Spring Syllabus 700 am
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE
Lonestar College
SYLLABUS
For PSYC 2301
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2011
Catalogue Description
An introductory course dealing with the elementary principals of human behavior. Designed especially for those students majoring in the social or biological sciences, pre-medicine or education.
Credit: 3 credit hours
Prerequisites: none
ADA Statement
Students with disabilities who believe that they need accommodations in this course are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office at 936-273-7239; located in Building E, Office 103H as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
PURPOSE
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This course will offer students a survey of psychology as a scientific and professional discipline. Students will gain a broad understanding of the major theories, developments, and controversies in psychology. The course will help students to think psychologically about human potential and human problems. Students will gain a better understanding of the many reasons behind behaviors, feelings, and thoughts of themselves and others. This will help them to appreciate how psychology can be used to improve themselves and to improve the human condition.
COURSE OUTCOMES
In completing this course, you will:
- 1. Describe the historical development of the study of human behavior including current theoretical perspectives prominent in the field of psychology.
- 2. Introduce terminology unique to the study of psychology.
- 3. Encourage critical analysis of research findings through application of the scientific method and a basic understanding of research design..
- 4. Examine, compare and contrast factors contributing to development and the human experience.
- 5. Include for study accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.
- 6. Explore the ways in which humans created their realities including those experiences which deviate from the mainstream of accepted experience and behavior.
- 7. Develop a theoretical framework by which to examine differing views on the origins of problems and related treatment modalities.
topics
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PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
In the case of plagiarism (claiming that words and ideas of others are your own and/or not indicating the source of ideas), the instructor reserves the right to give the student a zero for the assignment.
In the case of cheating during the course of a test or unauthorized collaboration on a test or writing project, the instructor reserves the right to give the student or students a zero for the quiz or assignment.
TEXTBOOK &
REQUIRED MATERIALS
1) Plotniki,Rod. (2007) Introduction to Psychology. Belmont, California: Thomson Wadsworth Publishing. (8e)
2) Student Learning Notebook 2009/10. This notebook accompanies the text and is bound within the text. It may only be purchased at the Montgomery bookstore. Be certain to purchase the textbook with the correct ISBN:
| 053879710X | BNDL: ACP PSYCHOLOGY 8E LICHTMAN | |
| Author: | PLOTNIK/KOUYOUMDJIAN | |
| Copyright Year: | 2009 | |
INSTRUCTOR:
Irv Lichtman
For all class information logon to: faculty.lonestar.edu/ilichtman
Montgomery College: 936-273-7000
Email: irv.lichtman@lonestar.edu
SECTION: 4038
CLASS: TTH 7:00 – 8:20 a.m. Spring 2011
Office hours-by appointment.
PROPOSED CALENDAR:
IMPORTANT EVALUATION DATES
February
3 – Module 1 or 2 written reaction due
10 – Module 3 or 4 written reaction due
14 — EXAM I MODULES 1, 2, 3 & 4. Bring two scantrons and pencil.
24 – Module 9 or 10 written reaction due
March
8 – Module 11 or 22 written reaction due
10 – EXAM II MODULES 9-12. Bring two scantrons and pencil.
22 – Module17 written reaction due-Infancy and Childhood
24 – Module 18 written reaction due- Adolescence or Adulthood
31 – EXAM III MODULES 17 & 18. Bring two scantrons and pencil.
April
5 – Module 19 or 20 written reaction due
12 – Module 21 written reaction due
21 – EXAM IV MODULES 19-21 & Stress Handouts. Bring two scantrons and pencil
26 – Module 22 or 23 written reaction due
28 – EXAM V MODULES 22 & 23. Bring two scantrons and pencil
May
3 – Module 40, 41, or 42 written reaction due
3 – FINAL EXAM REVIEW
5 – PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
13 – COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM – 7:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.
WEEKLY ROAD MAP
Week One 1/16
Topic : Introduction – Introduction to psychological perspectives and the scientific method.
Activities: 1. Thinking critically about our notions of psychology and behavior.
- 2. “Preview” The Contents of the course
- 3. Common Sense Psychology Quiz
Weeks Two and Three 1/23 & 1/30
Topic: Modules 1 and 2 – Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
Activities: 1. Correlation Design
2. Correlation versus Causation
3. Design an Experiment
4. Applying Psychology’s major Perspectives
Week Four 2/6
Topic: Modules 3 and 4 – Are we Electric? Why we do what we do!!
Activities: 1. Brain activity – Chemical Action of Drugs
- 2. Video Clip – Split Brain and the Brain’s language centers
Week Five 2/13
EXAM MODULES 1, 2, 3 & 4. Feb. 14th Bring a scantron and pencil.
Week Six 2/20__________________________________________________________
Topic: Modules 9 and 10 – How do we learn?
Activities: 1. Operant conditioning and TV Ads
- 2. Shaping demonstration
- 3. Classical conditioning demonstration
- 4. Negative reinforcement quiz
Week Seven 2/27
Topic: Modules 9 and 10 (cont’d)
Activity: 1. Observational learning.
