Southern Maine Community College
Fall 2014 Semester
Location: Hague 203
Instructor: Julie Allen, M.A., LCPC
Dates: Tues & Thurs 3:00pm-4:15pm Contact: jallen@smccme.edu
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the field of Psychology. Special attention will be given to helping the student become a better thinker, by learning to take charge of ideas one has about psychology. The goal of this course is to think consciously, deliberately and skillfully about human behavior. Topics such as physiological psychology, perception, learning, cognition, emotions, health psychology, psychological disorders, as well as others are included. Prerequisites : None. Co-requisite(s): ENGL-050, ENGL-075.
Required Text: King, L (2014) (3 nd Ed). Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View. Mc-Graw Hill
Access to Connect/LearnSmart - the McGraw-Hill website for our course (see URL below) must be purchased. http://connect.mheducation.com/class/j-allen-psyc-100-fall-2014-julie-l-allen-t-h-300pm-3rd-ed http://connect.mheducation.com/class/j-allen-psyc-100-fall-2014-julie-l-allen-t-h-300pm-3rd-ed
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Define psychology as a discipline and explain its history, and how it is distinct from and related to other disciplines.
2. Explain how psychology is a science. Become familiar with the research methods used by psychologists, including different research designs, limitations of research findings, and APA ethical principles.
3. Explore the subject matter of the field of psychology and become familiar with the vocabulary, major concepts, theories, and research findings of psychology.
4. Further develop critical thinking skills by applying them to the field of psychology
5. Become a cautious and analytical consumer of psychological information that is proclaimed to be scientific or based on research. Recognize the usefulness and limitations of research findings.
6. Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organization issues.
7.
Become aware & respectful of diversity issues which affect behavior & psychological processes. Recognize that sociocultural contexts may influence the development and application of psychological principles.
Learning Outcomes Competencies:
Critical Thinking: Upon Completion of this course students will have:
1. Read and demonstrated an understanding of complex ideas by identifying key concepts in the field of psychology.
2. Applied theory to practice using problem solving techniques and data analysis.
3. Analyzed and evaluated research data to produce a well-reasoned argument or position on an issue.
Global Citizenship: Upon Completion of this course students will be able to use psychology concepts to:
1. Explain how social interactions are influenced by local, regional, national, and/or global cultures.
2. Recognize cultural and individual differences that underlie the complexities of human behavior and social interaction.
3. Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of cultures that are diverse from their own.
Homework:
Homework will be assigned every week, including a PreLecture quiz [online] and reading [online or printed text].
Most PreLecture quizzes take an hour; some will be longer (noted with [15] in the syllabus). There will be a quiz or test in class each week.
Note on Electronic Devices:
Please turn off (or put to sleep) all electronic devices during class. This rule especially applies to devices that make noise and/or distract you or your fellow learners from fully participating in class discussion, and specifically includes: pagers, phones, laptops, iPads, iPods/MP3 players. You may be granted an exception if you use your laptop to take notes. Surfing the web, texting, instant messaging, and emailing during class are not acceptable uses of our class time.

Plagiarism, Cheating, and Ethics:
Plagiarism and cheating are not acceptable and represent serious ethical violations. If cheating or plagiarism is detected, the work will receive a grade of F and the student will be given options to demonstrate competence in the ethical realm that has been violated. In addition, these events are reported to to the Disciplinary Officer. Repeat violations will result in student withdrawal from the course. Additional information is appended to this syllabus (on the last page). To learn more, please consult the SMCC Student Handbook.
Using other people’s ideas in your writing and work:
Use of another’s ideas is often helpful in illustrating your own thinking on a subject area (eg: “I agree with, I disagree with, I would expand this idea to include…”) In group work, it is essential to listen and use other ideas. It is also necessary to give the other credit for the idea. When using another’s ideas, you must cite them as another’s ideas.
Otherwise, use of someone else’s original idea or research summary is considered plagiarism.
In writing, it is strongly suggested you use the APA format. For this course, you may use a short-hand as follows:
Book or article: (Author, Publication, Date) eg: (Winehouse, Rehab Today, 2006)
Website: (site, date you viewed it) eg: (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LTPRJqt2z4, 1/5/12)
Missed Classes. Remember! 4 & 6 :
Attendance and participation in this class will be critical to your success. However, from time to time, most of us will miss a class. Here’s my policy:
During the semester, you may need to miss class. If you must miss a class, please speak with (or email) the instructor prior to your absence so that you can keep up. If you must miss a class, you are responsible for getting any homework assigned. Often this will be posted on Blackboard. If you miss class three ( 3 ) times in a row without communicating with me, SMCC’s policy requires me to give you an Administrative Failure (AF).
If you miss class four ( 4 ) times (not in a row), your letter grade will drop by one letter (10%).
If you miss class more than six ( 6 ) times, you have two choices: withdraw (before Nov 18) or fail.
Winter weather and personal emergencies:
In the event of dangerous weather, please monitor the local radio and the SMCC website (http://www.smccme.edu ).
You can also call The Storm Line: 741.5900. If we miss a class due to weather, please complete the homework.
