Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2009
Course Prefix and Number: PSY 101-15
Course Title: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: MW 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 PM
Introduction:
The purpose of this course is to provide the opportunity to acquire comprehensive knowledge of human
behavior. As a behavioral science, psychology utilizes a multidisciplinary approach drawing on many
avenues of research. Although there are no absolute answers in this discipline, psychology is a science
that uses both empirical research and statistics to support the merits of each theory. On the surface much
of psychology may appear to be common sense, because it is a subject matter that everyone can relate to;
however, psychology is a complex and difficult field made up of a wide range of theories, philosophies, and
convictions about human nature.
The study of human behavior is essential to understanding not only ourselves, but also the social context in
which we exist. As students examine topics such as interpersonal relations, mental illness, parenting, and
sexuality, they should challenge themselves to widen their perspectives and apply their growing
understanding of human behavior to the real world.
Catalog Description:
The study of psychology as a science and the determinants of human personality and functioning. This
course also focuses on how we may use the principles of physical and emotional/cognitive growth,
learning, personality functioning and coping, and social interactions in our everyday lives.
Instructor Information:
Instructors names: Renee Lewis & Douglas Simeone
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 268-8575
Email addresses: Renee.Lewis@heartland.edu & Doug.Simeone@heartland.edu
Website: http://employee.heartland.edu/dsimeone/index.htm
Location of Doug’s office: WDC 1215 (located in WDC 1200 office area)
Days and hours of Doug’s office hours:
Mondays: 1:15 – 1:45 p.m. in Pontiac (1/2 hour)
Tuesdays: 11:15 – 12:15 in Lincoln (1 hour)
Wednesdays: 1:15 – 1:45 in Pontiac (1/2 hour)
Thursdays: 9:45 – 11:30 on campus; 2:00 – 3:15 in Lincoln (3 hours)
Students may also schedule an appointment to see Renee or Doug.
Textbook:
Required:
Bacon.
Wood, Wood & Boyd. (2008) The World of Psychology. 6th. Ed. Boston, MA. Allyn &
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S.
degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the
Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However,
students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer
to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for more information.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
General Education Program and Course Learning Outcomes:
PSY 101 is a course within the General Education Program at Heartland, and as such, contains
learning outcomes that help students develop proficiency in Communication, Diversity,
Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking. Specifically, upon completion of this course, students will
develop an increased proficiency in the following areas:
Communication:
1. Apply the many theories and concepts of psychology to real life.
Diversity:
1. Understand, apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of psychology including
biological, psychodynamic, social, behavioral, and cognitive views.
Problem Solving:
1. Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the history of science and research methods that
have developed in psychology.
Critical Thinking:
1. Understand, apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of psychology including
biological, psychodynamic, social, behavioral, and cognitive views.
2. Apply the many theories and concepts of psychology to real life.
Other:
1. Understand the importance of neurobiology and physiology and its impact on human behavior and
development.
2. Identify and appraise various abilities, functions, failures, and pathology of human behavior and
mental processes.
3. Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of various theories and factors related to developmental
processes throughout the lifespan, and the role of testing to assess those processes.
4. Identify and appraise how psychology research and theory can improve human functioning at all
stages of life.
Course/Lab Outline:
This outline is a brief representation of what each instructor will include while teaching this class. There
may be additional material that is included; each instructor may vary the presentation of the topics as well
as how much time is spent on each topic.
1.
Introduction to Psychology
a.
Descriptive Research Methods
b.
Experimental Research Methods
c.
Participants in Research
d.
History of Psychology
2.
Biology and Behavior
a.
Neurons and Neurotransmitters
b.
The Different Nervous Systems
c.
The Cerebral Hemispheres
3.
Sensation and Perception
a.
Sensation: The Sensory World
b.
Vision, Hearing and Other Senses
c.
Perception: Ways of Perceiving
4.
States of Consciousness
a.
What is Consciousness?
b.
Sleep and Sleep Disorders
c.
Altering and Altered States of Consciousness
5.
Learning
a.
Classical Conditioning
b.
Operant Conditioning
c.
Cognitive and Observational Learning
6.
Memory
a.
Processes and Systems of Memory
b.
Remembering
c.
Forgetting
d.