Topic: Modules 11 and 12 – How can we improve our memories?
Activities: 1. Demonstration of Sensory Memory
- 2. Demonstration of Short-Term Memory
- 3. Demonstration of Long-Term Memory – imagery and organization
- 4. Demonstration of Memory Strategies
Week Eight 3/7
Topic: Module 12 (Continued)
Activities: 1. EXAM II MODULES 9-12 March 10TH. Bring a scantron and pencil.
Week Nine 3/13
Spring Break Week
Week Ten 3/20
Topic: Modules 17 and 18 – How do we develop from Adolesence to Adulthood?
Activities: 1. Jack and Jill Developmental
Week Eleven 3/27
***May extend Modules 17 & 18
Topic: Modules 19 and 20-Personality: Did your mother make you who you are today?
Activities: 1. Student skits demonstrating Freud’s conception of the mind.
- 2. Student skits using Freudian Defense Mechanisms
- 3. Demonstration of Projective Tests – TAT & Roschach
- 4. EXAM III MODULES 17 & 18. March 31st. Bring a scantron and pencil.
Week Twelve 4/3
Topic: Personality. Did Past Experiences make you who you are today or do present experiences and hopes for the future influence your personality development?
Activities: 1. Big Five Trait Theory and the NEOPI-5 Personality Inventory
- 2. Self-Actualization Inventory
- 3. Self-Concept Measurement
Week Thirteen 4/10
Topic: Module 21-Stress and Health. How to get stressed out and get really sick! What’s the Best way to Cope with Stress? What is the worst way?
Activities: 1. Coping with stress
- 2. Maladaptive Coping
- 3. Adaptive Coping
Week Fourteen 4/17
Topic: Modules 36-39-Psychological Disorders: He is acting really strange! Why does he do that?
Activities: 1. What is Abnormal?
- 2. Classifying Psychological Disorders.
- 3. EXAM IV MODULES 19 – 21 & Stress Handouts. April 21st. Bring scantron and pencil
Week Fifteen 4/24
Topic: Psychological Disorders (continued)
Activities: 1. Mood Disorders and Suicide
- 2. Video – Schizophrenia – The 3 Subtypes of Schizophrenia.
- 3. EXAM V MODULES 22 & 23. April 28th. Bring a scantron and pencil
Week Sixteen 5/1
Topic: Project Presentations and Final Review
Activities: 1. Final Review 5/3
2. Project Presentations 5/5
Week Seventeen 5/10
FINAL EXAM May 12th 7:30 to 9:20 a.m.
ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS
- As this course emphasizes the development of discussion skills, the ability to work responsibly in a group and the use of critical thinking skills, participation in the class discussions and activities is crucial.
- You are adults, and so attendance in class is up to you. I keep attendance as part of the college policy, I do count absences as a part of your grade. At the same time, I reserve the option of dropping a student from any class after the student has been absent the equivalent of 2 weeks. Learning involves more than just reading the book, and our class discussions will go beyond the book, so attendance is a necessity if you hope to achieve a satisfactory grade. If you should desire to drop the class for any reason, please let me know. It is your responsibility, not mine, to drop the course if you so choose. If a student stops attending the course and does not officially withdraw, she/he may receive a course grade of “F”.
- 2 Late arrivals (5 minutes after class starts) combined with early departures (5 minutes before class ends) is equivalent to one class absence. Many times the door will be closed/locked and you will politely be told that you have missed class and to be on time for future classes.
EVALUATION
89.5 or above = A
79.5 – 89.4 = B
69.9 – 79.4 = C
59.5 – 69.4 = D
under 59.5 = F
PAPERS (10%)
WRITTEN REACTIONS OF MODULES (10%)
You will write a one page paper on one of each assigned modules (consult the Important Evaluation Dates for module assignment due dates) in which you will answer reflective questions about the chapter. Your task is to think critically about the material. The instructor is interested in how the information in a module relates to your life. You will select one or two aspects of an assigned module that are of interest to you and state clearly why it is interesting to you and/or how you can now apply what you learned to enhance your life. Each written reaction will count 1% of your grade. Dates are posted on the Important Evaluation Date’s page. ***Each paper is to be typed and double spaced and must be one full page for credit. You will receive an “A” for each completed paper and a failing grade for not completing the review or for papers falling short of the minimum one page requirement.
DAILY ACTIVITIES/CLASS PARTICIPATION (20%)
Daily activities will be individual and group activities that will include verbal presentations or written work to be turned in and evaluated. Grading will be based on demonstration of participation, preparation before class, and critical thinking exercises. If you are not in attendance you will receive a zero for that day.
