Columbia College Online Campus
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Introduction to the field of psychology and the major sub areas including the biological basis of behavior, sensation, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, personality, stress, as well as abnormal, developmental, and social psychology.
Prerequisite: None
Proctored Exams : Final
Rathus, S. A.
PSYCH.
Second Edition. Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2012.
ISBN 13: 978-1-111-18578-7
MBS offers a Columbia College custom edition with ISBN: 978-0-495-97130-6
Textbooks for the course may be ordered from MBS Direct. You can order
 online at http://direct.mbsbooks.com/columbia.htm
( be sure to select Online Education rather than your home campus before selecting your class )
 by phone at 800-325-3252
For additional information about the bookstore, visit http://www.mbsbooks.com
.
Material in this course will help you understand yourself and others. You will gain insight about why people behave the way they do, presented from a biological, behavioral, social and clinical perspective. We will explore the inner workings of the brain (our most important computer!) and discuss intelligence, memory, and motivation. We will explore child development and how to bring out the best behavior in your children. You will learn how to apply what you learn to yourself and your environment. Each week we'll focus on a different aspect of psychology with virtual tours, class discussion, and other activities that will help us understand the foundations of psychology.
Participation in this course will require the basic technology for all online classes at Columbia
College:
 A computer with reliable Internet access
 A web browser
 Adobe Acrobat Reader
 Microsoft Office or another word processor such as Open Office

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You can find more details about standard technical requirements for our courses on our site.
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 To understand and describe the major perspectives of psychology and the theoretical and applied aspects of each.
 To understand how psychologists think, conduct research, write, and provide treatments and impact human society.
 To begin to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills as they apply to general psychological questions.
 To understand the process by which scientific research in psychology is conducted.
 To develop an appreciation for the discipline of psychology as a science and its historical development.
 To understand the basics of major topics, theorists, principles and vocabulary of psychology.
 Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and depth in selected major content areas of psychology.
 Describe basic research concepts in scientific psychology, including experimental method and correlation method.
 Recognize the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology.
 Demonstrate reasonable skepticism and intellectual curiosity by asking questions about causes of behavior.
 Recognize and respect human diversity and understand that psychological explanations may vary across populations and contexts.
 Describe how psychological knowledge, skills, and values are used in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.
 Recognize the relevance of psychological knowledge in occupations and other settings.

Columbia College Online Campus
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points Percent
900-1000 90-100%
800-900
700-800
80-89%
70-79%
600-700
0-599
60-69%
0-59%
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Assignment
Discussion 1
Discussion 2
Quiz 1
Discussion 3
Discussion 4
Quiz 2
Proctor Arrangements
Discussion 5
Discussion 6
Quiz 3
Discussion 7
Discussion 8
Quiz 4
Discussion 9
Discussion 10
Quiz 5
Discussion 11
Discussion 12
Quiz 6
Discussion 13
Discussion 14
Quiz 7
Discussion 15
Discussion 16
Quiz 8
Final Exam (proctored)
Total
Assignment
Discussion
Quizzes
Final
Total
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Points
150
400
450
1000
Percent
15%
40%
45%
100%
50
10
10
50
10
10
--
10
10
50
10
10
Points
0
10
50
10
10
50
50
10
10
50
10
10
50
450
1000
Due
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Sunday
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday

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You are expected to participate in two discussion topics each week. The first discussions must be completed by 11:59 pm CT Wednesday each week; the second must be completed by 11:59 pm CT
Friday. Both your response to the original question AND your replies to classmates (at least 2) are due by the deadline posted.
Grades for the discussion will be based on demonstration of your understanding of the reading and online resources that week and your responses to your classmates. You are expected to respond to at least two classmates' postings. You will find more detailed grading criteria in the Content area. Late postings will not be eligible to receive credit.
Each week you will complete a 25-item quiz over material in your text. You will have 60 minutes to complete each quiz. Quizzes must be submitted by 11:59 pm CT Sunday each week except Week 8, when it is due 11:59 pm CT Saturday.
The final exam will be comprehensive. It will be a 100-item multiple-choice exam. You will have 120 minutes to complete it. You must take the exam with a proctor; you will not be allowed to bring notes or books to the exam. See the information below about finding a proctor. The final must be completed between Tuesday and Saturday of Week 8.
Readings
Chapter 1
Discussions
Discussion 1: Introduce yourself in the "Introductions" topic of our class discussion, our "virtual classroom." Please give us more than your name. Include your profession, hobbies, interest in psychology, family background, and any other information that can help us get to know you.
Please include which part of the country you are joining us from!
Discussion 2: Which school of psychology (Chapter 1) was most influential, in your opinion?
Base your opinion on the reading and cite your sources.
Quizzes 1
Quiz 1 will cover material from Chapter 1.
Readings
Chapters 2 and 3
Discussions
Discussion 3: How do different parts of the brain influence our behavior?
Discussion 4: An important and ongoing debate in psychology surrounds the question of nature vs. nurture. What is more influential: genes or environment? For this week's discussion state your views about the influence of nature and nurture in child development.

