Course Syllabus

Fall 2024

Instructor: Michelle Norfolk

michellenorfolk@gisd.org

If you read nothing else, please make note of this: always check the MODULES tab to make sure you are completing everything each week.

Your progress in this class is important to me. If you need to talk with me face-to-face, please make an appointment to do so.  I can also answer questions via e-mail or Canvas if that is more convenient, and for daily issues and questions.

Course description: PSYC 2301 is a 3-credit course of the basic principles underlying human behavior. 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. 

Required textbook: 

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Psychology 2e from OpenStax, ISBN 978-1-975076-45-0

You have several options to obtain this book:

• View online (Links to an external site.)
• Download a PDF (Links to an external site.)

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.  I will also have links to each unit posted under the appropriate module. 

In this course, students will use Canvas to submit assignments and complete unit assessments. Although course materials are available online (including links to videos, articles, and lecture notes), this class is not self-paced.  As there are 16 units in the textbook and 14 weeks, we will be moving rapidly through the textbook.  We will skip a couple of units in order to dive more in-depth to others.  Brief notes will be available online to supplement the reading; however, the student must commit to reading the text independently in order to be successful in this course. 

I am happy to answer questions about any chapter in the text, and to meet with students to discuss and review concepts.  

Student Learning Outcomes:

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

• Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, core empirical findings, andhistoric trends in psychology.
• Explain (including advantages and disadvantages) and compare major theoretical perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic and socio-cultural);
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following nine general domains: (1) biological bases of behavior and mental processes, (2) sensation and perception, (3) learning and memory (4) cognition, consciousness, (5) individual differences, psychometrics/measurement, personality, (6) social processes (including those related to socio-cultural and international dimensions), (7) developmental changes in behavior and mental processes that occur across the lifespan, (8) psychological disorders, and (9) emotion and motivation;
• Describe and demonstrate an understanding of applied areas of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, forensic, community, organizational, school, health);
• Draw the distinction between scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding and analysis.
• Recognize and understand the impact of diversity on psychological research, theory and application, including (but not limited to): age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and sexual orientation.
• Understand and apply psychological principles to personal experience and social and organizational settings.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and information competence as applied to psychological topics.

As your instructor, it is my responsibility to:

• Provide a grading scale and grading formula explaining how final grades are calculated
• Facilitate an effective learning environment
• Inform students of policies regarding attendance, withdrawal, make-ups and requirements
• Provide descriptions of any projects or assignments
• Meet with individual students as required

As a student, in order to be successful in this class, you must:

• Log on and complete assignments, discussion posts, and tests in a timely manner
• Read and understand the textbook, or ask for clarification where comprehension is lacking
• Keep copies of all papers and files
• Regularly monitor Canvas for updates and announcements

 

Student assignments:

Mini-autobiography: Upload a brief autobiography, including a picture that captures an important aspect of your life.  This will be done at the very beginning of the semester. The autobiography should be a minimum of 500 words and tell me a little about yourself, including what interests you the most in the field of psychology and why.

Written assignments: There will be at least two written assignments.  You will receive each one at least one week before it is due. If you turn an assignment in late, you will lose 10 points for each day that it is late (including weekends). After 2 days, the assignments will not be accepted, and you will receive a 0.

Discussion posts: There will be various discussion topics posted on Canvas.  Each one is due on Friday. Postings must be a minimum of 75 words and be on topic.  Additionally, you must comment on at least one other post for full credit, and the comment must be at least 50 words in length. Comments not on topic can be resubmitted if prior to the deadline. 

Discussion etiquette: You should be willing to answer questions regarding your opinion, but without being disrespectful. Class members posting personal attacks regarding race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, or gender identity will have their post deleted and be given a warning. The second violation will result in a grade of 0 for that discussion topic, with no opportunity to make it up. A third violation will result in a grade of 0 for the entirety of the discussion portion of your semester average and a discipline referral. 

Assessments: Tests will consist of multiple choice questions on material covered in the textbook and in the slides provided online. Expect 25-40 questions per test.   All tests will be taken in class. On test days, you will be allowed one index card (which you will turn in) to write notes on to help you through the test. Some tests will be FRQ exams.  You will find out the week of the test what the format will be.  Occasionally, in lieu of a test, you may be asked to do an online or in-class presentation. There will be no extensions on test dates. Makeups will be allowed the following morning.  Anything taken after that will consist of an FRQ exam over that particular unit. 

The comprehensive final exam will be 50 multiple choice questions, and 2 FRQs. A review will be given 2 weeks prior to the test date.  Plan to take all tests on the scheduled date. 

 

Incompletes: Please adhere to the Galveston College guidelines regarding a grade of Incomplete in this course. 

 

Grading formula:

Unit exams, projects, mini-autobiography 65%

Discussion posts 5%

Worksheets, other online assignments 20%

Final exam 10% 

Academic dishonesty: Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements.  Academic dishonesty includes cheating on tests or assignments, and plagiarism. Possible punishments may include earning a grade of 0 on an assignment without the opportunity to make up the assignment, as well as referral to the Dean of Instruction at Galveston College to determine additional consequences, as necessary.

 

This syllabus may be modified as needed throughout the semester.  Changes will be announced and will be updated on Canvas.