Spring 2011
COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Course Number: PSYC 2301.S11
Course Title: General Psychology
Course Description: Introduction to scientific psychology as applied to human behavior,
including research methods, physiological factors, learning, motivation, emotions, personality,
adjustment, stress, psychological disorders, and therapies. These principles will be applied to the
human experience.
Course Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: None
College Repeat Policy: A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade,
including “W”.
Course Delivery Method: Class sessions will consist of a variety of formats, including
multimedia presentations, group exercises, lectures, on line assignments, and open discussion.
Instructor: Patricia Prewitt Coble
Office Number: Spring Creek Campus K237
Office Hours: By appointment Mondays and Wednesdays
Contact Information:
Office Phone: 972.881.5759
Division Office: 972.881.5800
Cell Phone: 972.722.6253
Email (preferred method of contact): pcoble@collin.edu
Class Meeting Times:
Class Meeting Location:
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm MW
Spring Creek Campus I216
Textbook (and websites):
Myers, D. (2010). Psychology 9th edition. New York: Worth Publishers.
ISBN: 1-4292-1597-6
ISBN-13: 978-1-429-21597-8
A copy of the textbook will be on reserve in the library
Textbook Website : http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers9e/
Coble Psychology Class Instructional Website: http://iws2.collin.edu/pcoble
Supplies: Course textbook, student ID, library card, scantron forms, folder for portfolio,
sharpened pencils, paper.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be
able to do the following:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of psychology and its development.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific methods used to study behavior and
mental processes.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic vocabulary of psychology.
4. Describe the basic theories of psychology, how they are used, and their current status in
the discipline.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of basic process such as motivation, learning, emotions,
group processes, personality, and human development.
6. Demonstrate an appreciation for the uniqueness of the individual.
7. Demonstrate a respect for cultural differences in the human experience.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how to apply the above to everyday life.
Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance and participation.
2. Reading of all assigned materials.
3. Completion of exams and projects.
Method of Evaluation:
Class Attendance and Participation (approximately 14% of final grade): Weekly in class
documented activities are completed and reviewed and are to be organized into a “participation
portfolio” that will be turned in (use folder) at the end of the semester. These activities will be
worth up to 10 points each. The total number of points you can earn is 100. Designated on your
psychology course calendar plan as “in class activities”.
Exams (approximately 72% of final grade): There will be 6 exams ranging from 70 to 100 pts.
each. Grand total points on all exams are 500 pts. Exams will consist of multiple-choice
questions and short answer questions. Make up exams are offered on the day of the final exam
immediately after completing exam 6. Other times for approved make up exams are at the
discretion of the instructor. Designated on your course calendar plan as “exam”.
Psychology News Reports (approximately 14% of final grade): This semester long project
explores current events and current research related to psychology and connects it to topics in
your textbook. In addition to expanding your knowledge and understanding of psychology, the
project promotes continuous development and use of skills in evaluating different sources of
information, reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, collaborating, and other skills. Project
instructions are provided in writing on a separate form, verbally in class, and digitally on the
instructional web site. Designated on your course calendar plan as “Psychology in the News”.
Alternative Assessments: Opportunities to earn extra credit are posted on the instructional web
site: iws2.ccccd.edu/pcoble. Some additional opportunities will only be announced in class! Up
to 70 points can be earned! Your final course grade may increase up to one letter grade based on
these alternative assessment opportunities.
Grading (points available):
EXAMS Total:
Exam #1 (35 Q)
Exam #2 (40 Q)
Exam #3 (40 Q)
Exam #4 (40 Q)
Exam #5 (45 Q)
Exam #6 (50 Q)
PARTICIPATION PORTFOLIO Total:
PROJECT (Psychology in the News) Total:
Alternative Assessment
500
70
80
80
80
90
100
100
100
70
A = 630 pts and over
B = 560 – 629 pts
C = 490 – 559 pts
D = 420 – 489 pts
F = <419 pts
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend each class session.
The last day to withdraw is March 11, 2011. Students who decide to not complete the course
are responsible for officially withdrawing themselves from the course; failure to do so will result
in a performance grade of "F".
