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Psychology
Northwest College
PSYC 2301 - Introduction to Psychology CRN 42874 – Spring 2015
Spring Branch Campus - Rm. 307| 8-10am | TR 3-Hour Lecture/ 48 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor: Linda Whitney Instructor Contact Information: Linda.whitney@hccs.edu and (713)718-5687. Office location and hours I am in my office AD5 (enter the doorway marked Department Chairs, near the Campus Administration/deliveries and turn left) the following hours: MW 10-11am and 3:30-4pm; Tuesday & Thursday from 11-11:30am. Also, I am in classroom #307 on Tuesday & Thursday from 7:30-8am. If these hours do not work with your schedule, please email me or phone my office to schedule an appointment at a different time. The best way to contact me is by email. For the subject, state the time of your class. If you have a bizarre e-mail address, and there is no subject, I will probably delete your email without opening it.
Course Description
PSYC 2301 is a survey course of the basic principles underlying human behavior. Emphasis is
placed on major areas of study in the field of psychology, such as learning, memory, personality,
health and stress, child and adult development, and psychological disorders. This course transfers
as three (3) hours of credit to most other colleges and universities.
Prerequisites
PSYC 2301 requires college-level reading and writing skills. Research indicates that you are
most likely to succeed if you have already taken and passed ENGL 1301. The minimum
requirements for enrollment in PSYC 2301 include placement in college-level reading (or take
GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and placement in college-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349
as a co-requisite). If you have enrolled in this course without having satisfied these
prerequisites, you are at higher risk of failure or withdrawal than students who have done so, and
you should carefully read and consider the repeater policy notice that follows.
Course Goals
The goals of all psychology courses at Houston Community College are as follows:
Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to
PSYC 2301 – page 2
1. Succeed in advanced psychology courses that include related content and are required for an
undergraduate major in psychology
2. Succeed in advanced psychology and psychology-related courses that include related content
and are required in non-psychology majors such as nursing and education
3. Understand and evaluate psychological concepts that are covered in this course and are
featured in news reports, self-help materials, and as a part of the process of seeking and engaging
in psychotherapy
Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge in multiple (8) areas of psychology including concepts, facts and
theoretical perspectives.
2. Define and identify the basic research and evaluation methods used in psychology, including
the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of and identify concepts related to personal development and the
development and behavior of others.
4. Apply psychological concepts to the solution of current issues and problems including ethics,
coping with stressful events, health and wellness, parenting, learning, memory, and /or
evaluation of media presentations.
Learning objectives
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO #1: Demonstrate knowledge in multiple (8) areas of psychology
including concepts, facts and theoretical perspectives.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Major schools of thought in psychology
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Components of the neuron
Components of the synapse
Action potential
Major neurotransmitters
Medulla
Cerebellum
Hypothalamus
Limbic system
Components of the cerebrum
Plasticity
Endocrine system
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
Learning
Reinforcement
Punishment
Observational learning
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
Characteristics of short-term memory
Characteristics of long-term memory
PSYC 2301 – page 3
CORE DOMAIN 5: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Phases of prenatal development
Piaget's stages of cognitive development
Erikson's stages of psychosocial development
Alzheimer's disease
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
Personality
Conscious, unconscious, preconscious mind
Id, ego, and superego
Freud's psychosexual stages
Big Five personality traits
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
Phobias
Panic disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Dissociative identity disorder
Schizophrenia
Major subtypes of schizophrenia
Major depressive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Personality disorders
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO#2: Define and identify the basic research and evaluation methods used
in psychology, including the strengths and weaknesses of each method.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Scientific method
Descriptive methods
Representative sample
Experimental method
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Methods of studying the brain
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
Methods used by Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
Recall
Recognition
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
Objective tests (inventories)
Projective tests
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
PSYC 2301 – page 4
Purpose, organization, and content of the DSM-IV
