SYLLABUS
General Psychology, PSY 110. Instructor: Russ Lewis
Office JHG 268 Phone: 824-1861
Email: Russ.Lewis@kctcs.edu
Madisonville KCTCS Website: http://www.kctcs.edu
First Required Text: Gerrig, Richard J. and Zimbardo, Philip G. (2009). Psychology and
Life (19 th
Edition). Boston, MA: Pearson. IBSN: 0-205-49846-9.
Second Required Text: Freedman, Russell (2005). Children of the Great Depression (1 st
Edition). New York, NY: Clarion Books. IBSN: 0-618-44630-3
Office hours will be established at the first class of the semester. Other times by appointment.
Official Course Description
A survey course in psychology designed to give the student an introduction to the history, methods, and content of modern psychology. Topics include the history and systems of psychology, psychological research, physiological psychology, personality, abnormal behavior and social psychology.
Course Overview/Objectives
Welcome to General Psychology. This course contains a synopsis of the field of psychology that encompasses the history of the science to the most recent perspectives. In this course you will receive information regarding research and experimentation that have lead to current psychological theory, as well as the most prominent “schools” or areas of psychology. The questions we shall endeavor to answer with regard to psychology are:
What is psychology, how did we get to this point in psychology, how is psychology practically applied and what is the future of psychology? In its most simplistic definition, psychology is the study of the individual in society. That leads me to the goals:
1.
To expose you to the basic theories, tenets and trends in historic and contemporary psychology in an effective learning environment.
2.
To introduce you to the practical application of psychology.
3.
To provide the student with a learning environment that optimizes her/his internalizing of the basic principles of psychology as evidenced by the student’s being able to demonstrate such in written word, verbalizations, and positive test performance.
4.
My last goal, as always, is to give you an opportunity to learn why people are as they are. It is my fervent belief that with greater understanding of the “human condition”, the greater the probability of having positive interpersonal and professional experiences.
You may have noticed there were no directives such as, “you will learn” stated in the goals. This is by design, because it is not my job to force learning upon you. I know from experience that learning, while a very serious endeavor, can be highly enjoyable. With that in mind, it is incumbent on you to learn, and I will vehemently try to provide you with an enjoyable, effective (and hopefully fun) environment where you can learn everything you chose to learn about psychology.
KCTCS General Education Competencies
I. Communicate effectively.

Students are required to communicate effectively using standard written English.
Writing will be assessed via the term paper and essay questions on the tests. The
Community Colleges Rules, Section V, 2.33 Acceptable Standards in English states the following:
“Instructors in all courses are expected to call attention to proper English usage and may penalize for errors and/or require the rewriting of papers which do not meet acceptable standards in English.
Any instructor who finds the written work of any student seriously defective in
English may recommend remedial work or refer the student for additional assistance from local resources.”
Therefore, you will be graded on all applicable grammatical and spelling rules as well as content of your term paper. In order to practice basic computer skills, such as keyboarding, assigned reports should be typed. Students will be assessed on their ability to comprehend what they have read and what they have heard via testing on course text(s), lectures, and discussions. o Read and listen with comprehension : as evidenced by appropriate reiteration of class presented information and written factual and abstract/novel application of internalized information heard and read in a 5 page written “term paper”.
Additionally evidenced via correct answers to test questions. o Speak and write clearly using Standard English : as evidenced by verbal class participation (both questioning and answering questions), and by writing a 5 page
“term paper”. o Interact cooperatively with other using both verbal and non verbal means: as evidenced by awaiting turn to speak, not interrupting others, not speaking while others are speaking, not otherwise engaging in behavior that is distracting or rude to other persons in the class, and by following the “KCTCS Student Code of
Conduct” while participating in class discussion and/or other class activities.
II. Think Critically.
By employing Creative Thinking, students are expected to elaborate upon knowledge to create new thoughts and/or processes. Creativity is demonstrated by being able to take experientially gained knowledge/information and to use this knowledge/information to successfully engage in a novel situation or novel task. This will be demonstrated by the students in class verbalizations and in the writings contained in their term papers.
Students will be assessed on their abilities to interpret, analyze, and summarize a variety of materials by studying and compiling reference and resource materials into a written report indicative of an understanding of problem solving by synthesis of ideas. With regard to ethics and values, students are expected to demonstrate awareness of ethical considerations in making value choices and verbalize such in class discussion and in written form. Students will be exposed to the ethical principles that guide psychological research (as well as research in general) and practical application of psychology in class work, written term paper, and through lecture. Students will be held to those standards and additionally academic ethics and values including plagiarism and cheating. By use of the textbook(s) and the reference materials for writing their term paper, students are expected to understand, analyze, and summarize, and interpret a variety of reading materials, including the mathematical aspects inherent in behavioral statistics contained in psychology research. o Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions: as evidenced by utilizing Internet acquired resources in creating the
“term paper”. Further evidenced by contact with the instructor via E-mail communications, and accessing syllabi and other course specific documents posted in various KCTCS Internet domains. o Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and or integrating a variety of materials: as evidenced by abstract application of internet resources/information, book acquired information, class lecture, and information acquired from periodical publications in writing a novel 5 page

