Course Syllabus for PSY 100 – Introduction to Psychology
Summer 2013 – WKU (Dual-Credit)
Official Course
Description
Instructor
Telephone
Number
E-mail
Office Hours
Required Text(s)
Supplies
Course
Competencies
A survey course in general psychology designed to give the student an introduction
to the history, methods, and content of modern psychology. Topics include the
history and systems of psychology, psychological research, physiological
psychology, psychological process, developmental psychology, personality,
abnormal behaviors, and social psychology.
Sarah Freeman MA, LPCC, NCC, CHt
270-202-7669
sarah.freeman@wku.edu
By appointment only
Hockenbury & Hockenbury (2012). Psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY:Worth Publishers
ISBN:978-1-4292-4367-4
Access to Internet and admission to WKU
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:














General
Education
Competencies
Describe the major schools and systems of psychology
Identify the major interest areas of psychology as a science and as a profession.
Describe the goals, and methods of psychological research
Identify the structure of the nervous system and its role in behavior.
Describe the basic processes of sensation, perception
Demonstrate an understanding of memory, learning, and cognitive processes.
Identify and apply the basic theories of motivation, and emotion to human behavior.
Describe the developmental aspects of behaviors across the lifespan.
Discuss the major definition and ways of assessing intelligence.
Demonstrate an understanding of the major personality theories including how
they conceptualize human personality and guide practice.
Recognize the traits of abnormal behavior.
Describe the assessment and treatment methods for psychological disorders.
Describe the effects of the social environment on behaviors.
Discuss the effects of behavior on the social environment.
This course fulfills a portion of Western Kentucky University’s general
education program and addresses the following general education goals:
Provides an understanding of society and human behavior that



Describes methods of inquiry appropriate to the scientific study of societal
institutions and human behavior
Examines patterns of interaction pertaining to race, gender, ethnic identity,
class, community, and other forms of social grouping
Evaluates the impact of heredity and environment on human development
and individual behavior
1
WKU - Freeman
Summer 2013
Cheating
Disruptive
Behavior
Student Disability
Services
Evaluation
Cheating will not be tolerated! Any form of cheating is a serious violation and will be
addressed in accordance with university policy. See “academic offenses” in the WKU
Student Handbook:
(http://www.wku.edu/judicialaffairs/200405Handbook/12AcademicOffenses.pdf)
Teachers and students are engaged in scholarly pursuits. Students who do not respect
others in the classroom or who act in ways that disrupt the learning process will be
asked to leave.
In compliance with university policy, students with disabilities who require
accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this
course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services in DUC A-200 of the
Student Success Center in Downing University Center. Please DO NOT request
accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter of
accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.
The following percentages of total points will be used to determine exam and semester
grades: >89.49 = A, 89.49 - 79.5 = B, 79.49 - 69.49 = C, 69.49 - 59.49= D, < 59.49 = F
Dropping the Class: If you choose to drop this course be sure to contact Dewayne Neeley at
dewayne.neeley@wku.edu or 745-2386
If you do not officially drop the course you will receive an F as your final grade on your high
school and college transcript.
2
WKU - Freeman
Summer 2013
Quizzes (300 points): Students will be required to complete 1 to 4 quizzes per chapter throughout the
semester. Quizzes will be available during the weeks prior to the section assessment. For example, Chapters 13 will be available until the end of Week 1, which is the same due date of the first exam. Students may use any
resource, with the exception of other students, to complete the quizzes.
Chapters
Open
Close
1-3
Monday - Week 1
Saturday – Week 1
4-6
Monday - Week 2
Saturday – Week 2
7-9
Monday - Week 3
Saturday – Week 3
10-12
Monday - Week 4
Saturday – Week 4
13-15
Monday - Week 5
Thursday – Week 5
Written Assignments (100 points): All written assignments must be completed using Microsoft Word and
double spaced using 12 point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. Please be sure to proof read your
papers before you submit them as they are a reflection of your efforts and work ethic. All work must be turned
in through Blackboard on or before the due date. No late work accepted.
*Movie Review (100 points)
Discussion Postings (200): Students will be required to engage in online weekly discussions that apply to one
of the modules being studied during the given week. Responses should contain both opinion and research
based information. Students are also required to comment (agree/disagree and why) on a minimum of 2
other students postings in order to receive full credit. The discussions are worth up to 20 points each.
Exams (400 points): There will be 5 exams. The exams may cover material from book and CD’s as well as
material covered in class and other assignments. Unless otherwise announced, all regular exams will be given
on Blackboard. You will be given as least one week to take the exams. You must complete the exam on or
before the due date to receive credit. It would be wise to take the exam during the first couple of days that they
are available just in case you have problems accessing the exam. If you wait until the day the exam is due and
have problems, I will not be able to help you and you will miss that exam and therefore make a zero. Late
exams will NOT be accepted. There are no makeup exams. THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE PROCTORED.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to keep up with online assignments including quizzes, written assignments, discussion
postings, and exams. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to keep up with missed class materials. Once the assignments
close they CANNOT be made up.
Late Work:
Coursework is not accepted late for any reason. Since part of a student’s job in college is to prepare for
successful entry into the workforce, and employers do not “accept late work,” I do not either. Due dates
will be provided for each assignment and announced in class.
3
WKU - Freeman
Summer 2013
Day
Due Date
Saturday
at
Midnight
Saturday
Saturday
Saturday
Thursday
Modules
Assignments Due
Week 1
Chapter 1 Introduction and Research
Chapter 2 Sensation & Perception
Chapter 3 Neuroscience and Behavior
Discussion Board #1
Quiz 1 /Quiz 2/ Quiz 3
Test 1
Week 2
Chapter 4 Consciousness and Its Variations
Chapter 5 Learning
Chapter 6 Memory
Discussion Board #2
Quiz 4/ Quiz 5/ Quiz 6
Test 2
Week 3
Chapter 7 Thinking, Language, and Intelligence
Chapter 8 Motivation and Emotion Chapter
Chapter 9 Lifespan Development
Discussion Board #3
Quiz 7/ Quiz 8/ Quiz 9
Test 3
Week 4
Chapter 10 Gender and Sexuality
Chapter 11 Personality
Chapter 12 Social Psychology
Discussion Board #4
Quiz 10/ Quiz 11/ Quiz 12
Test 4
*Movie Review DUE*
Week 5
Chapter 13 Stress, Health, and Coping
Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders
Chapter 15 Therapies
Discussion Board #5
Quiz 13/ Quiz 14/ Quiz 15
Test 5
Be PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE
Be ACCOUNTABLE for yourself rather than EXPECT others to tell you what to do
COMMUNICATE rather than ASSUME
4
WKU - Freeman
Summer 2013