COURSE OUTLINE
SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
COURSE NAME:
Introduction to Psychology
COURSE CODE:
LSSC 1212
CREDIT HOURS:
42
PREREQUISITES:
none
COREQUISITES:
none
EFFECTIVE DATE:
January 2015
PROFESSOR:
Lina Medaglia, Ph.D.
PHONE:
EMAIL: lmedagli@georgebrown.ca
PLAR ELIGIBLE:
YES
(x )
NO
( )
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Academic Departments at George Brown College will NOT retain historical copies
of Course Outlines. We urge you to retain this Course Outline for your future reference.
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
ORIGINATOR:__________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
CHAIR:_________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
DATE OF REVISION:__________________________________________________
EQUITY STATEMENT: George Brown College values the talents and contributions of its students, staff and community
partners and seeks to create a welcoming environment where equity, diversity and safety of all groups are fundamental.
Language or activities which are inconsistent with this philosophy violate the College policy on the Prevention of
Discrimination and Harassment and will not be tolerated. The commitment and cooperation of all students and staff are
required to maintain this environment. Information and assistance are available through your Chair, Student Affairs,
the Student Association or the Human Rights Advisor.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students should obtain a copy of the Student Handbook and refer to it for additional
information regarding the grading system, withdrawals, exemptions, class assignments, missed tests and exams,
supplemental privileges, and academic dishonesty. Students are required to apply themselves diligently to the course of
study, and to prepare class and homework assignments as given. Past student performance shows a strong relationship
between regular attendance and success.
Introduction to Psychology
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces the student to psychology, the scientific study of mind and behaviour, by
examining the basic principles of psychology and their application to everyday experience. The
course surveys various fields in psychology including the brain and genetics, learning,
consciousness, memory, stress and health, psychopathology, and psychological therapies.
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS:
As mandated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities essential employability skills
(EES) will be addressed throughout all programs of study. Students will have the opportunity to
learn (L) specific skills, to practice (P) these skills, and/or be evaluated (E) on the EES outcomes in
a variety of courses. The EES include communication, numeracy, critical thinking & problem
solving, information management, interpersonal and personal skills. The faculty for this course has
indicated which of the EES are either Learned (L), Practiced (P) or Evaluated (E) in this course:
Skill
L P E
to communicate clearly, concisely and
correctly in the written, spoken and visual
form that fulfills the purpose and meets
the needs of the audience
to respond to written, spoken or visual
messages in a manner that ensures
effective communication
to execute mathematical operations
accurately
to apply a systematic approach to solve
problems
to analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant
information from a variety of sources
x
x
x
to take responsibility for my
actions, decisions and consequences
x
x
x
x
x
to use a variety of thinking skills to
anticipate and solve problems.
x
Skill
to locate, select, organize and
document information using
appropriate technology and
information sources
to show respect for the diverse
opinions, values, belief systems, and
contributions of others
to interact with others in groups or
teams in ways that contribute to
effective working relationships and
the achievement of goals
to manage the use of time and other
resources to complete projects
x
L P
E
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Describe the main theoretical divisions within the discipline of psychology.
Analyze the interaction between biological and environmental factors influencing
human behaviour and cognition.
Synthesize the theoretical perspectives and empirical findings to gain greater insight
into their experience of life.
Describe the cognitive processes involved in memory.
Explain the interplay between biological and environmental factors in the experience
and management of stress.
Critique current approaches to understanding the causes and manifestations of mental
disorders.
Examine the current treatments for mental disorders.
Evaluate specific debates in the field of psychology.
COURSE NAME: Introduction to Psychology
COURSE CODE: LSSC 1212
PAGE: 2
DELIVERY METHODS:
This course is delivered online, with the exception of evaluated tests which will take place at
your campus lab, and the textbook, which you are expected to read the week before a chapter is
due. Learning methods include hardcopy and online readings, online discussion, and regular
contact with the professor.
LIST OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS:
Required:
Weiten, W. & McCann, D. (2013). Psychology: Themes and Variations (3rd Canadian ed.).
Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd..
Recommended / Optional:
A.P.A. (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th Ed.).
Washington, D.C.: A.P.A.
Castillo, R. J. (1997). Culture and mental illness: A client-centered approach. Pacific Grove,
CA: Brooks/Cole.
Fancher, R. E. (1990). Pioneers of psychology (2nd Ed.). New York: W. W. Norton.
Freud, S. (1958). The interpretation of dreams. (J. Strachey trans.) New York: Penguin Books.
Freud, S. (1933). New introductory lectures of psychoanalysis. (J. Strachey trans.) New York:
Norton.
Fromm, Erich. (1973). The anatomy of human destructiveness. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston.
Glassman, W. E. (2000). Approaches to psychology (3rd Ed.). Buckingham, U.K.: Open
University.
Gould, S. J. (1996). The mismeasure of man (Revised and Expanded). New York: W. W. Norton
and Company.
Hock, R. R. (1992). Forty studies that changed psychology. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: PrenticeHall.
