Prince George’s Community College
Syllabus for General Psychology
Course:
Dates:
Instructor:
E-mail address:
PSYC 101
Section 1428
3 Credits
Spring Semester: January 22 – May 10, 2004
Dr. Dawn K. Lewis
lewisdk@pgcc.edu
(I check my e-mail daily)(Be sure to put PSY101PGCC9:30 in the subject
line)
Office Phone Number(301) 386-7587
Meeting Time:
T-Th 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Room: Marlboro Hall 2080
Office Location:
Marlboro Hall 2064
Office Hours:
M
1:00-4:00 p.m.
W
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Please feel free to arrange an appointment if my office schedule is not convenient. Also,
you may drop in if you like. I always like to see my students!
COURSE DESCRIPTION: General Psychology introduces the field and scientific methods of
psychology and examines the dynamic factors that influence human behavior, including
personality, intelligence, perceptual processes and learning. In addition, applications of theory
are discussed.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will demonstrate the following:
1.
Describe the major perspectives in psychology (e.g., behavioral, cognitive, humanistic,
psychoanalytic, biopsychological and socio-cultural perspective);
2.
Identify major theorists and theories in psychology;
3.
Describe major research methods and tools used by psychologists to understand and
explain behavior;
4.
Examine, synthesize, and evaluate psychological research to produce projects and
reports;
5.
Use technology to access psychological research and to prepare projects and
reports; and
6.
Describe the roles of contemporary psychologists.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Zimbardo, P.G., Weber, A.L., & Johnson, R.L. (2003). Psychology: Core Concepts (4th
Edition). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Additional course readings will be assigned by the instructor.
GRADING INFORMATION:
Grading and assignments are designed to tap into a variety of strengths and skills. This means
that there are many methods to succeed in this course. The grade in the course will be
determined as follows:
1.
Tests (4)
100 points @
400 points
2.
Quizzes (5) (best of 6)
20 points @
100 points
3.
Critique of Article
25 points
25 points
4.
Internet Critique/Group Presentation
25 points
25 points
5.
Final Exam
50 points
50 points
Total
600 points
The following grading scale will be employed:
A
=
600-540 points (90%)
B
=
539-480 points (80%)
C
=
479-420 points (70%)
D
=
419-360 points (60%)
F
=
Below 359 points
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
1. Class Participation: Class participation exhibits your breadth and depth of knowledge learned
as well as the ability to raise thought provoking questions. All students are required to
participate in class. Your attendance at class meetings is expected. To be successful, you must
keep up with the assigned readings and be prepared to discuss them in class.
2. Exams and Quizzes: Tests will consist of multiple choice, short-answer and long essay
questions. You will have to make arrangements for taking any missed test immediately, within
1-2 days. If you take all tests on time, you will not have to make up any tests. You will only be
able to make up one test. The final is cumulative and will consist of only multiple choice
items. It is strongly recommended that students do not miss tests. If you miss 2 tests, you
will only be allowed to make up one test – regardless of the reason. I must also be notified
prior to the start of the exam as well if consideration is to be given. Lateness will result in less
time to complete the exam.
Make sure to be on time for tests. Six short quizzes will be given throughout the semester. They
will test material already covered as well as material assigned for that day. All quizzes will
begin at the start of class. If you are late, you will miss the quiz or have less time to complete it.
NO makeups will be allowed for quizzes, for any reason.
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS CONTINUED:
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If you find that you absolutely cannot be on campus during a scheduled exam period, be sure to
contact me IMMEDIATELY within 1-2 days. If you have a legitimate reason (as
determined solely by ME) for missing the scheduled time, I will try to arrange some form of
makeup for you. I will NOT even consider scheduling a make-up unless I hear from you
BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHEDULED EXAM PERIOD!! It is YOUR responsibility
to contact ME. There are VERY FEW ACCEPTABLE EXCUSES for missing exams. If a
make-up exam is granted, AND IT RARELY IS, I reserve the option to change the format of
the exam.
A missed exam without an ACCEPTABLE (to me), DOCUMENTED EXCUSE will give you
an AUTOMATIC ZERO on that exam.
YOU ARE NOT EXCUSED FROM REGULARLY SCHEDULED CLASSES TO TAKE
EXAMS AT THE CAMPUS ASSESSMENT CENTER.
3. 5 Page Critique of Article: The critique of the article promotes a demonstration of using
psychological journals. Each student will critique an article from a psychological journal on an
issue affecting psychology. Magazine and newspaper sources are not acceptable. For example,
The Journal of Counseling or The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology is acceptable,
but Psychology Today is not. An abstract alone is not acceptable. You may choose a topic based
on 1 of the 14 chapters from your textbook for the course. Your article will be due at an earlier
date than your final critique. You must abide by all the deadlines.
Project Steps for the Critique of Article
Step 1:
Write a 5 Page double-spaced essay (12-point font size). In your paper, the following criteria
must be included: a) summarize the article, b) critically analyze the author(s) main points, c)
indicate the pros and cons of the article with regard to participants and setting, and d) make your
own recommendations to improve the article. In addition, include the research question or
hypothesis and why this is important. Briefly, describe the methods the researchers used.
