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Saint Petersburg CollegeSeminole Campus

Marcella A. Kerlin, Ph.D., MSW

16 -Week General Psychology Course

Psy 1012-4340

Room LI 270

Friday 9:00- 11:50 a.m.

Fall 2016

SYLLABUS

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Marcella Kerlin holds B.S., M.S. degrees in Education, Social Work and Psychology from New York State University, Old Dominion University, Grand Canyon University and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in Exceptional Children. She has been an educator of elementary through graduate school in New York, Virginia, Georgia, Hawaii, Canada and Florida. She has also held positions in social work and Neurology Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA. She especially enjoys her teaching at St. Petersburg college in Seminole, Florida.

Office Hours: St. Petersburg Campus-by appointment Telephone: 757-439-0138Email Address: MyCourses email is preferred or kerlin.m arcella@spc.edu Department Chairperson: Dr. Douglas Rivero, 727-394-6948

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course meets the general education requirements. It is an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior with emphasis on mental processing and learning as the basis for adjustment to the physical and social environment. It is a basic foundation course in psychology. This course includes history, psychological perspectives of interpersonal functioning and human development. It integrates the analysis of the interaction effects of environment with genetic heritage, gender, age, and culture on psychological and social development. This course also includes basic writing requirements for St. Petersburg College by writing a 2000 word research paper. An important part of this course is an extra credit project of a civic engagement opportunity in the Pinellas community.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Course Dates: 8/19-12/8/16Labor Day: 9/5/16 no classFridays 9/2016-12/12:00-2:00 p.m. Extra Credit for Mentoring in Public School All College Day: 10/18/16, Tuesday—no classVeteran’s Day: 11/11/16Thanksgiving: 11/25/16 -no classWinter Break: 12/10- 1/8/17Mid-term Exam: 9/30/16 Final Exams: 12/7 8:00 -9:50amGraduation—Name in Program: 10/28/16College Calendar: http://www.spcollege.edu/calendar/ Assignment Dates and Test Date on Course Outline

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the completion of this course the student will:

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1. Define psychology and basic vocabulary of the discipline

2. Differentiate the various psychological perspectives of human behavior associated with specific theories and therapies.

3. Compare and contrast research methods for gathering and evaluating data.

4. Demonstrate academic thinking in analysis of research as to whether it is valid or pseudo scientific.

5. Explain the nature and function of emotions and motivations in one’s everyday life.

6. Compare and contrast the various theories of intelligence and learning.

7. Describe how psychological theories are used to assess, predict or change human behavior.

8. Describe the major approaches to memory, learning, motivation, emotion and their implication for one’s development and environment.

9. Analyze human behavior of a celebrity having a clinical diagnosis of a psychological Rdisorder or Describe examples of major psychological disorders and therapies and to develop a compassionate understanding of the struggle of a person with a disorder endures.

10. To broaden one’s perspective of life by seeing the world through different lens as a result of studying psychological disorders and participating in a civic learning activity and writing insights gleaned about yourself and the organization.

COURSE MATERIALS AND RESOURCES:

The required textbook:

Hockenbury, D. H. & Hockenbury, S. E. (2014), Discovering Psychology (6 th Edition), Worth Publishers, is available in SPC bookstore.

MyCourses (Course structure, resources)

(Quizzes, Exams, Research Paper, Presentation, Discussion Board Assignments) and Group Work

Other Required Materials: Internet Access and E-Mail Account, access to the SPC Virtual Library databases as well as internet resources, books, movies, and/or articles submitted in conjunction with presentation.

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OPTIONAL RESOURCES FOR EXTRA CREDIT

Civic Engagement Opportunity (Extra Credit- 20 pts) – Participate in a community organization of five contact hours. Students interested in mentoring will meet one hour every Fri. between 12 and 2:00 pm to mentor students in an elementary school for a total of five hours during one month of Sept.-Dec. Attached is the Liabilities Release Form and the format of the Reflection to be completed. Student will submit the Release form to the school and to me. The Reflection Report of your mentoring experience will be submitted in a drop box for Civic Engagement between the dates of November 21st -November 30th. (TBA)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Read the textbook 2. Submit assignments as noted in MyCourses3. Participate in groups as instructed 4. Take on-line quizzes and in class mid-term and final exams (Scrantrons or Computer)

Follow Due dates as instructed 5. Take Notes during lecture

6. Participate in class & group7. Begin Research Paper right away8. Make an appointment with instructor to review mid & end -semester goals if needed 9. Make an appointment for tutoring at the Commons if needed- I will help you with this10. Most importantly, treat each person with respect and remember to think of each person in

the class as a special package with the sign, “Handle with care.”

Midterm EXAMDATE: see OutlineChapters: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 & 12

Final EXAM DATE: see OutlineChapters: 8, 9, 10, 11, & 13

NOTE: There are no make-up exams for the final.

EXAMINATIONS

Exams will take place in Up Building Computer Room (TBA) on computer or paper and pencil exam using scantrons. Make-up exams (excluding Final) will be provided with a doctor’s note faxed to 941-484-9376 to my attention for quizzes or midterm exam only within one week of due date.

