General Psychology
PSYC-2301

Dates:08/24/2020-12/13/2020

General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Prerequisite: Meet TSI college-readiness standard for Reading and Writing; or equivalent. 3 credit hours. (A)

This course will be delivered 100% online. Additional testing requirements including proctoring with student authentication, a desktop or laptop computer (not a mobile device), webcam, and microphone may be required. Please copy the following URL into your browser: http://www.collin.edu/coursedelivery for additional information about online courses.

I will be working from my home office this spring semester. My "official" online office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.  During this time,  we can talk via phone, perhaps use Zoom, or communicate via email. If these times are not convenient, I can make myself available if you'd like to set up an appointment for another time.  The best way to reach me is by email at [email protected]. I check it multiple times each day and in the evening, too. I typically respond the day I receive an email - at the latest by the next morning. And please remember - and this is important - you MUST use your Collin College email address to contact me via email.

You will be expected to visit a variety of webpages, along with viewing specific videos, and reviewing certain readings related to the course content.  All links to such material will be in the Canvas course modules.  Mandatory and optional course material will be specified in the Canvas modules.

TEXTBOOK

• The ISBN listed above is for the electronic version (ebook) of the textbook. If you choose to buy the ebook – rather than find a used physical copy of the textbook either online or in a half price bookstore – you will need to purchase an “access code” from the College Bookstore. To do so, go to https://collin.bncollege.com/shop/collin/page/find-textbooks
  and follow these steps using the drop-down menus:
• Select a Campus: Spring Creek Campus
• Select Term: Spring 2021
• Select Department: PSYC
• Select Course: 2301
• Select Section:  007
• Click on "Find Materials For Course
• You will see Lilienfeld, Lynn, Namy,  Psychology from Inquiry to Understanding, 4th ed. Revel Access. Click on "Select Format" - Buy New (your only option)
• Add item to Cart
• Once you receive your access code, click on the following link: https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/kbkppo  
• If you already have a Pearson account, sign in. If not, create a new account with your personal password.

THIS TEXT IS REQUIRED

Missed Exams, Missed Quizzes, and Late Homework Assignments

(1) Missed Exams:  Make-ups for major unit exams ARE allowed with appropriate documentation (i.e., doctor's note, family emergency). The student is responsible for contacting me to start the process of making up a unit exam within two days of the missed exam.  

(2) Missed Quizzes and Late Homework Assignments: 

Make-ups for missed quizzes ARE NOT allowed in most instances.  If certain unanticipated situations occur and can be documented, individual students may request an opportunity to discuss such circumstances for my consideration for ONE - and only one- missed quiz. 
Make-ups for late homework assignments ARE NOT allowed in most instances.  If certain unanticipated situations occur and can be documented, individual students may request an opportunity to discuss such circumstances for my consideration for ONE - and only one- late homework assignment.  However, I will deduct 5 points for each day that the assignment is late. 

Extra Credit

Because all exams and quizzes are open-book, I am not including an extra credit option in this course.  However, if students do participate regularly (at least 80%) in class discussions, I will consider their participation in their final grade calculation.  That is, if the final point total is within a few points of the next higher grade, I will “bump up” that grade.

Withdrawal from Course with a Grade of "W."

The last day to withdraw from this course and receive the grade of "W" is Friday,
March 19, 2021.

Students who stop attending class but do not officially withdraw will be assigned a grade of "F."

Grade of Incomplete

Links for all of the assigned readings, audio/lecture PowerPoints, lecture notes (when provided by professor), and website visits for each unit are listed in the Modules section in Canvas.  Also listed are the links for each homework assignment, quiz, and exam--along with their due dates--that you are required to complete during the semester.
The calendar below is tentative, and may be subject to change. 

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following: 1. Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology. (Empirical and Quantitative Skills) 2. Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology. (Critical Thinking) 3. Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology. 4. Use terminology unique to the study of psychology. (Communication Skills) 5. Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation. (Social Responsibility) 6. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.

Collin College has a passion for Learning, Service and Involvement, Creativity and Innovation, Academic Excellence, Dignity and Respect, and Integrity. For more information about Collin College’s mission, vision, and core values, please go to https://www.collin.edu/aboutus/missioncorevalues.html.

