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, MWF 7:00 am- 8:00 am
Phone Number: (972) 548-6830
Email: ktanuvasa@collin.edu
Class Information:
Section Number: PSYC 2301 C01
Meeting Times: MWF 8:00-8:50 am
Meeting Location: LA221, 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 (10 th 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.
Withdrawal Policy: The last day to withdraw from the class and receive a “W” is
October 19, 2012.
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.
August 27,29,31
Introduction
Chapter 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
September 3
September 5,7
Monday - Labor Day (no class)
Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind
September 10,12,14 Chapter 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
September 17,19,21 Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity
September 24,26
September 28
October 1,3,5
October 8,10,12
October 15,17,19
Chapter 5: Developing Through the Lifespan
Friday - EXAM 1 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4)
Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception
Chapter 7: Learning
October 22,24
October 26
October 29,31
November 2
November 5,7,9
November 12,14
November16
November 19
November 21,23
November 26,28
November 30
Chapter 8: Memory
Chapter 9: Thinking and Language
October 19 – Last day to withdraw
Chapter 10: Intelligence
Friday - EXAM 2 (chapters 5, 6, 7, 8)
Chapter 10: Intelligence
Chapter 11: Motivation and Work
Chapter 12: Emotions, Stress, and Health
Chapter 13: Personality
Friday - EXAM 3 (chapters 9, 10, 11,12)
Chapter 14: Social Psychology
November 21-25, Thanksgiving Holiday – (no class)
Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders
Friday - ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE
Chapter 16: Therapy December 3,5,7
December 12 Wednesday - EXAM 4 (chapters 13, 14, 15, 16)