TESTING (60%)
There will be 5 exams, each worth 10% of your grade. They will be multiple choice in format. Dates are:
Exam 1 Modules 1, 2,3,&4 February 14 10%
Exam 2 Modules 9, 10, 11, & 12 March 10 10%
Exam 3 Modules 17 & 18 March 31 10%
Exam 4 Modules 19, 20, & 21 April 21 10%
Exam 5 Modules 22 & 23 April 27 10%
There will be a FINAL comprehensive exam worth 15% of your grade. It will consist of 100 multiple choice questions which covers the material in the Supplemental Study Guide. The purpose of this exam is for you to demonstrate your understanding of how behavior and mental processes can be explained from several perspectives. You will also be evaluated by your knowledge of psychological research. The final exam will be May 12th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:20 a.m. All students will take their Final at times posted on Final Exam schedule. Exceptions must be approved by the Dean.
EXTRA CREDIT (OPTIONAL 2%)
You can have up to 2 points added to your overall final grade by writing a 3 page summary of a research article. This is an optional activity. Your research topic must be approved and it must come from a psychological journal. You are required to use a form provided by your instructor to guide you. It must be APA approved.
PROJECTS (15%)
Projects may include the following choices. At least one is required which will count 10% of the final course grade. Additional projects can be completed for extra credit. The goal of a project is to show clearly how some aspect of Psychology can benefit your life as well as the lives of others. You must clearly demonstrate that you had a learning experience. Simply presenting something already known to you prior to this course will not be credited as a learning experience. If you have any question concerning this please talk with the instructor. You must quote or reference ALL sources of your scientific information.
•A. Personal Growth. This assignment involves using resources to develop your personal understanding of psychology that will help you in your personal life or work. Personal growth options include:
•1. Reading a book or listening to an audio-book that deals with psychology or personal growth and has been approved by your instructor. Summarize what you learned from the book in less than 3 pages.
•2. Surfing the net for a minimum of three hours, viewing various links on the internet.
Summarize what you learned from the net by organizing your findings in a folder or binder.
•B. Research Review. Review a research article from a professional psychological journal or internet source. Possible journals include:
•1. Journal of Psychology
•2. Journal of Abnormal Psychology
•3. Journal of social Psychology
•4. Journal of Marriage and Family
•5. Journal of Psychology of Personality
The review should be 3-4 typed pages, stapled in upper left corner. The reviews should consist of a summary, description of the type of research, and a critique of the quality of the research. Your instructor has forms that will guide you. You are required to use a form provided by your instructor to guide you and you must attach a copy of your journal article. Journals must be APA listed and involve experimental research.
For an approved list of journals go to: www.apa.org/journals/by_subjects.html
•C. Creations. Building upon what you have learned about psychology, develop a creation that in some respect relates to psychology. Possibilities could include a board or card game, a problem solving situation, a psychological art gallery, a diagrammed brain jelly mold, a power point presentation, a video, a psychological journal, an illustrated storybook, a brochure or pamphlet, a CD or DVD, original research or a drama/skit acting out or demonstrating a psychological principle. Use your imagination and be prepared to explain or exhibit to students in class. If you would like to do this assignment please briefly discuss your idea with the instructor
Your project must pertain to psychology and not physiology. For example, a project on anemia, alzheimer’s disease, or diabetes is not acceptable. If you have any doubts concerning this, please communicate with your instructor to avoid receiving a zero.
** Projects using Freudian and Maslow’s theories must show a clear application to your life and must be discussed with your instructor for approval prior to doing this project.
**All projects must be accompanied by something visual. Your instructor will inform you of the grading criteria for all projects. A 3-5 minute presentation to the class is required.
PROJECT GRADING CRITERIA
Demonstration of Learning: (25 points)
There is a clear demonstration that you learned something from doing your project; something you didn’t already know.
Demonstration of Benefit: (25 points)
There is a clear psychological/behavioral benefit to you and others from doing your project. This is a project on psychology and not physiology. Your project must pertain to behavior.
Visualization: (15 points)
You present something that is visual such as a powerpoint, poster, pamphlet, leaflet, storybook, etc. to accompany your project if your project does not contain something visual.
Clear Presentation: (10 points)
You present your project stating why you did what you did, how it benefits you, how it benefits the public at large and your presentation to the class is no less than 3 minutes and no more than 5 minutes and you do not read from note cards but talk to us.
References: (25 Points)
You must cite your sources of reference unless your project is original research in which you will cite yourself. Your reference must be placed somewhere visible such as the last page of a storybook, the last slide of a power point, the back page of a pamphlet, etc.
MISSED TEST POLICY
There are no makeup exams. If you miss a test, that test will count as your lowest score. If you miss more than one test, you will have to show written documentation of an emergency situation for ALL missed tests to be considered for a makeup. Any makeup exams will be taken the week before final exams.
EXAM DAY POLICY
Exams will be given during the second half of the class period. The student is required to attend class from the beginning of the class period on the day of each exam as well as all class periods. Class starts promptly at the designated class time. Students who do not attend class from the beginning will be counted as not present for that class date and receive a zero for that day.
EVALUATION
4 EXAMS 40%
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 15%
WRITTEN REACTIONS 10%
PROJECT 15%
PARTICIPATION/ATTENDENCE 20%
TOTAL 100%