Religious/Holiday days: Please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook
ADA Statement:
It is the policy of Collin County Community College to provide reasonable accommodations for
qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This college will adhere to al applicable
federal, state and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable
accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD:
972.881.5950) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
Academic Ethics: The College District may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student
accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements,
acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the
submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve,
but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of
annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.
Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving
credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an
examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet
files, using someone else’s work for the assignments as if it were one’s own, or any other
dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty,
including but not limited to, providing a paper or project to another student; providing an
inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination;
removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
At a minimum, the consequence of academic dishonesty will result in a “zero” grade on the
particular assignment or test. A report is filed with the Dean of Students if further investigation is
needed.
Frequently asked Questions:
Can electronic devices be used in the classroom?
Electronic devices may be used in the classroom to enhance learning of the day’s psychology
topic. If you plan to use electronic devices in the classroom you will be assigned to seating that
will complement the use of the device for you as well as minimize distraction to others. Playing
games, text messaging, listening to music, using cell phones, etc would not be considered as
appropriate use of an electronic device in a learning environment. Please turn off the audio
features of these devices before you enter the classroom. Violation of appropriate use of devices
will immediately disallow your use of them in this class for the rest of the semester.
How do you handle disruptive students?
The classroom is a scholarly environment and students are expected to behave accordingly.
Expression of ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc. is encouraged, but has to be done in a respectful
manner. Students who express willful disrespect towards their classmates or the instructor may
be asked to leave the classroom.
Do I have to type my work?
Semester reports, reaction papers, extra credit reports are all required to be ‘typed’. Typed
papers should be double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt times roman font.
What if I have to leave class early?
If you must leave class early, please let me know before class starts. Also sit close to the door so
that you do not disrupt class (or me) when you leave. Thank you for your respect!
Spring 2011 Planned General Psychology Course Schedule (Psych 2301.S11 and S13)
Class Topic
Reading/Study Assignments:
In- class
Week Dates
Myers Psychology 9e + others
Activities
noted
Jan 17
Holiday MLK
1
Jan 19
Orientation to the
Syllabus
True or False:
course
Review textbook website:
A Survey of
www.worthpublishers.com/myers9e Topics in
Important Topics in
Review instructional website:
Psychology
Psychology
iws2.collin.edu/pcoble
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Jan 24
History of Psychology
Prologue
Jan 26
Prologue
Jan 31
Contemporary
Perspectives and
Issues in Psychology
Psychological Science
Feb 2
Psychological Science
C1
Feb 7
Feb 9
Feb 14
Exam One
Psychology Research
in the News
Biopsychology
Feb 16
Biopsychology
C2
Feb 21
Sensation
C6
Feb 23
Perception
Research News
Report 1 DUE
Exam Two
Stress and Health
States of
Consciousness
C6
States of
Consciousness Exam 3
–Take home
C3
Feb 28
Mar 2
Mar 7
Mar 9
C1
Handouts
C2
C12*
C3
Identifying
Perspectives
OR
Enduring Issues
Inference vs.
Observation,
Correlation
Identifying
Methods,
Experimental
Research
‘Consuming’
Psychology
Communication
in the Nervous
System
Mapping the
Brain
Sensation
Exercise
Gestalt
Principles
Stress Exercise
Circadian
Rhythms: Are
you an Owl or
Lark?
Dream
Spring Break Mar 14 – Mar 20
C7
Mar 21
Learning
Mar 23
Learning
C7
Mar 28
Memory
C8
Mar 30
C8
April 4
April 6
Memory
Research News
Report 2 DUE
Exam 4
Motivational Concepts
12
April 11
Emotion
C12
13
April 13
April 18
Emotion
Personality Traits
C12
C13
April 20
Personality
Development
C13, C5*
April 25
April 27
Exam 5
Disorders
May 2
Disorders
Research News
Report 3 DUE
Therapy
Participation
Portfolio DUE
No class
(Final) Exam 6
9
10
11
14
15
May 4
16
May 9
May 11
C11*
C14
C14
C15
Elements of
Classical
Conditioning
Schedules of
Reinforcement,
Reinforcement
vs. Punishment
Memory
Exercise: STM,
Context
memory
Human Nature
Debate
Identifying
Universal
Emotions
Big 5
Personality
Perspective
Taking: Case
Study
Identifying
Psychological
Disorders
Cognitive
Distortions