CHIPOLA COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE:
COURSE NUMBER:
General Psychology
PSY 2012
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A course designed to give the student an adequate foundation in the field of psychology, to
provide an understanding of human behavior and to enable the student to adapt himself to his
physical and social environment. This is the prerequisite course for all advanced courses in
psychology. A grade of “C” or better is required to enter the ASDN program at Chipola.
PREREQUISITES:
It is recommended that this course be pursued only after completion of at least one semester of
college study.
NAME(S) OF INSTRUCTOR(S):
Willie E. Spires, Ph.D., LMHC
spiresw@chipola.edu
718-2232
Lennetta Greene, M.S. – adjunct
greenel@chipola.edu
718-2319
Sarah Gambill, M.S. – adjunct
gambills@chipola.edu
718-2490
DATE OF LATEST REVISION:
2009-2010
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: (Please include title, author, publisher, edition & ISBN)
Ettinger, R.H., Willie E. Spires… Understanding Psychology: Horizon Textbook Publishing,
LLC 2007 4th edition, ISBN#: 978-1-59602-688-9
GRADING POLICIES:
The standing of a student in each course is expressed by one of the following letters and
corresponding grading system:
A – 100 – 93
B – 92 – 83
C – 82 – 70
D – 69 – 60
F – 59 or less
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See your First Day Handout for individual instructor practices.
The Chipola Catalog provides specific information regarding other outcomes from the grading
system. A student’s Grade Point Average is derived from the grading system/quality point scale.
DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC (SOCIAL SCIENCES) COMPETENCIES / LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
Psychology 2012 is a General Education core course in area 1 Social Sciences.
SS-1 Identify appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists
use to investigate the human condition.
SS-2 Examine social institutions and processes across historical periods, social structures, and/or
cultures.
SS-3 Explore social content from a different theoretical perspective.
SS-4 Develop and explore alternative explanations or solutions for past and contemporary social
issues.
SS-5 Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces in
the area under study.
SS-6 Chart the cultural or historical evolution of the United States in a social, political, or
economic world order.
SS-7 Differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical) and differing
points of view.
SS-8 Set reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research.
SS-9 Analyze, critically assess, and suggest creative solutions to public policy problems.
SS-10 Recognize and assume one’s responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning
to think for oneself, be engaging in public discourse, and by obtaining information through the
news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy.
SS-11 Identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES FOR PSY 2012:
See chart, last page.
MEANS OF ACCOMPLISHING OUTCOMES:
The course outcomes and objectives will be accomplished through a variety of teaching
modalities to include: lectures, special projects assignments, oral presentations by students,
reading assignments, Invited professional guest speakers in the field and behavioral experiments.
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LIBRARY AND ON-LINE REFERENCE MATERIALS:
The library is a comprehensive, learning resource center providing information in print,
electronic, and multimedia format to support the educational objectives of the College. In
addition to print media, online catalogs and resources can be accessed through
www.linccweb.org and www.netlibrary.com. Library hours are posted each semester at the
building entrance.
Chipola’s website is located at www.chipola.edu.
See your First Day Handout for individual instructor recommendations and resources.
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES:
The Information Technology Center, located in the library, is equipped with computer
workstations. Lab hours are posted each semester at the building entrance.
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE:
Chapter 1 – The Origins of Psychology
Chapter 2 – Scientific Methods
Chapter 3 – Consciousness: Sleep, Dreaming and Hypnosis
Chapter 4 – Learning and Behavior
Chapter 5 – Development 1: Conception through childhood
Chapter 6 – Development 2: Adolescence to the End of Life
Chapter 7 – Intelligence
Chapter 8 – Cognition: Thinking and Language
Chapter 9 – Sensation and Perception
Chapter 10 – Memory
Chapter 11 – Motivation
Chapter 12 – Emotions and Stress
Chapter 13 – Personality: Theories and Assessment
Chapter 14 – The Biology of Behavior
Chapter 15 – Abnormal Psychology
Chapter 16 – Treatment of Behavioral Disorders
Chapter 17 - Social Psychology
See your First Day Handout for individual instructor assignment schedule.
ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL POLICIES:
Chipola College expects regular attendance of all students. Students who are absent from classes
for any reason other than official college activities must satisfy the instructor concerned that the
absence was due to illness or other clearly unavoidable reasons. Otherwise, the student may
suffer grade loss at the discretion of the instructor.
Chipola policy allows each instructor to specify in the course handout the attendance policy. It
PSY 2012
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also allows the instructor to decide whether or not an absence is excusable and what affect the
absence or tardy may have on the grade.
A student is allowed to repeat a course a maximum of three (3) times. On the third attempt a
student (1) must bear the full cost of instruction, (2) cannot withdraw, and (3) must receive
a grade.
See your First Day Handout for individual instructor or department-specific attendance
and withdrawal policy.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
Chipola allows each instructor to specify in the instructor handout the makeup policy. Please see
your first day handout for individual instructor policy.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE POLICY:
Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code. Chipola College’s Honor Code is
based on the premise that each student has the responsibility to
1) uphold the highest standards of academic honesty in his/her own work;
2) refuse to tolerate academic dishonesty in the college community; and
3) foster a high sense of honor and social responsibility on the part of students.
Further information regarding the Academic Honor Code may be found in the Chipola Catalog,
Student Governance section.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY:
Chipola College is committed to making all programs and facilities accessible to anyone with a
disability. Chipola’s goal is for students to obtain maximum benefit from their educational
experience and to effectively transition into the college environment.
Students with disabilities are requested to voluntarily contact the Office of Students with
Disabilities to complete the intake process and determine their eligibility for reasonable
accommodations.
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LINKING COURSE, DISCIPLINE, AND GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR PSY 2012
The student will:
1. SS-1 Students are taught to identify appropriate methods,
technologies and data that social and behavioral scientist
employ to investigate the human condition.
2. SS-2 Students are taught to identify the unique personality
attributes among individuals
3. SS-3 Students will be afforded the opportunity to explore a
variety of behavior psychopathologies and the various
treatment modalities used in treating these disorders
4. SS-4 Students will explore the etiologies and the theories
that associated with psychological disturbances.
5. SS-5 Students will be able to recognize the human and fiscal
cost associated with psychological disorders
6. SS-6 Students will become cognizant of the fact that
psychology impacts our lives in all of our interactions with
others.
COLLEGE-LEVEL
AND DISCIPLINESPECIFIC
GENERAL
EDUCATION
COMPETENCIES*
SS-1, SS-3,
SS-4,SS-10,
T-3, C6
SS-4, SS-11
SS-5, SS-11,
SS-1, C-3
SS-5, SS-11,
SS-1, C-3
SS-10
SS-3, SS-9,
SS-4, SS-11,
C-6
ASSESSMENT
METHODS USED
BY FACULTY
Chapter
Exams, Final
Examination,
Oral Reports,
Special
Outside
Assignments,
Guest
Speakers,
Mentoring
opportunities,
Exposure to
the DSM IV
Diagnostics
Annual Field
Trips.
For a list of Chipola’s College-Level Competencies, see www.chipola.edu.
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