HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PSYCHOLOGY 101-GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Dr. Jaci Verghese
Syllabus for CRN 31755
Meeting Times: Online Instruction
Spring 2015
Professor: Dr. Jaci Verghese
Office Phone: 717-468-2619
EMAIL: Jlverghe@hacc.edu
Office Hours: I will have virtual office hours on Wednesdays from 9:00 pm to 11:00
pm. I will be online nightly Sunday through Friday and will respond to all
communications within 24 hours. On Saturdays I will not be online. If you need to reach
me for any reason please call me at 717-468-2619.
Email: Please use the email through Desire2Learn. If for some reason Desire@Learn is
not available then please use my Hacc email address: Jlverghe@hacc.edu for
correspondence. Please note: I will answer all emails by the following day except on
Saturdays (I am not online on Saturdays).
Delayed Opening Time: This is an online class; no delayed opening.
Required Text:
Understanding Psychology, 11th edition
Robert S. Feldman
McGraw-Hill, New York, NY: 2013
Catalog Description:
Psychology 101-General Psychology
3 Credits
Examination and application of major principles of psychology including: an
introduction to scientific and research methods, biological foundations, sensation and
perception, learning and conditioning, human development, motivation and emotion,
thinking, memory and intelligence, personality theories, stress and coping, social
psychology, psychological disorders and their treatment. (Core B)
Prerequisite: Completion of or placement beyond English 003 with minimum grade of C.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
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Demonstrate familiarity with the major theoretical perspectives (such as
biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic) in the
field of Psychology
Identify the major subfields of psychology (such as sensation, perception,
motivation, intelligence, learning, social psychology, etc.)
Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational
issues.
Demonstrate an understanding of research methods in Psychology.
Locate and summarize psychological information published in
professional Psychology journals.
Use critical and creative thinking, and skeptical inquiry to solve problems
related to behavior and mental processes.
Recognize sociocultural and international diversity and their influence on
psychological development.
Properly cite and reference in current American Psychological Association
(APA) style
EDUCATIONAL BELIEFS AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Welcome! I am glad you chose to take Psychology 101. I understand some of you may
take this class because of requirements and others may take it because this may be your
field of interest. Whatever the case may be, I hope you will find the class rewarding. My
role as your instructor will not only be to provide information but also to help you
develop your skills and abilities and apply what you learn to other areas of your life.
Psychology 101, General Psychology, covers a wide range of information at an
introductory level that is both challenging and thought provoking. This class will be
taught using online instruction. Weekly lectures by the instructor will be posted in the
discussions section of Desire 2 Learn along with questions based on the readings and
class discussions. Students will then be encouraged to respond to the questions and
dialogue with the other students based on the readings and discussions. The exams will
be multiple choice, true/false, completion, and essay. The exams will reflect what you
learned in the readings and be posted online.
You will be expected to be prepared for class by posting on time (initial postings for each
chapter are due by Thursday at 8 pm and second postings for each chapter are due by
Sunday at 8 pm unless Hacc is closed due to break or holiday). All due dates are posted
on the calendar in Desire 2 Learn). Your attendance and participation in class are
important. Each student has experiences and comments that may provide others
opportunities for learning. Attendance will be taken by your postings (a minimum of 2
substantive postings per week except for chapter 1, introduction and wrap up posting
which require 1 posting each). A lack of attendance can reflect your eligibility of
financial aide or veteran’s benefits. I understand other obligations may arise and take
precedence over class. Please communicate with me if there is a concern that will reflect
your attendance and participation.
Grading System for Psychology 101:
A student’s midterm and final grades will be based on the following:
The scores on the tests and assignments will be calculated on the following point scale:
Examination #1
100 points
Examination #2
100 points
Examination #3
100 points
Final Exam
100 points
Paper Assignment
100 points
2 Substantive Postings Per Chapter
(except chapter 1-1 posting required, 1 posting for introduction, and
1 posting for wrap-up)
155 points
Total Possible Points
655 points
Grading System:
A = 100-90% (587-655 points)
B = 89-80% (524-586 points)
C = 79-70% (458-523 points)
D = 69-60% (393-457 points)
F = 59-0% (0-392 points)
Students are expected to post 2 substantial contributions to the ongoing discussion each
chapter (i.e. comment on readings and questions asked by the instructor, comment on a
classmate(s) posting). Except for chapter 1 (1 posting required). You will also need to
post 1 time for introduction and wrap-up. These postings should be approximately 2
paragraphs and should represent substantive contribution to the topic under discussion
and reflect a level of discourse characteristic of a college level seminar.
Regurgitation or summarizing what you have read without offering some analysis of what
the reading means WILL NOT COUNT as a substantive posting. Please see the rubric
(under content on Desire 2 Learn) for further information on grading of postings. You are
encouraged to draw on experiences and outside readings to make sense of the material
you have read. Discourse inevitably includes disagreement and respectful disagreements
are encouraged and thoroughly expected in this course.