Quizzes will be submitted on Sunday nights in Lessons of MyCourses following the completion of the lecture on text chapter.

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Please do not give the excuse you forgot or your computer is not working. You can go to the library to use the computer. Do not wait until the last minute. You will receive a zero for not completing a quiz. If you cannot access a quiz you may call me between 5:00 pm. and 9:00 p.m. Sun, Mon.,Wed.,Thurs and Fri. 757-439-0138 and email me with a ticket number from the help desk. If you do not call or email me the night of exam or in advance make-up quizzes will not be allowed.

ASSIGNMENTS

Course Outline Schedule presented in MyCourses with specific assignments. This is NOT a part of the SYLLABUS. The Course outline will be flexible and may be changed at the discretion of the instruction.

Readings in Text Book -Students are expected to read all chapters as stated in outline prior to class lecture/discussion (Course Outline).

Chapter Quizzes- You may take quizzes one or two times. The score is averaged if you take it twice.

Syllabus Quiz – One unannounced Syllabus Quiz Group Work- You will be expected to read the chapter prior to class. Group work will follow the class lecture/discussion. 5 or 6 points will be given for participation.

Research Paper- A 2000 word research paper must be submitted. The maximum number of words cannot exceed 3000 words and the minimum must not be less than 2000 words for a passing grade. The details for this assignment are located in MyCourses under the lessons tab folder- Research Paper Guidelines using APA on power point. Due date is listed in the outline. Failure to submit this paper will result in a score of zero. You will be penalized by a paper less than 2000 words or greater than 3000 words and for a late paper if you do not communicate with the instructor. This assignment is a partial requirement for the criteria in written language.

Presentation: Group presentations based on Disorder will be performed during study of psychological disorders. 13 points for presenting disorder, 12 points for attending classmates’ presentations.

GRADES: 90-100%=A 80-89%=B 70-79%=C 60-69%=D Below 60%=F

Two Exams (200 points each) 400 pointsSyllabus Quiz 10 pts , group work 5/6 pts (70 pts) 80 pointsChapter Quizzes 12 (10 pts each) 120 points

Presentations 13 pts presenting/ 12 pts for attending 25 pointsResearch Paper 100 pointsDiscussion Board 5 (20 pts each) 100 pointsTotal 825 points

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Late Work and Quizzes: Assignments are expected to be turned in on time. If something unforeseen occurs preventing you from participating, please communicate the situation succinctly with documentation (doctor’s note, death in family, etc). Late work is penalized by one letter grade per day after due date if you do not communicate with the instructor.

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSE WITH NO REFUND

The student is strongly encouraged to talk with their instructors before taking any withdrawal action. Instructors may also withdraw students for violating policies procedures or conditions of the class as outlined in the class syllabus.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

Students are expected to observe respectful classroom behavior which promotes learning and open expression of ideas. Discourteous or rude behavior toward the professor or students, in any form, will not be tolerated and may result in the student being asked to leave the classroom and make an appointment with the instructor before returning to the classroom. All forms of communication (oral, written and nonverbal) are expected to be respectful toward students and instructor.

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is mandatory. Your participation and discussion play a critical role in your overall performance. Class participation includes attendance, punctuality, participating in group work for 5 or 6 points, and general demeanor during class discussions. After two absences, you must confer with the instructor to have a plan of action to ensure your academic success. Leaving a class early will be counted as one absence. When students have exemplary attendance, class participation and punctuality, a final grade will be rounded to the next level. When absent, it is the responsibility of students to obtain class notes, handouts or assignments from a fellow classmate. Please exchange telephone numbers with one another. If you are absent, ask a buddy to obtain handouts or assignments.

Please note the 60% attendance policy. Students having a medical disability related to health are exempt. If you have a medical disability, please notify me as to your accommodations ASAP. HONOR CODE:

Please note the college’s academic integrity policies that include departmental procedures on plagiarism, cheating, etc. Any instance of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy and fabrication are not tolerated.

DISABILITIES:

In accordance with the American Disabilities Act, students with a documented sensory and/or learning disability should contact the disabilities office and notify the instructor of a documented

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disability early in the semester so that accommodations can be made. If you suspect you have a disability you may also discuss this with me so that you may be evaluated at the college for accommodations or go directly to the office for disabilities for an evaluation. Seminole Office telephone: 727-394-6289.

STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION:

An important part of my course is the completion of the student survey of instruction before the last day of class. It is designed to improve the quality of instruction at St Petersburg College. All student responses are confidential and anonymous and will be used for the purpose of improvement. I take this very seriously and take the students recommendations into n

REASONS FOR TAKING COURSE AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO GET FROM COURSE___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have read, understand and agree to abide by the parameters set in this Syllabus and Addendums. This must be signed by the week of August 22, 2016.

Student Signature __________________________________Date _____________________

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Civic Engagement Reflection Report

Name_______________________________ Date________________________________

Agency/Address_______________________ Contact Person/phone__________________

Mentee’s Strengths/Weaknesses: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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In what ways did this experience increase interest in civic engagement? If your interest was not increased, explain. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is something you learned about yourself as a result of this experience? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What future plans do you have in the area of civic engagement or service to your community?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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