Factors Affecting Retrieval
e.
Improving Memory
7.
Cognition and Language
a.
Decision Making
b.
Problem Solving
c.
Language Skills
8.
Intelligence and Creativity
a.
Nature of Intelligence
b.
c.
Measuring Intelligence
Creativity
9.
Child Development
a.
Basic Issues and Methodology
b.
Heredity
c.
Emotional Development
d.
Piaget’s Approach
e.
Erikson’s Approach
10.
Adolescent and Adulthood
a.
Physical and Cognitive Development
b.
Moral and Social Development
c.
Early and Middle Adulthood
d.
Late Adulthood
11.
Motivation and Emotion
a.
Theories of Motivation
b.
Social Motives
c.
What and Why of Emotions
d.
Expression of Emotion
12.
Human Sexuality and Gender
a.
Biology of Gender
b.
Gender Roles
c.
Gender Differences
d.
Sexual Attitudes and Behavior
13.
Personality Theory and Assessment
a.
Psychoanalytic Approach
b.
Neo-Freudians
c.
Trait Theories
d.
Learning Theories
e.
Humanistic Theories
14.
Health and Stress
a.
Theories of Stress
b.
Sources of Stress
c.
Coping with Stress
d.
Lifestyle, Health and Disease
15.
Psychological Disorders
a.
Perspectives on Abnormal Behavior
b.
Schizophrenia
c.
Mood Disorders
d.
e.
Anxiety Disorders
Dissociative Disorders
16.
Therapies
a.
Insight Therapies
b.
Behavior Therapies
c.
Cognitive Therapies
d.
Biological Therapies
17.
Social Psychology
a.
Social Perception
b.
Attraction
c.
Conformity and Obedience
d.
Group Influence
e.
Attitudes
f.
Prejudice
g.
Prosocial Behavior
h.
Aggression
Methods of Instruction:
Instructional methods for this course may include lecture, group discussions, small group activities and the
use of videos.
Course Policies:
Methods of Assessment:
Guidelines for the reflection papers and research paper are posted on the class
web page, and can be found at:
http://employee.heartland.edu/dsimeone/Psy 101/psy101mainpage.htm
Reflection Papers: Students are required to turn in 4 reflection papers during the course of
the semester. For each paper students will need to use their critical thinking skills to discuss
a current event or study of their choice that is directly related to psychology. Students must
include a copy of the event/study, a brief summary of the event/study (1 paragraph), their
reaction to it (about four paragraphs…this is the important part as most of your grade will be
dependent upon how much thought you put into your analysis), and to which chapter in the
book the event/study is relevant and why (1 paragraph). Each entry should be between 1 ½
and 2 pages long and must be typed and double-spaced. Assignments must be turned in
by 3:35 p.m. on the due dates. Students who have not turned in their paper by the
deadline will receive a score of zero for the assignment. Spelling and grammar count.
Each entry is worth up to 25 points.
Total points possible – 100
Research Paper: Students are required to complete a 5 page diversity/behavioral-related
research paper. Students are required to conduct research on a race or ethnicity different
from their own and, based on the research, theorize how their life might be different had they
been born and lived as a member of that race or ethnicity. Research papers must be
turned in by 3:35 p.m. on the due date. Students who have not turned in their paper by
the deadline will receive a score of zero. Students will be given more details about this
paper within the first two weeks of the semester. The paper is worth up to 100 points.
Total points possible – 100
Semester Exams: Students will be given three exams during the course of the semester.
Students will be tested on material taken from the lectures as well as material from the text
that I have not lectured on. Each exam will be worth 50 points.
Make-up Exam Policy: Students missing class on an exam day must contact me before
class begins to let me know why they won’t be in class. Prior to making up the exam
students must provide appropriate written documentation (e.g., doctor’s note) as to
why the exam was missed. Students not following these guidelines will not be
permitted to make up the exam and will receive a score of zero. The make-up exam will
consist of 7 essay questions, of which the student will have to respond to the 5 of his/her
choice. The exam must be made up within 1 week of when the in-class exam was
administered, and will be taken in the Testing Center. Students who have not taken the
make-up exam within the one week time frame will receive a score of 0 on the exam.
