Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: PSY 101-15 Location: ICB 2702
Course Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
Semester: Fall 2010
Days and times the course meets: T/TH 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Sarah Harper
Phone number: (309) 268-8590
E-mail: Sarah.Harper@heartland.edu
Office location: ICB 2100
Office hours: By appointment only
Textbook:
Required: David G. Myers. Psychology Ninth Addition in Modules. Worth Publishers
Introduction:
The purpose of this course is to provide the opportunity to acquire comprehensive knowledge of human
behavior. As a behavioral science, psychology utilizes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on many
avenues of research. Although there are no absolute answers in this discipline, psychology is a science
which uses both empirical research and statistics to support the merits of each theory. On the surface much
of psychology may appear to be “common sense”, because it is subject matter that everyone can relate to;
however, psychology is a complex and difficult field made up of a wide range of theories, philosophies, and
convictions about human nature.
The study of human behavior is essential to understanding not only ourselves, but also the social context in
which we exist. As students examine topics such as interpersonal relations, mental illness, parenting, and
sexuality, they should challenge themselves to widen their perspectives and apply their growing
understanding of human behavior to the real world.
Catalog Description:
The study of psychology as a science and the determinants of human personality and functioning. This
course also focuses on how we may use the principles of physical and emotional/cognitive growth,
learning, personality functioning and coping, and social interactions in our everyday lives.
HCC Portal
Just a reminder that to access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will need to log into
myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu. You can also access it directly from HCC main webpage at
http://www.heartland.edu
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S.
degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the
Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However,
students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer
to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for more information.
General Education:
Do students have the required skills to live and learn in contemporary society? Typically, the first two years
of a four-year degree are devoted to the general education curriculum. At Heartland Community College
the general education program is designed to ensure that students have experiences which help develop
the abilities to communicate, problem solve, think critically and value the diversity which abounds in the
world. The general education program is designed to help students make connections between academic
courses & real life, between prior knowledge & new knowledge, and between prior experiences and
different ways of knowing. To help students make these connections in Psychology 101, we have
embedded the general education curriculum into the learning outcomes of this course.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will develop an increased proficiency in the following areas:
Communication:
1. Be able to apply the many theories of psychology to real life.
Diversity:
1. Understand, apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of psychology including
biological, psychodynamic, social, behavioral, and cognitive views.
Problem Solving:
1. Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the history of science and research methods that
have developed in psychology.
Critical Thinking:
1. Understand, apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of psychology including
biological, psychodynamic, social, behavioral, and cognitive views.
2. Be able to apply the many theories of psychology to real life.
Other:
1. Understand the importance of neurobiology and physiology and its impact on human behavior and
development.
2. Be able to identify and appraise various abilities, functions, failures, and pathology of human
behavior and mental processes.
3. Have acquired an awareness and appreciation of various theories and factors related to
developmental processes throughout the lifespan, and the role of testing to assess those
processes.
4. Be able to identify and appraise how psychology research and theory can improve human
functioning at all stages of life.
Course/Lab Outline:
This outline is a brief representation of what each instructor will include while teaching this class. There
may be additional material that is included; each instructor may vary the presentation of the topics as well
as how much time is spent on each topic.
1. Introduction to Psychology
a. Descriptive Research Methods
b. Experimental Research Methods
c. Participants in Research
d. History of Psychology
2. Biology and Behavior
a. Neurons and Neurotransmitters
b. The Different Nervous Systems
c. The Cerebral Hemispheres
3. Sensation and Perception
a. Sensation: The Sensory World
b. Vision, Hearing and Other Senses
c. Perception: Ways of Perceiving
4. States of Consciousness
a. What is Consciousness?
