South Portland, Maine 04106
Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Jennifer Noel, LCSW
Office Hours: By Appointment
Catalog Number: PSYC 100 B3
Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 8:45 pm
Total Contact Hours: 45
Room : Brunswick Campus, 102 Academic Building
Email : jnoel@smccme.edu
Course Syllabus
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.
Prerequisite(s): none Corequisite(s): ENGL-050, ENGL-075
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Define psychology as a discipline and explain its history, and how it is distinct from and related to other disciplines.
Explain how psychology is a science and become familiar with the research methods used by psychologists, including different
research designs, limitations of research findings, and APA ethical principles.
Explore the subject matter of the field of psychology and become familiar with the vocabulary, major concepts, theories, and
research findings of psychology.
Further develop critical thinking skills by applying them to the field of psychology
Become a cautious and analytical consumer of psychological information that is proclaimed to be scientific or based on research
and recognize the usefulness and limitations of research findings.
Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organization issues.
Become aware & respectful of diversity issues which affect behavior & psychological processes and 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.
Text, Tools and / or Supplies
• Sdorow, L.M., Rickabaugh, C. A. & Betz, A. J. Psychology, 7th Ed. ( 2015). Academic Media Solutions
• Required online component: Blackboard – (http://blackboard.smccme.edu)
Topical Outline of Instruction
The Nature of Psychology – Chapter 1
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1.Contemporary perspectives used by psychologists to understand behavior and mental processes in context
2. Major subfields and career opportunities that comprise psychology
3. The definition and history of psychology
Psychology as a Science – Chapter 2 (and part of Ch 17 Social Psychology)
1. Research strategies used by psychologists to explore behavior and mental processes
2. Purpose and basic concepts of statistics
3. Ethical issues in research
4. Development of psychology as an empirical science
5. Social judgment and attitudes, attribution theory
6. Social influence and relationships
Biopsychological Basis of Behavior – Chapter 3
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Structure and function of the neuron
2. Organization of the nervous system
3. Hierarchical organization of the structure and function of the brain
4. Technologies and clinical methods for studying the brain
5. Structure and function of the endocrine system
6. How heredity interacts with the environment to influence behavior
7. How psychological mechanisms are influenced by evolution
Human Development – Chapter 4 (and part of Ch 9 on Language)
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Development as a lifelong process
2. Research techniques used to gather data on the developmental process
3. Theories of development
4. Issues surrounding the developmental process (nature/nurture, continuity/discontinuity,
stability/instability, critical periods)
5. Structural features of language
6. Theories and developmental stages of language acquisition
7. Links between thinking and language
Sensation and Perception – Chapter 5
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Basic concepts explaining the capabilities and limitations of sensory processes
2. Interaction of the person and the environment in determining perception
3. How different senses work
Consciousness – Chapter 6
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Nature of consciousness
2. Characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep
3. Theories used to explain and interpret dreams
4. Basic phenomena and uses of hypnosis
5. Categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects
Learning – Chapter 7
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Characteristics of learning
2. Principles of classical conditioning
3. Principles of operant conditioning
4. Components of social, observational, and cognitive learning
5. Roles of biology and culture in determining learning
Memory – Chapter 8
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1.Encoding, or getting information into memory
2. Sensory, working or short-term, and long-term memory systems
3. Retrieval, or getting information out of memory
4. Biological basis of memory
5. Memory constructions
6. Methods for improving memory
Intelligence – Chapter 10 (and part of Ch 9 Thought)
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Basic elements comprising thought
2. Strategies and obstacles involved in problem solving and decision-making
3. Influence and interaction of heredity and environment on intelligence
