INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

COURSE SYLLABUS

 PSYC. 2301

SPRING SEMESTER 2021

A more detailed syllabus will be available on Blackboard on the fIrst day of class. Scroll down, course requirements and grading system are below the general information of the class.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• THIS SYLLABUS WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY
• LOG ON TO BLACKBOARD on the first day of class TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED ORIENTATION  (you will have 2 days to complete it). Please note that Blackboard course material may not be ready until the first day of class!

• EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS: Please be sure to write PSYC 2301-Sec# __ on all the emails you send to me…..next to PSYC 2301-sec# write Orientation, Urgent, Contact, or Question, Mind Tap,  under subject, so that I know how soon to reply and the nature of your communication ( remember that I will have over 100 students, and teach different classes, so please help me out so that we can communicate effectively as possible).
•  Please send me fresh emails instead of just replying to my emails; sometimes a students’ email may be lost under other students’ emails that have also hit reply.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

As a student, you are responsible for:

1.     Log on to Blackboard. You can use the following link:   http://itdl.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.htm.

2.     Check your ACC Google email and your announcements as often as possible

3.     Complete your on-line Orientation on Blackboard and begin on your Mind Tap Assignments

4.     Read the required textbook readings for each lesson,

5.     Complete your  on-line assignments on mind tap (mastery training, and chapter quizzes, etc )

6.     Complete the required discussion board

7.     Take one objective-type, multiple-choice exam (midterm) during the semester by the assigned deadline dates

GRADE DETERMINATION:

Your grade in this course is determined by your scores on the mind tap assignments, mid-term exam, and on-line class participation.  This is a summary of the required assignments and their point equivalence.  I will also give you the grade equivalency based on the average and also in a point system. They are equivalent ways to compute your final grade.

Mind Tap Unit/Module #1: 100 points 

Mind Tap Unit/Module #2: 100 points 

Mid-term Exam: 100 points

Class On-Line Participation: 100 (Orientation,  Discussion Forum, Videos, quiz, and reflection/evaluation paper)

Bonus Test: Extra Credit (Optional): 20 points

-------------------------------------

Total points possible = 420

Final Grade: Total/4............  90 or above = A,  80 to 89=B,  70 to 79=C, 60 to 69 =D,........59 or lower=F

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

“What is Psychology? Foundations, Applications, and Integration”, 4rd edition by Pastorino and Doyle- Portillo + LMS Integrated for Mindtap psychology (1 term, 6months) Printed Access Card

If you are comfortable with a digital textbook , you do not need to purchase a paper copy of the textbook, you can purchase the book once you log on to Blackboard and click on mind tap .....you will be directed to register with Cengage, then you can purchase the mind tap access code which comes with a digital book.  You can also purchase a hard copy of the book from the ACC BOOKSTORE, just make sure you have the access card for Mindtap.…..

REMEMBER THE ACCESS CARD IS REQUIRED UNLESS YOU PURCHASE THE DIGITAL COPY INCLUDING MIND TAP FROM THE BLACKBOARD LINK

REMEMBER ONLY THE 4TH EDITION  OF THE BOOK WILL HAVE THE ASSIGNMENTS ON MIND TAP; THUS NO OLDER BOOKS WILL BE ADEQUATE FOR THIS COURSE

This course is a survey of introductory topics such as learning, memory, sensation and perception, personality, life-span development, physiological basis of behavior, stress and health, psychological disorders, social psychology, and research methods. Additional topics such as language development, states of consciousness, and psychotherapy may also be included as determined by the instructor. The Honors course provides a more in-depth introduction to the science and profession of psychology with emphasis on developing oral and written communication skills as they relate to the analysis and discussion of research and controversial issues in psychology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/Student Learning Outcomes:

The common course objectives include the following:  The student will be able to discuss representative theories, findings and/or principles concerning the following topics:

• Research Methods
• Psychological Perspectives and Types of Psychologists
• Personality, Motivation and Emotions
• Learning and Memeory
• Life-Span Development
• Physiological Basis of Behavior
• Cognition (including Sensation, Perception, and Memory)
• Stress (as well as intellectual, social, physical and emotional health)
• Psychological Disorders
• Social Psychology

You are expected to demonstrate full knowledge and understanding of important psychological concepts and principles as well as the major theories, methods, and applications of psychology covered in the textbook and other required instructional resources. You will receive a handout containing specific learning objectives, exam study guides, and outlines for the chapters in the textbook on Blackboard, under “course documents”. Careful attention to this handout will aid your success in this course.

FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES THAT CAN SERVE AS YOUR STUDY GUIDE, CLICK ON COURSE DOCUMENTS IN BLACKBOARD