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Quiz 2
Quiz 2 will cover material from Chapters 2 and 3.
Proctor Arrangements
Please post this information in the appropriate dropbox by the end of the week.
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Readings
Chapters 4 and 5
Discussions
Discussion 5: Sensation refers to an actual event; perception refers to how we interpret the event. What are some cultural differences that might affect responses to particular stimuli? Post your discussion using examples from the text as well as your own experiences.
Discussion 6: Most of us feel like we never get enough sleep. What are the stages of sleep and what is the importance of sleep?
Quiz 3
Quiz 3 will cover material from Chapters 4 and 5.
Readings
Chapters 6, 7, and 8
Discussions
Discussion 7: Use Skinner's Operant Conditioning model to explain superstitious behavior, such as refusing to open an umbrella indoors, or stepping on a crack in the sidewalk.
Discussion: 8: Intelligence tests are good predictors of school performance. What factors are not measured by IQ tests but greatly influence academic achievement? What harm might be done by identifying some students as "slow" and some as "gifted?"
Quiz 4
Quiz 4 will cover material from Chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Readings
Chapters 9 and 10
Discussions
Discussion 9: Discuss your views on what motivates us based on one of the theories discussed in
Chapter 9 of your text.
Discussion 10: Choose one famous personality theorist you read about in Chapter 10 and discuss how he or she would explain why most people behave in a socially appropriate manner most of the time.
Quiz 5
Quiz 5 will cover material from Chapters 9 and 10.

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Readings
Chapter 11
Discussions
Discussion 11: How is stress defined and what are some effective ways of coping with it?
Discussion 12: Most people agree we live in stressful times. Do you think stress contributes to illness? Support your opinions with information from the text.
Quiz 6
Quiz 6 will cover material from Chapter 11.
Course Evaluations
Please evaluate the course. A link to access the evaluation was sent to your CougarMail.
Readings
Chapters 12 and 13
Discussions
Discussion 13 : Many people suffer from anxiety disorders. Discuss what Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD) is. What are the symptoms? How does it interfere with an individual's functioning? What are the basic treatment interventions?
Discussion 14: How do behavior therapists apply principles of operant conditioning in behavior modification?
Quiz 7
Quiz 7 will cover material from Chapters 12 and 13.
Readings
Chapter 14
Discussions
Discussion 15: What is attribution theory? What are some examples of how this theory explains attitudes?
Discussion 16: What are some factors that influence personal attraction ?
Quiz 8
Quiz 8 will cover material from Chapter 14.
Final Exam
This exam is proctored, with no notes or books. It must be completed between Tuesday and Saturday of
Week 8. You will have 120 minutes for the final exam.