OBJECTIVE FOR SLO#3: Demonstrate knowledge of and identify concepts related to personal
development and the development and behavior of others.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Differences among the major theoretical perspectives in psychology
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Processes that occur when a neuron is activated
How neurotransmitters affect behavior
Functions of the frontal lobes
Difference between the central and peripheral nervous systems
Functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
How the pituitary gland affects behavior
How the adrenal glands affect behavior
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
How classical conditioning modifies an organism's responses to stimuli
How operant conditioning modifies an organism's responses to stimuli
Difference between positive and negative reinforcement
Factors that influence the effectiveness of punishment
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
Information-processing approach to memory
Reconstructive memory
The function of schemas
Causes of forgetting
CORE DOMAIN 5: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Effects of teratogens and other negative factors on prenatal development
Relationship between contact comfort and attachment
Differences among the various patterns of attachment
Difference between the social learning and gender schema theory explanations of gender role
development
Process of cognitive development as Piaget explained it
Proposed causes of Alzheimer's disease
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
Effects of stress on the immune system
Effects of daily hassles on stress
Factors that influence individual's capacity for resisting the effects of stress
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
Function of defense mechanisms in Freud's theory
Views of humanistic theorists regarding the personality
Bandura's concept of reciprocal determinism
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
Criteria for abnormal behavior
Possible causes of schizophrenia
Symptoms of major depressive disorder.
Symptoms of Bipolar disorder
PSYC 2301 – page 5
OBJECTIVES FOR SLO#4: Apply psychological concepts to the solution of current issues and
problems including ethics, coping with stressful events, health and wellness, parenting, learning,
memory, and /or evaluation of media presentations.
CORE DOMAIN 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Students will apply
Ethical standards for psychological research
CORE DOMAIN 2: BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
Students will apply
Principles of behavior genetics
CORE DOMAIN 3: LEARNING
Students will apply
Principles of behavior modification
CORE DOMAIN 4: MEMORY
Students will apply
Techniques for improving memory
CORE DOMAIN 5: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Students will apply
Effects of the authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting styles on children's
development
CORE DOMAIN 6: STRESS AND HEALTH
Students will apply
Difference between problem-focused and emotion-focused coping
CORE DOMAIN 7: PERSONALITY
Students will apply
Views of Abraham Maslow regarding self-actualization
CORE DOMAIN 8: ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR AND THERAPIES
Students will apply
Difference between psychologists and psychiatrists
HCC Core Curriculum: The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) mandates that
the core curriculum must ensure that students will develop the essential knowledge and skills
they need to be successful in college, in a career, in their communities, and in life. Through the
Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the
physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a
diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. See
page 56 of the 2013-4 HCC catalog for the Core Curriculum.
Core Curriculum Competencies
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
PSYC 2301 satisfies the social science requirement in the HCCS core curriculum. The HCCS
Psychology Discipline Committee has specified that address the core curriculum competencies
as follows:
CRITICAL THINKING
PSYC 2301 – page 6
Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information, and creative thinking by completing a written assignment such as a book report, research paper, or essay. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Students will demonstrate effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication by completing a written assignment such as a book report, research paper, or essay. QUANTITATIVE AND EMPIRICAL LITERACY Students will demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions based on the systematic analysis of topics using observation, experimental, and/or numerical methods by completing textbook reading assignments, completing assignments, and answering questions on the quizzes and exams that pertain to defining and identifying basic research and evaluation methods used in psychology, and the strengths and weaknesses of each method. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Students will demonstrate cultural self-awareness, intercultural competency, civic knowledge, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities by completing textbook reading assignments, completing assignments, and answering questions on quizzes and exams that pertain to the application of psychological concepts the solution of current issues and problems including ethics, coping with stressful events, health and wellness, parenting, learning, memory and/or evaluation of media presentations.
