Session 2014-1 Summer
ONLINE - D2L
May 5 to June 29. 2014
Patricia A. Giacomini
Brinkerhoff 201
Office Hours by Appointment
pgiacomini@ben.edu
Cell: (217) 553-5668
Office: (217) 525-1420, ext. 3520
PRE-ASSIGNMENT:
Become familiar with D2L online format by viewing the D2L online tutorial.
Print and read the syllabus. Print Unit I objectives and chapter 1 notes.
Read Chapter 1 in the textbook. Complete chapter 1 notes by following chapter 1 PPT slides.
Please follow Section VIII, Course Outline.
PSYC 100-70OL - SURVEY OF PSYCHOLOGY
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION (3 credit hours)
Overview of the field; principles and general methodology; concepts, theories and research, applicability
to modern living.
II.
TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS
Required Text:
Ciccarelli, S., White, J.. (2013). Psychology. Indianapolis: Pearson Publishing Company.
ISBN: 978-0-205256419 ISBN: 0-2052566414.
Every student should have a textbook! Sharing the book is not advisable.
Supplemental Materials:
Students will need to have an email account and have regular and frequent access to a computer with
Internet and utilization of the D2L (Desire To Learn) online format.
III.
MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from
diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts
and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine
heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders
in the world community.
IV.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Benedictine Core Goals
Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly
interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad
range of learning goals, listed below:
1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills;
2. Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical
data;
3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include
 the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the person in
community,

the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and
institutions,
 scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods, and the impact of science on
the individual, society, and the environment, artistic and literary heritage;
4. Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships, interdependence
of peoples and nations;
5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society;
6. Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and aspirations
of individuals and groups, and the common good.
B. Course Objectives/Outcomes
As a distribution course within the Core Curriculum, PSYC 100 was designed with the above Core goals
in mind. Thus, upon successful completion of the Survey of Psychology (PSYC 100) course, the student
will be able to demonstrate their mastery of the following objectives and student learning outcomes:
1. To identify and compare the major biopsychosocial-moral research theories in the field of psychology.
2. To describe physiological information related to the human nervous system and the psychological
processes of sensation, perception, language and cognition.
3. To evaluate basic concepts regarding the experience of human thinking, intelligence and memory
including types of assessment and measurement techniques.
4. To describe maladaptive types of behavioral adjustment and types of treatment approaches including
community services to assist self and others improve the quality of life.
5. To exercise critical and ethical thinking in the use of research study and evaluative skills in written and
oral presentation, including the use and evaluation of the Web for informative, peer-reviewed scientific
research.
V. TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
Teaching method: Through assess to the internet D2L site, the student will review unit objectives,
preview/read textbook chapter assignment(s) &/or specific textbook pages, apply PowerPoint slides to
unit notes, work through quizzes in the note packet, access the textbook website;
wwwpearsonpublishers.com/ciccarelli for student’s review materials and take the unit test by the assigned
date. Although you are not required to use the internet study guide materials, you will increase your
probability of success if you study them.
In the online environment, students choose when they will work on class materials; however, the class
has structured deadlines for the completion of unit tests and the research paper. I realize that some of
you may want to go faster than the pace I have set-up for the completion of units. You will be able to do
this at any time. In other words, you may submit the research paper assignments or take the unit exam
earlier than the due date.
It is the belief of this instructor that the student will benefit most by taking an active role in the process of
learning. Student assignments and learning activities support this philosophy and are provided to
enhance learning. Contact me if you have questions or comments and please do not hesitate to ask
for help.
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Policy
Attendance will be assessed by the student access to the PSYC 100-70OL program. If you are having
problems with any part of this online course, contact this instructor by phone or email. It is important
the student be self-motivated, have strong organizational and time-management skills, enjoy
working independently, follow directions and be comfortable working with computer technology.
Careful planning and preparation are required to succeed in this course. If there are questions,
the student should contact the instructor by phone at 217-553-5668 or by email
pgiacomini@ben.edu. It is important to be accountable and demonstrate mature and professional
behavior.
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their own
learning outcomes. Any absence of required online work must be due to extraordinary circumstances
and will require documentation for it to be considered excused. Documentation must be provided
immediately in order to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible. Completing
or submitting online work late will directly impact your final grade, and each undocumented absence will
be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the overall final grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents
you from completing assignments, appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately to
the instructor so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.
Reading Assignments
Please see course schedule/calendar in syllabus for assignments. It is expected that the student will
review unit objectives, preview/read textbook chapter assignment(s) &/or specific textbook pages, apply
PowerPoint slides to unit notes, work through quizzes in the note packet, access the textbook website for
students at www.worthpublishers.com/myers, and take the unit test by the assigned date and time.
