SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMAN SERVICES
Introduction to Psychology
PSY 111
Section OLO1
Winterim 2012
Introduction to Psychology provides an introduction to the subject matter, terminology,
basic research findings, and current topics of interest in scientific psychology. Students
explores the biological foundations of human behavior, social-environment influences,
and intra-psychic elements, including perception, consciousness, personality, and
motivation. A holistic approach is used to understand abnormal behavior, human growth
and development, health, stress, and coping. (3/0)
Instructor: Jeff Bonsall, B.A., M.H.R
Office: Clark Hall – Room 218
email: jbonsall@iwcc.edu
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FACULTY INFORMATION
Instructor: Jeff Bonsall
E-Mail: jbonsall@iwcc.edu
Office Hours:
Given this is entirely an on-line course please email with any questions, comments or
concerns and I will make every effort to return the message within 48 hours.
COURSE INFORMATION
Course: PSY 111-OLO1
Introduction to Psychology
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
Meeting Times: December 17, 2012 – January 4, 2013
Required Textbook: “Psychology: An Exploration”, Second Edition, Ciccarelli & White
ISBN 978-0-205-26056-0
Course Learning Objectives & Course Competencies:
1. Understand the biological approaches to human behavior.
2. Understand the physical, cognitive, and psychological development across the
lifespan of the individual.
3. Understand the role of learning in human behavior.
4. Understand the normal and abnormal personality.
5. Understand the influence of the environment on social behavior & perception.
Honor Code – Academic Honesty:
Upon enrolling at Iowa Western Community College, each student assumes an
obligation to conduct his/her academic affairs in a manner compatible with the standards
of academic honesty established by the college and its faculty. If this obligation is
neglected or ignored by the student, disciplinary action will be taken.
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Diversity Statement:
Iowa Western Community College values diversity and supports learning experiences
that promote intellectual growth and human enrichment.
American with Disabilities Act:
If you are an individual with a disability who requires an accommodation to fully
participate in academic programs or campus activities, please contact the Coordinator of
Disability Services as soon as possible at 712-325-3390 or the Success Center, Clark
Hall (CH214). This will allow time to plan your accommodations.
FERPA:
Student rights concerning access to educational records are spelled out in Federal
Public Law 98-380 as amended by Public Law 93-568 and in regulations published by
the Department of Education. Student records and class schedules will be released only
to students showing proper identification.
Problem Resolution:
If you have a conflict with me, concerns about my teaching and/or the course material,
please discuss this first with me. If we cannot resolve the difficulty, contact Steve Meyer,
Program Chair for Sociology & Psychology at 325-3483 or smeyer@iwcc.edu.
COURSE PRACTICES
Attendance:
This course is entirely online so it is imperative that the student participate in the
threaded discussions and monitor all deadlines stated in the syllabus.
Missed Exams:
Students will need to notify the instructor if they will miss an exam for any reason before
the scheduled exam date. Given the condensed nature of the Winterim there are no
make-up exams.
There will be no retakes of exams.
Extra Credit:
In the event extra credit is offered, the opportunity will be available for all students in the
class.
Standards for Written Work:
Given this course is entirely facilitated online it is expected that all assignments must be
typed in standard formatting (12 point, Time New Roman font, double spaced) unless
otherwise specified.
Classroom Management & Behavior:
This will be addressed in the section on Threaded Discussions.
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GRADING
I. Exams – 200 points
Four exams will be given at the end of each unit as scheduled. All exams can be
accessed in the respective unit folder on the course page. Each exam will be accessible
at the dates specified on the course schedule, please see the course schedule for these
dates.
Test 1 (chapters 1-3) – 50 points
Test 2 (chapters 4-6) – 50 points
Test 3 (chapters 7-10) – 50 points
Test 4 (chapters 11-13) – 50 points
Everything mentioned in the text is “fair game”.
Tests will not be cumulative. They will include 50 multiple choice items, worth 1 point
each. You will have 120 minutes to complete each test.
Since the tests are “open book,” the questions will be applied, so it is imperative that the
concepts are studied and mastered prior to taking the tests.
II. Reflection Paper – 100 points
Students are responsible to submit a 2-3 page (not including the title page) paper in
which they identify an area of Psychology mentioned within the text that is of interest to
them and can apply to their life (personal experience, college major, expected career,
etc..). The paper needs to include at least 3 references to the text using pertinent
information that helps to highlight how you can apply the information. References
should be done in the form of an in-text citation (Ciccarelli, p. __). This paper is due by
the date indicated on the course schedule. Late papers will not be accepted.
In order to be eligible for full points the Reflection Paper MUST meet the following
criteria:
•
Include a cover page (your name, date, course/section #)
•
Be a minimum of two (2) full type written pages
•
Use standard formatting (12 point font, double-spaced, standard margins)
•
Include at least three references back to the text (Ciccarelli, p. __).