b. Sleep and Sleep Disorders
c. Altering and Altered States of Consciousness
5. Learning
a. Classical Conditioning
b. Operant Conditioning
c. Cognitive and Observational Learning
6. Memory
a. Processes and Systems of Memory
b. Remembering
c. Forgetting
d. Factors Affecting Retrieval
e. Improving Memory
7. Cognition and Language and Intelligence
a. Decision Making
b. Problem Solving
c. Language Skills
d. Nature of Intelligence
e. Measuring Intelligence
f. Creativity
8. Child Development
a. Basic Issues and Methodology
b. Heredity
c. Emotional Development
d. Piaget’s Approach
e. Erikson’s Approach
9. Adolescent and Adulthood
a. Physical and Cognitive Development
b. Moral and Social Development
c. Early and Middle Adulthood
d. Late Adulthood
10. Motivation and Emotion
a. Theories of Motivation
b. Social Motives
c. What and Why of Emotions
d. Expression of Emotion
11. Human Sexuality and Gender
a. Biology of Gender
b. Gender Roles
c. Gender Differences
d. Sexual Attitudes and Behavior
12. Personality Theory and Assessment
a. Psychoanalytic Approach
b. Neo-Freudians
c. Trait Theories
d. Learning Theories
e. Humanistic Theories
13. Health and Stress
a. Theories of Stress
b. Sources of Stress
c. Coping with Stress
d. Lifestyle, Health and Disease
14. Psychological Disorders
a. Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior
b. Schizophrenia
c. Mood Disorders
d. Anxiety Disorders
e. Dissociative Disorders
15. Therapies
a. Insight Therapies
b. Behavior Therapies
c. Cognitive Therapies
d. Biological Therapies
16. Social Psychology
a. Social Perception
b. Conformity and Obedience
c. Group Influence
d. Attitudes
e. Prosocial Behavior
Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction for this course include lecture, group discussions, small group activities, individual
activities in class, demonstrations, and the use of video.
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
All grades in this course are assigned based on a percentage system: A= 100% - 90%, B= 89% 80%, C= 79% - 70%, D= 69%-60%, F= less than 60%. Your final grade for this course will be
based on the percentage of total points possible that you have earned from exams, assignments,
and quizzes.
Exams
We will cover 59 Modules this semester. There will be four exams given throughout the
semester. All exams will be worth 100 points. Each exam will be comprised of one or more of
the following: multiple-choice, matching, T or F, diagram identification, and short-answer/essay.
Exam questions will come from all topics discussed in class, the textbook modules and other
selected readings and assignments.
A missed exam must be completed in the Testing Center (in the Academic Support
Center/Library). You will need a photo ID to complete the exam. You will have three days to
complete the exam with no point penalty. Completing an exam beyond the two-day grace period
will result in a 10 percentage point deduction for each day it is late. For example, an exam
completed four days after the scheduled exam date will receive a 20% point reduction - a score of
80% would then be reduced to 60%.
Quizzes: There will be 3 quizzes throughout the class, each worth 20 points. You will NOT be
allowed to make up a quiz if you are not in lass the day it is given.
Assignments:
Please bring a hard copy of the assignments to class on the due date
For each module we do not cover in class a journal reaction will be assigned. Journal reactions
should contain individual reactions to readings, questions you may have about the topic,
what you have learned, ect.. Journal reactions may also be based on supplemental readings
provided to you by the instructor. (Each Journal should be 1 page long double spaced) Each entry
will be worth 15 points.
A 2 page writing assignment will also be given after viewing a movie in class. This assignment
will be worth 50 points.
If you miss class…
If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class, I will not give out my
personal lecture notes but I will provide you via email with topic discussed. Please note we may
discuss topics not in the textbook so it will be your responsibility to research the topic on your own
Late Assignments
I will accept late work up to two days; however I will deduct 5 points for each day missed. If you
are not in class assignments should be emailed.
I will accept assignments by e-mail if I receive the attached document (in MS Word, html, or rich
text format) before 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Once I confirm that you did complete the
assignment by seeing the electronic copy, you will then have to bring a hard copy to me on next
day of class.
Participation (or Attendance):
Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities each
class day. Attendance will be tracked, but there are no points awarded based on attendance.
However, I may withdraw a student from the course at midterm if his/her grade is poor and they
have poor attendance.
Incompletes: See the policy on Incompletes in the Heartland Community College Catalogue.
Extra Credit: Extra credit can be earned by reviewing an article that pertains to any psychology
topic. This review is a basic summary and reaction to the article. It must be at least 2 pages
long in order to receive full credit. Journal articles must be from an online database. These
Journal articles can be found on the Heartland library website. Please do not use Google to find
an article, for these articles may not be research based or peer reviewed.
Required Writing and Reading:
Every instructor will require a minimum of 10 pages of writing from each student. This may be
accomplished through a combination of various writing requirements such as: term papers, essay
questions on exams, journals, or other written assignments.
Student Conduct:
All students are expected to behave in an acceptable manner in the classroom. Aside from
asking questions and participating in class activities, there will be no talking in the classroom.
