PHOENIX COLLEGE
PSYCHOLOGY 101-INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
Section: 20632 Room: DB221 Mon., & Wed. 7:00 AM to 8:15 AM
Instructor: Dr. Ashlea Smith Session: Fall 2012
Office Hours: I will also generally be available before and after class each week.
Email:
REQUIRED TEXT: Myers, D. G. (2011). Exploring psychology. 8th Ed. In Modules. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
ISBN 10: 1-4292-6451-9
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
To acquaint the student with basic principles, methods, and fields of psychology such as learning, memory, emotion, perception, physiological, development, intelligence, social, and abnormal.
Prerequisites: None.
COURSE COMPETENCIES:
1. Describe the history of psychology.
2. Define the research methods utilized in the field of psychology.
3. Gain an understanding of psychology from a biological and physiological perspective focusing on the mechanisms of sensation, perception, and states of consciousness.
4. Describe defining characteristics of the following terms commonly used within psychology: learning, conditioning, thinking, memory, motivation, and emotion.
5. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of theories of human development and personality.
6. Define the terms and issues associated with intelligence and intelligence testing.
7. Summarize ways in which stress impacts the body, behavior, and psychological well-being.
8. Identify factors to control and cope with stress.
9. Define and discuss psychological disorders.
10. Identify the major therapeutic modalities utilized for the treatment of psychological disorders.
11. Evaluate the factors associated with group behavior and interpersonal relationships.
12. Apply psychology to everyday life and situations.
ATTENDANCE:
Only persons who are registered for a class at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges may attend that class. You MUST sign the Attendance Sheet every class period.
Attendance will be taken in all classes. Students who fail to attend the first scheduled class meeting, or to contact the instructor regarding an absence prior to the first scheduled class meeting, may be withdrawn by the instructor to allow for enrollment by other students. Please consult the campus catalog for more detailed information. If you come in late (more than five minutes), you may be counted tardy (three tardies will count as one absence). After three absences the instructor may withdraw the student from the course. Other assignments may be conducted in class as part of your final grade requirements (No In-class Exercises, or Oral Presentations can be made-up. They can only be turned in or completed on the date specified in class). The only “Excused” absence is a College Approved Activity or Holiday (See below for description of official absences and religious holidays. If a family or personal issue arises it is the student’s responsibility to let the professor know so that accommodations can be made. Some students may, for various reasons, desire or find it necessary to withdraw from this course. Remember that it is the student’s responsibility for withdrawal from a class. If the student does not take responsibility for withdrawal and has excessive absences, the student’s final grade will result in a “F”. It is the student’s responsibility to sign-in each day for class. If you do not sign-in you may be counted absent.
OFFICIAL ABSENCES:
Official absences are those which occur when students are involved in an official activity of the college (i.e., field trips, tournaments, athletic events) and present an official absence excuse form. Students who must miss a class for an official reason must obtain an official absence verification card from the appropriate vice president or designee and present it to the instructor before the absence. Prior arrangements must be made with the instructor for make-up work.
Other official absences include jury duty and subpoenas. Appropriate documentation will be required. Prior arrangements must be made with the instructor for make-up work. In the event of the death of an immediate family member, students should contact the instructor as soon as possible to arrange for make-up work. Appropriate documentation will be needed in this case as well.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS:
Students shall have the right to observe major religious holidays without penalty or reprisal by any administrator, faculty member, or employee of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Absences for such holidays shall not count against the number of absences allowed by an instructor or department. At least one week before the holiday, students shall submit to their instructor a written statement that included both the date of the holiday and the reason why the class attendance is impossible. Prior arrangements must be made with each instructor for make-up work.
MISSED WORK:
If you miss an exam day you **MUST** bring in proper documentation such as a doctor’s note, jury duty summons, court subpoena, funeral brochure, etc. ****IF YOU DO NOT have DOCUMENTATION as listed above you WILL NOT be able to make up the exam. **** All missed tests will be made up on the final at the professor’s discretion.**** The student will be responsible for working out a date and time for make-up tests with the professor. If the test is not made-up within this time, the student will receive a zero for that test. All assignments and tests must be completed by the last scheduled day of class. If you are unable to attend the class turn in an assignment you can email it the day it is due (if you intend to receive credit for the assignment) to the professor’s email as a WORD document attachment either Vista 2007 or XP 97-2003 only.
All homework must be turned in to the professor on the assigned date and time (No homework will be accepted after the due date and time, except for an excused absence as described on the previous page). It is the student’s responsibility to notify the professor if you must miss a class and turning in the assignment. All assignments are due at the start of the class on the assigned date. If the student does not turn in their homework by the assigned date and time, the student will receive a zero for that assignment.
There will be no make-up of In-class Exercises, homework assignments, Group Presentations, or Oral Presentations. The student is responsible for all information given in class about due dates and times via verbal or written communication from the professor.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTS:
All tests missed that are excused will be made up on the final. The make-up test date is at the professor’s discretion. It is the student’s responsible to notify the professor as soon as possible if they cannot attend class on test day. The student will be responsible for working out a date and time for make-up tests with the professor. If the test is not made-up within the timeframe allotted, the student will receive a zero for that test. All assignments and tests must be completed by the last scheduled day by the professor. You may ONLY take your exam if you have notified the professor well in advance due to some excused absences such as: sickness, family death, family issue, religious holiday, work obligations, etc. with documentation provided to the professor. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the professor well in advance to take an exam in the testing center on campus.