4. Nature of intelligence and intelligence testing
5. Theories of Intelligence
Motivation and Emotion – Chapter 11 and Chapter 12
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. The role of biology and learning in motivation and emotion
2. Major theories of motivation
3. Interaction of biological and cultural factors in emotions and motivations
4. Role of values and expectancies in determining choice and strength of motivation
5. Physiological, social cultural, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of emotions
6. Effects of motivation and emotion on perception, cognition, and behavior
Personality – Chapter 13
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. How to distinguish between personality and personality constructs
2. Personality approaches and theories
3. Assessment tools used in personality
Psychological Disorders – Chapter 14
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Characteristics and origins of abnormal behavior
2. Classifying abnormal behavior
3. Major categories of abnormal behavior
4. Impact of mental disorders
Therapy – Chapter 15
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Prominent methods used to treat individuals with disorders
2. Types of practitioners who implement treatment
3. Challenges involved in delivery of treatment
Psychology and Health – Chapter 16
After concluding this unit, students understand:
1. Sources of stress
2. Physiological reactions to stress
3. Psychological reactions to stress
4. Cognitive and behavioral strategies for dealing with stress and promoting health
Class Schedule and Assignments (adjustments may be made as semester progresses):
Week and Chapter
Week 1 – September 1
Chapter 1
Assignments
• In Class Tuesday, September 1 – Blackboard Reading Quiz
The Nature of Psychology
Week 2 – September 8
Chapter 2
Psychology as a Science
• Practice using Blackboard
• For Tues, September 8 – read Chapter 2 and complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz BEFORE CLASS
Week 3 – September 15
Chapter 3
Biopsychological Bases of Behavior
Week 4 – September 22
Chapter 4
Human Development
(and part of Ch 9 on Language,
• For Tues, September 15 – read Chapter 3, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz BEFORE CLASS
• BRING TO CLASS: printed copy of Critical Thinking article
found via SMCC online library (See Bb for more instructions)
• DUE BEFORE CLASS ON BLACKBOARD Tues,
September 22 – Critical Thinking Assignment #1
• For Tues, September 22 – read Chapter 4 & pp of 9…,
complete Blackboard Reading Quiz
pp 324 - 337)
Week 5 – September 29
Chapter 5
• For Tues, September 29 – read Chapter 5, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz
Sensation and Perception
Week 6 – October 6
Chapter 6
Consciousness
• For Tues, October 6 – read Chapter 6 & Ch 17 pp 596 – 606,
complete Blackboard Reading Quiz
(and part of Ch 17 – on attribution &
relationships, pp 596 - 606)
Week 7 – October 13
Chapter 7
Learning
&
• DUE IN CLASS Tues, October 13 – Locus of Control
Assignment
• For Tues, October 13 – read Chapter 7, complete Blackboard
Reading Quiz
Review for Midterm
Week 8 – October 20
• Review material from first 7 weeks on your own (with study
guide)
Midterm
MIDTERM IN CLASS – Tuesday, October 20
Week 9 – October 27
Chapter 8
Memory
• For Tues, October 27 – read Chapter 8, complete Blackboard
Reading Quiz
Week 10 – November 3
Chapter 10
Intelligence
(and part of Ch 9 on Thought,
• For Tues, November 3 – read Chapter 10 & part of Ch 9
pp…, complete Blackboard Reading Quiz
pp 309 - 324)
Week 11 – November 10
Chapter 11 & Chapter 12
Motivation and Emotion
• DUE BEFORE CLASS ON BLACKBOARD Tues, November
10 – Critical Thinking Assignment #2
• For Tues, November 10 – read Chapter 11 & 12, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz
Week 12 – November 17
Chapter 13
Personality
• For Tues, November 17 – read Chapter 13, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz
Week 13 – November 24
Chapter 14
Psychological Disorders
• For Tues, November 24 – read Chapter 14, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz
Week 14 – December 1
• DUE BEFORE CLASS ON BLACKBOARD Tues, December
1 – Critical Thinking Assignment #3
Chapter 15
Therapy
• For Tues, December 1 – read Chapter 15, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz
Week 15 – December 8
Chapter 16
Psychology and Health
• For Tues, December 8 – read Chapter 16, complete
Blackboard Reading Quiz
&
Review for Final Exam
Week 16 – December 15
• Review material from weeks 8 – 15 on your own (with study
guide)
Final Exam
DATE OF FINAL EXAM TBA
Intro to Psychology Core Requirements:
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Critical Thinking Requirement: Introduction to Psychology is designated as a Critical Thinking course. There may be
several critical thinking assignments during the semester. 25% of a student’s grade must be derived from critical
thinking assignments.
