General Psychology PSC

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Chesapeake College

Wye Mills, MD 21679-0008 Course of Study

General Psychology

PSC150-108 Monday @ 2:30 to 5:15 p.m. Leta F. Fennell, NCC Associate Professor Spring 2010

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Office: Science Building Room 123 Phone: 410-822-5400 ext. 308

Email: [email protected]

Course Description:

An introduction to the scientific study of psychology with emphasis on learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, individual differences, and adjustment patterns.

3 Credits.

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Statement of Course Goals

The goals for the course are:

1. to introduce students to the scientific method in the analysis of the

behavior and mental processes of the individual; 2. to develop an awareness of the complexities of the individual and the

relationship of nurture and nature;

3. to identify theories and conceptual schemes to be used as tools to study and understand the individual;

4. identify and understand the processes of growth and development influencing one’s private life and the development of one’s personality;

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5. to develop a critical ability to analyze the factors operating in the modern world to influence the individual into specific behavior patterns of conformity or dissent.

Course Outcomes:

1. Students will be able to understand the concepts and theories, which are the foundations of the field.

2. Students will be able to compare and contrast these theories by applying them.

3. Students will be able to understand the dynamic of mind-body connection.

4. Students will be aware of the role played by nurture and nature in human development.

5. Students will be able to relate human experience using stages of growth and development.

Required Text:

Invitation to Psychology 4th Ed, by Wade & Tavris, Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishers, 2008 (Textbook)

Website: www.mypsychlab.com

Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues, 15th Ed., by B. Slife, Dushkin Publishing Group, 2008 (Reader)

Grading Policy:

There will be three objective tests. Each examination will be scored on a point system. Exams will be taken on scheduled dates. There will also be six in-class quizzes (announced or unannounced), each worth up to 25 points. Only four of the six quizzes will be used to determine your grade. The two lowest grades will be dropped. Missed quizzes will automatically become the dropped quiz. Students must be in class at the time a quiz is given, since no quiz can be made up. In addition, a special assignment (journal reports, special projects, research, etc.) worth up to 100 points will be assigned. Class participation and oral report is worth up to 100 points.

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Examination (3) 300pts Quizzes (4) 100pts Assignment (1) 100pts Oral report 100pts

Particip ation 100p ts

Total Points

700p ts

In order to compute final grades the following scale will be used:

600 - 700=A A= 90 - 100 500 - 599=B B = 80 - 89 400 - 499=C C = 70 - 79 300 - 399=D D = 60 - 69 0 - 299=F F = Below 60 Withdrawals:

Students not completing the course must withdraw formally with the Registration Office by filling out a withdrawal form. This form must be on file in registration to avoid getting an "F" on your college transcript. Note withdrawal dates in the schedule booklet.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance will be taken at each class session. The college requires regular class attendance. Failure to do so may jeopardize your ability to complete course requirements. You are responsible for the

information covered in class therefore it is your responsibility to contact your classmates to obtain specific assignments, and notes that have been missed. All class work should be turned in on time. Late assignments will be graded accordingly, five (5) points will be subtracted each day your assignment is late. The last day that you can turn in a late assignment is April 26th, with NO exceptions.

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Student Conduct:

Each class begins and ends at the scheduled time. All students will be courteous and respectful to their fellow students as well as to the professor during class time. Students are asked to turn off or set silent mode on all communication devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) during class time. Students are also not allowed to communicate (text messaging) with others using these devices during class time. Five (5) points will be subtracted from your participation grade. Only one warning will be given.

Note: Read the Student Code of Conduct as stated in the college catalog, student handbook or the

college website.

Emergencies:

In the event of an emergency, students must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled exam. Only

one make-up exam will be allowed and will be given during the week following the scheduled exam.

Make-ups will be given only in the case of dire emergencies that are documented. Students may be required to take an alternate form (essays) of the exam. Students must take the missed exam prior to the next scheduled class. No make-ups after one week.

Students missing exams must make arrangements with me to take exams in the Testing Center. Failure to follow these instructions will result in a zero for the missed exam.

Quizzes may not be made up.

You must take the Final exam to pass the course. Please call if an emergency develops.

Students with Disabilities

Students with Disabilities seeking services or accommodations through Chesapeake College must disclose the need for these services or accommodations to the Office of Disability Services. Given sufficient notice and proper documentation, the College will provide reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and related services required by persons with disabilities to allow access to our programs and services, if it is not an undue burden to do so.