All homework must be turned in to the instructor on the assigned date and time. If the student does not turn in their homework by the assigned date and time, the student will receive a zero for that assignment. If you are ABSENT when an assignment is due you may email it to still receive credit for the assignment.
There will be no make-up of In-class Exercises, homework assignments, Group Presentations, or Oral Presentations, meaning if you are not present you miss those points. The student is responsible for all information given in class about due dates and times via verbal or written communication from the professor. The FINAL EXAM must be taken on the final exam day no later. If you need accommodations for the final to take it earlier with a valid reason per the professor’s discretion, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the professor.
DISABILITY RESOURCES:
www.pc.maricopa.edu/drc -602-285-7477.
Please contact the instructor immediately if (1) you have or think you may have a disability or medical condition that may affect your performance, attendance, or grades in this class and for which you wish to discuss accommodations of class related activities or schedules; (2) you may require medical attention during class, or; (3) you may need special emergency evacuation preparations or procedures. For accommodations or additional assistance please contact the DRC, Learning Center (LC) Building, 602- 285-7477. Accommodations are provided on an individualized, as-needed basis after the needs and circumstances have been evaluated. The only way that you can receive “Special Accommodations” for this class is to be registered with the PC “Disability Resource Center.”
TAPING:
Audio or videotaping is not allowed in this course without prior consent of the professor. You must have permission of the professor prior to audio or videotaping any class lecture. The professor may allow audio-taping on a special needs basis only with prior approval/request from Disability Resource Center.
TESTING:
See the tentative Course Outline. All tests must be made-up within one week of the testing date. All tests count toward the student’s final grade. This is up to the professor’s discretion, as tests can only be made when proper documentation is provided of illness, court subpoena, etc. There will be NO grading on a curve and NO “dropped” test.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:
There will be no pager nor cell phones turned on during the class period (they must be turned OFF). Please arrive on time and listen respectfully while the professor or other class members are speaking. Food and drink are not permitted in the classroom. Please make sure you take all of your personal items with you after leaving the class, the professor is NOT responsible for lost, stolen, or missing personal items.
THE WRITING CENTER:
Please feel free to utilize the Writing Center and its tutors, who can assist you with grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, spelling, thesis statements, research papers, and many other tasks. You need to schedule an appointment to work with a tutor in the center. The Writing Center is located in the lower level of the library.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION:
It is your responsibility to save your homework and assignments. Keep these copies in a safe place until you have received your final grade.
STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students are responsible to read and understand the District-wide Scholastic Standards found in the current Student Handbook.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered plagiarism.
-PC Student Handbook. 2012/2013. p. 184
To avoid plagiarism, students must give a source credit for any ideas or information they have used in an essay, whether they have paraphrased, summarized, or quoted from the source. A student who plagiarizes is subject to disciplinary probation and suspension (found in the current PC Catalog). The first occurrence of plagiarism may result in a zero for that assignment. A second occurrence may result in a grade of “F” for the course
WITHDRAWAL:
Some students may, for various reasons, desire or find it necessary to withdraw from this course. Remember that it is the student’s responsibility for withdrawal from a class. If the student does not take responsibility for withdrawal, the student’s final grade may be a “F”. It is the student’s responsibility to sign-in each day for class. If you do not sign-in you may be counted absent. To withdraw from a course or courses from the college, students must follow approved procedures. The office of Admissions and Records provides information about the withdrawal process.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:
Students engaging in the following are subject to disciplinary sanctions outlines in the PC Catalog, Student Policies Section: Conduct: Rules and Regulations.
1. Acts of Dishonesty: examples may include: plagiarism, furnishing false information, falsifying records related to coursework, forgery, alteration, or misuse of any college document, and tampering with the election of any college-recognized official.
2. Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings, or college activities. An instructor can remove a student from class for disciplinary reasons.
3. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and/or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person.
4. Attempted or actual theft.
5. Failure to comply with direction of college officials or law enforcement officers.
6. Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any college premises.
7. Violation of federal, state, or local laws on college campus or at college sponsored activities.
8. Use, possession, or distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances.
9. Use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages, or public intoxication.
10. Illegal or unauthorized possession of firearms, explosives, weapons, or dangerous chemicals.
11. Participation in a college demonstration that disrupts the normal operations of the college.
12. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on college premises.
13. Conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent.
14. Theft or other abuse of computer time.
15. Abuse of the judicial system.
OTHER POLICIES:
All policies in the PC College Catalog, the PC Student Handbook, and specifically listed in this syllabus, apply to this course. Please consult the 2011-2012 PC College Catalog and Student Handbook and be familiar with all PC College and Maricopa Community College District policies.
CHANGES:
All provisions in this syllabus are subject to change. Such changes, if any, will be announced in class. Students who miss all or part of a class are responsible for any and all changes (either written or verbal changes announced in class).
GRADING & EVALUATION POLICY:
The student’s final grade will be based on the percentage of the student’s total points obtained divided by the total points possible for this course. There will be no extra credit points in this course. No In-class Exercises can be made up. All assignments must be turned in on dates and times announced in class. A zero will be assigned as the student’s grade for all assignments not turned in on the assigned date. Again, the student is responsible for knowing dates announced in class.