Emergencies : In the event of an unforeseeable absence, please speak with me as soon as possible after the missed class(es). If I know about it, I will work with you to minimize the impact. I am also willing to speak with you by phone if you leave a phone number and times when you’ll be available.
Missed quizzes and tests can only be made up on the following class day (unless an emergency prevents this and you have made PRIOR arrangements with me).
Grading:
One third of your grade be based upon computer-based work. For this reason, it is critical to your success that you have access to a computer and the internet at least 2 hours a week. The rough breakdown is LearnSmart/Connect
[PreLecture Quizzes] (20%), PostLecture Quizzes (15%), Exams (20%), Homework (10%), Group Presentation
(10%) and Attendance/In Class Work (15%), Study Guides (10%).
How to do well in this course:
Keep a study journal as you read. This can be as simple as taking notes in the margin of your book.
Come to class! Participate and take notes.
Read the chapter before class. Complete the LearnSmart module before class.
Complete short writing assignments by the due date.
Study for quizzes and tests (and experiment with new strategies for studying).
Ask questions and listen to your fellow learners. Challenge yourself to think critically about what you read, see, and hear – and speak with consideration.
Plan to spend at least 6 hours each week (outside of class) on homework for this course.

How to reach your instructor : I will be available from 2:45pm in our classroom (and often after class as well) – and other times by appointment. I genuinely enjoy talking with students so email, come early to class, or stay late if you’d like to speak with me. My email is jallen@smccme.edu
.
Tentative Schedule for our Course. Subject to Change.
Additional Homework Is Not Listed Below
Date Topic Read
Before
Class
Assignments Mostly Due In Class -
PreLecture Quizzes must be
completed by 2pm before class.
Tues, Aug 26 Intro to Course/Syllabus
Thur, Aug 28 Intro to Psychology
Tues, Sep 2 Research Methods
1
2 PreLecture Quiz 1& 2, What Influences
Us?Homework
Thur, Sep 4
Tues, Sep 9
Thur, Sep 11
Tues, Sep 16
Thur, Sep 18
Bio Bases of Behavior: Nervous System 3
Older & Newer Brain Structures
Sensation & Perception
Our 7 Senses & Consciousness
4
Tues, Sep 23 Altered States of Consciousness
Thur, Sep 25 Test
Tues, Sep 30
Thur, Oct 2
Behaviorism
Classical, Operant, Observational Learning
5
6
PreLecture Quiz[15], Critical Thinking
Homework
PreLecture (PreL) Quiz
Library Homework
PreL Quiz[15]
Study Guide Due
PreL Quiz
Tues, Oct 7
Thur, Oct 9
Memory: Info Processing Model
Long Term Memory, Retrieval, Forgetting
Tues, Oct 14 Test/Begin Cognition
7
Thur, Oct 16 Cognition & Intelligence
Tues, Oct 21 Development
Thur, Oct 23 Development
Tues, Oct 28 Motivation
Thur, Oct 30 Hunger, Emotion, Happiness
Tues, Nov 4 Gender and Orientation
8
9
9
10
11
PreL Quiz[15]
Study Guide Due
PreL Quiz
PreL Quiz[15], Development Hmwk
PreL Quiz
PreL Quiz
Thur, Nov 6
Tues, Nov 11
Thur, Nov 13
Sexual Behavior, Variations
Personality
Test
12
15
PreL Quiz, Holland Career Info
PreL Quiz & Present Topic Due
Study Guide Due
Tues, Nov 18 Health Psychology
Thur, Nov 20 Controlling Stress
17
1
PreL
Tues, Nov 25 Social Thinking & Influence
Thur, Nov 27 **THANKSGIVING**
Tues, Dec 2 Romance, Group Behavior
Thur, Dec 4 Therapies
13
16
PreL Quiz[15]
PreL Quiz; Outline & Quiz Questions
(by email!) Due
Take a well-earned break! Tues, Dec 9 & Thurs, Dec 11: PRESENTATIONS!!!
Additional notes from College-Wide Policies: End-of-Course Evaluation
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC.
Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs
24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the Disability Services Coordinator, Sandra Lynham, who can be reached at
741-5923. Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number. Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each individual’s accommodations.
Add-Drop Policy
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15 weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance.
SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy
In an effort to control the escalating cost of supplies and to encourage students to conserve resources, SMCC charges for printing. Students receive a $20 credit every semester. This credit resets for each semester and extra credit is not rolled over to the next semester. Per page costs are as follows:
8.5"x11" black and white: $0.10 per page
8.5"x11" color: $0.50 per page page
8.5"x14" and 11"x17" color: $1.00 per page
8.5"x14" and 11"x17" black and white: $0.20 per
Duplex (two-sided) pages are discounted 50% from the listed page costs.
Students can monitor their remaining credit & number of pages printed by visiting the IT Help tab on MySMCC or by checking the Printing Information icon in the lower right corner of the screen while logged in to an SMCC computer.
More information about the Pay-for-Print Policy is available on the IT Help tab on MySMCC.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and the second through ninth week of twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service
Center (no phone calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund associated with a withdrawal.
Plagiarism Statement
Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College’s
Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the
Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.