Written Assignments
The student is required to complete one written research project. At least one scientific, scholarly,
peer-reviewed research journal article should be summarized, incorporated into the paper and
attached to the research project. For one-on-one assistance with written work, students are strongly
encouraged to use SMARTHINKING, a free online 24-hour service. Contact the Resource Center for
access to SMARTHINKING: (217) 525-1420, ext. 3320. **Please review the PSYC 100-70OL
Personal Reflection/Research Paper Grading Rubric.
What is a Scientific, Peer-Reviewed Research Journal?
Scholars publish most of their research in peer reviewed journals, which are the core information source
in virtually every academic discipline. The major sections of an article include the abstract,
introduction, literature review, research method, research results, discussion, and references
RESEARCH PROJECT TOPICS
**Select one of the following:
Unit I - Write a descriptive case history about someone that has had a brain injury; rather this be an
acute injury as the result of brain trauma like a bicycle accident or a chronic brain injury which was the
result of a stroke or a brain tumor. Identify and discuss what you think is the brain area, associated
physical symptoms and psychological behavior characteristics, treatment method alternatives and
prognosis. Incorporate scientific study research article information that correlates to the specific
type of brain insult into the paper and attach complete article to paper.
Unit 2 - Write a autobiography and complete a personal personality analysis of what made you who you
are. Reflect on the three personality determinants discussed in this unit, heredity, environment and self,
as you write about “What You Are Is Where You Were When – When Things Were Happening To You”.
Incorporate scientific study research article information that correlates to personality
development and functioning into the paper and attach complete article to paper.
Unit 3 – Identify and discuss personal examples of the three types of learning: classical conditioning,
operant conditioning and observational learning. Explain how fears and/or confidence develops from
specific experiences in life. Incorporate scientific study research article information that correlates
to one or more types of learning into the paper and attach complete article to paper.
Unit 4 – Identify and select some behavior (habit) about yourself that you would like to change. Follow
the seven behavior modification process steps and develop a hypothetical plan to change the behavior.
Incorporate scientific study research article information that correlates to the behavior change
process into the paper and attach complete article to paper.
Unit 5 – Complete a personal stress assessment and use the behavioristic model to develop a detailed
stress reduction plan. Incorporate scientific study research article information that correlates to
your type of stress situation and attach complete article to paper.
Unit 6 - What does it mean to say that depression is the "common cold" of psychological disorders?
Analyze why a person recovering from open heart surgery or a stent placement procedure or receiving
treatment for cancer or experienced the recent death of a loved one
would be depressed. Discuss biological, psychological, cognitive and spiritual dynamics related to the
depression. Incorporate scientific study research article information that correlates to open heart
surgery, stent placement procedure or treatment for cancer and depression and attach complete
article to paper.
PSYC 100-70OL Personal Reflection Research Paper Grading Rubric.
Student _____________________________________ Class PSYC 100-70OL
Unit ________ Topic _____________________________________ Grade ____________
1. Resources/Academic Integrity – (Plagiarism is grounds for a failing grade)
- Sources are cited properly in APA style on separate page
(may include textbook and must include scientific research article)
(8) ______
- Gives credit to researchers by citing resources in paper
- Submits at least one scientific journal research article
2. Clear Expression
- Ideas are expressed in a style that promotes ease of reading
- Clear communication of ideas & personal reflections
- Ideas are developed with adequate definition of terms
(6) ______
(6) ______
Total Points (20) ______
(4) ______
(14) ______
(6) ______
Total Points (24) ______
3. Organization Paper is structured logically to include:
- An introduction with a clear statement of the central idea
(e.g., purpose, position, problem, or thesis of the paper)
as well as an explanation of how the paper is organized.
(8) ______
- Topic sentences for each paragraph that introduce supporting ideas
(4) ______
- Clear transitions between paragraphs that link all the ideas
(4) ______
- A concluding paragraph that revisits your thesis
(4) ______
- The paper is structured according to the guidelines in the
(5) _____
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
(APA).
Total Points (25) ______
4. Critical Thinking
- Research ideas are analyzed (by comparing and/or challenging them)
(4) ______
- Research ideas are evaluated (by exploring the adequacy of assumptions
and taking a position on them)
(4) ______
- Research ideas are synthesized (by connecting them to other information
or by summarizing and integrating them into a concluding statement).
(4) ______
Total Points (12) ______
5. Diction. Language and Mechanics
- College level vocabulary
(5) ______
- Correct spelling and word choice
(5) ______
- Correct capitalization and punctuation
(4) ______
- Sentence structure including proper verb tense, subject-verb
agreement, and use of possessives.
(5) ______
Total Points (19)______
Total Points _____Grade __________
Comments:
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman
Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all
University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification,
destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations
and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to
exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may
result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for understanding
the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses
normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic
dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the
members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class
have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to
approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic
dishonesty:
 a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
 dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
 dismissal from the Institution.
