Collin College
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Syllabus / Fall 2015
Course Title: General Psychology
Course Number: PSYC-2301.S05
Classroom: I-229
Lecture Hours: 10:00 - 10:50 MWF
Credit Hrs. = 3 hrs.
Lecture Hrs. 3 hrs.
Lab Hrs: 0
Prerequisite: Meet TSI college-readiness standard for
Professor: Dan Lipscomb
Phone: (972) 881-5715
Office: H236 (H252)
Office Hours: 8:30 – 9:30 Mon - Thurs
2:30 – 3:30 Mon & Wed
-- or by appointment
Email: DLipscomb@collin.edu
Website: Blackboard [access through
Reading and Writing; or equivalent
Placement Assessment(s): Placement in
ENGL-1301; College-Level Reading
Cougarweb or elearning.collin.edu]
If Blackboard is temporarily unavailable use:
http://iws2.collin.edu/lipscomb/gp.htm
Course Description:
General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the
scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Measurable Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1. Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of
psychology. (Empirical and Quantitative Skills)
2. Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of
psychology. (Critical Thinking)
3. Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of
psychology.
4. Use terminology unique to the study of psychology. (Communication Skills)
5. Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.
(Social Responsibility)
6. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.
Required Textbook and Supplies:
Weiten, Wayne (2013). Psychology: Themes and Variations. 9th Edition. Cengage / Wadsworth
Publishers [ISBN-13 9781111354749]
Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda (2009). Critical Thinking: Tools and Concepts. Foundation for
Critical Thinking Press.
Course Delivery Method:
Class sessions may include the use of lectures, audio-visual material, small group projects, lab
projects, and open discussions. Students are also responsible for learning assigned information
from the textbook. During class sessions, student questions and comments are welcomed and
encouraged.
Method of Evaluation:
Course grade will be determined by student performance on (1) four unit tests, and (2) lab
assignments. These are weighted as follows:
Laboratory Projects
Unit Tests
Total Possible
A=
B=
C=
D=
F=
720 - 800 points
640 - 719 points
560 - 639 points
480 - 559 points
479 points or below
200 points
600 points
800 points
NOTE: In borderline grade cases, perfect
attendance and class participation will be
taken into consideration.
Tests:
Tests will consist of multiple-choice items. Tests are given in class on the date specified in the
Course Calendar (page 4) of this syllabus. However, due to occasional variances in the schedule,
a test may be given one class session before or one class session after the date specified on the
course calendar. If there is a change in the test date, it will be announced in class. It is the
student’s responsibility to be aware of possible changes in the test schedule. On test day, the
student must bring (1) a standard Scantron Answer Form (mini-bluebook forms are not permitted),
and (2) a #2 pencil. Scantron forms may be purchased in the college bookstore, or from the
vending machine in front of the bookstore. Mini-Bluebook Scantron forms are not permitted.
Test Score Reporting: Test scores are posted on the Blackboard course site typically within 24
hours of the exam. Note: The test score posted on Blackboard is a point number, not a
percentage. For example, Tests 2, 3 and 4 are worth up to 160 points and the score posted will be
a number of points out of 160 possible. Therefore, a posted score of 98 points does not mean
98%, but rather 98 divided by 160 = 61%, a low D score.
Make-up Test Policy: In the event of an emergency, a make-up test may be arranged at no
penalty providing that (1) the student has a valid excuse and (2) the student contacts the instructor
prior to the scheduled date for the test to be missed. If a test is missed without prior contact with
the professor, a make-up test (subject to a 10% penalty) may be arranged.
Lab Assignments:
Lab assignments are a required and significant component of the course. Therefore it is crucial
that the student successfully complete and submit all lab assignments. Most labs consist of an
activity related to the current topic and a written response to the activity. Lab assignments are
graded qualitatively. That is, simply doing the lab activity and turning in the write-up will not
guarantee that the student will earn the maximum possible points for that lab. Students sometime
ask ‘why did I receive only 10 points on a 15 point lab assignment?’ The most common reason a
student did not receive full point value is that the written answers were too brief, or briefer than
what is common for the assignment. A secondary reason is not following instructions or not
including all required parts of the assignment. Therefore, to ensure a higher lab score, be very
thorough when completing a lab write-up, and follow the instructions carefully. Considering the
point system used to determine the course grade, it is important to note that failing to submit even
one or two lab assignments may result in the lowering of the course grade by one letter. Lab
assignment instructions are located within the Blackboard website for this course and can be
accessed by clicking on the ‘Assignments’ tab on the left side navigation bar.
Late Assignments: As a rule, late work is not accepted. However, if an assignment deadline is
missed due to a genuine extenuating circumstance, contact the professor.
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend all class sessions. As the tests will cover much of the material
that has been presented in class, regular attendance is essential for satisfactory performance in
the course. In addition, tests will include material presented in class that is not included in the
textbook. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class session. A student arriving late
to class will be counted as absent unless there is a genuine, extenuating circumstance.
Grade Penalty for Excessive Absences / Tardies:
Students missing 9 or more class
sessions will incur a -10% semester grade penalty, and -10% for each additional 9 absences.
2 Tardies = 1 Absence
Student Technology in the Classroom:
Cell phones must be turned off or to vibrate during class sessions. Except in the case of a
genuine emergency, cell phones may not be answered or used during class sessions. Laptop or
tablet computers may be used only with permission from the professor.
Withdrawing From the Course:
NOTE: Students who stop attending class sessions but do not officially drop the course will
receive a performance grade of "F" not "W". To drop a course the student must contact the
Registrar's Office on any campus. The Spring Creek Campus registrar is located in G103.
THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW from the course and receive a "W" is Friday October 16,
2015.
IMPORTANT: POLICY ON WITHDRAWING FROM & RETAKING A COURSE
Collin students are permitted to enroll in the same only twice. If a student enrolls in a course at Collin,
and receive an F, a W, or any other unsatisfactory grade, the student may enroll in that same course only
one additional time at Collin. The course may be taken a third time at a different college or university, but
not at any of the Collin campuses.
Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance:
Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and
guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or
972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the
current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
Scholastic Dishonesty
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 work. Students found responsible by the Dean of
Students for acts of scholastic dishonesty will receive a grade of zero for the exam or
assignment related to the infraction.
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. Three key terms related to scholastic dishonesty include:
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 assignment 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.
Religious Holy Holidays
Please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook.
Psi Beta
Psi Beta is the National Honor Society in Psychology for two-year colleges. The
organization was founded to encourage, promote and recognize interest and excellence
in psychology, to advance the science of psychology, and to nurture scholarship in all
fields of study. A student need not be a member of the national organization to
participate in the activities of the Collin County chapter of Psi Beta. Membership
requirements for the national organization included (1) currently enrolled at Collin
College, (2) have completed at least 12 credit hours, (3) have completed at least one
psychology course, (4) have at least a "B" average in psychology, (5) have an overall
GPA of 3.0 or better, and (6) have paid the onetime fee which includes both the lifetime
national registration fee and local chapter dues. For additional information, contact
Professor Jennifer Brooks or Professor Josh Arduengo, Collin chapter sponsors, for
information on local chapter events and meeting times.
Course Calendar
Date
Topic
Chapter
Project Due Date
08/24
08/26
08/28
Course Introduction
The Science of Psychology
The Science of Psychology
1
1
1
08/31
1
09/02
09/04
Defining Psychology
History of Psychology
Psychology and Psychiatry
Theoretical Perspectives
Research Methods
09/07
09/09
09/11
Labor Day Holiday
Research Methods
Test #1
2
2
Critical Thinking Assignment Due
09/14
09/16
09/18
Biological Foundations
Biological Foundations
Biological Foundations
3
3
3
Experimental Design Due
09/21
09/23
09/25
Sensation & Perception
Sensation & Perception
Consciousness, Sleep & Dreams
4
4
5
Brain Style Test Lab Due
09/28
09/30
10/02
Consciousness, Sleep & Dreams
Consciousness, Sleep & Dreams
Intelligence
5
5
9
[TBA] Assignment Due
10/05
10/07
10/09
Intelligence
Test #2
Learning
9
Intelligence Test Lab Due
10/12
10/14
10/16
Learning
Learning
Learning
6
6
6
10/19
10/21
10/23
Memory
Memory
Motivation & Emotion
7
7
10
Operant Conditioning Lab Due
10/26
10/28
10/30
Motivation & Emotion
Social Psychology
Social Psychology
10
13
13
Memory Explorations Lab Due
11/02
11/04
11/06
Social Psychology
Test #3
Personality Theories
13
Prison Study or Norm Violation Due
Start Work on Critical
Thinking Assignment
1
2
6
12
11/09
11/11
11/13
Personality Theories
Personality Theories
Psychological Disorders
12
12
14
11/16
11/18
11/20
Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorders
15
15
15
11/23
11/25
11/27
Psychological Disorders
Thanksgiving Holiday
Thanksgiving Holiday
15
11/30
12/02
12/04
Psychological Disorders
Therapy
Therapy
15
16
16
12/07
Test #4 / Monday December 7, 10:00 a.m., in Room I-229
Personality Tests Lab Due
Diagnosing Disorders Due
Student Choice Lab Due
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY GRADE CALCULATION FORM
Course grade will be determined by student performance on (1) four unit tests, and (2) lab
assignments. These variables will be weighted as follows:
TEST #1
TEST #2
TEST #3
TEST #4
LAB TOTAL
TOTAL POINTS
Chapter 1 & 2
Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 9
Chapters 6, 7, 10 & 13
Chapters 12, 15 & 16
All Lab Activities
(50 Q)
(60 Q)
(60 Q)
(75 Q)
(11 Labs)
(15%)
(20%)
(20%)
(20%)
(25%)
(120)
(160)
(160)
(160)
(200)
______
______
______
______
______
(100%)
(800)
______
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY / LAB CHECKLIST
No.
Lab Project
Points
1.
Critical Thinking Assignment
20
2.
Experimental Design or Research Methods Project
20
3.
Brain Style Test
15
4.
Sleep and Dream Quizzes [or TBA Alternative]
15
5..
Intelligence Test
16
6.
Behavior Shaping / Operant Conditioning
16
7.
Memory Explorations
18
8.
Stanford Prison Study or Social Norm Violation
16
9.
Personality Tests
 Jung Typology Test [Objective Test]
 Sentence Completion Test [Projective Test]
Diagnosing Mental Disorders
30
Student Choice Lab / Select from the Following:
 Stress Assessment
 Life Expectancy Projection Lab
 Emotional Intelligence
 The ‘Big Five’ Personality Test
 Career Assessment (see professor early for this one)
 Stroop Test -- Sensory Testing
 Film Analysis
 Other Options / Suggest Your Own Project
16
LAB TOTAL
200
10.
11.
Score
18
Technical Problems with Blackboard?
If you encounter technical problems with Blackboard, there are three options for
assistance.
Call 972-377-1777 to contact the Collin College Blackboard Help Desk.
Email the Student Technical Support center at sts@collin.edu
You may also access the Online Student Support Center (OSSC) at
http://online.collin.edu/