Information Literacy – One way to improve IL skills is through assignments. Students in this course must be able to
critically evaluate information and discern credible from non-credible material. For example, an assignment utilizing
the pod casts that are located on the Library “On-line Tutorials” may be included during the semester.
Metacognition – One of the major goals of this class is to strengthen your ability to be an engaged and motivated
learner. An assignment involving Attribution Theory and Locus of Control will be utilized during the semester.
Assessment of Textbook Reading – Students should be able to locate and integrate information using advanced
analysis of the meaning and form of the text. Students should be able to provide specific text support for inferences,
informative statements, and comparisons within and across readings.
Course Requirements/Grading:
25%
25%
25%
10%
10%
5%
100%
Critical Thinking Assignments
Weekly Blackboard Reading Quizzes (& any extra homework)
Exams
Metacognition/Attribution & Locus of Control
Attendance & Class Participation
Information Literacy
A
93-100
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
B
83-86
B-
80-82
C+
77-79
C
73-76
C-
70-72
D+
67-69
D
63-66
F
Failure
Critical Thinking Assignments
Introduction to Psychology has been designated by the college as a Critical Thinking course. There will be three critical thinking
assignments during the semester. 25% of your grade will be based on these assignments (each paper being about 8% of the final
grade). Guidelines and assignments will be discussed in class.
Blackboard Reading Quizzes
This course requires you to complete chapter quizzes on the reading material prior to the class in which it is discussed. You are asked
to read the chapter first, then complete the quiz on Blackboard before class. Quizzes that are completed after the corresponding
class will not receive full credit. Each quiz for the following week will be posted on Blackboard starting the day of the previous class.
For examples, after class on Tuesday, September 1 st, you will be able to access the quiz for Chapter 2. I will post directions about
quizzes on Blackboard, as well. The lowest two grades on these quizzes will be dropped.
Other Homework Assignments
There may be other homework assignments throughout the semester. You’ll need to attend class regularly, and check Blackboard if
you’re absent, in order to learn about extra assignments.
Exams
There will be two exams, to be taken during class time. The first will cover material from the first seven weeks, and the second will
cover the remaining material. If you miss a test, it is up to you to reschule.
Attribution assignment
You will be asked to determine your “Locus of Control” and to complete an assignment regarding your attribution style. More specific
directions will be distributed later in the semester.
Information Literacy
This assignment involves use and understanding of the SMCC library tools. More information will be given in class.
Attendance and other policies:
Attendance is required. Failure to attend class will result in a lower course grade. If you miss the first two classes without
contacting me, you will be reported as a NO SHOW to the administration and dropped from the class. Missing more than two classes
in a row without notifying me will result in you being dropped from the class and receiving an AF for your course grade. Excessive
unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade, and missing more than 5 classes over the course of the semester will result in an
F for the course. Coming to class late and/or leaving early may be counted as an absence.
Class participation is expected. You will be expected to collaborate with peers and contribute to class discussion as part of your
grade. Learning is generally enhanced the more one becomes involved in the process; participation increases personal involvment.
Please put cell phones on vibrate and please don’t text in class! It’s very discracting and I’m easily distracted. Tablets and
laptops may be allowed in class in special cases. Please see me if you have questions about these policies. Failure to abide by these
policies will result in class dismissal and an unexcused absence—(i.e., if it appears you are texting during class and/or are using a lap
top or tablet without permission, you will be asked to leave and it will be marked as an unexcused absence).
SEE STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR OTHER ACADEMIC 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.
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
•
•
8.5”x14” and 11”x17” black and white: $0.20 per page
8.5”x14” and 11”x17” color: $1.00 per page
Duplex (two-sided) pages are discounted 50% from the listed page costs.
Students can monitor their remaining credit and 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.
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.
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.