SYLLABUS
PSYC 1113 Introduction to Psychology
Fall 2015
COURSE INFORMATION
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
Time: 1:15-2:05 pm (CRN:17834)
Rm #:1713
Instructor: Kathryn M. Holmes
Email: kathryn.holmes@tulsacc.edu
TO CONTACT HIGH SCHOOL RELATIONS:
Associate Dean: Cindy Shanks (SEC 4107)
Phone Number: (918) 595-7780
TEXTBOOKS & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:
Feldman, R.S. (2011). Understanding Psychology, 11th Ed. New York : McGraw-Hill
COURSE DESCRIPTION (TCC Catalog 2014-2015):
Psychology’s use of the scientific method to understand behavior and mental processes is the focus of this survey class.
As the foundation class for more advanced classes in psychology, this class will cover the scientific method,
biopsychology, learning, lifespan development, personality theories, and psychological disorders. Other topics covered
may include states of consciousness, sensation and perception, memory, motivation, emotion, stress, social psychology,
and therapies. This course has no prerequisite.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• To gain a better understanding of the field of psychology both historic and current.
• To become familiar with the research methodology commonly used by psychologists.
• To become familiar with the biological bases of behavior.
• To develop an understanding of processes involved in learning and cognition.
• To develop an understanding of the various types of development that an individual experiences across the
life-course.
• To become familiar with the theories concerning psychological health and disorders.
• To become familiar with the theories concerning personality.
SYLLABUS CHANGES
Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in
writing.
TEACHING METHODS
A lecture/discussion format will be used, with additional in- and outside- class activities to supplement and enhance
lectures and readings. Students will need to keep current on their reading assignments in order to be prepared for class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
 Exams: Over the course of the semester you will take 4 quizzes and 2 exams. They will consist of multiple choice
questions. The exam dates are listed in the course schedule.
 Assignments: You will have 25 assignments which are worth 2 points each. The assignments will be assigned
during class and may include in-class work and group work. If you miss class the day of an assignment, it is your
responsibility to find out what you have missed. I will accept one late assignment per student.
 Participation: Participation is based on attendance and participation in discussions and group work.
GRADING SCALE AND SUMMARY
2 Exams
100 points (50 points each)
4 Quizzes
100 points (25 points each)
25 In-Class Assignments
50 points (2 points each)
Participation/Attendance
50 points
Total Points Possible:
300 points
A = 270-300 points
B = 240-269 points
C = 210-239 points
D = 180-209 points
F = less than 179 points
EXTRA CREDIT:
Service Learning (5 points)
Please Note: Unlike high school teachers, I will not be updating grades on a weekly basis. Instead, I will update the
Blackboard grade book once a month and/or after grading assignments. The “grade-to-date” column in the Blackboard
grade book will reflect your current grade for eligibility purposes.
GROUP REPORT
Group reports will be given the last class session before the Final Exam. Guidelines: 3 students per group;
15 minute time limit. Each student will be given 25 points for participating, and the 25 points will replace a missed quiz
OR the student’s lowest quiz grade. Each student should present a portion of the report. Videos, interviews, posters
and other instructional media are encouraged.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online
discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each
other. Use of any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
You are expected to attend all class sessions. Attendance is a must to successful completion of this course. If for some
reason you must miss a class session, you are held responsible for all materials covered during your absence and any
changes made in the agenda. If you miss a total of 3 or more class hours, an Excessive Absence Notice will be issued and
your high school will be notified. You will also be subject to an Administrative Withdrawal for non-attendance.
MAKE-UP EXAMS
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN EXCEPT FOR THE MID-TERM EXAM. IF A QUIZ IS MISSED, THE STUDENT MAY DO
A GROUP REPORT PROJECT TO COVER THE MISSED QUIZ.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL
The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at
any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course ('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC
Academic Calendar for deadlines. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a
course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
COMMUNICATION
Email: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex: jane.doe@tulsacc.edu). All communications
to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your MyTCC email address; and you must use MyTCC email to
send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this course.
Inclement Weather: If extreme weather conditions occur, TCC sends alerts to all students
(http://www.tulsacc.edu/about-tcc/tcc-alerts), gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations, and posts
notifications on the TCC website. If you lose power, call the TCC main number (918-595-7000) for an updated, recorded
message regarding closure.
If the high school closes and TCC does not, students will be expected to complete any homework or assigned readings
and may be required to complete an online assignment, using Blackboard. Even when TCC is closed, students should
keep up with the course agenda and check Blackboard for updates on assignments.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS
General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a
common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General
Education goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
TCC provides accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For
information, students may contact the disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of
another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community
College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to
the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of
disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:
 Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment or
test;
 Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
 Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively withdraw the student from
the class;
 Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester. Faculty may request that disciplinary action be
taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.
Institutional Statement: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog,
the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information
may be viewed on the TCC website: www.tulsacc.edu
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
This is a tentative schedule for the Fall 2015 semester. This schedule is subject to change AT ANY TIME due to progress
of class discussion, inclement weather, or other circumstances. Changes may be posted on BlackBoard or discussed
verbally in class.
Topic and Assignments
Date
Ch. 1: Introduction to Psychology
August 27 (Quiz 1: open book)
Ch. 2: Psychological Research
Ch. 3: Neuroscience and Behavior
Ch. 5: States of Consciousness
September 24 (Quiz 2)
Ch.6: Learning
Ch. 7: Memory
October 8 (Mid-Term Exam)
Ch. 9: Intelligence
Ch. 10: Motivation and Emotion
Ch. 12: Development
October 29 (Quiz 3)
Ch. 13: Personality
Ch. 17: Social Psychology
Ch. 15: Psychological Disorders
November 19 (Quiz 4)
Ch. 16: Treatment
Group Reports
November 30
Final Exam
Week of December 7
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