Students who know ahead of time that they won’t be in class for a scheduled exam can take
the exam early. Students needing to take an exam early must give me at least 2 days notice
prior to taking the exam. Students will be given at least 1 week’s notice as to when an exam
will be administered. Students can only make up one exam. Students missing more than
one exam will receive a score of zero on each additional exam missed.
Total points possible for Semester Exams - 150
Final Exam: There will be a comprehensive final exam worth 200 points. Missed final
exams cannot be made up, but they can be taken early if there is a valid reason for
doing so.
Total points possible – 200
Final Grade Determination: Students can earn up to 550 points in this class. Reflection
papers are worth 100 points. The research project is worth 100 points. The semester exams
are worth 150 points. The Final Exam is worth 200 points. Each student’s final grade will be
determined as follows:
495-550 points earned = A (90-100%)
440-494 points earned = B (80-89%)
385-439 points earned = C (70-79%)
330-384 points earned = D (60-69%)
329 points and below = F (59% and below)
Participation and Attendance: It is expected that students will participate in each class in a meaningful
way. My expectation is that students will voluntarily respond to questions posed. Most students may not
know the answers too many of the questions posed during class. I do, however, expect students to think
critically about what has been asked, and to then make an attempt to respond to it. Remember, the only
days in class you need to know all the answers are the exam days.
It is expected that students will attend each class. While I will be taking attendance each day, it will not
impact a student’s grade. Students not attending class do, however, run the risk of being dropped at
midterm if they have not completed the required exams and/or turned in their assignments.
Incompletes: Policy as written in Heartland Community College’s catalogue.
Extra Credit: As this instructor does not believe in artificially inflating grades, students should not depend
on receiving extra credit points as a means of improving their grade.
Deadlines: Any and all assignments must be turned in by the due date. Late assignments will not be
accepted, resulting in a score of zero for the assignment..
Required Writing and Reading:
Every instructor will require a minimum of 10 pages of writing from each student. This may be
accomplished through a combination of various writing requirements such as: term papers, essay questions
on exams, journals, or other written assignments.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is
essential to the credibility of the College=s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be
competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The
College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary
measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of
academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning cheating or
other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records
or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems.
Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create a
project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that which is
attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense
and may take the following forms:
1
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
4
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
5
Paraphrasing someone else=s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were
your own.
6
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it were
your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure -on the particular piece of work, failure in
the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from
the Modem Language Association=s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Support Services:
Academic Support Services (Academic Support Center)
Heartland Library Information http://www.heartland.edu/library
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides Heartland
students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers,
periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information.
For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Open Computing Lab: www.hcc.cc.il.us/asc/computerlab.htmlThe Open Computing Lab provides free
computing for HCC students at convenient times throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by
trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an
electric typewriter.
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions: Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under
Cancelled Class Meetings in the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page
on the HCC Web site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a
message from the instructor.
Syllabi disclaimer: This syllabus is printed on paper, not written in stone. It is possible that changes will
occur in regard to the material covered during the course of the semester. Changes will not be made in
regard to the point totals of the quizzes/assignments or any of the exams. Further, changes will not be
made in how the student’s final grade is determined.
Course Calendar:
Introduction to Psychology
Biology and Behavior
Sensation and Perception
EXAM 1
States of Consciousness
Learning
Memory
EXAM 2
*Developmental Psychology
Human Sexuality & Gender
EXAM 3
Personality Theory & Assessment
Psychological Disorders
Therapies
Attribution Theory
Motivation & Emotion
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapters 8 & 9
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 10
*Information from chapter 7 (Cognition, Language & Intelligence) and 12 (Health and Stress) will be
covered as part of chapters 9 and 10
DATES OF NOTE:
Sept. 7th (Mon.)
Nov. 4th (Wed.)
Nov. 25 – 27
Dec. 7th (Mon.)
LABOR DAY – NO CLASSES
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM 16-WEEK CLASSES
THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSES
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM (2:00 - 3:50 PM)
Due dates for the reflection papers and projects will be included with the handouts/online postings
that detail the requirements for each assignment. Exams dates will be announced in class and also
posted online.
Adapted by the Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee June 1998. Adapted 6/98