COURSE SYLLABUS
Introduction to Psychology
PSY 1113
Fall, 2015
Instructor: Dr. John Hensley
Office No.: MCAC 340
Office Phone: 918-595-7127
E-Mail:
(If I’m not in my office, you’ll get a quicker reply by e-mail, than by telephone.)
Classes Meet:
MW 8:30 - 9:50a (Call Number 12625)
MW 10:00 - 11:20p (Call Number 12628)
MW 1:00 - 2:20p (Call Number 12633)
TTh 8:30 - 9:50a (Call Number 12635)
Office Hours:
MW 7:30 - 8:30a
TTh 7:30 - 8:30a
MW 2:30 - 4:30p(Please Make Appointment for Afternoon Hours)
T 1:00 - 3:00p(Please Make Appointment for Afternoon Hours)
COMMUNICATIONS
Email communications: All TCC students receive a designated Microsoft Office 365
email address (ex: ). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your TCC Microsoft Office 365 email address; and you must use TCC Microsoft Office 365 email to send email to, and receive email from, the instructor regarding this course.
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website (
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS
Text: Lilenfield, S.O., Lynn, S.J., Namy, L.L., and Woolf, N.J. (2013/2015). Psychology: From Inquiry to Understanding, 3nd/4thEdition. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Testing Materials: One package of Scantron machine grading answer sheets.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
A study of basic problems and principles of human experience and behavior: history of psychology, human development, heredity and environment, motivation, learning, emotions, abnormal behavior, and therapy methods. Lecture 3 hours. No laboratory.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To understand basic concepts in psychology and be able to apply them to real life situations.
2. To obtain a general knowledge of the historical development of psychology as a
science and an appreciation for the fundamental principles of the scientific
method used in the study of human behavior.
3.To learn the language of psychology for future reading and/or courses in the
area.
4.To become acquainted with different theoretical approaches to psychology and
be able to evaluate their applicability for different patterns of behavior.
TEACHING METHODS
A lecture/discussion format will be used. It is essential that each student read the assigned material before coming to class. Lecture will typically cover major points to the assigned reading material as well as material not covered in the text. Students are responsible for material from text and class.
TESTS AND GRADING POLICY
There will be six tests, each announced in advance. The tests will be worth 25 points each, for a total of 150 points at the end of the semester. All tests will be multiple choice.
ONE missed test may be made-up without penalty. No one will be given permission for two make-up tests; therefore, anyone missing two or more tests for anyreason will be counseled to withdraw and to re-enroll at a later time when his or her life is more in order.
All make-up tests will be administered on the last day of class.
If it can be arranged in advance with your instructor, tests may be taken prior to their normally scheduled time without counting as a make-up test.
You will also receive a grade for attendance.The roll will be called daily at the beginning of class. At the end of the semester the number of times you have attended each session throughout the semester will be divided by the total number of sessions taught and the result multiplied times 50. The result will be added to the total points accumulated from tests and a semester grade will be assigned based on the following table:
(90%) 180 - 200 points = A
(80%) 160 - 179 points = B
(60%) 120 - 159 points = C
(50%) 100 - 119 points = D
0 - 99 points = F
No curve and no extra credit is available.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Anyone who misses the calling of the roll for any reason will be counted as absent for that session. Credit for class attendance begins the first day that class meets, regardless of when the student enrolls. To be counted present on any day you must be present when the roll is called AND when class is dismissed at the end of a session.
INSTRUCTOR ABSENCE
If your instructor is absent, and if this absence is not announced in advance, all students will be counted present in Introduction to Psychology for that day.
SNOW DAYS
On those days that the Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) cancels Tulsa schools classes due to weather, all students will be counted present in Introduction to Psychology. If a test or written assignment is scheduled on a TPS official snow day, it will be postponed until the following regularly scheduled class period.
READING ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTING SCHEDULE
Chapter 1Psychology and Scientific Method
Chapter 2Research Methods
(Test 1 Covering Chapters 1, 2 & Syllabus)
Chapter 5Consciousness (Test 2 Covering Chapter 5)
Chapter 6Learning
(Test 3 Covering Chapter 6)
Chapter 10Human Development
(Test 4 Covering Chapter 10)
Chapter 14Personality
(Test 5 Covering Chapter 14)
Chapter 15Psychological Disorders
Chapter 16Psychological and Biological Treatments
(Test 6 Covering Chapters 15 & 16)
WITHDRAWAL
The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course (‘W’ grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines. Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
FOLLOW-UP COURSES
Students completing Introduction to Psychology may wish to follow-up with other psychology courses. Introduction to Psychology is the prerequisite for most of the other psychology courses offered at Tulsa Community College.
ASSUMED SKILLS
For a student to be successful in the completion of this course, it is assumed that he or she can
- read and interpret written materials at a level appropriate for college:
(reading);
- communicate clearly through written and oral media at a level appropriate
forcollege: (writing and speaking);
- maintain an adult learning attitude at a level appropriate for college: (self-
discipline and professionalism);
- attend regularly and on time, and actively participate in class activities and
discussions: (responsibility).
General Education Goals
General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking, Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
Classroom Etiquette
Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Use of any electronic device is at the discretion of the instructor.
Please turn off cell phones during class. Texting during class is not allowed.
The instructor will not tolerate students sleeping in class, nor students who “appear” to be sleeping in class. It is rude, disrespectful, and distracting.
If a student continues to sleep in class and/or send and receive texts in class after being specifically reminded of the policy against both activities, the instructor will withdraw the student from the course with a grade of A/W.
Syllabus Changes
Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
DISABILITY RESOURCES
It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community College to create inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at or call (918) 595-7115 (Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:
- Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to
complete substitute assignment or test;
- Record a “zero” for the assignment or test in question;
- Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or
administratively withdraw the student from the class;
- Record a grade of “F” for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by submitting such request to the Dean of Student Services.
Institutional Statement
Each student is responsible for being aware of the information contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website:
TOBACCO FREE COLLEGE
Tulsa Community College is a Tobacco Free college in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 2012-01 and Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 1-1523 which prohibits smoking or the use of any tobacco products in all public places, in any indoor workplace, and all vehicles owned by the State of Oklahoma and all of its agencies and instrumentalities. This Order includes property leased, rented, or owned by TCC including, but not limited to, all grounds, buildings, facilities, and parking lots. Tulsa Community College’s policy includes a tobacco free environment on all campus and off-campus locations conducting TCC credit or non-credit classes. The TCC Campus Police is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Tobacco-Free Environment Policy. Violations of the policy may be addressed through issuance of campus or state citations.
“[T]he central dynamic of our race has never been a conflict between good and evil but rather between enlightenment and ignorance.” - Tom Robbins
“A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.” – Saul Bellow
The Earth is Flat, and the Sun Revolves Around It - Putting Common Sense and the Bible to the Test.
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