Course Syllabus

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Course Description:

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The content focuses on the exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior, perception, cognition and consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Identify basic concepts and research findings, and give examples of psychology's integrative themes.
  • Apply psychological principles to everyday life.
  • Draw appropriate, logical, and objective conclusions about behavior and mental processes from empirical evidence.
  • Evaluate misconceptions or erroneous behavioral claims based on evidence from psychological science.
  • Design, conduct, or evaluate basic psychological research.
  • Describe ethical principles that guide psychologists in research and therapy.

APA Summit on Introductory Psychology Student Learning Outcomes for the Introductory Psychology Course

Course Content:

  • Exploration of major theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology.
  • Research methods, including the scientific approach, research design, the use of statistics, and ethics.
  • Major sub-disciplines in psychology including but not limited to: the biological bases of brain-behavior relationships, perception, cognition, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders, and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology.
  • Identify ways that psychological principles have impacted you and how you can use these principles for positive change.

Textbook:

Schacter, et al. 2015. Introducing psychology. Worth Publishing.

COVID-19 Statement

I recognize that this is a challenging time. Your health and safety is of utmost importance as well as that of others. To that end, you are expected to wear a face mask and practice social distancing, per your Code of Conduct Agreement, in this classroom. We have expectations that you act responsibly to mitigate risk to others. As your adjunct faculty, I too am committing to these behaviors that I am asking you to follow. Safety precautions will be in place in accordance with the health department and Snow College. Considerations will be made for a brief mask break. Please respect class time.

School shutdown information

In the event that there is a school-wide shut down due to the COVID-19 virus or for any other reason, this course will continue through Canvas with adjustments provided to the on-line materials that will make the entire remainder of the course accessible from home, including the exams.

 

Grading Policy & Scale

Your scores on all coursework will be reported to you using the Canvas system and your final grade will be based on the percentage of points you earn out of points possible. 

Regardless of the reason, only two late assignments will be accepted with no deduction IF you email or contact me through Canvas before 11:59 pm on the scheduled due date. Additional late assignments are accepted with a 5% daily deduction. After one week, late assignments will not be accepted. THE KEY WILL BE COMMUNICATION. COMMUNICATE WITH ME IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY COMPLETING YOUR WORK IN TIME. Again, your late assignments must be submitted within a week of the original due date or you will receive a zero for the missing work.

A  94-100% A- 90-93% B+ 87-89% B  83-86% B- 80-82% C+ 77-79%

C  73-76% C- 70-72% D+ 67-69% D  63-66% D- 60-62% F  0-59%

Grading

Class attendance and participation (includes Canvas chats) 10 points per class

Discussion Board 20 pts per week (variable number of board postings each week)

Assignments 50 pts each

Class Projects 100 pts each

Quizzes (Unit Review) 50 pts each

Tests 100 pts each (6 tests: 5 unit tests + final exam)

 

Academic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Canvas has the ability to detect plagiarism. Cheating can be grounds for dismissal from the class.

 

ADA Accommodations

Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring academic 

adjustments, accommodations or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Office of Disability 

Services

Important Notes:

  • Any student needing accommodations should inform the instructor. Students with disabilities who may need accommodations for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact the Disability Services Center [https://snow.edu/offices/ADA/] early so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. All information will remain confidential.
  • Academic dishonesty and plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the assignment. Using someone else's ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as our own, either on purpose or through carelessness, is a serious offense known as plagiarism. Please see the Academic Policies for policies regarding plagiarism and other academic issues. harassment, etc. [https://snow.edu/catalog/academic_policies.html]

Course Summary:

Date Details Due