PSYC – 101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY E-61
Chris Percy M.A., J.D.
Office and Hours and Contact Information
Hours – M/W/F: Noon – 1:30;
T/TH: Noon – 12:25; Bdg 17, Room 231
Email: CJPercy@stcc.edu
Twitter: @ChrisPercy29
Mailbox: Bdg 17, 2nd Floor
Website/Blog: www.PercyPsych101.wordpress.com
Course Description and Class Structure
This introductory course identifies the scientific methods used to study human behavior.
Discussion centers around the contribution of heredity, environment, learning, perception,
motivation and emotion in shaping our individual personalities.
Each lecture will explore the main themes and core concepts found in the textbook. Each week's
reading can be found in the course outline. Everyone in the class should be famliar with the
course outline, as well as the rest of the syllabus, and come to class having at least skimmed
the chapter. This class hinges on the sharing and exploration of ideas, so please be ready
with comments or questions.
Required Textbook
Hockenbury & Hockenbury, Discovering Psychology (6th Ed.), Worth Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-4292-3763-5
Course Objectives/Competencies
Course Objective
Competencies
Learn skills in Psychology that enable you to
participate in the world around you
Exhibit communication skills through class
discussions and cooperation skills while
working on group assignments
Appreciate, utilize and understand the
importance of using a scientific approach
toward human behavior
Write papers and essays that exhibit evidence
of your understanding of the scientific
approach to human behavior
Provide a sharper and more accurate picture of Demonstrate knowledge of the nature and
the nature and content of Psychology
content of Psychology by accurately using and
applying its terminology and vocabulary
Develop a realistic view of the dynamic
interplay of people and their structured
integration into a coordinated environment
Work cooperatively and be able to agree or
disagree with views and attitudes of
classmates in a constructive manner
Awaken and develop an interest in Psychology
Explore your own particular interests in
Psychology
Develop an accurate understanding of important Succeed on classroom tests and assignments
psychological concepts
Develop your capacity for critical thinking
Be able to demonstrate how different theories
relate to each other and be able to evaluate
each one
PSYC – 101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY E-61
Familiarize yourself with important research
findings and basic principles of behavior
Be able to complete assignments on research
findings and basic principles of behavior by
way of term papers or internet assignments
Enhance self-understanding and sensitivity
toward others
Articulate ideas that show understanding of
self and others
Understand critical psychological and mental
health issues facing society today
Be able to discuss mental health issues in the
classroom that are worthy of discussion
Blog, Chapter Summaries, and Additional Resources
I have set up a blog which has summaries of each chapter, links to personality tests, copies
of the syllabus, and detailed instructions for the written assignments. Other resources (such
as sample reflection questions and book lists) are also available on the blog. To access the
chapter summaries, go to www.percypsych101.wordpress.com and select the topic from the dropdown menu on the right.
Overview of Course Grading
Your grade in this class will be based on points earned on quizzes/exams (100 points) and
written assignments (60 points). I will be using the following scale to assign final
letter grades.
F
DD
D+
CC
C+
BB
B+
AA
<90
90-94
points
95-99
100104
105109
110114
115119
120124
125129
130134
135139
140+
Quizzes – 100 Points
There will be a quiz for each topic area covered in class. Each quiz will consist of ten
multiple-choice questions. Quizzes are open-note, but closed-book, and last for 15 minutes
starting at the beginning of class. Quiz content will include information from your
textbook as well as information covered exclusively in lectures. We will have 15 quizzes
during the semester, but only your top ten scores will count toward your grade. Missed
quizzes result in a score of 0 for that quiz, regardless of the reason for the miss.
Exam
At the end of the semester there will be an optional, cumulative, final exam. If you choose to
take this 100-question final exam, your score on the exam will replace your quiz scores only
if your final exam score is higher. This means that you may take the exam without penalty.
Students are advised to take the open-note, closed-book final exam if:
 you are unhappy with your quiz grade so far, and believe that you will do better on the
final
 you have missed too many quizzes and are in danger of failing the class
 you believe you can raise your grade by taking the exam (there is nothing to lose by
doing so)
Exam and Quiz Makeup Policy
You may miss or skip up to five quizzes without adversely affecting your grade as long as you
finish the class having missed no more than five. If you have missed more than five quizzes
and are concerned about your grade, you will have to take the optional final exam. I do not
PSYC – 101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY E-61
give makeup quizzes or exams.
Written Assignments – 60 Points
The remaining 60 points will come from written assignments. There are a variety of assignments
which you may choose from in order to earn these points.Assignments which are returned with an
unsatisfactory grade may be “fixed” and resubmitted.
All papers must be written in 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and stapled.
Papers will not be accepted by email under any circumstances. All papers and assignments are
due no later than 4/28 for full credit OR during finals period for 75% credit. A complete
list of assignment options and detailed requirements for each can be found on the blog.
Attendance Policy
An additional 5 points will be added to your final grade for students who miss fewer than
three classes during the semester. Please note that I do not differentiate between “excused”
and “unexcused” absenses. All absences are counted regardless of the reason or whether you
have documentation (i.e., a doctor's note). My attendance sheet is the only official record of
whether you have attended class, therefore it is your responsibility to sign in. If you have
not signed in, you will not be counted as present.
Online Gradebook
I will be using an online gradebook on www.engrade.com to keep track of grades during the
semester. Grades will be updated after each quiz, and you will be able to see your progress up
to that point in the class. Signing up for Engrade is entirely optional, and you will be able
to track your progress by emailing me if you wish.
Veterans and Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability and need assistance, please notify me and make an appointment with
the Office of Disability Services (27/2nd floor) or call (413) 755-4551. Special
accommodations become effective when Disability Services, the instructor and the student
complete all paperwork and may not be used to alter a grade on previous course work. Veterans
and active duty military personnel with special circumstances and/or concerns are welcome and
encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor.
Course Outline – D-10
Quiz Topic
Chapter #
Lecture Dates
Quiz Date
Syllabus
–
1/20
1/27
The History of Psychology and Experimental
Methods
1
1/20
1/27
Biological Psychology
2
1/27
2/3
Sensation and Perception
3
2/3
2/10
Variations of Consciousness
4
2/10
2/17
Learning and Conditioning
5
2/17
2/24
Memory and Forgetting
6
2/24
3/3
PSYC – 101 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY E-61
Intelligence and Intelligence Testing
7
3/3
3/10
Cognition and Language
7
3/10
3/24
Motivation and Emotion
8
3/24
3/31
Lifespan Development
9
3/31
4/7
Personality
10
4/7
4/10
Social Psychology
11
4/14
4/28
Abnormal Psychology and Therapies
13
4/28
5/5
Final Exam
ALL
5/5
Please note:
We do not have class
Last day to withdraw
Mid-term grades will
Final grades will be
on 3/17 or 4/21
from the course is 4/21.
be posted on 3/12.
posted on 5/17.