COLUMBIA GORGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PSY 201A SYLLABUS —FALL 2012

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY, PART I

Instructor: Kristen Kane

Section Number: 1083482

Credits: 4

Method of Instruction: On line using Moodle

Contact Information:

Kristen Kane                                                                     

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday                         

                       8:00 am to 1:00 pm                                  

Office in Student Services                        

(It is best to make an appointment, as I cannot always guarantee that I will be in my office)   

Phone Number: (541) 506-6023                                       

E-mail: kkane@cgcc.cc.or.us                                             

Course Description

Surveys the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in scientific research, biological psychology, sensation and perception, learning theory, memory, language, cognition, consciousness, and human development. Provides an overview of popular trends, examines the overarching themes of heredity vs. environment, stability vs. change, and free will vs. determinism, and emphasizes the sociocultural approach which assumes that gender, culture, and ethnicity are essential to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion. Psychology 201A is the first term of a two-term sequence in introductory psychology. Prerequisite: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

1. Articulate how psychological research adheres to ethical and scientific principles, and communicate the difference between personal views and scientific evidence in understanding behavior.
2. Delineate the credentials, skills, and experiences required for a career path in psychology and identify broad career opportunities associated with the various subfields of psychology at different educational levels.
3. Recognize and respect human diversity while anticipating that psychological explanations may vary across populations and contexts, and exhibit sensitivity to feelings, emotions, motives, and attitudes regarding specific behavioral concerns.
4. Analyze personal lifestyle and apply problem-solving techniques to situations while understanding the limitations of one’s psychological knowledge and skills, recognizing that ethically complex situations can develop in the application of psychological principles.
5. Evaluate public and private assumptions concerning individual and group differences using a global and multifaceted sociocultural approach.

Instructor Expectations

This class will be taught using Moodle on-line method. Students are expected to have the necessary skills to complete an on-line class, such as sending e-mails, posting comments and questions on the forum and attaching or uploading assignments. Students also need to have their own hardware, software and Internet access with e-mail capabilities to take an on-line course. Computer labs at The Dalles Campus Library and at the Hood River Center have a limited number of computers available with Internet access for student use. If students require assistance, they may call Ron Watrus at 541-506-6084.

A variety of teaching aids will be used to enhance the learning experience including: websites to visit, Forum postings, reflection papers and a final paper. Students are expected to have read the material before they log on for the weekly course work and Forum postings. Students will be expected to be able to do library research and write a final paper APA style, with correct referencing. Students will be expected to have used critical thinking skills when reading the material, rather than just highlighting the material for important points.

Textbooks

  Weiten, Wayne. (2013), Psychology: Themes and Variations, (9th Ed.).CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. (Required)

  Hacker, Diana. (2011), A Pocket Style Manual with 2009 MLA and 2010 APA Updates (5th ed.)

 MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s (Recommended for APA style referencing)

Evaluation and Grading

Reflection Papers

Students are expected to write a one to two page weekly reflection paper commenting (NOT SUMMARIZING) on how the concepts of the weekly reading/lecture might apply to their own development or the development of someone that they know. These papers may be written in first person. No outside research is necessary or expected. It is suggested that students take one or two concepts and expand upon them in depth, instead of touching upon every concept for that week. Students may want to refer to the chapters’ learning objectives for topics. Reflection papers are due by 11:59 pm on Sundays. See Moodle calendar if you require further clarification with dates.

Reflection papers will be graded in the following way:

12 pts - Writing Style

23 pts. - Content

15 pts - Illustration of critical and reflective thinking

Final Research Paper

Final papers will be 1500 to 2000 words (6-8 pages not including title page or reference page). These papers must include at least 3 different sources (textbook not included) on your Reference page. Papers must be cited APA style. Students should contact the instructor with a proposal or thesis statement for this paper.

Final papers will be graded in the following way:

35 pts – Format (including correct APA style referencing), Organization and Style

45 pts - Content

20 pts - Illustration of critical thinking

Although your final paper will be graded out of 100, it is worth 300 points towards your final grade

Grading rubrics, APA reference information and examples of papers are posted on Moodle.

Papers must be typed and cited APA style.

Late Paper Policy: Unless prior arrangements have been made and agreed upon by me, 2pts will be deducted from your paper for every day that it is late. To allow time for grading and posting final grades, papers will not be accepted after 12/12/2012 and forum postings will not be graded after12/13/2012

Moodle Forums

Moodle Forums are an important part of this course. They generally are meant to take the place of classroom discussions. Students are expected to have read the chapter prior to responding to the Forum discussion questions. Forum discussions are graded on a scale of 1-3. See examples and grading rubric posted on Moodle for more information. Students are expected to participate in Forum discussions at least once per week. Students may choose to answer 3 out of the 5 questions or 2 questions and respond to 1 other students’ answer. There must be three postings per week. Examples of Forum Postings with grades can be found on the homepage under ‘Examples of Papers and Forum Postings’.

Extra Credit

Students will receive extra credit equal to:

-2 pts. for posting an Introduction during Week #1

-5 pts. for completing the PSY 202 Scavenger Hunt

-5 pts. for completing the APA style Referencing Tutorial (listed under Research Information at the top of the page)

-2 pts. for completing the on-line course evaluation survey at the end of the term. A list of students who completed the evaluation will be generated, but the evaluations will remain completely confidential and anonymous.

Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism.  All work submitted in this course is to be your own new, original work written in response to the assignments.  Consciously or unknowingly presenting the ideas or writings of others as your own will result in academic sanctions that may include a grade of F for the assignment or for the class and possible institutional sanctions including suspension or expulsion.  See the Code of Student Conduct and the Students Rights and Responsibilities policy for further information.

Assignment schedules may be changed in response to institutional, weather or class changes or problems.

ADA Statement

CGCC is committed to providing support for students with disabilities. If you are a student with physical, learning, emotional, or psychological disabilities you are encouraged to stop by Student Services and make an appointment with Lori Ufford, the Disabilities Coordinator at 506-6025 or by e-mail at lufford@cgcc.cc.or.us

If you have an accommodation plan please see Lori as soon as possible, so she can make any arrangements necessary for your learning. No accommodations can be provided until a Reasonable Accommodation Plan is in place. Please remember, plans are not retroactive and cannot be used for assignments prior to the date of Lori’s signature.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

All assignments are to be completed/handed in by Sunday of each week no later than 11:59pm

Disclaimer: Syllabus is subject to change as demanded by the needs of the class.