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PSYC 101: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

3 Credit Hours

South Dakota State University

Spring 2011

Instructor: Amanda Macht Jantzer, Ph.D.
Office: 325 Scobey Hall
Office Hours: By appointment in Scobey Hall
Email: Through D2L

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIAL IN THIS SYLLABUS

Any changes in the syllabus after the course begins will be announced.

It is your responsibility to be aware of changes.

Course Location and Schedule:

There is no specified location or meeting time for this course. The course is offered online and all information is accessible via D2L at

Course Description:

Catalog description: This course is an introduction survey of the field of psychology with consideration of the biological bases of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, learning and memory, human growth and development, social behavior and normal and abnormal behavior.

This course provides an overview of the primary domains of psychology and will introduce you to a variety of theories, principles, research findings, and applications. Students will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge in assessments, writings, and online discussions.

Required Texts:

Kosslyn, S. M., & Rosenberg, R. S. (2007). Fundamentals of Psychology in Context, (3rd Ed), Pearson Longman Publishers.

The required textbook is available at the SDSU bookstore at or by calling 1-800-985-8771.

Supplementary Readings:

Additional readings willbe assigned throughout the semester for reaction papers. All supplementary readings will bemade available online or through course reserve at the Briggs Library websiteat For informationregarding off campus library access visit

Course Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.

Technology Skills: For this course,you will need internet access and are required to use D2L which is accessible via System Requirements for using D2L include: / / /
required / recommended
Operating System / Windows 98, ME, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista
Mac OS X / Windows, XP Service Pack 2 or vista
Video / SVGA Monitor
Minimum resolution: 800 x 600 / Resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater
Internet Speed / 56 K modem / 56 K or cable modem, DSL
Sun Java Runtime Environment
(JRE) / JRE version 1.4.2.x, 1.5.0.x
(Required to run LiveRoom 4.0, SCORM, and Equation Editor) / JRE 1.5
JavaScript / Enabled / Enabled
Cookies / Enabled / Enabled
/ /

Additional information regarding technical requirements is available at http://learn.sdstate.edu/online/require.htm. If you have not used D2L or taken a distance learning course in the past, visit for instructions on setting up your account and accessing the course. Additional distance education support is available at

Minimum computer skills required for this course include the ability to log onto D2L, open files, take online quizzes and exams, submit assignments and discussion posts, and to download files to view on your computer. Contact your instructor if you are unable to meet any of these technical requirements and to discuss possible alternatives.

Help with Technology: If you have any technical difficulties, please contact technology support at 605-688-6776 or email .

Instructional Methods:
Instructional methods for the course will include texts, videos, writing assignments, and online discussions.

Academic Honesty:

Academic honesty is crucial in the completion of all course requirements. Plagiarism or cheating on course assignments or other forms of academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade onassignments or in the course. Furthermore, students who violate academic honesty policies may face further disciplinary action from the university. More information is available on:

Freedom in learning:

Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct should first contact the instructor of the course. If the student remains unsatisfied, the student may contact the department head and/or dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.

Special Needs:

If you are a student with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodations in order to participate in this class, please inform me at the beginning of the semester to make the appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). The Office of Disability Services is located in Wintrode Student Success Center Room 125. To schedule an appointment, call the coordinator of Disability Services, Nancy J.Hartenhoff-Crooks at 605-688-4504.

Course Goals:

PSYC 101fulfills the SD Board of Regents Systems General Education Goal #3, Social Sciences.Students will understand the organization, potential, and diversity of the human community through study of the social sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes for General Education Goal #3

1. Identify and explain basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected social science disciplines from different spatial, temporal, cultural and/or institutional contexts.