All policies, guidelines, and procedures in the Collin College Catalog, Collin College Board Policies, and the Collin College Student Handbook are applicable to this course.

Collin College provides reasonable accommodations, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to afford equal educational opportunities to all people. Students requesting accommodations under this provision should contact Collin College’s Accommodations at Collin College for Equal Support Services (ACCESS) Office. For more information, go to https://www.collin.edu/studentresources/disabilityservices/index.html. 

Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted for credit is expected to be the student’s own work. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.  While specific examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any misconduct through electronic or computerized means. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts. 

General Scholastic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment, credit or class work, research, or the award of a degree; falsifying academic records; using annotated texts or teachers’ editions; using information about exams posted on the Internet or in any electronic medium; leaving a test site without authority; failing to secure test materials; and/or submitting work that is not one’s own. Students are expected to record honestly and accurately the results of all their research. Falsification of research results shall include misrepresentations, distortions, or omissions in data or reports on research. 

Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation or patchwriting. In the preparation of all papers and other written work, students must distinguish their own ideas and knowledge from information derived from other sources. The term “sources” includes not only published primary and secondary materials, but also information and opinions gained directly from other people. Whenever ideas or facts are derived from a source, the source must be indicated by the student. 

Cheating is the giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination or to complete an assignment; collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using, buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance; unauthorized copying of computer or Internet files; using someone else’s work for an assignment as if it were one’s own; submitting or resubmitting an assignment in whole or in part (i.e., recycling an assignment) for more than one (1) class or institution without permission from each of the professors; or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course. 

Collusion is intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance or  unauthorized collaboration; communicating answers to a classmate about an examination or any other course assignment; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site; and allowing a classmate to copy answers. 

In cases where an incident report has been filed for an alleged violation of scholastic dishonesty, the faculty member is requested to delay posting a grade for the academic work in question until the case is final. A student found responsible for a scholastic dishonesty offense(s) will receive an appropriate disciplinary penalty or penalties from the Dean of Students Office. The student may also receive an academic penalty in the course where the scholastic dishonesty took place. The faculty member will determine the appropriate academic penalty, which may range from a grade of zero (0) on the assignment to failing the course. 

To view the Board policies associated with this section, go to http://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/304?filename=FLB(LOCAL).pdf

Students and professors at Collin College share a responsibility to promote, develop, and maintain a positive learning environment. Students are expected to show respect to other students and professors at all times. For more information regarding academic etiquette and the college experience, specifically student academic success and seeking out resources, disruptive use of electronic devices, and tardiness and absences, please refer to the Student Handbook.  

The Census Date is the 12th class day in a regular 16-week semester, or the fourth (4th) class day in a short summer semester. The census date varies for mini-semesters and express classes. Students are required to attend class prior to the census date. For more information, go to https://www.collin.edu/gettingstarted/register/census%20dates.html.

Students may withdraw from a course(s) with a grade of “W” through the end of the eighth (8th) class week during a regular 16-week semester, through Tuesday of the third (3rd) week of classes in a short 5-week summer term, and through Thursday of the fifth (5th) week of classes in a long 10-week summer term. Withdrawals will appear on the student’s official transcript, but have no effect on his or her grade point average (GPA). Contact the admissions area in the Student and Enrollment Services Office for withdrawal deadlines for other terms.  

Prior to initiating a withdrawal, students should contact their professor(s) and/or an academic advisor. Withdrawal from Collin College must be initiated by the student. Students who discontinue class attendance and do not officially withdraw will receive a performance grade for the course(s). Students who need to withdraw from a class(es) may do so online or in person in the Student and Enrollment Services Office at any campus. For more information and withdrawal dates, please go to https://www.collin.edu/gettingstarted/register/withdrawal.html.

Collin College is dedicated to providing information and support to students. Please click on the following links for more information and to learn about support the College offers: Mental Health Resources (Counseling), Strategies of Behavioral Intervention (SOBI), Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits, Anthony Peterson Center for Academic Assistance (Writing Centers and Math Labs) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  

For any other College Academic Policies, please also refer to the Student Handbook.  

If your program requires a criminal background check, your placement in a required clinical site, cooperative, practicum, internship, and/or licensure/certification opportunity may be impacted.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your program director and check with your licensing/certifying entity, if any, to determine your status.