VII. MEANS OF EVALUATION
Unit Tests
There are six online unit tests covering the unit objectives, chapters of the text, unit notes, PowerPoint
slides and unit quizzes. There is no midterm test or final exam. All test questions are multiple choice
and will evaluate the student’s ability to identify, apply, reflect, analyze and evaluate course goals and
objectives. Each unit test will assess your understanding of the unit
information and should be completed by the assignment due date. Each unit test will have approximately
50 questions (2 points each) and should be completed within the 60 minutes allotted time period. After
taking an online test, you will immediately be given your grade and it will be recorded in your grade record
which is available to you at all time on the website. Once
a test has been opened by the student, the test must be completed in the allotted time period.
There will be no makeup for the test. Please do not attempt to print, copy or download a unit test.
Students are expected to be honest and to behave with integrity.
Research Project
The research project will give the student an opportunity to apply theoretical information to personal
situations. The paper should be at least 9 pages long and not exceed 10 pages. This includes the cover
page and the resource cited page or reference page written in appropriate APA format. The paper should
be completed using the proper written format (typewritten, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 11 inch
font with correct spelling and proper sentence structure. Remember to give credit to resources used in
the paper and follow the Academic Honesty Policy statement. For one-on-one assistance with written
work, students are strongly encouraged to use SMARTHINKING, a free online 24-hour service. Contact
the Resource Center for access to SMARTHINKING: (217) 525-1420, ext. 3320. The research paper is
worth 19% of the total final grade. Please email the research paper to me as a WORD document and
send a copy to yourself so you will have “proof” that you sent it to me. Save your paper on your
hard drive and/or on a zip drive. After the paper is reviewed and evaluated, it will be send back to you by
email. **Please review the PSYC 100-70OL Personal Reflection/Research Paper Grading Rubric.
**The paper may be submitted any time but is due by June 2.
The final course grade will be based on assignments weighted as follows:
Unit Test Grade Average -------- 81% Total Grade
Research Paper Grade
-------- 19% Total Grade
The course grading scale is as follows:
A = 100 – 89.50
B = 89.49 – 79.50
C = 79.49 – 69.50
D = 69.49 – 59.50
F = 59.49 --------If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in writing
to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for which the
grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information about why it is believed
the grade reported is inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a passing
grade, and a student must submit a completed Request for an Incomplete form to the Registrar’s Office.
The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the
instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form,
with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please refer to the
Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII.
TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
DATE
TOPIC
REFERENCES
UNIT I: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Week of:
05/05
(Week 1)
05/12
(Week 2)
05/19
(Week 3)
Introduction and Objectives
What is the Science of Psychology?
Types of Psychology
Syllabus
Chap. 1,
Appendix C
Chap. 1
pp. 429-433
Historical Perspectives
Modern Approaches to
Understand Behavior
Methods of Research
Statistics in Psychology
Chap. 1
Appendix A
Statistics in Psychology
Physiological Influences on Behavior
Appendix A
Chap. 2
**UNIT I TEST (take online test)
UNIT II: UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENT OF
ONE’S PERSONALITY
Personality Development Theory
Major Personality Determinants
Freud's Psychosexual Stages
pp. 426-429
Note Packet
Chap. 4, 5
Chap. 12
pp. 420-422
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages
pp. 159-163
Neo-Freudian Theorists
pp. 423-424
Kubler Ross’s Theory - Death & Dying
05/26
(Week 4)
**UNIT II TEST (take online test)
UNIT III: BASIC PROCESSES IN BEHAVIOR
06/02
(Week 5)
Perception & Sensation
Chap. 6
pp. 179-184
pp. 205-223
Learning
Learning Theories
Behavior Change Process
Chap. 7
**UNIT III TEST
(take online test)
UNIT IV: COMPLEX BEHAVIOR PROCESSES
Memory
Chap. 8
Intelligence & Mental Abilities
Chap. 9
pp. 319-334
Chap. 12
pp. 424-426
pp. 433-438
Psychological Testing
**Research paper due!
06/09
(Week 6)
**UNIT IV TEST (take online test)
UNIT V: BEHAVIOR PATHOLOGY
06/16
(Week 7)
Review Unit IV Test
Need Reduction Theory
Motivation
Emotion, Stress & Health
Chap 10
Chap.11
Mental Mechanisms
pp. 423
**UNIT V TEST
(take online test)
UNIT VI: PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS
06/23
(Week 8)
Psychological Disorders
Chap. 13
Therapy
Community Resources
Chap. 14
**Unit VI Test
(take online test)
IX.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to participate in
educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodations to
participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or meet course requirements, should
contract the Resource Center as early as possible: springaccess@ben.edu or (217) 525-1420, ext. 3306.
X.
ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus.
Instructor may use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other
Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of
instruction.