________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PSYC 120
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Fall 2017
COURSE SYLLABUS
Units: 3 Contact Hours: 54
Time: T TH 8:00 – 9:15am Sec# 71644 Location: Room 830
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Instructor: Tiffany Willey Kahn, PhD
Email:
Office Hours: by appointment
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course provides a general introduction to the field of psychology. Topics covered include research methods, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality, social psychology, and clinical psychology.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Describe the basic structure and functioning of the brain, nervous system, and sensory systems
2. Explain the central theoretical perspectives and research findings in psychology and apply this understanding to the major areas of study in the field.
RECOMMENDED PREPARATION: English 90 with a C or higher
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce students to the scientific study of psychology and principles of behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students will become familiar with the concepts associated with the major sub-disciplines of psychology. Students will also learn how scientific methodology is utilized in psychological research and will learn critical thinking skills that will assist them in psychology and other disciplines.
COURSE WEBSITE WITH TEXTBOOK: https://studentdashboard.cengagebrain.com/#/course-confirmation/MTPNHF0PH951/initial-course-confirmation
Homepage on NVC Website for Tiffany Willey Kahn :
http://www.napavalley.edu/people/twilley-kahn/Pages/twwelcome.aspx
FORMAT: Classes will typically be of lecture format, with an occasional video or in-class
demonstration; however, questions and discussion are always welcomed and encouraged. The posted lecture slides are not intended to replace class attendance—I will cover materials in greater depth than what is included on the slides, so taking good notes will be important. If you need to miss a lecture it is recommended that you contact a classmate in order to copy their notes.
Recommended Study Time:
The recommended study time for this course is 6 hours per week. The following formula is used by educators to determine the number of hours needed per week for students to be successful in a college course:
1 unit = 2 hours of student preparation time
3 units x 2 hours = 6 hours study/week
CLASS POLICIES
The following guidelines will help to ensure that each student benefits most from class lectures and activities:
1. Please be on time and prepared for class. This includes reading the assigned materials before class so that you may join the in class discussion and ask questions as needed. Lectures are designed on the assumption that you have, indeed, read the material. You are expected to stay through the entire class (when life demands otherwise, please inform me before class).
2. Please do not use your cell phone during class. You will need to save your social media, texting, game playing, shopping, checking your schedule, or clashing your clans for another time. You (or your loved ones) have made in investment in your education, show up for it. If you must use your cell phone, please leave the classroom quietly to do so. If you persist in using your cell phone you may be asked to leave the room and will be counted as absent.
3. Please help us develop a classroom climate conducive to asking questions and open discussions. This means being prepared and willing to participate, respecting others when they are talking, and remembering not to monopolize the conversation.
4. Students are responsible for checking their NVC email. Please check your email on a regular basis and keep your contact information current in order to receive course materials, grades, extra credit, and other course related documents. If you are not receiving emails from me, work to remedy this situation ASAP.
5. You may NOT use your laptop in class, unless there are extenuating circumstances that require note-taking from your laptop. Additionally, tablets of all sorts are also not allowed in class.
6. Academic honesty and integrity: Napa Valley College values integrity, honor, and respect in all endeavors, both personally and professionally. Thus, the faculty at Napa Valley College wishes to help our students maintain the highest academic standards of honesty; therefore, it is expected that a student’s academic work be of his/her own making. In spite of the increased use of collaborative learning and other forms of group work (e.g., labs, study groups, group projects), it is important that each student remain accountable for his/her own work, whether it be individual work or group assignments or tests. We recognize that the vast majority of students maintain highly ethical work standards; however, failure to abide by this standard of conduct is considered to be academic dishonesty.
Upon the first infraction of academic dishonesty, the instructor may do one or more of the following:
1) Give a lower or failing grade on the assignment or exam;
2) Refer the student to the Vice President of Student Services for student disciplinary action
In the event of a second infraction, upon consultation with the division chair, the instructor may do one or more of the following:
1) Fail the student from the course;
2) Refer the student to the Vice President of Student Services for student disciplinary action.
Visit the following link for Napa Valley College’s official plagiarism policy:
http://www.napavalley.edu/studentservices/SRR/Pages/AcademicHonesty.aspx
7. Plagiarism in an important aspect of academic honesty and integrity that involves using material copied verbatim, inadequately paraphrased, and/or paraphrased without adequate citations. The widespread availability of the Internet has made it technically simple to copy other people’s work and submit material as one’s own. At Napa Valley College such practices are unacceptable and will lead to a zero on the assignment and the possibility of further sanctions.
At my discretion, I will use a web-based plagiarism detection service and/or require students to submit work to this service to determine the originality of student papers. All written or presented material drawn from outside sources must be paraphrased or set in quotations, and adequately cited. Just don’t try it, I will find out. Students are responsible for consulting their Student Handbook and learning about plagiarism. A good resource on plagiarism can be found at the following IU web site: http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eistd/
8. Students will always use professional language when communicating with the instructor, including emails. When communicating through email, always include the course number and some defining information in the subject line. If that information is not present, your email can easily be overlooked.
Example language:
Subject: Psych 120 Social Psych Question
Dear Dr. Kahn,
I hope this email finds you and your family well. I have a question regarding the interesting concept you taught us this morning: The halo effect. Can you explain, again, how this effect differs across age groups?
Thank you so much for your time and attention.