“term paper”. Further evidenced by correct answers to test questions that require inductive reasoning. o Use mathematics to organize, analyze, and synthesize data to solve a problem:
As evidenced by in-class study and explanation of basic behavioral statistics, including but not limited to, correlation coefficient, Cattel’s Factor Analysis, and basic psychological research interpretation.
III. Learn Independently.
Students will demonstrate their ability to learn independently by means of preparing a writing assignment that will include references/resources, choice of topics, current world and social implications. Students will share in discussion of current events and the related psychological aspects of such events from world, national and local news, as well as the implications for them personally, in the public forum of the classroom. o Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information: As evidenced by completing a 5 resource, 5 page term paper applying a psychological aspect/theory to an event or person (refer to class handout for instructions and perimeters). o Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing perspectives/ideas: as evidenced by participation in class discussion on APA and research ethics and social psychology. Also, utilize information to write a 5 resource, 5 page term paper applying a psychological aspect/theory to an event or person (refer to class handout for instructions and perimeters). o Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situation: as evidenced by correctly answering test questions in the academic milieu, iteration of “real life” experiences and how the studied and lectured upon class material relates to those experiences in class discussion, and the discussion during class participation of how various psychological disorders effect and are effected by public opinion and public reaction. o Think creatively to develop new ideas, processes, or products: as evidenced by creation of a written “term paper” that applies the individual student’s ideas in a novel way to explain a person’s behavior, or person’s behavior subsequent to an event (i.e., the most likely cause of Nero’s burning of Rome, The effect so the introduction of the birth control pill in the 1960s, respectively).
IV. Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments.
Psychology by inherent nature explores the human condition from complex cultural, historical, and physiological perspectives, not only from each individual’s perspective, but also from an integrated dynamic view of these perspectives. This includes how the relationships of the individual affect society/culture and physical environment, and how the society/culture and physical environment affect individuals. o Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and culture: as evidenced by correctly answering questions regarding the history of psychology and both evolutionary psychology and social psychology. o Demonstrate an awareness of the relationship of the individual to the biological and physical environment: as evidenced by correctly answering test questions regarding physiological, neurological, and environmental psychology and the effects of drugs, physiological deprivations/excesses and toxins on the psychological makeup of the individual.
Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural global community: as evidenced by correctly answering test questions regarding social psychology and culturally induced behavioral differences and historically culturally biased psycho diagnoses. Further evidenced by participation in class discussion regarding culturally induced behavioral differences and historically culturally biased psycho diagnoses.