Cell phones, pagers, etc. must be turned off during class. There will be no text messaging or
reading of text messages during class. I reserve the right to drop you from this course if your
behavior is such that it interferes with the learning environment or is otherwise disruptive to me or
your classmates in any way.
Student Evaluations Statement:
Toward the end of the semester, all students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation
form online at www.studentevals.com/heartland. More information about evaluations will be
provided in class.
Disabilities Statement:
If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please
contact Anita Moore, Director of Disability Support Services at 268-8249 or
anita.moore@heartland.edu
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is
essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be
competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The
College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary
measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of
academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning cheating or
other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records
or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems.
Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create a
project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that which is
attributed to another author or creator, is your own.
Academic Support Center Services:
Library
The Library, located in the Student Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides Heartland
students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers,
periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information. For
more information, please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Services
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students at
the Tutoring and Testing Center in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are
available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups are also available by request.
For more information about services available at each location, please call the Tutoring and
Testing Center in Normal (309) at 268-8231, the Pontiac Center at (815) 842-6777, or the Lincoln
Center at (217) 735-1731.
Testing Services
The Tutoring and Testing Center provides a secure testing environment for students who are
enrolled in online, hybrid, and other distance learning courses; have a documented disability; or
need to take a make-up exam. Testing accommodations for students having documented
disabilities must be arranged by the student through the Office of Disability Services, and Testing
Services will only administer make-up exams at the request of the instructor. Contact Testing
Services at (309) 268-8231 for more information.
Open Computing Lab
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times
throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of
approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric typewriter.
Syllabi disclaimer:
Some changes might occur during the course of this semester with regard to deadlines, material covered,
and the nature of assignments. However, changes will not be made to the number of exams given, the
point totals of the exams or the date of the final exam.
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in the A-Z
Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web site. Go to
http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/index.jsp to learn what classes have been cancelled for that
day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the
instructor.
Exams- 400 points
Quizzes- 60 points
Journal -105 points
Video Assignment- 50
Extra Credit- Possible 35 points
Date
Class Activities
Aug 17
Introduction to class
Aug 19
Foundations of Psychology
Mod 1-3
Mod 4-6/The Brain
Assignments/Due Dates
Aug 24
Aug 26
Aug 31
Mod 8/Sleep and Dreams
Quiz 1
Mod 10/Drugs
Journal Entry –Module 11-Due 9/2
Mod 12/Nature vs. Nurture
Sept 2
Exam 1 Mod 1-12
Sept 7
Sept 9
Sept 14
Mod 14-15/Child and
Adolescent Development
Mod 16/Adolescent
Development
Mod 16/Adult Development
Sept 16
Mod 36-38/MotivationVideo
Mod 17/20-22 Perception
Journal reaction due 9/23
Quiz
Oct 5
Mod 23-24/Classical and
Operant Conditioning
Mod 25/Learning by
Observation
Midterm Module 14-25
Oct 7
Mod 26-29 Memory
Journal response to Mod 31 Due 10/12
Oct 12
Mod 33/Intelligence
Mod 40-41/Emotions
Mod 43-44/Stress and
Health
Sept 21
Sept 23
Sept 28
Sept 30
Oct 14
Journal Reaction-Article Review-Due 10/19
Oct 19
Oct 21
Mod 45/Psychoanalytic
Perspective
Mod 46/The Humanistic
Approach
Oct26
Mod 47/Contemporary
Research
Oct 28
Mod 48/Psych Disorders
Nov 2
Mod 49/Anxiety
Nov 4
Nov 9
Mod 50/Dissociative, and
Somatoform Disorders
Mod 51/Mood Disorders
Nov 11
Mod 52/Schizophrenia
Nov16
Exam 3 Mod 40-52
Nov 18
Mod 53/Therapies
Nov 23
Video
Nov 25
No Class/Thanksgiving
Break
Mod 56/Social Thinking
Nov 30
Dec 2
Dec 7
Dec 9
Mod 57/Social Influence,
Video
Mod 58-59/Anti and Pro
Social Relations
Exam 4-Comprehensive
Exam
Journal Reaction-What defines your
personality? What are the causes or
consequences of personal control? Where
do you place yourself on the 5 personality
dimensions? Are you a pessimist or
optimist? Due 10/28
Quiz 3
Journal Reaction-Personality Disorders
Due 11/11
Video Assignment-Jim Jones and the People
Temple Due 11/30
Journal Reaction-Video Review-Due 12/9
Phillip Zambardo