General Psychology Syllabus
Course Number: PSYC 2301
Course Title: General Psychology
Course Description: Introduction to scientific psychology as applied to human
behavior, including research methods, physiological factors, learning, motivation,
emotions, personality, adjustment, stress, psychological disorders and therapies. These
principles will be applied to the human experience.
Instructor’s Name: Kim Tanuvasa, M.A.
Office Number: B-342
Office Hours: By appointment only, Tuesday 6:30-7pm
Phone Number: (972) 548-6830
Email: ktanuvasa@collin.edu
Class Information:
Section Number: PSYC 2301 C70
Meeting Times: Tuesday 7:00-9:45 pm
Meeting Location: LA236, CPC
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours: 3
Placement Assessment(s): Placement in ENGL 1301; College-Level Reading.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students
should be able to do the following:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of psychology and its development.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific methods used to study behavior
and mental processes.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic vocabulary of psychology.
4. Describe the basic theories of psychology, how they are used, and their current
status in the discipline.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of basic processes such as motivation, learning,
emotions, group processes, personality, and human development.
6. Demonstrate an appreciation for the uniqueness of the individual.
7. Demonstrate a respect for cultural differences in the human experience.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how to apply the above to everyday life
through critical thinking and communication.
Additional Student Learning Outcomes: Students will develop mastery of terms,
concepts, and issues in psychology.
Course Resources: PowerPoint slides are accessible through Blackboard. The
following textbook is required reading:
Myers, D. G. (2011). Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-6178-4
ISBN-10: 1-4292-6178-1
Supplies: 4 scantrons (#882) & #2 pencil, notebook & pen
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class regularly to maximize
learning. In the event of an absence, students are responsible to check Blackboard for
important announcements and obtain missed information from classmates.
The last day to withdraw from the class and receive a “W” is
October 19, 2012.
Withdrawal Policy:
Collin College Academic Policies: “See the current Collin Student Handbook.”
Americans with Disabilities Act: 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, CPC-D118I or 972.548.6816
(V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate
accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook
for additional information.
Method of Evaluation:
Exams: There will be 4 multiple-choice exams that cover 4 chapters at a time, of which
only 3 exams will be counted. The lowest exam score will be dropped. Exams are
worth 100 points each.
Assignments: Students are expected to complete 5 assignments for a total of 20 points
each. Assignments will be accessible through Blackboard.
Extra Credit: Periodically there will be opportunities to earn extra credit, such as, inclass only pop quizzes, research experiments, or critical thinking papers. Additional
extra credit will be posted on Blackboard during the semester.
Your grade will be based on your overall performance using the following breakdown.
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Assignments
TOTAL:
100
100
100
100
400
A
B
C
D
F
358-400
318-357
278-317
238-277
0-237
Make-up exam/assignment policy: Exams and assignments may only be made up by
either extenuating circumstances or religious holy days. For extenuating circumstances,
such as illness, death in family, family emergency, etc., students are expected to notify
the instructor as soon as possible and provide appropriate documentation, such as a
doctor’s note, bereavement letter, etc. The acceptance of documentation and any
exception to this policy is at the instructor’s discretion.
Course Calendar: Fall 2012
Note: The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to this syllabus. If
such changes are made, they will be provided on Blackboard.
Date
Chapters
August 28
Introduction
Chapter 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
September 4
Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind
September 11
Chapter 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
September 18
Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity
September 25
EXAM 1 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4)
Chapter 5: Developing Through the Lifespan
October 2
Chapter 5: Developing Through the Lifespan
Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception
October 9
Chapter 7: Learning
October 16
Chapter 8: Memory
Chapter 9: Thinking and Language
October 19
Last day to withdraw
October 23
EXAM 2 (chapters 5, 6, 7, 8)
Chapter 10: Intelligence
October 30
Chapter 10: Intelligence
Chapter 11: Motivation and Work
November 6
November 13
Chapter 12: Emotions, Stress, and Health
EXAM 3 (chapters 9, 10, 11,12)
Chapter 13: Personality
November 20
Chapter 14: Social Psychology
November 27
Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders
ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE
December 4
Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders
Chapter 16: Therapy
December 11
EXAM 4 (chapters 13, 14, 15, 16)