Fall Semester 2009
COLLIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Course Number: PSYC 2301.S20
PSYC 2301.S23
PSYC 2301.S24
Course Title: General Psychology
Course Description: Introduction to scientific psychology as applied to human behavior, including research methods, physiological factors, learning, motivation, emotions, personality, adjustment, stress, psychological disorders, and therapies. These principles will be applied to the human experience.
Course Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: None
College Repeat Policy: A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including “W”.
Course Delivery Method: Class sessions will consist of a variety of formats, including multimedia presentations, group exercises, lectures, on line assignments, and open discussion.
Instructor: Patricia Prewitt Coble
Office Number: Spring Creek CampusK237
Office Hours: By Appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays
Contact Information:
Office Phone: 972.881.5759
Division Office: 972.881.5800
Cell Phone: 972.722.6253
Email (preferred method of contact):
Class Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays S20 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Room I202
S23 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Room I229
S24 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm Room I229
Class Meeting Location: Spring Creek Campus See above
Textbook (and websites):
Myers, D. (2010). Psychology 9th edition. New York: Worth Publishers. ISBN: 1-4292-1597-6 ISBN-13: 978-1-429-21597-8
A copy of the textbook will be on reserve in the library
Textbook Website (Registration required):
Coble Psychology Class Instructional Website:
Supplies: Course textbook, student ID, library card, scantron forms, folder or small binder for portfolio, sharpened pencils, paper.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history of psychology and its development.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific methods used to study behavior and mental processes.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic vocabulary of psychology.
- Describe the basic theories of psychology, how they are used, and their current status in the discipline.
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic process such as motivation, learning, emotions, group processes, personality, and human development.
- Demonstrate an appreciation for the uniqueness of the individual.
- Demonstrate a respect for cultural differences in the human experience.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to apply the above to every day life.
Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance and participation.
2. Reading of all assigned materials.
3. Completion of exams and projects.
Method of Evaluation:
Class Attendance and Participation: Weekly in class documented activities are completed and reviewed and are to be organized into a “participation portfolio” that will be turned in at the end of the semester. These activities will be worth between 5–10 points. The total number of points you can earn is 100. Designated on your psychology course calendar plan as “class participation and activities for portfolio”. Approximately 14.3% of final grade.
Assignments: In addition to required textbook reading, out of class interactive reading assignments include online activities (or approved alternative) that are submitted on line weekly! Designated on your course calendar plan as “homework assignments”. Approximately 14.3% of final grade.
Exams: There will be 4 exams each worth 100 points toward the final grade.
Exams will consist of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions. Designated on your course calendar plan as “exam”. Each exam is approximately 14.3% of final grade
Psychology News Reports: This semester long project explores current events and current research related to psychology and connects it to topics in your textbook. In addition to expanding your knowledge and understanding of psychology, the project promotes continuous development and use of skills in evaluating different sources of information, reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, collaborating, and other skills. Project instructions are provided in writing on a separate form, verbally in class, and digitally on the instructional web site. Designated on your course calendar plan as “Psychology in the News”. The total project earns approximately 14.3% of your grade.
Alternative Assessments: Some opportunities to earn extra credit are posted on the instructional web site: iws2.ccccd.edu/pcoble. Additional opportunities will only be announced in class! Up to 70 points can be earned! Your final course grade may increase up to one letter grade based on these alternative assessment opportunities.
Grading (points available):
Exam #1 / 100Exam #2 / 100
Exam #3 / 100
Exam #4 / 100
Assignments / 100
Participation Portfolio / 100
Project (Psychology in the News) / 100
Alternative Assessment / 70
A = 630 pts and over
B = 560 – 629 pts
C = 490 – 559 pts
D = 420 – 489 pts
F = <419 pts
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend each class session.
The last day to withdraw is October 16, 2009. Students who decide to not complete the course are responsible for officially withdrawing themselves from the course; failure to do so will result in a performance grade of "F".
Religious/Holiday days: Please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook
ADA Statement:
It is the policy of Collin County Community College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This college will adhere to al applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
Academic Ethics: The College District may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.
Plagiarismis the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheatingis the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for the assignments as if it were one’s own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusionis intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
At a minimum, the consequence of academic dishonesty may result in a “zero” grade on the particular assignment or test and a report to the Dean of Students.
Frequently asked Questions:
Can electronic devices be used in the classroom?
