Collin College
Spring 2013
COURSE SYLLABUS: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: PSYC2301.S22
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.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours: 3 credit hours
Lab Hours: None
Placement Assessment(s): Placement in ENGL1301; College-Level Reading.
Student Learning Outcomes:
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 process 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.
Withdrawal Policy:
The last day to withdraw from the class and receive a “W” is
March 22, 2013. For more information “See the current Collin
Registration Guide for the last day to withdraw. “
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, 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.
Collin College
Spring 2013
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Patricia Prewitt Coble M.Ed., LPC
Office Number: Spring Creek Campus, Room K237
Office Hours: By appointment, Tues/Thurs 11:30 –1:30
Phone Number: 972-881-5759 (shared office number)
Email: pcoble@collin.edu (best method)
Class Information:
Section Number: PSYC 2301 S22
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
Meeting Location: Spring Creek Campus, Room I 112
Course Resources:
Textbook: Myers, D. (2013). Psychology 10th edition. New York: Worth Publishers.
A copy of this text is placed on “reserve” in the library.
Textbook Website : http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers10e/
Coble Psychology Class Instructional Website: http://iws2.collin.edu/pcoble
Supplies: Course textbook, student ID, library card, scantron forms, folder for portfolio,
sharpened pencils, paper.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend each class session, to arrive on time and
to stay until dismissed. Attendance is taken weekly.
The last day to withdraw and receive the grade of "W" is March 22, 2013.
Method of Evaluation:
Class Attendance and Participation Portfolio – 100 points (approximately 16% of final
grade): Weekly in class documented activities are completed and reviewed and are to be
organized into a “participation portfolio” that will be turned in (use flat folder) at the end of the
semester. In class activities cannot be made up if missed, however one weeks activity may be
omitted without impacting the total number of points available. Designated on your psychology
course calendar plan as “in class activities” or “ICA”.
Exams (approximately 68% of final grade): There will be 4 exams worth up to 100 points each.
Grand total points on all exams are 400 pts. Exams typically consist of multiple-choice questions
and short answer questions. Make up exams are offered on the day of the final exam
immediately after completing exam 4. Other times for approved make up exams are at the
discretion of the instructor. Designated on your course calendar plan as “exam”.
Psychology News Reports (approximately 16% of final grade): This semester long project
explores current events and current research related to psychology and connects it to topics in
your textbook. In addition to expanding your knowledge and understanding of psychology, the
project promotes continuous development and use of skills in evaluating different sources of
information, reading, writing, synthesizing, speaking/communicating, critical thinking, and
collaborating. Project instructions are provided in writing on a separate form, verbally in class,
and digitally on the instructional web site. Designated on your course calendar plan as
“Research in the News”.
Collin College
Spring 2013
Alternative Assessments: Opportunities to earn extra credit will be announced in class! Up to
50 points can be earned! Your final course grade may increase up to one letter grade based on
these alternative assessment opportunities.
Grading (points available):
EXAMS Total:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Exam #4
400
100
100
100
100
PARTICIPATION PORTFOLIO Total:
PROJECT (Psychology in the News) Total:
Alternative Assessment
100
100
50
A = 540 pts and over
B = 480 - 539 pts
C = 420 - 479 pts
D = 360 - 419 pts
F = 359 < pts
Academic Ethics:
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic integrity. Collin College 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 of one’s own work material that is not one’s own. 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, use of information about exams posted
on the Internet or electronic medium, and/or falsifying academic records. While specific
examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may
encompass other conduct, including any conduct through electronic or computerized means:
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 assignments 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.
Collin College
Spring 2013
See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
Note: At a minimum, the consequence of academic dishonesty will result in a “zero” grade on
the particular assignment or test. A report is filed with the Dean of Students if further
investigation is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can electronic devices be used in the classroom?
Electronic devices may be used in the classroom to enhance learning of the day’s psychology
topic. If you plan to use electronic devices in the classroom you will be assigned to seating
that will complement the use of the device for you as well as minimize distraction to others.
Playing games, text messaging, social networking*, listening to music, using cell phones, etc
would not be considered as appropriate use of an electronic device in a learning environment.
Please turn off the audio features of these devices before you enter the classroom. Violation of
appropriate use of devices will immediately disallow your use of them in this class for
the rest of the semester.
How do you handle disruptive students?