Your favorite student,
(Your Name Here)
9. Late assignments will not be accepted unless extenuating circumstances present themselves, and I agree to an adjusted deadline. I may choose to push a deadline back for you if you discuss your circumstance with me at least 24 hours before the deadline, and we agree on an updated timetable with penalties. For example, you may be given two extra days to work on the assignment while receiving a deduction of 5 points for each day that it is late for a total deduction of 10 points. If you are sick, I will need a note from a doctor for evidence in order to adjust your deadline.
10. Makeup Exams will not be offered. In general, makeup exams will not be offered unless a student contacts me with an extenuating circumstance that could not have been prevented—a doctor’s note is required before you make up the exam. If a makeup exam is offered, it must be completed in less than a week after the exam was originally offered. Any makeup exam will be administered in a format determined by the instructor and will differ from that of the original exam. It is your responsibility to reschedule the exam with the instructor.
11. Attendance is expected.
NVC Policy: Regular attendance in all classes is important for satisfactory academic progress. The Napa Valley College attendance regulations make provisions for a limited number of unavoidable absences. However, a student who is absent for as many times as a class meets each week will have exhausted this provision. An instructor may request verification of those absences. Further absences may cause the instructor to drop the student from the class. Students who do not attend the first class meeting may be dropped or lose priority on the waiting list.
Class Policy: You may miss up to 4 classes for this semester for whatever reason (those could be due to illness, travel, etc.). However, any assignments that are missed will not be made up. For example, if you chose to miss an exam because you are traveling, you will not be able to make up that exam. If you miss class, you are expected to get the notes or any relevant information from classmates prior to the next class. I will not “re-lecture” over the material. If you miss more than four classes, you will be dropped from the class, barring extenuating circumstances. Your status in the class at that point will be at my discretion.
IMPORTANT: Beyond content, this course emphasizes written communication skills. Potential employers will get to know you on paper first; this is how they decide whether or not to meet with you face to face. The truth is if you are not a good writer, you may not have the chance to show what a great employee/student you could be. Therefore, a portion of your grade on each written assignment will reflect the clarity of your written expression. I am always available to look over your first drafts and assist with any grammatical or structural issues that I see in your paper during office hours. There is also tutoring on campus to help you improve your writing skills in general and help you with this course specifically. To be clear, I will be grading with grammar and writing structure in mind, and it WILL BE reflected in your grade.
Students in need of accommodations: Students who feel that they may need accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability should contact Learning Services to determine the appropriate accommodation. They can be found in the Library and Learning Resource Center (LLRC), room 1766 or (707) 256-7442. Please contact DSPS Director, Rebecca Scott (707) 256-7417 with any disability issues, questions or concerns.
If you need accommodations for physical or other types of disabilities, please schedule an
appointment with DSPS Counselor, Sheryl Fernandez, in the Counseling Department on the top floor of the 800 building, (707) 253-3040. If you require an accommodation based on the impact of a physical or learning disability, please contact me as soon as possible in order to make appropriate arrangements (not required). Documentation is required before any accommodation can be made. All information and documentation is confidential.
Withdrawal Deadlines
Please be aware that students can add and drop classes through the third week of the semester with no fees and transcript records. Students may drop through September 1st without incurring a grade or with a letter grade of “W” by November 10th.
This is a Contract. This syllabus in an agreement between the student and the instructor and continued registration in this course means that you agree to the policies and procedures outlined in this syllabus. The course syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. At the same time, the instructor reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as the course needs arise. Students will be informed in a timely manner should any changes be necessary.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Participation (40 points) My Points: _______/40
Active participation in this course is important to enhancing your understanding of the material, as well as the understanding of other students in the class. You are expected to participate in in-class activities, small group discussion, and whole class discussions. Potential assignments include pop quizzes and in-class activities.
Homework (20 points x 4 = 80 points) My Points: _______/80
Your weekly homework is to read the chapter PRIOR to the class lecture over that chapter. Additionally, you will have 4 homework assignments throughout the semester. Each is worth 20 points.
Personalizing Psychology Paper (100 points) My Points: _______/100
This semester, you will write a paper based on a TED talk of your choice, as long it relates to psychology. Your paper needs to be 2-pages (double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, 1 in margins). You will include the following subheadings in your paper: Summary of TEDTalk, Connection to Course, Personal Connection. Paper will include APA formatting and are due in class on assigned day (see course lecture schedule). Additional information will be provided in a handout and on course website.
Examinations (60 points x 3 =180 points) My Points: _______/180
There will be three exams throughout the semester (each worth 60 points), including the final exam. Each exam will be made up of multiple-choice and short essay questions and will cover information from the textbook and any relevant information from class discussions, demonstrations, and lectures. All exams require Scantron form 882E. It is in your best interest to abstain from missing any exams! The final exam will not be cumulative.
Total Points: _________/400
GRADING: Grades will be determined according to percentage of total points earned, with some possible adjustment depending on the distribution of scores.
Grading Scale: Grades will be distributed in the following manner:
A: 400-360 points B: 359-320 points C: 319–280 points D: 279-240 points F: ≤ 239 points
Extra Credit: Before the semester ends, you will have the option of completing a brief written assignment evaluating psychological research in the popular media. Essays will only be read if, at the end of the semester, your final grade is within 3 percentage points of the next higher grade. For example, if your final point total is 87.5 percent, you would normally receive a B. If you did the optional essay, though, and it was excellent, you will be given the next higher grade of an A. You are encouraged to do this essay, though it is not required. It cannot hurt your grade in any way.
If you have any concerns or questions about your grade, assignments, or whatever, please see me ASAP! Do not wait until a small problem becomes a BIG problem or it may be too late to help.