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Miles College
PSY 201-05 Course Syllabus*
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
COURSE TITLE: General Psychology (3 credit hours, no prerequisite)
CLASS MEETING DAYS AND TIMES: MWF 2:00PM-2:50PM
LOCATION: Pearson Hall Room 103
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION:
Instructor: Ms. Tenir Gumbs
Phone: 205-929-1017
Email: tgumbs@miles.edu
Office: 402F Learning Reseource Center
Office Hours: M 12:00PM-2:00PM; 3:00PM-4:00PM; TTH 2:00PM-3:00PM
W 9:00PM-10:00PM; 12:00PM-2:00PM F: 12:00PM-2:00PM and also by appointment
Websites: http://msgumbspsy201.wordpress.com
& https://twitter.com/MsGumbsatMiles
Division/Unit Mission: The mission of the general education core is that of helping students gain competence in communication skills; basic scientific and mathematical concepts; knowledge and understanding of socioeconomic, political conditions, cultural diversity, economic historical events, and their impact upon current problems of the nation and of the world; knowledge and understanding of interpersonal relationship skills, physical and mental health as these apply to the individual and the community; and competence in use of technology.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
General Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes from the modern viewpoint. It seeks to acquaint the student with the subject matter of psychology and its development as a science and to interpret to the student the fundamental laws of psychology and basic terminology of the field.
COURSE MATERIALS:
TEXTBOOK:
Title: Psychology Concepts and Connections, 10 th edition
Author: Spencer A. Rathus
Publisher: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning

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TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS: Email address & CourseSites Account
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs):
SLOs will be assessed through tests, class discussion, in-class activities, and written assignments.
1. Students will be able to recognize and describe the major psychological approaches to the study of behavior and mental processes.
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards: 290-3-3: Knowledge
Program Learning Outcomes: Interpersonal Skills, Society and Culture
2. Students will be able to recognize and describe the major aspects of behavior investigated by psychologists.
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards: 290-3-3: Knowledge
Program Learning Outcome: Interpersonal Skills, Society and Culture, Communication
3 . Students will be able to recognize and describe the major concepts of General
Psychology.
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards: 290-3-3: Knowledge
Program Learning Outcome Objective: Critical Thinking
4. Students will be able to recognize and describe various ways that psychological theory and research can be applied to everyday life.
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards: 290-3-3: Knowledge
Program Learning Outcome Objective: Critical Thinking
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards: 290-3-3: Human Development
Program Learning Outcome Objective: Critical Thinking, Communication
5.
Students will be able to utilize instructional-related technology to review course material and participate in graded as well as ungraded assessments.
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards: 290-3-3: Technology
Program Learning Outcome Objective: Technology, Communication
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is mandatory at Miles College; therefore, students are encouraged and expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. Students who are unable to attend class regularly, regardless of the reason or circumstance, should withdraw from that class before poor attendance interferes with the student’s ability to achieve the Student Learning Outcomes required in the course. Withdrawal from class can affect eligibility for federal financial aid.
Before withdrawing, see your advisor and Financial Aid Office, if applicable.
All individuals registered for this course are expected to conduct themselves as a Miles College professional. Therefore, there will be a No Tolerance Policy for misconduct and disruptive behavior, including inappropriate language, disrespect for others, eating during class session, the use of telephone and/or internet during class, etc. Such individuals refusing to comply will forfeit class credit, will be instructed to exit the classroom, and will be referred to the Division
Chairperson.

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STATEMENT ON DISCRIMINATION / HARASSMENT
Miles College is committed to providing both employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to an individual’s race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Any practice or behavior that constitutes harassment is a violation of
Miles College policies and will not be tolerated.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with me so that we can discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you determine that disability-related accommodations are necessary for this course, please register with for accommodations with Mr. Deleon Fancher, 205-929-1816 and notify me of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. We can then plan how best to coordinate your accommodations. You are encouraged to set up your accommodations at the beginning of the semester.
* This syllabus is a working document and subject to Modifications*
Diversity Statement
Candidates from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives will be well-served by this course.
Candidates' learning needs will be addressed both in and out of class, and the diversity that candidates bring to this class will be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. All content, materials and activities will be presented in a manner that is respectful of diversity: gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, culture, perspective, and other background characteristics.
Grading:
The course will include various forms of assessment. You will be given both graded and ungraded assignments. Exams and quizzes will consist of a combination of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and essays. There will be group and individual in-class participation assignments. These assignments will focus on review and application of the material presented in class. The number and type of out-of-class and in-class participation assignments and quizzes will be based upon the specific topic being covered and student performance.
90-100......A 80-89........B 70-79........C 60-69........D 0-59.........F