The classroom is a scholarly environment and students are expected to behave accordingly.
Expressions of ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc. is encouraged, but do so in a respectful manner.
Students who express willful disrespect towards their classmates or the instructor may be asked
to leave the classroom.
Do I have to type my work?
Semester project, reaction papers, extra credit reports are all required to be ‘typed’. Typed
papers should be double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt times roman font.
What if I have to leave class early?
If you must leave class early, please let me know before class starts. Also sit close to the
door so that you do not disrupt class (or me) when you leave. Thank you for your respect!
What is the best way to get in touch with you?
I normally respond to email within 24 hours. At the most it may be 48 hours before I can
respond but that is rare. I work for you and look forward to hearing from you and answering any
course related questions quickly and appropriately. My email is pcoble@collin.edu. When you
e-mail me please use your assigned Cougarmail account! Identify the course and the section
you are enrolled in the subject line for the quickest response.
Where do I get help for Collin College technology related problems?
Student technical support is provided 24/7 at 972-377-1777 or sts@collin.edu
Collin College
Spring 2013
Week
#
Date
Classroom Topic
Myers Psychology 10e Required
Study
1a
Jan 22
Orientation and Overview
Prologue –The Story of Psychology
1b
Jan 24
Psychology’s History and Perspectives
2a
Jan 29
Psychological Science
2b
Jan 31
Psychological Science
3a
Feb 5
The Biology of Mind
3b
4a
4b
Feb 7
Feb 12
Feb 14
The Biology of Mind
Exam One
Becoming a Wise Consumer of Psychological
Research
Independent Study Choice 1 – Nature, Nurture, and
Human Diversity or Motivation and Work
5a
Feb 19
Sensation and Perception
5b
6a
Feb 21
Feb 26
Sensation and Perception
Consciousness
6b
Feb 28
Consciousness
7a
Mar 5
Learning
7b
Mar 7
Learning
8a
8b
9a
9b
Mar 19
Mar 21
Mar 26
Mar 28
10a
Apr 2
10b
11a
Apr 4
Apr 9
Life Span
Emotion
11b
12a
12b
Apr 11
Apr 16
Apr 18
13a
Apr 23
Emotion
Exam Three
Special Topics in Psychology
Independent Study 3 – Social Psychology
Personality
13b
14a
Apr 25
Apr 30
Personality
Disorders
14b
May 2
Disorders
15a
15b
May 7
May 9
Therapy
Therapy
16
May 14
May 16
Section S22 Tuesday Final Exam 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Section S21 Thursday Final Exam 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Chapter 1. Thinking Critically with
Psychological Science
Chapter 2. The Biology of the Mind
In- class Activities/
Portfolio Assignments
True or False: A Survey of Topics in
Psychology
Identifying Perspectives or
Enduring Issues
Inference vs. Observation, Correlation
Identifying Research Methods,
Experimental Research
Mapping Your Brain
Brain Use Case Studies
Psychology in the News Worksheet
Chapter 4. Nature, Nurture, and
Human Diversity OR Chapter 11.
Motivation and Work
Chapter 6. Sensation and
Perception
Chapter 3. Consciousness and the
Two-Track Mind
Chapter 7. Learning
SPRING BREAK
Exam Two
Memory
Chapter 8. Memory
Memory
Human Nature Debate
Independent Study Choice 2 –Thinking and Language
Chapter 9. Thinking and
or Intelligence
Language OR Chapter 10.
Intelligence
Life Span
Chapter 5. Developing Through
the Life Span
Sensation Concepts: Personal Examples of
Sensory Adaptation
Circadian Rhythms: Are you an Owl or Lark?
(Chronotype Assessment)
Psychology in the News Report 1 and
presentations
Elements of Classical Conditioning,
Examples of Classical Conditioning,
Schedules of Reinforcement ,
Reinforcement vs. Punishment
Interactive Memory Lecture Activities
Interactive Memory Lecture Activities
HND Free Write
Psychology in the News Reports 2 and
presentations
Chapter 12. Emotions, Stress, and
Health
Identifying Emotions OR Stress Activity
Chapter 14. Social Psychology
Chapter 13. Personality
Chapter 15. Psychological
Disorders
Big 5 Personality –
www.outofservice.com/bigfive/
Identifying Psychological Disorders,
Cognitive Distortions
Portfolio Due!
Psychology in the News Report due
Chapter 16. Therapy