Step 2:
Next, critique the article. Comment on the findings (you may use points made by the researchers
in the discussion section), but add your own point of view. Was the study flawed in some way?
Are the results useful? How is the study relevant to this course in general?
Step 3:
Besides the preceding requirements, your paper will be graded on the following:
a) Adequate description of the topic, b) the thoughtfulness of your analysis, and c) and the
expository clarity and coherence of your paper, and c) spelling and grammar. Each
student must obtain approval from the instructor before beginning work on the
assignment.
Project Steps for the Critique of Article Continued
Step 4:
Steps in Choosing an Article for the Critique:
1. Choose a topic on psychology
2. Select an article from a reputable psychological journal dated within the past 9 years
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– no earlier than 1994. Some journals you might select include:
 American Psychologist
 The Counseling Psychologist
 The School Psychologist
 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
 The Family Psychologist
 Psychological Bulletin
 Human Development
 Cognitive Psychology
 Journal of Black Psychology
(*In addition, journals cited in the back of the textbook (reference section) are
acceptable as well.)
3. Obtain the instructor’s approval for your topic and journal citation before
submitting your paper.
4. Find a published experiment by skimming through textbook(s), using a university
library and skimming through a scientific article on psychology.
Resources for Psychological Journals:
The MdUSA databases:
PsycInfo see http://www.apa.org/psycinfo/about/covlist.html#list
For available titles and
PsycArticles see http://www.apa.org/psycarticles/covlist.html
For title list. Included are rich full text resources in the area of psychology.
PGGC website: www.pgcc.edu and look under psychological articles section
4. Internet Critique: Navigating the information highway and using the computer are two skills
that are essential to success in academia. In this assignment, you will work as a group to present
your findings to the class. Your group will be assigned one topic from the course (e.g., sensation
and perception, psychopathology, etc.). You will then locate 2 websites related to that topic.
You will print 2 pages from each site. In the critique, you will do several things. One,
summarize what is on the website such as who owns the site and how current the information is.
Two, you will critically evaluate the information, concentrating on its accuracy using the
textbook as your authority. Three, you will critique the website including ease of use, design,
etc. Four, your group will present the findings on your assigned topic on the assigned date. In
order to earn points, each member must complete his/her responsibility for the group’s
assignment. Early in the semester, groups will be assigned by the Professor.
5. Final Exam: The final examination serves the useful purpose of evaluating the
knowledge you gained for the course. The final exam is “closed book” and “closed notes” so
preparation and study are extremely important. It will consist of multiple choice questions. The
final exam will be cumulative.
The exam will consist of concepts, definitions and theories you should remember when you have
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finished this course.
A grade of I (Incomplete) can only be given for verifiable medical reasons (I will ask for details
– a note saying you are sick will not be sufficient) or for documented circumstances beyond your
control (this does NOT mean a dead car battery but some severe incident). Documents must be
in writing and will be verified. Additionally, it is my choice to give or not give the “I”. The
Dean must also approve all Incompletes. He seldom does so. DO NOT ASSUME you will
be granted one. If you miss a test during the semester and then do not take the scheduled
makeup, you will receive a 0 (zero) on that test. You will not receive an Incomplete.
GRADE RECORD SHEET – SPRING 2004 – DR. LEWIS
Course Requirements:
LECTURE EXAMS
Test #1
POSSIBLE POINTS
100
YOUR POINTS
5
Test #2
Test #3
Test #4
SUBTOTAL:
Final Exam
SUBTOTAL:
QUIZZES
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
Quiz #3
Quiz #4
Quiz #5
Quiz #6
SUBTOTAL:
CRITIQUE OF
ARTICLE
SUBTOTAL:
INTERNET CRITIQUE
SUBTOTAL:
TOTAL:
100
100
100
400
50
50
20
20
20
20
20
20
100
25
25
25
25
600 POINTS
COURSE SCHEDULE: (Subject to Change)
Week of:
January 22
January 27
January 29
February 3
Exams:
***Quiz 1 (Ch. 1)
Readings/Assignment(s)
Introduction/Course Overview
Chapter 1: Mind, Behavior, and Science
Chapter 1 Continued
Chapter 2: Biopsychology
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February 5
February 10
February 12
February 17
February 19
February 24
February 26
March 2
March 4
March 9
March 11
March 16
March 18
March 23
March 25
March 30
***Quiz 2 (Ch. 3)
Chapter 2 Continued
Chapter 3: Conception, Heredity, and Environment
Chapter 3 Continued
Chapter 4: Psychological Development
Chapter 4 Continued
***Test 1 (Ch. 1-4)
Chapter 5 Sensation and Perception
Chapter 5 Continued
***Quiz 3 (Ch. 5)
Chapter 6: Learning
INTERNET CRITIQUE DUE
Chapter 6: Continued
***Quiz 4 (Ch. 6)
Chapter 7: Memory
Deadline for Submission of ArticleChapter 7 Continued
***Quiz 5 (Ch.7)
Chapter 8: Thinking and Intelligence
Chapter 8 Continued
***Test 2 (Ch. 5-8)
Chapter 9: Emotion and Motivation
SPRING BREAK VACATION (4/01 – 4/11) NO CLASSES
April 13
***Quiz 6 (Ch.9)
Chapter 10: Stress, Health, and Well-Being
April 15
Chapter 10: Continued
April 20
CRITIQUE DUE
Chapter 11: Personality
April 22
***Test 3 (Ch. 9-11)
Chapter 12: Psychopathology
April 27
Chapter 13: Therapies for Mental Disorder
April 27 Continued
FINAL EXAM REVIEW (CHAPTERS 1-13)
April 29
***Test 4 (Ch. 12-13)
May 4
May 6
FINAL EXAM (9:30 a.m.)
