Los Angeles Harbor College
Syllabus- Psychology 1
Section 4903 1st 8 weeks
Fall 2013 Session
August 26-October 19, 2013
Instructor: Jontae' Watkins, MA
Email:
Course Title: Psychology 001
Department: Psychology/Behavioral Sciences
Location: LAHC –NEA:125
Tues 7:55-9:50pm
Saturdays are mandatory: 9/7, 9/21,10/5,10/19
1pm-5pm
Textbook: Psychology An Introduction
11th Edition: Benjamin Lahey
Office hrs: 5:45pm-7:50pm Tuesdays
(before class) NEA 154
Course Description
This course is a study of the process of a scientific survey of behavior exploring the areas of personality, growth perception, motivation, learning, research methods and abnormal behavior.
Student Learning Outcomes
(1) Demonstrate understanding of the nature, and the origins of psychology. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives. Discuss historical trends.
(2) Apply the scientific method to psychological constructs using basic research methods of design and interpretation.
(3) Evaluate major psychological concepts and empirical findings, including: biological basis for behavior, sensation, perception, and states of consciousness.
(4) Synthesize and integrate psychological principles and apply these to personal, social, and organizational issues.
(5) Recognize and analyze the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity.
(6) Develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
Course Materials
Observations
Discussion groups
Current Events
Guest Speakers
Internet
Lectures
Exams
Films
Student Presentations
Course Requirements/Methods of Evaluation
Attendance/Participation 30%
First Test 10%
Term Paper 25%
Final 20%
Observations/Quizzes 10%
Current Events 5%
***ATTENDANCE: Excessive absenteeism and tardiness will result in 20 points off final grade…. Late Arrival or early departure will constitute loss of class participation points at the discretion of the instructor.
Talking excessively in class is rude and disrespectful to Instructor and fellow classmates, this will result in loss of class participation points at the discretion of the instructor.
Please silence your pagers and cell phones in class….. NO TEXTING IN CLASS!!
ABSOLUTELY NO: Cell Phones, Recording Equipment, Cameras, etc. Electronic Devices Allowed in class: UNLESS: Used for/in class assignments only!!!
Disability Accommodation Statement: Students who may need a reasonable accommodation(s) for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact DSPS Office or the Office of Special Services as soon as possible. All information will remain confidential.
Financial Aid: All students seeking financial aid may go to the financial Aid office during regular business hours.
Academic Integrity: Cheating on Exams, Plagiarism will not be tolerated in class or in this course. See LA CCD District Academic Dishonesty Policy 9803.28 Academic Dishonesty. Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to the following actions: Cheating on exams, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated, that students should not do so, submitting the same paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade.
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism or academic dishonesty, whether accidental or deliberate, is a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The instructor has the option of using classroom sanctions or elevating the case to campus level.
It is plagiarism to go to the Internet, find an article, copy it and drop it into word processor or onto documents on your computer.
It is plagiarism to copy directly (verbatim) from a book, magazine, periodical or journal without citing it as another’s work.
There are a few things that you can do that will help you to avoid being charged with academic dishonesty.Please note the following:
1) Anytime that you use the words or ideas of another person without giving credit, itis considered plagiarism, WHETHER YOUR ACTIONS ARE INTENTIONALOR NOT!
2) Differences between direct and indirect quotes:
a) Direct Quotes: Includes the exact wording from the source.
b) Indirect Quotes: Summarizes or paraphrases the content from the source.
3) APA in-text requirements:
a) Direct Quote: Author’s last name, publication date, and page number.
b) Indirect Quote: Author’s last name, publication date.
4) Punctuation requirements: ALL word-for-word quotations MUST be placed inquotation marks.
5)Exception to the rule: Common Knowledge – if the same information can be found in three or more sources and those sources do not cite an earlier source, theinformation is considered common knowledge. Also, commonly known facts (e.g., Washington, D.C. is the capital of the U.S.) do not need a citation, even if you had to look them up.
6) When in doubt, CITE.
Grading
90-100 % = A
80-89% =B
70-79% =C
60-69% =D
Below 60% =F
GRADING POINTS
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTSItem / Description / Percents
1 / Content and Conceptualization / 60%
2 / Logical organization of thoughts, ideas and structure / 20%
3 / Spelling, Grammar, APA format, etc. / 20%
Total / 100%
** Students can get up to 40 points for Etudes discussions assignments on Etudes which will be averaged with final grade. Each video is worth 5 points and students will also receive 5 points for answering assigned video questions. (Not all videos have questions.) Each discussion response posted will count as 5 points as well.
Late assignments
LATE WORK: Late work will not earn the full points possible. Students will lose five points for each day the assignment is late. (This includes weekends).
***All assignments are to be typed. Handwritten assignments will receive half credit. Please type/double space papers with a 12 or 14 Font.
***All term papers will be typed in the American Psychological Association format.
Weeks Of Study/Lecture-Course Overview
Etudes Assignments are due each week. See due dates in Etudes: There will be various internet assignments: videos, discussions, etc. in which the student is responsible for 22 hrs of additional online instruction.