  • In this course, students will be able to name and describe dominant psychological terminology, concepts, theories and research across domains that includes learning, perception, memory, development, clinical/counseling, and social psychology. This material is presented in the textbook as well as supplemental handouts, videos, and research articles. Student outcomes are evaluated through quizzes, exams, and writing/discussion assignments

2. Apply selected social science concepts and theories to contemporary issues.

  • Students will learn to apply selected psychological theories, concepts, and research to contemporary situations and issues. This material is presented in modern, practical examples that are included throughout the textbook, in supplemental handouts and videos, and in articles. Students will be evaluated on this in quizzes, exams, and writing/discussion assignments.

3. Identify and explain the social or aesthetic values of different cultures.

  • Students will learn to demonstrate their knowledge regarding cross cultural issues as they apply to the field of psychology. For instance, they will learn about psychological treatments for an ethnically diverse population. This information is presented in the textbook as well as in supplemental handouts and articles. Students will be evaluated on this through quizzes, exams, and writing/discussion assignments.

4. The origin and evolution of human institutions.

  • Students in this course will be able to illustrate their knowledge of the historical developments across psychology and the evolving influence of the field on human institutions, including clinical/counseling practice, organizations, and medicine.This information will be provided in the textbook and supplementary materials. Students will be assessed on this outcome in quizzes, exams, and papers/discussion assignments.

In addition, PSYC 101 also fulfills the IGR (Institutional Graduation Requirements) Goal #3 Social Responsibility /Cultural And Aesthetic Awareness. Students will demonstrate social responsibility or cultural and aesthetic awareness to foster individual responsibility and creativity.

Student Learning Outcomes for IGR Goal #3

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the different ways in which people express their understanding of the human condition.

  • Students will obtain knowledge and demonstrate appreciation for the various factors that influence people’s psychological functioning and behaviors. Moreover, they will consider the variable ways in which individuals may respond differently to a given stimuli. This information will be provided in the textbook and supplementary handouts, videos, and materials. Students will be assessed on this outcome in quizzes, exams, and papers/discussion assignments.

2. Understand their responsibilities and choices as related to behavioral, cultural, and/or institutional contexts.

  • Students will illustrate their knowledge of the responsibilities of psychologists across contexts. For instance, they will obtain information regarding ethical responsibilities and choices in psychological research and practice. This information will be provided in the textbook and supplementary materials. Students will be assessed on this outcome in quizzes, exams, and papers/discussion assignments.

3. Demonstrate their knowledge of the structures and possibilities of the human community.

  • Students will demonstrate their ability to understand the varied psychological factors that influence the functions and behaviors of individuals as well as groups and societies. In doing so, they will illustrate knowledge of the complexity of humankind with regard to both individual differences and social psychology. This information will be provided in the textbook and supplementary materials. Students will be assessed on this outcome in quizzes, exams, and papers/discussion assignments.

Course Requirements:Please read this section carefully.

  • Quizzes (20 points each; 220 points total)

You are required to take a quiz on each chapter of course material. Thirteen online quizzes will be given throughout the semester in order to test your knowledge of each textbook chapter.Each quiz includes 10 multiple choice items and are worth 20 points. Each quiz will be made available for several days and will be due at the time and date specified on the Course Schedule (see page 8). You may take the quizzes at any time during their availability period. However, you are not allowed to work on a quiz over multiple days. Each quiz must be completed in a single session. You will have only 20 minutes to complete each quiz, so be prepared. If you go over the time limit for a quiz, D2L will assign a score of 0. You will be allowed to take each quiz only once and youwill be able to drop your two lowest quiz scores at the end of the semester. Given that you will have several days to complete each quiz, you will not be allowed to have an extension if you wait until the last minute to take your quiz and have a technical difficulty. Plan ahead!Quizzes will be available in the Quizzes link on D2L.