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Makeup Policy:
Homework & Classwork: Late homework assignments will result in a penalty of a letter-grade deduction per day. Any missed classwork can only be made up with a documented excuse and will only receive partial credit.
Tests: Students, who have a documented excused absence, will have ONE WEEK to make up a test. Documented excused absences will enable students to make up a missed test when the student: 1) initiates the make up process by presenting a documented excuse within one week of returning to class, and 2) makes arrangements with the instructor for making up the test during the instructor’s listed office/student hours, and 3) keeps the appointment and makes up the missed test. The instructor will grade and return the test prior to the next regularly scheduled test.
DATES
M 3/09
W 3/11
F 3/13
M 3/16
W 3/18
F 3/20
M 3/23
W 3/25
F 3/27
M 1/12
W 1/14
F 1/16
M 1/19
W 1/21
F 1/23
M 1/26
W 1/28
F 1/30
M 2/02
W 2/04
F 2/06
M 2/09
W 2/11
F 2/13
M 2/16
W 2/18
F 2/20
M 3/02
W 3/04
F 3/06
TOPIC & ACTIVITY
Introduction to Course & What Is Psychology?
What Is Psychology?
What Is Psychology? HW: Assignment # 1
NO CLASS (Martin Luther King Holiday)
What Is Psychology? & Special Topics: Black Psychology
Sorting Truth from Fiction: Research Methods
Sorting Truth from Fiction: Research Methods; HW: Assignment # 1 due
Sorting Truth from Fiction: Research Methods
Special Topics: Research Ethics & Test Review
Quiz I on Ch. 1, 2
Biology and Psychology; HW: Assignment # 2 blog post
Biology and Psychology
Biology and Psychology / Motivation & Emotion/ Sexuality & Motivation
Biology and Psychology; HW: Assignment # 2 due
Ch. 3 Brain Quiz; Biology and Psychology
Sensation and Perception
Sensation and Perception
Sensation and Perception & Review for Midterm
Review for Midterm
Midterm
Special Topics: Consciousness- Drugs/Medicating Kids
Learning (Classical Cond.) – Ch. 6 & 7 Project
(select Ch. 15 Presentation topics)
Learning (Operant Cond. & Classical Cond.)
OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENT - Check blog - Founder’s Day Convocation
Learning (Operant Cond.)
Memory & Learning (Classical Cond.)
Memory – Ch. 6 & 7 project due
NO CLASS (Spring Break Holiday)
NO CLASS (Spring Break Holiday)
NO CLASS (Spring Break Holiday)
2
1 & 2
3
3
3
2
2
Chapter Number of Pts
1
1
1
20pts
60 PTS
20pts
3 & 17*
3
3
4
4
3 & 4
1 & 2
1,2,3,4
5*
70 PTS
6
6
6
6
6 & 7
7 50 PTS
My Pts/
Pts Possible
_____ /
_____
= %
_____ /
_____
= %

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M 3/30
W 4/01
F 4/03
M 4/06
W 4/08
F 4/10
M 4/13
W 4/15
F 4/17
M 4/20
W 4/22
F 4/24
M 4/27
W 4/29
F 5/03
M 5/04
W 5/06
F 5/08
Behaviorism & Operant Cond. WS & Go over test
*Select psychological disorder & partner
Voyage Through the Lifespan: Childhood; HW: Assignment # 3
Voyage Through the Lifespan: Childhood (In-class Assignment)
Voyage Through the Lifespan: Childhood
Voyage Through the Lifespan: Adolescence; HW: Assignment # 3 due
Voyage Through the Lifespan: Freud’s Stages of Psychosexual Develop.
Voyage Through the Lifespan: Adolescence &Adulthood
Discussion on Psychological Disorders & Presentation tips/Computer Lab
Computer Lab & Work on Presentations; 2-3 Sample Presentations
**4/17 - LAST DAY to Withdraw from Classes**
**Presentation Day 1**- Psychological Disorders
**Presentation Day 2**- Psychological Disorders
**Make- up Presentation Day 3**- Psychological Disorders &
Special Topics: Culture & Religion, Dreams, & Drugs
Review for Final Exam pt. 1
Review for Final Exam pt. 2
Review for Final Exam pt. 2
Final
Exam
Week
7
10
10
10
11
11 & 12*
12
15
15
20 pts
15
15
15 & 5*
15
1-7
9-12
1-7;
9-12
100 PTS
100 PTS
_____ /
_____
= %
_____ /
_____
= %