CALENDAR
WEEK DATES CHAPTER ACTIVITY OR MATERIAL TO BE COVERED
1 1/20-1/22
1 Introduction to Course: Syllabus Introduction
2 1/26-1/29
1 What is Psychology?
3 2/2-2/5
2 Psychology’s Scientific Methods
4 2/9-2/12
3 Neuroscience and Behavior ***Report #1 on a Correlational Research Study due Friday by midnight***
5 2/16-2/19
3 2/16 President’s Day Holiday (no school); Neuroscience and Behavior (cont’d) Exam 1 ( Chapters 1, 2 & 3)
PSYC 2301 – page 7
6 2/23-2/26
6 4
Learning Sensation & Perception
7 3/2-3/5 7 5
Memory States of Consciousness
8 3/9-3/12
Exam 2 (Chapters (4- 7)
9 3/15-3/21
Spring Break Holiday (no school)
10 3/23-3/26
8 9
Intelligence Human Development March 24, 2015 by 4:30pm. Last day for Student or Administrative Withdrawals
11 3/30-4/2
10 & 11 Motivation & Emotion; Gender, Sex & Sexuality
12 4/6-4/9 12 Personality
13 4/13-4/16
13 Exam 3 (Chapters 8-12) Social Psychology
15 4/20-4/23
15 Psychological Disorders ***Report #2 on an Experimental Design Study due Friday by midnight***
16 4/27 4/30
16 & 17
Therapies Health Psychology
17 5/4 5/6
Exam 4 (Chapters 13,15, 16 & 17) Review for Final Exam
18 5/14 Comprehensive Departmental Final 8-10am
All test dates are approximately planned and subject to change. The actual test dates will be announced in class at least one week in advance.
Instructional Methods
This is a lecture course with student online quizzes, group discussions, and written projects. My
responsibilities include presenting the course material in a way that students can best learn which
will include PowerPoint presentations, short videos and animations. Student responsibilities
include reading the textbook, turning in online and written assignments on time, taking exams
and participating in group discussions and projects. You will enjoy the class and make your
highest grades if you come prepared for the classes.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Online Quizzes: Will count 5% of your class grade.
Connect is a web-based assignment and assessment solution required for this course. It is designed to assist you with your coursework based on your needs. Students will be required to complete one online LearnSmart assignment per assigned chapter through
PSYC 2301 – page 8
Connect. Each chapter assignment will consist of 25-40 multiple choice, fill-in-the blank, or true/false questions. Corresponding LearnSmart chapter assignments must be completed by the Exam date as listed on the Course Schedule above. For example, LearnSmart assignments for Chapters 1,2, and 3 will be due on or before the Exam 1 date. No late assignments will be accepted. Any missed assignment(s) will be recorded as a zero.
To get started with Connect please go to (I will post this separetly on The Learning Web Page by the 2nd week.)
Be sure to bookmark this web address for future visits to your Connect course!
Click on REGISTER NOW.... Student registration tutorials are available if you need help.
Enter your email address. If you already have a McGraw-Hill account, you will be asked for your password and will not be required to create a new account. You’ll see three options:
o Enter your access code and click Submit
(Your personal codes are packaged with a new textbook in the bookstore)
o Click Buy Online to purchase access. If you’re purchasing access online,
choose: “Buy Connect” OR “Buy ConnectPlus” (includes online access to an eBook)
o Start a Free Trial ( limited to 14 days)
Next, you will need to fill out the registration form.
Please make sure to click on “Go To Connect Now” to complete your registration.
You are now at your instructor’s course. This is where you can access your assignments and study resources.
NOTE: Once signed out of Connect, you can quickly return to continue working. Simply, go to the web address provided above. Again, you’ll want to bookmark it to save time. Once on the Connect homepage, enter your email address and password.
Connect Support & Tips If you need help or have any questions about Connect, you can visit the 24-hour Customer Experience support center: www.mcgrawhillconnect.com/support Or give us a call at 800-331-5094 Sunday - 6PM to 11PM (Central Time) M-TH - 8AM to 11PM (Central Time) Friday - 8AM to 6PM (Central Time) Student Registration information can found on the Learning Web under Course Materials by the 2nd week.
