PSYC 2301-90 General Psychology

Instructor: Rose Cook

Email address: rose.cook@blinn.edu*

Phone: 979-830-4211 or 979-830-4442 (Learning Center)

Office hours: contact me before class, by phone or email

Course Description: This is an introductory course presenting elementary principles of human behavior, development, and mental process. Course material includes an overview of psychology, psychological research basics, biological bases of behavior, perception, learning, cognition, emotion, motivation, individual development, psychological disorders, methods of treatment, and an introduction to social psychology.

Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the THEA test or alternative test or completion o READ 0306 with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Credit: Three semester hours.

This is a Core Course in the 42-Hour Core of Blinn College. As such, students will develop proficiency in the appropriate Intellectual Competencies, Exemplary Educational Objectives, and Perspective. The URL for the Blinn College Core Curriculum web site is www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum.

Course Objectives: Students completing this course successfully will be able to:

(a) define the science of psychology and its goals;

(b) define basic psychological terms and explain important features;

(c) identify leading contributors to the field of psychology and describe their work;

(d) explain how biological, social, and psychological factors can affect behavior and mental processes;

(e) identify and describe specific psychological principles in real-life situations;

(f) demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking skills to analyze reports of human behavior; and

(g) identify real-life situations that may require professional psychological help and how to access quality assistance.

Materials:

Ettinger, R. H. (2007) Understanding Psychology. Redding, CA: Horizon Textbook Publishing, LLC. [ISBN 1-60229-137-3] Study Guide (optional)

Scantron cards for examinations.

Tentative Class Schedule:

Week 1 Pre-Test, Introduction, Ch 1: The Nature and Origins of Psychology

Week 2 Ch 2: Research Methods

Week 3 Ch 3: Biological Basis of Behavior

Week 4 Ch 4: Sensation and Perception, Exam I Chapters 1-4

Week 5 Ch 5: Sleep, Dreaming, and Consciousness

Week 6 Ch 6: Learning

Week 7 Ch 7: Memory

Week 8 Ch 8: Motivation, Ch 9: Emotion and Stress

Week 9 Ch 10: Cognition: Thinking and Language, Exam II Chapter 5-10

Week 10 Ch 11: Developmental from Conception to Childhood, Ch 12: Adolescence to the End of Life

Week 11 Ch 13: Intelligence

Week 12 Ch 14: Personality: Theories and Assessment

Week 13 Ch 15: Behavioral Disorders

Week 14 Ch 16: Treatment of Behavioral Disorders, Exam III Chapters 11-16

Week 15 Ch 17: Social Psychology

Week 16 Final (Chapters 1-17)

GRADING:

10 Quizzes @ 10 points each 100 points

3 Exams @ 100 points each 300 points

Psychology Article Critique 25 points

Biography of Psychologist 25 points

Final Examination 150 points

Total possible points 600

A = 600-540

B = 539-480

C = 479-420

D = 419-360

F = 359 or less

Makeup Examinations (from the student handbook): A student who misses a major or final examination may ask his/her instructor for permission to make up the examination. If a student is absent while officially representing Blinn College or excused on the basis of “a religious holy day”, he/she will be permitted to make up the examination. The major examination must be made up within two weeks after he/she returns to class or at the discretion of the instructor. Final examinations must be made up within a reasonable time to allow the instructor to submit the final grade(s) on the day and time defined by the Admissions and Records Office. If a student cannot complete the final examination in that time frame, an Incomplete (I) may be considered: consult further the Incomplete Policy. Short tests may not be made up, with instructor approval.

Assignments: You will be required to complete various assignments throughout the course. Assignment details will be given in class and due dates announced. No late assignments will be accepted.

Civility Statement: Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff, and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibility in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.

Civility Notification Statement: If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor; it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference.

Scholastic dishonesty (from the student handbook): Instructors maintain scholastic integrity at Blinn College by refusing to tolerate any form of scholastic dishonesty. If there is compelling evidence that a student is involved in cheating or plagiarism, the instructor will assume responsibility and address the infraction. Any student accused of scholastic dishonesty is entitled to due process as outlined in this policy (the full Scholastic Dishonesty Policy may be found in the Blinn College Student Handbook). A student receiving an “F” in the course because of scholastic dishonesty may not withdraw from that course.

Attendance Policy: The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. Students who miss one week will be notified and those missing two weeks will be dropped. If you miss one week please contact your instructor. Without full participation and regular class attendance, student shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade. Class participation is determined through attendance and quizzes. If you should decide to drop this class, you must initiate the drop.

ADA Statement: Students with documented disabilities may seek support from the Office of Disability Services. It is the responsibility of the student to ask for assistance, and students are encouraged to contact the Director of Disability Services as early as possible to initiate services. The instructor will provide appropriate accommodations as directed by the Director of this office. If you need assistance in contacting the Disability Office, please ask the instructor or someone in the main office.

Brenham Campus
902 College Ave.
Brenham, TX 77833
Administration Bldg.
Room 104
979-830-4157

Electronic Device Policy: All functions of all personal electrical devices designed for communication and/or entertainment (cell phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, MP3, and similar devices) must be turned off and kept out of sight in all College District classrooms and associated laboratories. Noncompliance with this policy shall be addressed in accordance with the College District civility policy (administrative policy). Additionally, any communication understood by the instructor to be in the nature of cheating shall have consequences in accordance with the section in this policy regarding academic dishonesty.

Food and drink in the classroom (from faculty handbook): Instructors and students are not allowed food and/or drinks in the Blinn College Library or any classroom/lab.