Philosophy: In keeping with classic definitions of psychology as the scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes, students will be exposed to a learning conducive environment designed to optimize understanding, knowledge and the internalization of the theories, research practices and practical application of the science of psychology.
Outcome: Upon completion of courses PSY 100 and PY 110, students availing themselves to instruction will demonstrate knowledge of the science of psychology by demonstrating the following competencies, in addition to the KCTCS Core
Competencies.
1.
Provide the definition of psychology.
Define psychology as a ubiquitous science demonstrated by human adaptation to the ever changing environment and how humans change their environment to adapt to their needs via behavior indicative of abstract thought and learning.
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Outcome 1-Engage in classroom discussions (verbalization) that indicate knowledge of the definition of psychology.
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Outcome 2-Positively perform on a formal assessment instrument that includes the definition of psychology.
2.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic role of psychology in daily living.
Through various means, the student should indicate how psychology is applied in daily interpersonal and social interaction by way of learning, persuasion, adaptation, accommodation and assimilation to manipulate and negotiate the environment.
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Outcome 1-Compose a written document that indicates an understanding or the basic role of psychology in daily living.
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Engage in classroom discussions (verbalization) that indicate an understanding or the basic role of psychology in daily living.
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Positively perform on a formal assessment instrument that indicates an understanding or the basic role of psychology in daily living.
3.
Demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of psychology as a pervasive science.
Through various means, the student should indicate how persons and cultures in history have shaped human behavior and how human behavior has changed the environment.
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Outcome 1-Perform positively on a formal assessment instrument that would demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of psychology as a pervasive science.
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Outcome 2- Engage in classroom discussions (verbalization) that demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of psychology as a pervasive science.
4.
Develop a basic and abstract knowledge of the practical application of psychology in daily life, including but not limited to the interpersonal, social, recreational and occupational milieus; as demonstrated by written and oral creation of in vitro scenarios as well as relating the concepts and principles to experience and situations.


Outcome 1- Develop a basic and abstract knowledge of the practical application of psychology as evidenced by positive performance on a formal assessment instrument.
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Outcome 2- Develop a basic and abstract knowledge of the practical application of psychology as evidenced by composition of a written document that includes accurate application.
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Outcome 3- Develop a basic and abstract knowledge of the practical application of psychology as evidenced by classroom discussion indicative of such practical application.
5.
Demonstrate an understanding of scientific research and methodology as they relate to psychology.
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Outcome 1-Perform positively on formal assessment instrument indicative of understanding scientific research and methodology as they relate to psychology.
6.
Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological aspects of Human
Development.
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Outcome 1- Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological aspects of human development as evidenced by positive performance on a formal assessment instrument.
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Outcome 2- Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological aspects of human development as evidenced by composition of a written document that includes accurate understanding.
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Outcome 3- Demonstrate an understanding of the psychological aspects of human development as evidenced by classroom discussion indicative of such understanding.
7.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic therapeutic modalities.
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Outcome 1-The student will participate in classroom discussion that demonstrates an understanding of the basic therapeutic modalities.
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Outcome 2-The student will compose a written document that includes demonstration of an understanding of the basic therapeutic modalities.
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Outcome 3-The student will accurately answer questions on formal assessment instruments as assigned.
8.
Demonstrate an understanding of the psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic and cognitive-behavioral (the “Four Forces”) approaches of psychology.

Outcome 1-The student will demonstrate an understanding of the “Four
Forces” by accurate performance on a written assessment.
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Outcome 2- The student will demonstrate an understanding of the “Four
Forces” by verbalizing such understanding in classroom discussion.
9.
In general form, demonstrate an understanding of the most basic principles and concepts of the following psychological areas: a) Emotion and Motivation b) Psychophysiology c) Psychometrics d) Psychopharmacology e) Neuropsychology f) Biological Foundations of Behavior g) Mind, Consciousness, and Altered States h) Physiological manifestations of psychological states i) Preventative methods to maintain mental health j) Educational aspects of Psychology k) Intelligence Theories l) Psycho diagnostics

m) Psychopathology n) Psychotherapy o) Abnormal Psychology p) Treatment
q) Human Development
r) Parenting
s) Human Sexuality
t) Psycho Genetic Theories
u) Perception and Reality

Outcome 1-The student will demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of psychology by positive performance on assigned formal assessment instruments.
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Outcome 2- The student will demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of psychology as evidenced by participation in classroom discussions indicative of such understanding.
Class Policies and FYI

Class participation, and subsequently attendance, is important to the learning process for me and for you. So, please be ready to participate when you attend.
Attendance deficit of 6 or more classes for classes that meet twice weekly, or a deficit of 3 or more classes for classes that meet 1 time weekly, may, at the discretion of the instructor, in correlation with the participation and current grade level of the student in question, may result in a final grade of “E” effectively failing the class.

Work turned in after announced due dates are subject to lowering of grade at the discretion of the instructor.
 Supplies needed for effective class engagement are left to the student’s discretion.
 Use of electronic devices for messaging, including cell phones for “texting”, is prohibited. Consequences for using such devices during class time are at the discretion of the instructor.