Kamin, L. J. (1974). The science and politics of I.Q. Potomac, MD: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Maslow, A. H. (1970). Religion, values, and peak-experiences. New York: Penguin Books.
Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
Sacks, O. (1987). The man who mistook his wife for a hat. New York: Bantam.
Skinner, B. F. (1972). Beyond freedom and dignity. New York: Bantam.
COURSE NAME: Introduction to Psychology
COURSE CODE: LSSC 1212
PAGE: 3
Szasz, T. S. (1974). The myth of mental illness (2nd Ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
Stanovich, K. E. (1996). How to think straight about psychology (4th Ed.). Glenview, IL.: Scott
Foresman.
TESTING POLICY:
The student should be familiar with GBC policies concerning missed tests. Students must notify
the professor, by e-mail, before the start time for the test to be missed. The professor will decide
if the student will have the opportunity to write a make-up test. The make-up test might not be in
the same format as the test the student missed.
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
The student should be familiar with GBC policies concerning late assignments. Students must
notify the professor to advise her, by e-mail and at least 24 hours before the due date for the
assignment, that it will not be submitted on time. The professor will decide if the student will
have the opportunity to hand in the assignment late and what the late penalty will be.
Students are expected to hand in original work. The student should be familiar with the GBC
policies concerning plagiarism. The student may be requested to submit a copy of their
assignment to a programme such as “Turn-it-in” to check it for plagiarized material.
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Assessment Tool:
Description:
Outcome(s)
and/or EES
demonstrated:
Date /
Week:
% of Final
Grade:
Test I
Test II
Test III
Chapters 1, 2, 3
Chapters 5, 6, 7
Chapters 13, 14, 15 and
selected topics from
previous material
Various chapters
1, 2, 3
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 5, 6, 7
Wk 4
Wk 9
Wk 14
20
20
25
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8
1, 8
Wk 1-15
15
Small Assignments
Essay
Wk 7
20
TOTAL: 100%
GRADING SYSTEM
The passing grade for this course is: D
A+
A
A-
90-100
86-89
80-85
4.0
4.0
3.7
B+
B
B-
77-79
73-76
70-72
3.3
3.0
2.7
C+
C
C-
67-69
63-66
60-62
2.3
2.0
1.7
D+
D
57-59
50-56
1.3
1.0
Below 50
F
0.0
Excerpt from the College Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
The minimal consequence for submitting a plagiarized, purchased, contracted, or in any manner inappropriately
negotiated or falsified assignment, test, essay, project, or any evaluated material will be a grade of zero on that material.
To view George Brown College policies please go to www.gbrownc.on.ca/policies
COURSE NAME: Introduction to Psychology
COURSE CODE: LSSC 1212
PAGE: 4
TOPIC OUTLINE:
Week
1
Topic /
Assessment
Intro to
Psychology
Outcome(s)
Content / Activities
Resources
1, 3
Perspectives:
Biological, Cognitive,
Psychodynamic,
Behavioural,
Humanistic, Sociocultural
Chapters 1 and 2
*(Chapter 2 is in preparation
for essay, due Week 7)
Research in
Psychology*
2
Biological Bases
of Behaviour
1, 2, 3
Brain Structures &
Functions; Cerebral
Laterality
Chapter 3
Genetics; Evolutionary
Perspective
3
4
5
Sensation and
Perception
2, 3
Test I
1, 2, 3
Consciousness
1, 2, 3
Learning
1, 2, 3
6
Appreciating Art and
Illusion
Recognizing Contrast
Effects
Chapters 1, 3, & 4
States of Sleeping;
Dreaming
Altered States of
consciousness with
Drugs
Classical and Operant
Conditioning
Observational
Learning
Stages of Memory
Memory
Chapter 4
Module content and
text readings.
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
1, 3, 4
Types of Memory;
Nature of Memory
7
Re-read Chapter 2
Assignment Due
Motivation &
Emotion
Review Week
1, 2, 3, 8
COURSE NAME: Introduction to Psychology
COURSE CODE: LSSC 1212
Exploring Happiness
Comparative Essay
Chapter 10
PAGE: 5
The Anatomy of an
Argument
8
9
INTERSESSION WEEK
Test II
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Stress and Health
Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 10
Module content and
text readings.
Experience and Effects
of stress
Chapter 13
Coping with Stress
10
11
Personality
1, 2, 3, 6
Personality Theories
and Assessment
Psychological
Disorders
1, 2, 3, 6
Psychological
Disorders
1, 2, 3, 6
13
Treatment of
Psychological
Disorders I
1, 2, 3, 7
14
Treatment of
Psychological
Disorders II
Test III
1, 2, 3, 7
Behavioural therapies
Chapter 15
1, 2, 5, 6, 7
Chapters 12, 13, 14,
& 15
Module content and
text readings.
12
15
COURSE NAME: Introduction to Psychology
COURSE CODE: LSSC 1212
Conceptualizing and
classifying
psychological
disorders
Chapter 12
Understanding origins
of psychological
disorders
Biomedical therapies
Insight therapies
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
PAGE: 6