Weeks are defined as Monday through Sunday (See Calendar). The instructor will post
weekly topics to the discussion section to stimulate the ongoing discussion. Please note
that WEEKLY participation in the class discussion is an integral part of this course, and
any deviation from it will reflect your grade negatively. Students are responsible to keep
hard copies of all their postings to the class. The instructor keeps an electronic file/record
for each student in the course, the work and date that student submitted postings. NOTE:
Instructor will post by Sunday evenings at 9:00 pm for the following week’s discussion.
Initial postings for each chapter are due by 8 pm on Thursday. Second postings for each
chapter are due by 8 pm on Sunday. You may post more than two times per week.
However, a minimum of two times per week is required. Late postings (after 8:00 pm on
the due date) will be given a grade of 0 points out of 5. Each posting will count up to 5
points for a total of 150 points (30 postings).
Tests will be posted online and students will be required to complete the exams by the
due date online. The dates the exam will be posted will be given a minimum of 1 week
prior to the exam and can also be found on the calendar in Desire 2 Learn.
The Paper Assignment consists of selecting an area of your interest in psychology and
using a minimum of 5 different professional journal articles relating to this area of
interest. You will then summarize the information and present it in a paper of a minimum
of 5 double spaced typewritten pages in length. A more detailed description of what to
include in the summarization will be posted in the discussion section of the class (100
points). The topic selection due date and the due date for the paper are outlined on the
Calendar. The topic must be pre-approved by the due date. Failure to do so will result in a
5 point deduction from the paper assignment final grade. Paper will be returned to the
instructor via drop box on Desire 2 Learn.
Class Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend all classes by posting on time regarding the topics of
discussion as outlined on the Calendar of Topics. Attendance is determined by your
participation in the discussions (posting on time), taking the exams, and submitting your
paper. I realize there are circumstances beyond control such as accident, work
obligations, illness, death, etc. Please contact me if you have a concern that will reflect
your participation in class. I can be contacted at (717) 468-2619. Excessive absences
(missing more than 6 postings) will affect your success in the course and may result in
my recommendation that the student be dropped from the course. Please keep in mind
that this may result in financial penalties if you receive veterans benefits or financial aid.
If you miss a scheduled exam and you have an excuse that is acceptable (illness with a
doctor’s excuse, death, accident, etc.) you will be allowed to take the exam. However,
you must contact me directly and make the necessary arrangements to make up the exam.
Please note you have to notify me, I will not be notifying you. In addition, you have one
week to make up the exam from the date the exam is initially given. After one week,
permission to make up the exam will not be given. Please note: If you contact me and
miss the exam due to illness without a doctor’s excuse or any other reason that is not
acceptable by the instructor you will NOT be allowed to make up the exam.
If you miss the due date of the paper assignment due to an acceptable excuse (i.e. illness
with doctor’s note, death, accident) you will be allowed to hand in the assignment
without the grade of the assignment being affected. If you miss the due date of the paper
assignment and do not have an acceptable excuse (i.e. work, illness without a doctor’s
note, etc.) you will be allowed to hand the assignment in but the grade will be affected.
For each day the assignment is late One letter grade will be deducted from that
assignment. For example, if the assignment is due today and you hand it in tomorrow and
it was “A” work you would automatically get a “B” because it was one day late. If the
assignment was 2 days late then the “A” would turn into a “C,” etc. Please be aware of
the dates and turn in the work on time to avoid a lower grade.
Postings will not be accepted after the due date for credit.
Withdrawal From The Course:
If you wish to withdraw from the course and would like to receive a refund you must do
so according to the policies of the class schedule. The latest information can be found at:
http://www.hacc.edu/NewStudents/RegisterOnlineGuide/Add-Drop-Deadlines.cfm.
If you withdraw during this period you will not receive a grade. After the ½ refund date,
no tuition will be refunded. Please check HACC’s class schedule to find the dates. Once
the refund period has passed but prior to midterm grades, you may withdraw from the
class and receive a “W” if notifying the instructor. Once the midterm grades are
submitted and until the last day of class, you may withdraw by notifying the instructor.
The grade will be based on your performance at the time of withdraw. This means if you
are passing the class you will be assigned a “W” and if you failing the class you will be
assigned an “F.” Please communicate your intent if you wish to withdraw. Those who do
not attend classes and do not communicate with me your intent to withdraw will receive
an “F.”
Incomplete (I) Grade Policy:
To receive an instructor’s consideration for an “I” or Incomplete grade (a) a written
request must be submitted to the instructor by the last class day of the semester; (b)
documentation supporting the need for an incomplete must be submitted to the instructor
(c) 75% of the semester work must be completed. All of these must be met before
consideration of an Incomplete grade. If an “I” or Incomplete grade is granted, the
student needs to set up a meeting with the instructor to construct a time schedule for the
completion of the Incomplete grade.
