will also
participate in group exercises and discussions.
Extra Credit: Students can earn 10 extra credit points by scheduling and going to a campus
library orientation and receiving a form from the library to obtain credit, OR completing a Pilot
on line computer research set of six modules from home. Extra credit projects are discouraged.
Students are required to submit a written request to the instructor. This written request must
include reasons for needing the extra credit and a complete outline of the project that the student
wants to submit for the additional credit. It must be submitted and approved before, Tuesday,
March 26th, 2013.
Grading Procedures: Letter grades based on points are earned in this course. All aspects of the
course will be weighed and will contribute towards your final grade.
All tests, all quizzes, and the topic assignment are required for completion of the course.
If a student is absent on the night of a test the instructor must be contacted and the student must
take the test before the next class meeting.
All late assignments/reaction papers received after one week of the due date will receive half
credit. [EXAMPLE: A paper due on Tuesday may be turned in on Thursday with no penalty, but
any paper received after that will receive half credit.]
LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013.
PLEASE NOTE!!! This does not apply to the topic research paper which must be turned in as
scheduled on this syllabus. Otherwise, an additional 5 point penalty will be assessed for each
class day after the due date.
Grade Distribution:
Reaction papers
In class group chapter quizzes
Topic Research Paper & Sharing
Four (4) tests
Total
approx.
15 pts
67 pts
50 pts
390 pts
522 pts
Attendance: Roll call will be in the form of a sign-in sheet, quiz, and/or other methods. Even if
you are absent, assignments are still due when requested and points will be deducted for late
papers. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain any materials you missed,
including notes from a classmate or handouts. Students who leave class early, without notifying
the instructor, will forfeit attendance and quiz points for that day.
According to the college attendance policy (2013) in the SCC catalog: “A student having
excessive absences may be dropped from any class by the instructor any time during the
semester.” An excessive absence is defined as the number of absences equal to the number of
weekly meetings of a class, plus one. Because this is a twice a week class, 3 absences will be
allowed.
Arriving late is not only rude, it is disruptive. Leaving class early is not acceptable. If you have
other business that conflicts with class hours, please do not come to class.
***All cell phones and I Pod’s must be turned off during class. Absolutely no text messaging
will be allowed at anytime. Do not bring chewing gum into the classroom. Crackling wrappers
and popping chewing gum are annoying disturbances. Your courtesy is greatly appreciated.
CHEATING POLICY
Honor code for Students at Sacramento City College: In order to provide a quality education for
all students the integrity of the learning process must be maintained. It is important that all
students understand exactly what is expected and what is considered inappropriate during the
teaching/learning process.
Cheating: Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work
through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Cheating includes the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Copying from someone else’s test.
Submitting work that is not your own.
Submitting work presented previously in another course, if contrary to the rules of either
course.
Altering or interfering with grading.
Using material during an exam that is not allowed.
Consulting with someone other than the instructor during an exam.
Committing other acts that defraud or misrepresent.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is representing the work of someone else’s as your own and submitting it
for any purpose. Plagiarism includes the following:
1.
2.
3.
Incorporating the ideas, works, sentences, paragraphs, or parts of another person’s
writings, without giving appropriate credit, and representing the product as your own
work.
Representing another's artistic/scholarly work as your own.
Submitting a paper purchased from a research or term paper service.
OTHER ACTS OF DISHONESTY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Purposely allowing another student to copy from you during a test.
Giving your homework, term paper, or other academic work to another person to
plagiarize.
Having another student submit work in your name.
Lying to an instructor to improve your grade.
Altering grade work after it has been returned to you, then resubmitting the work for regrading.
Removing a test from the classroom.
Stealing test(s).
Forging signatures.
Consequences of Dishonesty: Depending on the seriousness of the infraction, the following
may occur as a result of the dishonesty.
•
•
•
•
•
Receiving a failing grade on the test or paper.
Have a course grade lowered.
Receive an “F” in the course.
Be placed on disciplinary probation or suspension.
Be expelled.
Special Accommodations: During the course of the year, many students will utilize prearranged
accommodations. If you are a student with a learning disability, physical disability or require
special needs, please let me know as soon as possible if you need special accommodations.
These kinds of confidential discussions are best handled by telephone or by special appointment.
You can expect confidentiality and cooperation regarding any circumstances and needs that have
been verified through the disability centers on campus.
Note:
•
•
•
Some “on-campus” support services recommended to assist students in this course are:
Learning Center
Library
Reading Lab
CLASS SCHEDULE
Tuesday
January 22
Introduction/
Course Overview / Study Skills
Tuesday
January 29
Chapter 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
and Handout
RESEARCH IN CLASS QUIZ
Tuesday
February 5
Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind
Video
Tuesday
February 12
Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind continued
Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception
Tuesday
February 19
Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception continued
TEST 1: Chapters 2 and 6
Tuesday
February 26
Chapter 11: Motivation and Work
IN CLASS GROUP QUIZ
Chapter 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
Tuesday
March 5
Chapter 3 Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
continued
Chapter 7 Learning
Tuesday
March 12
Chapter 7 Learning continued – Video
Chapter 8 Memory
Tuesday
March 19
Chapter 8 Memory continued
TEST 2: Chapters 3, 7 and 8
Tuesday
March 26
SPRING BREAK
Tuesday
April 2
Topic Assignment- Written Paper Due at the beginning
of class
Chapter 14: Social Psychology IN CLASS GROUP QUIZ
Chapter 5: Developing Through the Life Span
Tuesday
April 9
Chapter 5: Developing Through the Life Span continued
Video
Tuesday
April 16
Chapter 13: Personality
Tuesday
April 23
TEST 3: Chapters 5 and 13
Topic Sharing
Thursday
April 30
Topic Sharing continued
Tuesday
May 7
Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders
Tuesday
May 14
Chapter 16: Thearapy
Review
Tuesday
May 21
TEST 4 (Final Exam)
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Chapters 15 and 16
**PLEASE NOTE!!: Student participation in topic sharing and corresponding written
assignment are part of the Final Exam process and must be completed in order to satisfy the
requirements of the course. Students are required to be present during all of the topic sharing
days. If absent or tardy, the student must prove competency in the topics presented during their
absence by completing a two-page paper on each topic that was missed. This is part of the topic
assignment and is also required for completion of the course. Please talk to the instructor prior to
the assigned psychological discussions if you have any questions regarding this issue.