Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD 21679
Psychology 150
Ruth Kerns Plinke, LCPC
Course of Study
Course Description:
An introduction to the scientific study of psychology with emphasis on learning, cognition,
motivation, emotion, individual differences, and adjustment patterns.
Statement of Course Goals: The goals for the course are:
to introduce students to the scientific method in the analysis of the behavior and mental
processes of the individual;
· to develop an awareness of the complexities of the individual and the relationship of
nurture and nature;
· to identify theories and conceptual schemes to be used as tolls to study and understand the
individual;
· to recognize the cultural differences observed around the world and develop an awareness
of their influences on individual’s behavior;
· identify and understand the processes of growth and development influencing one’s
private life and the development of one’s personality;
· to recognize the interplay of genetic, biological and social factors which are at play in the
development of the individual;
· to develop a critical ability to analyze the factors operating in the modern world to
influence the individual into specific behavior patterns of conformity or dissent;
· to understand the various competing theories advanced to provide an understanding of
the “normal” versus “abnormal” paradigm.
Common Core Learning Outcomes: At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
· understand the concepts and theories which are the foundations of the field.
· compare and contrast these theories by applying them.
· understand the dynamic of mind-body connection.
· be aware of the role played by nurture and nature in human development.
· relate human experience using stages of growth and development.
.
Students are expected to do a minimum of two hours of work outside of class for every hour
in class. Some assignments may require more time. Plan your schedule accordingly.
Benchmarks:
Journal Article Critique A typed critique of a journal article of psychological interest. A current
professional psychology journal article must be used as the source. Please use third person. APA
format must be used. Advance approval of your journal article by the instructor is mandatory. You
must submit a full text copy of the journal article with your critique. Both must be included in your
course folder. A template is included in this syllabus. The audience for this critique is scholarly.
Please use the Academic Support Center for assistance. Rewrites will not be accepted.
Due: On Assigned Presentation Date
10%
Journal Article Presentation You will present your journal article to the class on an assigned day.
Your presentation and critique will reflect the current chapter being reviewed. Your presentation
should be about five minutes. Your presentation must be technologically enhanced. Please include
your critique findings in your presentation. The audience for this presentation is informational.
Due: As assigned
5%
Participation Attendance to every class is expected. Participation during in-class discussions,
activities, and assignments will be included in your grade. Late arrival to class will be noted. This class
can be insightful and enjoyable at the same time. Plan to be an active learner! 5%
Tests There will be four tests. Please see the tentative schedule for chapters and dates. No test may
be taken or turned in after the test date. By advance arrangement the tests may be taken in the
Testing Center prior to the test date. The tests are 75 minutes and timed. 60%
Theory Table A theories table will be constructed during an in class group project. You will need to
type the information covered into a formatted table and submit on the assigned date. Information
included in the table must be correct and complete. This reference chart will be used later to
understand the individual, development, and personality. Your theory table must be included in your
course folder. 5%
Study Guides Four study guides must be completed and AVAILABLE on the assigned date. This
assignment does not need to be typed. The study guides will be reviewed by the instructor during class.
These study guides are to be completed through the topic readings prior to class attendance. 5%
Group Learning Classroom Activity Review These activities follow a guided discussion review of
the assigned topics. You will need to fill out the review sheet during your group discussion and include
it in your course folder. Please print these review sheets out prior to coming to class. These review
sheets will be evaluated by the instructor periodically. 5%
Course Folder This folder must include this syllabus, your typed theory table, your completed study
guides, your completed review sheet of the guided discussions, your approved journal article, your
graded critique, and your technology enhanced presentation. 5%
All benchmarks completed after the deadline will be worth only half of the
earned points. No assignments may be emailed to the instructor; all assignments must be
submitted in paper format during regular class session hours. All assignments and tests
must be completed to pass this course.