CHAPTERS 1-13
IMPORTANT DATES:
Monday, Feb. 16
Presidents’ Day – No Classes
Thursday, April 1 – Sunday, April 11
Spring Break – No Classes
Monday, April 12
Classes Resume
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Thursday, May 6
Final Exam
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
All Written Assignments:
Written assignments are designed to enhance your learning of course materials. ALL projects
must be typed or done on a word processor. You must double-space your work. Your
paper must be stapled and should have a cover sheet with your name and section number on
it. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will not be accepted
unless arranged in advanced. All work should be saved to a computer file or photocopied
before submission. Late assignments – each day that an assignment is not turned, you will
lose points on a daily basis. Points will be deducted for work turned in on a day other than the
due date and your work may not be returned.
Pay attention to your writing skills as these figure into the final grade. Reference pages must
follow the American Psychological Association Style Manual. The Manual is available in the
library.
Here are some websites that may help you with writing APA Style:
http://www.psychwww.com/resource/apacrib.htm
http://www.uwm.edu/people/pcsmith/usergide.htm
http://www.Idl.net/~bill/aparev.htm
http://www.methods.fullerton.edu/appa.html
College Policies:
All college policies regarding student conduct, academic integrity and disability referrals apply.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of such policies. For copies, check the Student
Handbook or contact the Office of Academic Advising. Students are also responsible for
knowing and following all College policies regarding registration, withdrawal, etc.
Attendance and Participation:
Attendance and punctuality are important if students expect to do well in this course (and other
courses). Please Be On Time For All Classes! Absence means the student misses a great deal
of information, which will not be retaught. Students are responsible for finding out from other
students what is covered in any missed classes and for any announcements made. Therefore,
students should make every effort to attend. In addition, my teaching style requires a 2-way
process of communicating. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in class activities
and discussions. Such attendance and participation will have an effect on the final grade.
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Classroom Conduct:
Students are expected to observe the College code of conduct found in the PGCC Student
Handbook. Smoking and eating are not permitted in the classroom. There is also to be no
sleeping in the classroom. Disruptive students will not be tolerated and are subjected to
dismissal procedures as outlined in the Handbook. While open discussion in this course is
encouraged, the differing opinions of others must be treated respectfully.
*Cell Phones/Beepers and other forms of Technology: Please turn these off when you are in
class. You may keep them on vibrate, but under no circumstances should a student speak on
their mobile phone during a class or an exam.
Cheating is obviously unacceptable behavior and is grounds for failing the class. If you cheat on
any test or assignment, you will receive a 0 for that assignment/test. You will not be allowed to
make-up any such item. In addition, your behavior will be reported to the Dean.
Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability, including learning disabilities, that the student feels
may affect classroom performance should discuss the matter privately with their instructor at the
beginning of the semester so that reasonable accommodations can be made. It is also
recommended that students contact the Disability Support Services Office (M-1042) or call 301322-0838 (voice) or 301-322-0122 (TTY) for additional assistance with classes and campus
activities. Students must provide documentation of disability when requesting academic
accommodations and copies of their enrollment confirmation (bill) with paid receipt. If you need
accommodations, I must be notified by the start of the second week of class.
HELP! I’M IN TROUBLE!!??!!
1) Asking me for help in understanding concepts is also useful. You may do so by coming to my
office during office hours, scheduling an appointment, or by email. (Another good reason to get
email!)
2) You should plan on spending a minimum of 6-9 hours per week studying for this course
(not including extra time needed for projects or tests). This is outside of the time spent in
class. If you are not putting in this amount of time, re-evaluate your study plan.
3) Do NOT wait until the week of the exam to seek help!!!
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4) There is free assistance with helping you with your writing skills. Take advantage of the
services. You may get help with your writing skills by visiting the Writing Center on the 3rd
Floor of Accokeek Hall. To make a half-hour appointment, call (301) 322-0748. The
contact person is Abby Bandi at extension 0598.
5) There is free tutoring on campus. Take advantage of the services. You may also get
assistance with tutoring by visiting the Tutorial Center on the 3rd Floor of Accokeek Hall.
Lee Torento is the Coordinator of the Tutoring Center.
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