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All Columbia College students, whether enrolled in a land-based or online course, are responsible for behaving in a manner consistent with Columbia College's Student Conduct Code and Acceptable Use
Policy . Students violating these policies will be referred to the office of Student Affairs and/or the office of Academic Affairs for possible disciplinary action. The Student Code of Conduct and the
Computer Use Policy for students can be found in the Columbia College Student Handbook . The
Handbook is available online; you can also obtain a copy by calling the Student Affairs office (Campus
Life) at 573-875-7400. The teacher maintains the right to manage a positive learning environment, and all students must adhere to the conventions of online etiquette.
Your grade will be based in large part on the originality of your ideas and your written presentation of these ideas. Presenting the words, ideas, or expression of another in any form as your own is plagiarism. Students who fail to properly give credit for information contained in their written work
(papers, journals, exams, etc.) are violating the intellectual property rights of the original author. For proper citation of the original authors, you should reference the appropriate publication manual for your degree program or course (APA, MLA, etc.). Violations are taken seriously in higher education and may result in a failing grade on the assignment, a grade of "F" for the course, or dismissal from the College.
Collaboration conducted between students without prior permission from the instructor is considered plagiarism and will be treated as such. Spouses and roommates taking the same course should be particularly careful.
All required papers may be submitted for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers may be included in the Turnitin.com reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. This service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.
Please take the plagiarism quiz available in the quiz section of your course. The quiz is not required and does not offer credit but it is a helpful tool and highly recommended.
Work submitted for other classes is not permitted to be turned in for assignments in this course.
There will be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, ideology, political affiliation, veteran status, age, physical handicap, or marital status.
Students with documented disabilities who may need academic services for this course are required to register with the Coordinator for Disability Services at (573) 875-7626. Until the student has been cleared through the disability services office, accommodations do not have to be granted. If you are a student who has a documented disability, it is important for you to read the entire syllabus before enrolling in the course. The structure or the content of the course may make an accommodation not feasible.
You are expected to read the assigned texts and participate in the discussions and other course activities each week. Assignments should be posted by the due dates stated on the grading schedule in your syllabus. If an emergency arises that prevents you from participating in class, please let your instructor know as soon as possible.

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Attendance for a week will be counted as having submitted a course assignment for which points have been earned during that week of the session or if the proctoring information has been submitted or the plagiarism quiz taken if there is no other assignment due that week. A class week is defined as the period of time between Monday and Sunday (except for Week 8, when the week and the course will end on Saturday at midnight). The course and system deadlines are all based on the
Central Time Zone.
All students are provided a CougarMail account when they enroll in classes at Columbia College. You are responsible for monitoring e-mail from that account for important messages from the College and from your instructor. You may forward your Cougar e-mail account to another account; however, the
College cannot be held responsible for breaches in security or service interruptions with other e-mail providers.
Students should use e-mail for private messages to the instructor and other students. The class discussions are for public messages so the class members can each see what others have to say about any given topic and respond.
An online class requires regular participation and a commitment to your instructor and your classmates to regularly engage in the reading, discussion and writing assignments. Although most of the online communication for this course is asynchronous, you must be able to commit to the schedule of work for the class for the next eight weeks. You must keep up with the schedule of reading and writing to successfully complete the class.
Discussion posts submitted late will not receive a grade. (It would be like talking to an empty room.)
Quizzes (and Final) automatically close at midnight on the date they are due. Quizzes may not be submitted late. This rule can be waived for unexpected and extraordinary circumstances, such as a death in the family. Losing Internet access on Sunday night is not a good reason for missing an exam.
You will have the opportunity to evaluate the course near the end of the session. A link will be sent to your CougarMail that will allow you to access the evaluation. Be assured that the evaluations are anonymous and that your instructor will not be able to see them until after final grades are submitted.
Students taking courses that require proctored exams must submit their completed proctor request forms to their instructors by the end of the second week of the session. Proctors located at Columbia
College campuses are automatically approved. The use of ProctorU services is also automatically approved. The instructor of each course will consider any other choice of proctor for approval or denial. Additional proctor choices the instructor will consider include: public librarians, high school or college instructors, high school or college counseling services, commanding officers, education service officers, and other proctoring services. Personal friends, family members, athletic coaches and direct supervisors are not acceptable.

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This course is offered online, using course management software provided by Desire2Learn and
Columbia College. The Student Manual provides details about taking an online course at Columbia
College. You may also want to visit the course demonstration to view a sample course before this one opens.
If you have problems accessing the course or posting your assignments, contact your instructor, the
Columbia College Helpdesk, or the D2L Helpdesk for assistance. Contact information is also available within the online course environment.
CCHelpDesk@ccis.edu
800-231-2391 ex. 4357 helpdesk@desire2learn.com
877-325-7778
Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service available to all Columbia College students.
Smarthinking provides real-time online tutoring and homework help for Math, English, and Writing.
Smarthinking also provides access to live tutorials in writing and math, as well as a full range of study resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, and study skills manuals. You can access the service from wherever you have a connection to the Internet. I encourage you to take advantage of this free service provided by the college.
Access Smarthinking through CougarTrack under Students->Academics->Academic Resources.