•
Clearly states why the main idea, summarizes the information, if the
student agrees/disagrees with information presented and states how the
subject of the article has “real-life” application.
III. Threaded Discussions – 60 points
Discussions are a form of creating rich, quality discussions online. Each student is
required to participate in the discussions. The discussions should be used as a setting
where students and instructor respond to questions, videos, web sites, or concepts
related to the issues we will cover in the course.
You will be required to write one(1) well thought out response (at least 10 thorough
sentences) to the question/statement introduced by the instructor and respond at least
one(1) additional time to the comments of your fellow classmates with
facts/opinions/ideas (these responses should be thorough – at least 2 sentences).
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Students are also encouraged to initiate questions and engage in student-to-student
interaction. If someone responds to you....you should respond back.
*There will be 1 online discussion question/statement assigned for each unit. They will
be open the day the course begins. The discussion topics will be relevant and
controversial questions posed regarding that particular unit. Each discussion is worth 15
points. Specific due dates for each discussion are listed on the course schedule.
*Late policy on discussions: You cannot make up discussions submitted after the
due date.
Netiquette Statement for posting online discussions:
In order to maintain a positive online environment for our class, we all need to follow the
netiquette guidelines summarized below.
All students are expected to:
1. show respect for the instructor and for other students in the class
2. respect the privacy of other students
3. express differences of opinion in a polite and rational way
4. maintain an environment of constructive criticism when commenting on the work
of other students
5. avoid bringing up irrelevant topics when involved in group discussions or other
collaborative activities
The following list summarizes the kind of behavior that is not acceptable. Each item
listed below is grounds for removal from the class.
Students should not:
1. Show disrespect for the instructor or for other students in the class
2. Send messages or comments that are threatening, harassing, or offensive
3. Use inappropriate or offensive language
4. Convey a hostile or confrontational tone when communicating or working
collaboratively with other students
5. USE ALL UPPERCASE IN THEIR MESSAGES -- THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT
OF SHOUTING!!!
If I feel that a student is violating any of the above guidelines, I will contact that student
to discuss the situation in person. If you feel that a student is behaving inappropriately,
please send me a private e-mail message explaining the situation as soon as possible.
The following guidelines are meant to help you in the thinking process of on-line
discussions.
•
If you received a score 5 or below, it could be because:
o you failed to post a response
o gave very little thought to your response
o did not post required number of posting
•
If you received a score of around a 8 or below, it could be because:
o did little more than agree or disagree
o
brought out very little depth in sharing
o did not post required number of postings or did not post minimum length
of response
•
If you received a score of around an 10, it could be because:
o added additional insight and personal flavor to your posting
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o
brought some depth of thinking to the discussion
•
If you received a score of around a 13, it could be because:
o added creative insight and personal flavor to your posting
o you took what someone else said and synthesized, or analyzed a
response.
o posed a good question back based on the discussion at hand
o answered another's question with a good response
o applied what was in the video and books into the discussion:
o Remember...you must always respond to someone who asks you a
question.
•
If you received a score of around a 15, it could be because:
o you did all of the above plus answered a response with a great,
creative response.
o Only the "best of the best" gets a 15.
*Final Grade – 360 points
Final grades are based on a percentage of total points earned:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
< 59%
=
=
=
=
=
A
B
C
D
F
*The instructor reserves the right to modify this grading scale, but students receiving raw
scores in this scale will receive at least the minimum grade for which they are eligible.
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COURSE TOPICAL OUTLINE & SCHEDULE
*PLEASE NOTE: All Assignments Listed Below Are Due By Midnight on the Date
Indicated
UNIT 1
December 17-20
Readings: Chapters 1-3
Due Dates: Threaded Discussion for Unit 1 – December 20
Unit 1 Exam – Available December 20-22
UNIT 2
December 23-26
Readings: Chapters 4-6
Due Dates: Threaded Discussion for Unit 2 – December 26
Unit 2 Exam – Available December 26-28
UNIT 3
December 27-30
Readings: Chapters 7-10
Due Dates: Threaded Discussion for Unit 3 – December 30
Unit 3 Exam – Available December 30 – January 1
UNIT 4
December 31 - January 4
Readings: Chapters 11-13
Due Dates: Threaded Discussion for Unit 4 – January 4
Unit 4 Exam – Available January 2-4
Reflection Paper – January 4
PLEASE NOTE: This schedule is tentative and subject to change. All changes in this schedule will be noted in class.
Students are responsible for attending class and being aware of any changes. Students who have questions regarding
this schedule should contact the instructor.
11/30/12
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