Students requiring accommodations are urged to submit requests at least 14 days in advance of the need to use them. To be eligible for academic accommodations through Chesapeake College, a student must have a documented disability as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. For information on eligibility, contact:

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Judy Gordon

Developmental Studies Case Manager/ADA Coordinator Phone: (410) 827-5808

FAX: (410) 827-5233

[email protected]

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Office Hours:

Students wishing to confer with the instructor may call or visit during office hours as posted. Office hours are posted online each semester and on the office door of the instructor, which is located in the Science Building Room 123. Students may also email me at the website noted above.

: This is a tentative schedule for the semester, it may change due to the weather or other situations therefore make note of any schedule alterations. Specifics of reading and homework assignments will be clarified and updated as needed.

Academic Instruction Emergency Management Plan

In the event that Chesapeake College needs to close for an extended period of time due to a flu pandemic, severe weather event, or other emergency situation, consideration will be given to the timing and duration of the closure as follows:

1. Closu re d u ring the sem ester for u p to one w eek – there w ill be an op p ortu nity to m ake u p w ork m issed w ithou t significant alteration to the sem ester calend ar.

2. Closu re extend ing beyond one w eek (or in situ ations w here classes are cancelled o n the sam e d ays/ evenings over m u ltip le w eeks) – the College m ay extend the length of the sem ester. Dep end ing on the tim ing of the closu re, sch ed u led breaks, end of sem ester d ates, and / or the p rocessing of final grad es m ight be im p acted .

Students can acquire information about closures on the College website or by calling 410-822-5400 or 410-228-4360. Chesapeake College courses held at off campus sites will follow the protocol of the host facility.

“If you only look at what is, you might never attain what could be.” Unknown

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PSC 150 SYLLABUS

Professor: Mrs. Fennell

First class- Introductions

Review of Class Assignments

Week 1 What is Psychology

*Reading Assignments: Text: Chapter 1

Week 2 Review Chapter 1 Theories of Personality

Week 3 Review Chapter 2

Development Over the Life Span

Week 4 Review Chapter 4

Neurons, Hormones, and the Brain

Review for Exam

Week 5 Examination One: Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4

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Thinking and Intelligence

*Reading Assignments: Text: Chapter 7 Week 7 Learning

*Reading Assignment: Text: Chapter 9 Reader: Issues#

Week 8 Learning

Week 9 Behavior in Social and Cultural Context

*Reading Assignment: Text: Chapter 10

Review for Exam

Week 10 Examination Two: Chapters 5, 7, 9, & 10

Week 11 Psychological Disorders

Week 12 Psychological Disorders (cont.)

Approaches to Treatment and Therapy

Week 13 Approaches to Treatment and Therapy (cont.) Reader: Issues#

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Week 14 Emotion, Stress, and Health

Reading Assignment: Text: Chapter 13 Review for Final

Week 15 Examination Three-Final (Chapters 11, 12, & 13)

Finals Week: ---May 10th - 14th

College Holiday: --- SPRING BREAK - March 20th - 26th

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Tally Grades Here

Exam 1____ Assignment Grade____

Exam 2____

Exam 3____ Oral Report ____

Participation ____

Quiz 1____ Extra Credit ____

Quiz 2____ ____

Quiz 3____ Quiz 4____ Quiz 5____ Quiz 6____

Use only four quiz grades to determine the final grade for quizzes.

Total points ____

Please kept track of your grades per item listed. You are responsible for posting scores when you receive them.

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Assignments:

All written assignments will follow the American Psychological Association (APA) Format. To learn more about APA, visit the college Academic Support Center (ASC) online or on campus to get help with assignments. All Assignments MUST be typed and double-spaced, pages numbered (top right), standard margins with a 12 point font size. Staple reports in the upper left-hand corner. Do not encase papers in clear plastic binders or other binders. A title page should appear first with the following information:

Your Name Title Course Date Professor Honor Code:

The Student Honor Code forbids academic dishonesty of any kind. Violators will be subject to

disciplinary action and may risk having to repeat the assignment or examination, receive a failing grade for the assignment or examination, receive a failing grade for the course, or be suspended or dismissed from the College.

General Psychology PSC

Chesapeake College