Withdraw from class will follow the policy as outlined in the 2007-2008 KCTCS
Catalog.
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There will be three (3) tests, including a comprehensive final examination. These will cover both lecture and reading assignments (whether or not reading is covered in class).

Do not be late for tests/final examinations. If you are late you are subject to be dismissed from the test. Dismissal from the test/final examination will result in a grade of zero (0) for that test/final examination. Do not miss tests/final examination. No “make-up will be allowed (except at the discretion of the instructor), and the result will be a zero (0) for that test/final examination.

Grading will be as follows: 3 tests-60% of Total Grade; Term paper-20% of Total
Grade; Attendance & Participation-20% of Total Grade.
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Grading scale is: 90-100=”A”; 80-89=”B”; 70-79=”C”; 60-69=”D”; 59 and below equals an “E” (or failing grade).

Plagiarism on term paper = failing grade on term paper.
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I will make myself very accessible via office hours, e-mail and phone (to be provided at 1 st
class). So, please contact me if you feel the need.
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As a general rule, there are no make up examinations. IMPORTANT: Make up examinations are permissible solely at the subjective discretion of the instructor.
 Students are expected to follow the “KCTCS Code of Student Conduct”, found at the web site, www.kctcs.edu
. Please show courtesy and respect for others in your class. All guests brought to class must be pre-approved to attend by the instructor

prior to bringing them to class. Any student, who creates disruption interfering with learning, will leave the class.
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The instructor reserves the right to change any and/or all exam dates and/or due dates for term papers and/or other course work.
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Do not bring children to class without 1-week prior approval, which is solely the decision of the instructor. Under no circumstances bring children under the age of
6 years old to class. My decision will be arbitrary, and final.
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To optimize campus security via the SNAP program, cell phones are allowed in the classroom and must be set for “silent” operation so ring tones do not disrupt the class. No other electronic devices will be allowed for use in class, except for individuals cleared with a disability to use such devices, or at the discretion of the instructor.
 Academic dishonesty (including “cheating” in any form) will result, at the discretion of the instructor, in a failing grade for the course. Academic dishonesty will in most cases (at the discretion of the instructor) also result in a recommendation to expel the student from the institution as outlined in the
Student Code of Conduct.

Inclement weather policy: When possible, the college will hold classes during inclement weather. If the college so chooses, there will be a modified class schedule. Otherwise, all classes will occur at their scheduled times. Modifications in schedule will be announced by 7:00 am on radio and television stations for day classes, and by 4:30 pm for evening classes. Announcements will be made on the following stations:
RADIO
WKTG-93.9- FM-Madisonville
WSTO-96.1 FM-Owensboro
WHRZ-97.7 FM-Providence
TELEVISION
WFIE Channel 14
WTWV Channel 7
WEHT Channel 25
WYMV–106.9 FM-Madisonville
WMJL-102.7 FM-Marion CELL PHONE
WNES-105.0 FM-Greenville/Central City Text message via SNAP sent by MCC
WFMW-73.0 FM Madisonville
WTTL-1310 AM-Madisonville COMPUTER
Email sent via SNAP sent by MCC
NOTE: If local school systems cancel classes, then any classes held at locations in that school system will also be cancelled.
Student Safety Information
Madisonville Community College is concerned with the safety of the students attending classes at any of the four campuses. The following points are for your benefit as a student.
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In case any life threatening event, call 911. The local emergency responders are better equipped to take care of these situations.
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To sign up for the Safety Notification Alert Process (SNAP) go to the MCC webpage and click on the SNAP section. After completing this, you will receive notifications on school closings, inclement weather, and other safety notifications.
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To report a safety concerns call the MCC Tip Line at 824-1900 to report safety concerns or suspicious behavior. This line is monitored once a day Monday through Friday.
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There is a Maintenance #836-5330 for students on the North campus for use after the switchboard closes at 4:30. This is a cell phone that is answered by one of the
Maintenance & Operations personnel.

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The MCC emergency number is answered by selected personnel during the day and by a cell phone when these are not available. 824-1911
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Any changes in this syllabus will be announced in class.
Thank you and I look forward sharing this class with you!
Sincerely,
Russ Lewis, M.S. Psy.