PSYC 2301 – page 9
Reports: Two “original” single-spaced typed reports (approximately one-two pages for each
report) critiquing psychological journal articles will count 25% of the student’s grade for the
semester. (10% for each written assignment and 5% for a group presntation.) The 1st report will
be a “Correlatioal Study” and the 2nd report will be an “Esperimental Design Study”. These
assignments will include short reading, writing, and presentation skills, both in class and outside
of class. These projects are designed to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills; as
well as the ability to work independently and in small groups. Last, these assignments are
designed to strengthen presentation skills, both written and oral. Be prepared to discuss your
report on the day it is due. An electronic copy of your report must be submitted to turnitin.com
no later than the beginning of class on it’s due date. You may do resubmits up till the due date at
turnitin.com. If you have a late submission, it will cost you 5 points per class for which it is late.
The following sections are required. Include the heading on the paper you submit to
turnitin.com.
Heading will include name, date, topic and the journal reference in APA format.
1st paragraph: Briefly summarize findings from article. What did the author(s) study and how
did they study it
2nd paragraph: Relate this article to material covered in your textbook. Does the textbook
adequately cover the topic? Does the article do a better job of explaining the topic? Do they
compliment each other?
3rd paragraph: Give your critique of this article. Was it well written? Did you learn anything
interesting from it? Was it too technical? Would you recommend it to other students?
The following will be announced in class
For this class you will need the following to log into my site at turnitin.com:
class ID: enrollment password:
For help with reports: The Writing Lab (713-718-5889) is in South Hall Room 703. Here you
may get help with your any writing assignments. Or you may use http://hccs.askonline.net for
editing.
In class projects: 10% of the final grade will come from in class projects. These short answer projects help students master the concepts being covered. If you are absent, late to class or leave early you may miss some of these assignments and score a lower grade.
Exams: include four tests and a final exam. You will need to bring Five scantrons (purchased at the HCCS bookstores) for exams. I need you to turn these in to me before the 1st exam date. Do not put your name on them
If all of the exams are taken, the lowest exam score will be dropped. Thus the top three exam
scores will be averaged (after dropping the lowest exam grade), which will count 40% of the
course grade.
PSYC 2301 – page 10
Final Exam: will be comprehensive and 100 multiple-choice questions. You are required to take
the final exam and you cannot drop it. A minimum raw score of 50% correct must be earned on
the final exam in order to have the possibility of passing this class. If you earn a 49% or lower
on the final exam, you will automatically get an F regardless of all previous grades that you have
earned in the class. If you earn a raw score of 50% or higher on the final exam, it does not
guarantee a passing course grade. Your final exam score will be averaged in with the rest of the
semester’s grades to determine your final grade, using the formula, which appears on page 14 of
this syllabus. Study The Student Supplementary Handbook to prepare for it, since the final exam
will cover only material in this handbook. See the following site for this handbook and useful
power points: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/joanne.hsu/psycresources/psyc2301
The final exam will count 20% of the course grade.
Make-up Exams Policy: The first exam you miss will be dropped; therefore, no make-up exam
will be allowed for the first time you miss an exam. It is important to try to not miss more
than one exam. It is at the instructor’s discretion to consider extenuating circumstances and
allow a 2nd missed exam (not the 1st exam you miss) to be made up, when timely possible, with
sufficient documentation. The format for a make-up exam may include essay, short answer, true-
false and/or multiple-choice questions. Students may NOT drop a test that involved cheating. If
you miss the final exam, you should email me ASAP to discuss options.
Rules for testing in this classroom will be strictly followed and will include the following.
No restroom breaks during exams unless you have a documented medical reason that
necessitates a restroom break from the disability office and you have given me this document
prior to the exam. If you leave the exam room during a test, you will NOT be allowed to return!!!
All electronics (cell phones, tablets, computers, iPods, etc.) must be put away and turned off
during a test or when we are going over tests. Any violation to this will be considered cheating.