  • Exams (100 points each; 400 points total)

You will be given 4 exams over the course of the semester (including the final). Exams are not cumulative. Each exam will include 50 multiple choice questions taken from your textbook and will be worth 100 points. Exams will be made available for several days and will be due at the time and date specified on the Course Schedule (see page 8).You may take the exams at any time during their availability periods. However, you are not allowed to work on an exam over multiple days. You must complete each exam in a single session. Exams are timed; you will have 90 minutes to completeeach. If you go over the time limit for an exam, D2L will assign a score of 0. Once again, you will have several days to complete each exam so no extensions will not be granted if you wait until the last minute to take your exam and have technical difficulties. Plan ahead and take your exams early! Exams will be available in the Quizzes link on D2L.

  • Writing & Online DiscussionAssignments
  • Introduction (20 points)

You will be required to complete a series of brief writing assignments over the course of the semester. For your first writing assignment, you are required to post a brief introduction for yourself onto D2L. The purpose of this assignment is to allow the instructor and other class members to become acquainted. You should share a bit about yourself (name, year in college, major, etc). In addition, you should share one thing that you are most interested in learning about in this General Psychology course this semester and explain why.You should post your introduction in the discussion room on D2L entitled “PSYC 101 Introductions.”

  • Reaction Papers (30 points each; 90 points total)

In order to obtain knowledge regarding contemporary psychological issues and research, you will complete 3 reaction papers over the course of the semester. Reaction papers must illustrate that the student has not only read the assigned reading, but has critically thought about it. The article reviews should be no more than one page, single-spaced, in 12pt Times New Roman font with one inch margins. Please include your last name in the document title before submission (e.g., Jantzer Reaction Paper 1). The papers should address the following:

All reaction papers must cover the same four points:
1.Provide a brief summary of the article, paraphrasing the main points IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
2.Identify a strength AND weaknessof the article.
3.Relate the article to at least one theory, concept, or research study that you learned about in your textbook.
4.Share your personal reaction to the reading.

You should submit your paper using the Dropbox in D2L by the assigned due date.

  • Online Discussions (20 points each; 100 points total)

Active participation is fundamental to the learning process; therefore, you will be required to participate in 5online discussions. For each, a discussion topic or question will be posted on D2L in the Discussion Room. You will have one week to post a response. Your entry should include a brief paragraph (5-7 sentences) that addresses the following:

All discussion entries must incorporate the following 3 points:
  1. Share your perspective on the discussion topic.
  2. Be sure to PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR YOUR OPINIONS from the textbook.
  3. Respond to a post from another class member OR pose a question to stimulate further online discussion.

  • Attendance & Student Expectations:Although there are no set meeting times for this course, active participation is critical for success in this course. All students are expected to log onto D2L on a regular basis. Each week, an overview of the week’s assignments and course content (i.e., video demonstrations, handouts, activities) will be posted to the course homepage on D2L. You are responsible for reading this overview each week and for completing all assignments and assessments, including discussions, quizzes, and exams by the due dates included on the Course Schedule on page 8 of this syllabus. You are also responsible for completing all course readings as assigned.
  • Extra Credit

There may be some opportunities for extra credit offered throughout the semester. These

will be announced and made available to all students.

Makeup Policy:

You will be allowed to drop your two lowest quiz scores. Apart from this, late or missing quizzes, exams, papers, and assignments will not be accepted and will receive a score of zero. This policy will be enforced except in extenuating circumstance (e.g., medical emergencies, university-approved absences, family emergencies, life-threatening weather conditions) in which documentation is provided within one week after the scheduled due date. Oversleeping, technology malfunction, or leaving early for a break will NOT be considered an excused absence.

Grading:

The following cut-offs will be used to assign your final grade:

GradePointRangePercentage (%)

A747 – 83090 – 100%

B664 – 74680 – 89%

C581 – 66370 – 79%

D498– 58060 – 69%

F497 and below59% and below

Your instructor will enter grades throughout the semester, but please also keep your own record. Your grades will be accessible via D2L through the Grades icon. Quiz and exam grades will be posted immediately upon completion and your instructor will post grades for other assignments within 1-2 weeks following the due date.

Acknowledgement: Aspects of this course design and materials were modeled upon Dr. Rebecca Martin’s PSYC 101 course.