Quiz #1 SLO #4: In class on Sept.10,2013
Quiz #2 Chpt. 3 In class on Sept. 21,2013
Videos In Etudes: See Etudes: Due each week
Weeks 1-3: Chapters 1-3: These sections include: Introduction to Psychology, Part 2- Awareness, Part 3- Learning & Cognition, Part 4- The Life Spa
Weeks 4-8: Chapters Chapters 9-14. Part 5- The Self, Part 6- Health and Adjustment, Part 7- The Social Context.
Final Exam: A 50 question exam & a 10 page term paper in APA style.
Final Exam: October 19, 2013 Scantron 882-E required for exams and quizzes given in class. Scantrons can be purchased at the LAHC Bookstore.
Internet /Additional Resources
About psychology .com
www.about psychology.com
American Psychological Association
www.apa.org
Amoeba Web
www.sccu.edu/psychology/webhistory.html
Etudes: www.myetudes.org
Google Web
Psychweb
www.psych-web.com
Classics in the History of Psychology
www.yorku.ca/dept/psych/classics
American Psychological Association, Division 26
www.yorku.ca/dept/psych/orgs/apa26/
Neurosciences on the internet
www.neuroguide.com
Youtube.com
Lahey, Benjamin (2011) Psychology an Introduction: Student Research Materials: McGraw Hill, USA; New York
www.mhhe.com/lahey11e
Calendar Assignments : Fall 2013: Section 4903
*****Note: There will be 22 hours additional internet hours in which the student will be online doing internet assignments, films,quizzes, discussions, etc. You will need an etude email in which to complete all etude work. Please read the syllabus and announcement section if etudes daily and follow the instructions on the Course Map section of Etudes.
Weekly Reading: Students to read Chapters 1, 2 . **Please type all papers in APA style and double space all typed assignments: September 10, 2013. Discussion of chapters read will be in class.
Assignment #1 for Chapter I: Assignment #1: Critical Thinking Assignment: Type 1 page essay: What is Psychology? (In your own words ). You may interview individuals in addition to your own definition of the subject and include your findings in the essay. Do not use the book, internet or a dictionary for this assignment. Due: 1-2 page(s) essay typed/double spaced. Due: September 10, 2013
**Review key Terms/Figures, summary of each chapter assigned, Application of Psychology Sections the book in the assigned chapters.
Assignment #2 Internet Research Assignment: Surf the internet and find these two articles, print and bring to class. Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment & Brown vs. Board of Education. Please read the articles and be prepared for class discussion. Due: September 17, 2013 . 5pts will be given for these two articles. Minimum printed pages 3-5 for each article. Note: See Etudes for additional internet assignment: Movie: Mrs. Evers Boys
Weekly Reading: Chapters 3,4, 5, 12 These chapters should be completed by September 24, 2013 Discussion/quiz will be in class.
Assignment #3: Compare and Contrast 2 theories that we have studied in class. Which one makes the most sense to you and why? E.g Humanistic, Psychoanalytic, Evolutionary, Positive Psychology, etc. 1-2 page essay- typed/double spaced in APA style. Due: October 1, 2013.
Assignment #4: Activity: Naturalistic Observation: For this assignment you will go out into a space where people are congregating and observe them for about 30 minutes. This type of research is called Naturalistic Observation. The goal of naturalistic observation is that you watch a naturally occurring behavior and do not change it in any way. People should not know that they are being watched; otherwise, they may not act naturally.
Bring a pad of paper with you and take notes about the things that you find interesting. Just try to be unobstrusive. Choose one particular behavior to focus on and watch several people. Make sure that you focus on one behavior to watch and take notes on that behavior. Try to be objective. Note the behavior but try not to interpret it.
Once you have completed your observations, attempt to form a theory about human behavior based on the observations that you made. Comment on any generalities/commonalities based on what you observed? Did you see similarities in people’s behaviors? Formalize a theory (one of the schools of thought that we studied earlier in the session) 1-2 Pages double spaced in APA style. Due: October 5 , 2013 .
Weekly Reading: Chapters 6, 8,9,11. These chapters should be read by October 8, 12. Discussion will be in class.
Assignment #5: Weekly Reading: Chapters : 13, 14, : Due by October 15, 2013. Student Presentations: Students will be assembled in groups of 5 to7 to present their topic. To be discussed in class for preparation, etc. Midterms
Assignment #6: Part 1: Final Exam: APA style required: 10 page Term Paper ( Typed and double-spaced) on a topic of your choice as long as it is subject matter related, e.g. Mood Disorders, The psychological affects of a terminal illness of a loved one, on family members, etc. Due: October 19, 2013. Note: APA style format. Please use at least 10-15 resources, e.g. book, magazine, periodical, etc. If citing from an internet please attach the articles cited to the term paper. Use at least 20 citations in the paper. Please do not use all online articles. Visit the local/school library (in person) for research articles, books for your paper. Part 2: Final Exam: A 50 question multiple choice exam on selected chapters of the book. Due: October 19, 2013. Scantron 882-E.
Have a great semester!!!
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