Additonally, any disturbance by electronics either visually or auditoraly will result in the
electronics being confiscated until the next available office hours and can result in other
penalties. Tests will be timed; therefore be on time for the class. Note: For a test that involved
cheating, students may NOT make-up a test or substitute the final exam. Also, see section below
on “Academic Honesty”. If you have a problem with any of the above rules, please discuss them
with me during the first week.
Extra Credit: Up to 5% of the final grade can be earned through seminar attendance, volunteer
work, or other projects. One pt. of extra credit may be earned by either of the following:
attending a 2 hr. seminar or volunteering for 2 hours. Document the event by writing a brief
report of what you did or attended. Also, for volunteer projects, turn in a letter from your
supervisor on official letterhead. Xerox copies will not be accepted. All extra- credit assignments
must be submitted on or before 2 weeks prior to the final exam date.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
Required Text: "The Science of Psychology" (3rd ed., 2014) by Laura King, (McGraw Hill). This package contains the text (loose leaf print book, ebook) as well as a Connect access code and can be found at the HCC Bookstore ISBN: 9781259330735
PSYC 2301 – page 11
Student Supplemental Handbook: The Student Supplemental Handbook is required for this course. It contains the Learning Objectives and Key Terms for each of the core chapters as well as the Learning Objectives and Key Terms for the comprehensive Departmental Final Exam. It is a guide for your preparation for class and can be found at http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/joanne.hsu/psycresources/psyc2301/psyc2301-a- student-supplementary-handbook/view
Student Services Policies http://hccs.edu/student-rights
HCC Policy Statement:s
ADA Services to Students with Disabilities Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Service Office (713-718-5422)
at the beginning of each semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services Office
Academic Honesty - Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating on a test includes copying from another student's test paper; using,
during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test; collaborating with another student
during a test without authority; knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in
whole or part the contents of an unadministered test; or bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be
administered. ‘Plagiarism’ means the appropriation of another's work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one's own written work for credit. ‘Collusion’ means the unauthorized
collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. In simplified terms, cheating is: (1) taking unchanged passages (or slightly edited) from another person's
writing and portraying them as one's own; (2) submitting a paper that includes paraphrases of another
person's writing without giving credit; (3) having someone else write your paper for you; (4) copying or
using another person's work during in-class writing or testing; (5) the unauthorized use of electronic
devices during in-class writing or testing; and (6) violating testing rules. Keep in mind also that whether
you are cheating or not, not following testing or writing rules properly, such as communicating with your
neighbor or using a cell phone during a test will be construed as cheating. This is not an exhaustive list of
the forms of cheating on written work. If you are in doubt, consult your instructor.
Class Attendance - Attending class regularly is the best way to succeed in this class. Research
has shown that the single most important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put,
going to class greatly increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and
labs regularly. You are responsible for materials covered during your absences. Class attendance
is checked daily at the start of class. If you come to class late, sign in on the clipboard.
Students who are tardy or leave during class disrupt the class and become a distraction. You are responsible for all information covered in class.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. Although it is your
responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for
excessive absences. As the information that is discussed in class is important for your career,
students may be dropped from a course after accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours of
instruction. The six hours of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive
tardiness or leaving class early. Your instructor is NOT required to notify you prior to
completing the drop. If you have missed more than 12.5% of the hours of instruction, you will
PSYC 2301 – page 12
need to check with the instructor to see if you have been dropped.
You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the decision not
to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class. However, if this
happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have “lost” the class.
Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including the
first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or a
buddy in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in
paper if you unavoidably miss a class.
Class attendance equals class success. For HCC Policy Statement on Academic Honesty please refer to: htp://hccs.edu/student-rights.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy - Since we have the option to give/or not give a “W” by the withdrawal deadline, me must mark our rolls for date of last attendance, and we are required to give an “FX” grade for students who have a “F” in the class due to lack of attendance. I will give students an “FX” grade only if they have stopped attending class and their average is below 60 by the drop deadline.