Electronic devices may be used in the classroom to enhance learning of the day’s psychology topic. If you plan to use electronic devices in the classroom you will be assigned to seating that will complement the use of the device for you as well as minimize distraction to others. Playing games, text messaging, listening to music, using cell phones, etc would not be considered as appropriate use of an electronic device in a learning environment. Please turn off the audio features of these devices before you enter the classroom. Violation of appropriate use of devices will immediately disallow your use of them in this class for the rest of the semester.
How do you handle disruptive students?
The classroom is a scholarly environment and students are expected to behave accordingly. Expression of ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc. is encouraged, but has to be done in a and respectful manner. Students who express willful disrespect towards their classmates or the instructor may be asked to leave the classroom.
Do I have to type my work?
Semester reports, reaction papers, extra credit reports are all required to be ‘typed’. Typed papers should be double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt times roman or arial font.
What if I have to leave class early?
If you must leave class early, please let me know before class starts. Also sit close to the door so that you do not disrupt class (or me) when you leave. Thank you for your respect!
Fall 2009 Psychology Course Calendar (subject to change):
*Instructions for Assignments are given verbally in class and digitally online at the instructional website: Activities are conducted in class, handouts and instructions are passed out in class.
Week NumberWeek of: / Classroom Topics and Exam Dates / Reading Assignment Myers Psychology 9e / Class Participation and Activities for Portfolio / Homework Assignments
1Aug 24 / Orientation
-Course Design & Mgmt.
-Your Assignments
-Navigating the course web sites
Overview Introducing Psychology / Prologue / -Syllabus
-Preview of Psychology / -Student Questionnaire
- Syllabus and Instructional Web Site Quiz
2 Aug 31 / Psychology’s history, perspectives, and enduring issues / Chapter 4-
Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity / -Identifying Perspectives / Myers Psychology 9e Website
Registration verification –
Take Prologue Web Quiz
3 Sept 7 / Psychological Science and Research Methods / Chapter 1-
Thinking Critically with Psychological Science / -Research terminology
-Identifying types of research
-Designing research studies / PsychSim Tutorial
Descriptive Statistics
4 Sept 14 / Neuropsychology / Chapter 2- The Biology of Mind / -Brain Users Primer / PsychSim Tutorial
Mind Reading Monkeys
STUDY for next week’s exam 1
5 Sept 21 / Tues -Exam One
Thurs-Thinking / Chapter 9– Thinking**pp. 369- 382 / -Psychology News Group Critique
Group Photo Shoot / BeginPsychology in the News Report 1Written report and presentation due Oct 8
6 Sept 28 / Consciousness / Chapter 3 –
Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind / Sleep / PsychSim Tutorial
Your Mind on Drugs
7 Oct 5 / Sensation and Perception / Chapter 6-Sensation and Perception / -Personal examples of Sensation Principles
-Peer review
Psychology in the News Report 1
Presentations / PsychSim Tutorial
Visual Illusions
8 Oct 12 / Learning / Chapter 7- Learning / -Classical and Operant Conditioning worksheets / PsychSimTutorial
Helplessly Hoping
STUDY for next week’s exam 2
9 Oct 19 / Tues- Exam Two
Thurs -Theories of Development:
Developmental Issues
Cognitive Development
Social Development / Chapter 5–Developing Through the Life Span*
*Cognitive Development
*Social Development / Human Nature Debate / BeginPsychology in the News Report 2
Written report and presentation due Nov 2
10Oct 26 / Personality Development
& Individual Differences / Chapter 9 –
Personality / -Case Study
-Defense Mechanisms
-Hierarchy of Needs
-Locus of Control / Personality Trait Assessment
11 Nov 2 / Motivation and Emotion / Chapter 12 – Emotions, Stress, and Health
Also see pg. 412 Emotional Intelligence / -Peer review
Psychology in the News Report 1
Presentations / PsychSim Tutorial
All Stressed Out
12 Nov 9 / Memory / Chapter 8 -Memory / Interactive Notes / PsychSim Tutorial
Iconic Memory
STUDY for next week’s exam 3
13 Nov 16 / Tues-Exam Three / Chapter 16 - Social Psychology* pp679 -691 / Film Analysis / BeginPsychology in the News Report 3
Written report due Nov. 30
14 Nov 23 / Psychological Disorders / Chapter 14-Psychological Disorders / Thanksgiving / PsychSim Tutorial
Mystery Client
15 Nov 30 / Psychological Disorders and Therapy / Chapter 15-
Therapy / *Portfolios due*
Psychology in the News Report 3 due / STUDY for next week’s exam 4
16 Dec 7 / Exam Four
S20 TUES; 1-3pm
S23 THURS; 2:30-4:30
S24 TUES; 4 – 6pm