Tentative Schedule
1/22 Review of syllabus, Introduction to Psychology
1/24 Introduction to Psychology, Study Guide One questions 1-24 due
1/29 Introduction to Psychology
1/31 Perception, Behavioral Neuroscience, Study Guide questions 25-52 due
2/5 Behavioral Neuroscience
2/7 Health Psychology, Study Guide questions 53-71 due
2/12 Health Psychology, Consciousness
2/14 Presentations
2/19 TEST,
2/21 Learning, Study Two questions 1-15 due
2/26 Learning
2/28 Memory, Study Guide questions 16-34 due
3/5 Memory
3/7 Memory
3/12 Presentations
3/14 Theory Table Due, TEST,
SPRING BREAK 3/17-3/23
3/26 Emotions, Social Psychology, Drives, Study Guide Three questions 1-16 due
3/28 Parenting, Development, Moral Development, Study Guide questions 17-38 due
4/2 Personality
4/4 Presentations
4/9 TEST,
4/11 Sex and Gender, Study Guide Four questions 1-17 due
4/16 Sex and Gender, Psychological Disorders, Study Guide questions 18-42 due
4/18 Psychological Disorders,
4/23 Psychological Disorders, Therapy, Study Guide questions 43-60 due
4/25 Therapy
4/30 Presentations
5/2 TEST, Course Folder Due
5/7 SUMMATION
Academic Instruction Emergency Management Plan
In the event that Chesapeake College needs to close for an extended period of time due to a
flu pandemic, severe weather event, or other emergency situation, consideration will be
given to the timing and duration of the closure as follows:
1. Closure during the semester for up to one week – there will be an opportunity to make up
work missed without significant alteration to the semester calendar.
2. Closure extending beyond one week (or in situations where classes are cancelled on the
same days/evenings over multiple weeks) – the College may extend the length of the
semester. Depending on the timing of the closure, scheduled breaks, end of semester dates,
and/or the processing of final grades might be impacted.
Students can acquire information about closures on the College website or by calling 410822-5400 or 410-228-4360. Chesapeake College courses held at off campus sites will follow
the protocol of the host facility.
Critique Template
Student Name:
Course:
Date:
APA Reference Format for Journal Article Reviewed: Author’s last name, author’s first and middle
initial if given, repeat if necessary. (Year). Title of article (no quotation marks). Journal Name,
Volume Number (issue number-these are in bold, italics), page(s).
Summary of Research Problem: (What variables were the researchers studying? What is the main
hypothesis in the article? )
Conclusions: (Highlight the main findings)
Critique: ( Did the researchers prove their hypothesis? Are the researchers creditable? How
applicable is the research to real life use? What implications exist for this research problem? etc. )
(A current article is within the last five years. Your journal article should have a methods, results,
and discussion section. This critique should be 2-3 pages when completed. Use your own words. )
Plinke Classroom Protocol
Protocol is the etiquette or rules of conduct for a group. This class needs to maintain a college level
of etiquette to ensure smooth interactions between the students and the instructor. To that end, I
have developed a few guidelines that should help to maintain harmonious relations during the
semester.
1. Come to class on time and prepared. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class; if you are
not in your seat when it is recorded, you will not get participation points for that day. If you are late
to class due to traffic or an unavoidable circumstance, please enter the room quietly. Also, please
come prepared to work. That means bring books, paper, and pencil. All cells phones and pagers
must be turned off during class. We have limited time together, so your focused attention is
important to successful comprehension of the material.
2. Do not chat with your neighbor or friends during class. When the group is focused on an
activity or the lecture, individual conversations between students, even about the current topic, are
disruptive and rude; they will be dealt with immediately and firmly. Your participation points are
based on appropriate classroom interactions. Side conversations are inappropriate.
3. Do not ask the instructor to go over material you missed because you did not attend class.
You will be assigned to a group of “study buddies,” they are your contact for notes and information
covered in class. Contact them for any notes or information you may have missed. Do not email me
to “catch you up.” I cannot possibly cover all that has been discussed in class in an email. Please
realized that the schedule is tentative; if you miss class and don’t know that a test has been moved
ahead or delayed, you will still be expected to take the test. Changes in the class schedule are
announced in class; therefore, it is important that you attend class.
4. Do not email me for your test grade. I will hand your tests back to you as soon as I can. This of
course will occur during class; our scheduled time together. If you miss that class, you will have to
wait until the next scheduled time for us to meet. Please come prior to the class beginning, so I can
give your test grade to you confidentially. Do not come late to class and then ask for your grade
during class or after class when I have already packed up my gradebook. If you do not attend the
summation on the last day of class, do not email me for your final test grade or to question your
class grade. The time for discussion is at the summation.
5. There are times when you should email me. Email me when you will have class absence for
extended periods of time due to illness or family emergencies. Do not email me about your class
project; instead ask about it at the beginning of class. More than likely, others have similar
questions and this is the most efficient way we can learn from one another. If you do send me an
email, perhaps asking for an exception to the rules, etc., I might not respond right away. This
doesn’t mean I didn’t get your email, or that I am ignoring you, it just means I am considering your
request or will talk to you about the issue before or after class.
These protocols are subject to modification as needed. Most students find my classes to be both
interactive and enjoyable. Working together we should have a successful semester!