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course prior
to the final date of withdrawal, March 24, 2015. Note: Instructors cannot drop students after
this date, nor can students drop themselves. Before you withdraw from your course; please take
the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The
instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the
course. Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a
law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals
throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
Early Alert: To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted
an Early Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you
might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your
responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC
interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job
placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.
How to drop a class: Instructors may not withdraw students on the grade sheet or in any way after the
withdrawal date. Instructors used to be able to do this, as long as the student did not attend after the
withdrawal date. Now instructors are only supposed to do this in the case of students with excessive
absences. Students wishing to be withdrawn may go to an advisor or may complete the online withdrawal
form themselves. If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST go to the PeopleSoft
Registration site and fill out the online forms prior to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W”
on your transcript. **Final withdrawal deadlines vary each semester and/or depending on class
length, please visit the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any
HCC Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines.” If
you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the
PSYC 2301 – page 13
class as your final grade or you will receive an “FX”. A grade of “FX” is treated exactly the same as
a grade of “F” in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress
Repeat Course Fee - Students who take a course for the third time or more must now pay significant
tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. At HCC it is an additional
$50 per credit hour. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing
grades, confer with your instructor/advisor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading
and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring
or other assistance that might be available. Also, the state of Texas has passed a new law limiting new
students (as of Fall 2007) to no more than six withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a
baccalaureate degree.
International Students - Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for the course (after you have submitted withdrawal form formally), it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520, if you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Student Discipline - As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared
responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your
instructor takes this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their
behavior makes it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked
to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical
goal. Adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior/activities that interfere with teaching and/or
learning will not be tolerated and may result in an administrative withdrawal without refund
Electronics in the Classroom - As a student active in the learning community of this course; it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these devices in the classroom except for the following reasons. All cell phones are to be turned off and out of site during class. If there is a very good reason to have your cell phone on, you need to get permission from me. Computers and IPads may be used to take notes ONLY; web surfing, texting, or checking emails will be grounds for loosing this privilege. Have all electronics turned off and put away on exam days and while going over exams. Not doing so is grounds for a “0” grade on the exam. Hov\wever, I will give a class reminder to students to put all electronics away and turned off at these times. Use of recording devices for Disabled Students Recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, are prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations.
Instructor Requirements
PSYC 2301 – page 14
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:
Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be
derived
Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and lectures
Description of any special projects or assignments
Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, and tardiness and make up
Provide the course outline and class calendar, which will include a description of any special
projects or assignments
Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
Read and comprehend the textbook
Complete the required assignments and exams
Ask for help when there is a question or problem
Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments
Program/Discipline Requirements - The psychology discipline committee has approved the
following requirements for all sections of PSYC 2301:
All students must take the department final exam.
All instructors must require at least one written assignment.
All instructors must include assignments, exams, or activities in their syllabi that address all of
the HCCS core curriculum standards (see above).
Grading
Online Quizzes 5%
One Page Reports (2) (10% each and 5% for presentation) 25%
Average of “3” highest exam grades (after dropping lowest) 40%
Final Exam 20%
In class projects 10%
Total 100%
Extra Credit (Additional points may be earned up to 5%) 5%
HCCS Grading Scale
90 - 100 = A…..4 points per semester hour 80 - 89 = B…..3 points per semester hour 70 - 79 = C…..2 points per semester hour 60 - 69 = D…..1 points per semester hour Below 60 = F…..0 points per semester hour FX (Failure due to absences)…points per semester hour W (Withdrawn)… 0 points per semester hour I (Incomplete)… 0 points per semester hour
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
PSYC 2301 – page 15
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked
to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division
chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the
Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
Note: This syllabus can be altered any time during the semester. All changes will be announced before they take effect and will be entered into the calendar on the learning website. Major changes will result in a new schedule being distributed. Bring this syllabus with you for each class period!!!
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