PHR Act Statement
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRAct’) prohibits discrimination against
prospective and current students because of race, color, sex, religious creed,
ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, record of a handicap or disability,
perceived handicap or disability, relationship or association with an individual with a
handicap or disability, use of a guide or support animal, and/or handling or training of
support or guide animals.
The Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (“PFEOAct”) prohibits
discrimination against prospective and current students because of race, religion, color,
ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, record of a handicap or disability,
perceived handicap or disability, and a relationship or association with an individual with
a handicap or disability.
Information about these laws may be obtained by visiting the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Commission website at www. phrc.state.pa.us.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
EEOC POLICY 005: It is the policy of Harrisburg Area Community College, in full
accordance with the law, not to discriminate in employment, student admissions, and
student services on the basis of race, color, religion, age, political affiliation or belief,
gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, place of birth, General Education
Development Certification (GED), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, veteran status, genetic history/information, or any legally protected
classification. HACC recognizes its responsibility to promote the principles of equal
opportunity for employment, student admissions, and student services taking active
stepsto recruit minorities and women.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRAct’) prohibits discrimination against
prospective and current students because of race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry,
national origin, handicap or disability, record of a handicap or disability, perceived
handicap or disability, relationship or association with an individual with a handicap or
disability, use of a guide or support animal, and/or handling or training of support or
guide animals.
The Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (“PFEOAct”) prohibits
discrimination against prospective and current students because of race, religion, color,
ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, record of a handicap or disability,
perceived handicap or disability, and a relationship or association with an individual with
a handicap or disability.
Information about these laws may be obtained by visiting the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Commission website at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
If an accommodation is needed, please contact the disability coordinator for your
campus:
HACC—Online Classes
Deborah Bybee
Coordinator, Disability Services
104K
735 Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717-270-6333
Email: dabybee@hacc.edu
Website Address:
http://www.hacc.edu/Students/DisabilityServices/Contact-Disability-Services.cfm
"Notice: Online courses are periodically evaluated. As a part of that evaluation, a sample
of e-mail correspondence between faculty and students will be reviewed to assess the
quality of rapport and interaction between the faculty member and the student.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic honesty is one of the fundamental principles upon which the College was
founded and upon which it must operate to continue to perform its most important
function. Students are expected to be honest in all of their academic endeavors. The
College views academic dishonesty as a serious breach of conduct. Depending upon the
nature and severity of the dishonest act, the faculty and the College may discipline a
student for verifiable acts of dishonesty occurring in or out of the classroom. Specific
procedures for handling incidents of academic dishonesty are contained in Administrative
Procedure 594, which can be obtained from any administrative office.
Instructor’s Expectations:
1.
First and foremost each student must complete their own work. Plagiarism
(copying of another’s work) and cheating on exams or assignments will not be
tolerated. This includes buying papers online. HACC’s guidelines on academic
dishonesty allows for failure on the assignment or test to dismissal from the class.
If a student is found cheating or plagiarizing he/she will fail that assignment or
test. If subsequent instances are noted then dismissal from class will occur and a
grade of “F” will be given.
2.
Please be on time with your postings and have all assignments completed by the
dates outlined on the Calendar of Topics.
3.
Please ask questions when you don’t understand. Chances are someone else in
the class has the same questions.
Calendar of Topics
Week 1:
Introductions
Chapter 1 (Introduction to Psychology)
Week 2:
Chapter 2(Research Methods)
Chapter 3 (Neuroscience and Behavior)
Week 3:
Chapter 4 (Sensation and Perception)
Chapter 5 (States of Consciousness)
Paper Topic Due
Week 4:
Chapter 6 (Learning)
Exam #1 (Chapters 1,2,3,4,5)
Week 5:
Chapter 7 (Memory)
Week 6:
Chapter 8 (Cognition and Language)
Week 7:
Chapter 9 (Intelligence)
Week 8:
Chapter 10 (Motivation and Emotion)
Exam #2 (Chapters 6,7,8,9)
Week 9:
Chapter 12: Development
Week 10:
Chapter 13 (Personality)
Week 11:
Chapter 14 (Health Psychology: Stress, Coping, and Well-Being)
Exam #3 (Chapters 10,12,13)
Week 12:
Chapter 15 (Psychological Disorders)
Week 13:
Chapter 16 (Treatment of Psychological Disorders)
Paper Due by end of Week 13
Week 14:
Chapter 17: Social Psychology
Wrap up
**NOTE**
Final Exam will be posted on the calendar in Desire2Learn
Final Exam consists of Chapters 14,15,16,17