PSYC-2301 Introduction to Psychology
Rosarita Voss
Credit Spring 2025
Section(s)
PSYC-2301-067 (86805)
LEC TuTh 3:00pm - 4:20pm RRC RRC8 8302.00
Course Requirements
This Introductory Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the scientific study of animal and human behavior, as well as mental processes. The Department of Psychology at Austin Community College (ACC) mandates that all PSYC 2301 classes cover the following core topics:
- Research Methods
- Personality
- Learning
- Life Span Development
- Physiological Basis of Behavior
- Cognition (including Sensation, Perception, and Memory)
- Stress and Health (Intellectual, Social, Physical, and Emotional)
- Psychological Disorders
- Social Psychology
I am proud of your commitment to this course, and I encourage you to believe in your ability to succeed. You can do this!
COURSE RATIONALE
Given the complexity and diversity of psychology, active student participation—through questions, comments, and discussions—is highly encouraged. Students are expected to engage with both the lecture material and current world events. It is important to note that my goal is not to alter anyone's personal beliefs but to foster critical thinking and understanding of psychological concepts from various perspectives.
GRADING SYSTEM
Grading System: Your final grade will be based on a points system, with a total of 3,000 possible points across 30 assignments. Here’s how the grading scale works:
| Points Range | Letter Grade | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2700-3000 | A | 90-100% |
| 2400-2699 | B | 80-89% |
| 2100-2399 | C | 70-79% |
| 1800-2000 | D | 60-69% |
| 0-1799 | F | Below 60% |
Your performance will be updated regularly on Blackboard, and grades will be posted within 48 hours after class. Please note that late assignments will not be accepted. All coursework must be submitted via email to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu by the due date.
Assignment Policies:
- There are 30 assignments throughout the semester, including quizzes, exams, research assignments, presentations, and group work.
- No make-up assignments are allowed for in-class activities or the final exam.
- Partially completed assignments will receive a grade of zero.
- Assignments must be submitted on time, as there is no allowance for late submissions. You are encouraged to submit assignments early.
Writing Assignments: Writing is an essential skill in college. Several writing assignments are due throughout the semester, and feedback will be provided. Be sure to review and edit your work carefully before submission. If an assignment is incomplete or does not follow APA format, it will receive a zero.
Students are encouraged to seek assistance from ACC's learning labs to improve their writing.
Withdrawal Policy: If you choose to withdraw from the course, it is your responsibility to ensure that your withdrawal is recorded before the final date (April 28, 2025). Remember, Texas law limits students to six withdrawals during their undergraduate career, though some exemptions may apply. If you are considering withdrawal, consult with an advisor to understand how it may impact your academic standing and financial aid.
Use of ACC Email: All communication from the instructor and the college will be sent to your official ACC email account. It is your responsibility to check this account regularly for important updates and course-related information.
Course Subjects
January 21, 2025
Class canceled due to weather.
January 23, 2025
Welcome, course Information, complete an assignment, and Chapter One: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
Group Work: Selecting members for The Nervous System Project
January 28, 2025
Chapter One: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
Group work during class
January 30, 2025
Chapter 2: The Biology of Behavior
Humility project
February 2025
February 4, 2025
Chapter 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
February 6, 2025
Review session and work on projects
February 11, 2025
Exam 1 over Chapters 1, 2, and 3
Finalize Group Work project
February 13, 2025
Presentations: The Nervous System
February 18, 2025
Chapter 4: Developing Through the Life Span
February 20, 2025
Real World Event Assignment
Project Similarities and Differences with a Parent, Grand Parent or Guardian
February 25, 2025: Chapter 5: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
- Psychology and the Media assignment
February 27, 2025: Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception
- Emotional Responses to Music
March 2025
March 4, 2025: Chapter 7 Learning
March 6, 2025: Review session
March 11, 2025: Exam 2 over Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7
March 13, 2025: Chapter 8 Memory
Group Project Work
- March 17, 2025 through March 21, 2025
Spring Break
March 25, 2025: Chapter 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence
Group Project Work
March 27, 2025: Chapter 10: Motivation and Emotion
Group Project Work
April 2025
April 1, 2025: Group project Motivation and Emotion Presentation
April 3, 2025: Chapter 11: Stress, Health and Human Flourishing
Work on Stress Pamphlet Research
April 8, 2025: Exam 3 over Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11
April 10, 2025: Work on Stress Pamphlet Research
April 15, 2025: Presentations Stress Pamphlet Research
April 17, 2025: Chapter 12: Social Psychology
April 22, 2025: Chapter 13: Personality
Group Work Project: Mental Health Resources for Individuals, Family and Friends
April 24, 2025: Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders
April 29, 2025: Chapter 15: Therapy
May 2025
May 1, 2025: Review Session
May 6, 2025: Exam 4 over Chapters 12, 13, 14 and 15
May 8, 2025: Student’s Exploration Project
May 13, 2025: Exploring Art through Psychology
May 15, 2025: Gaming in Psychology
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Chapter 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
- The History and Scope of Psychology
- Research Strategies: How Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions
Chapter 2: The Biology of Behavior
- Neural and Hormonal Systems
- Tools of Discovery, Older Brain Structure, and the Limbic System
- The Cerebral Cortex
- Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology and Behavior
Chapter 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind
- Consciousness: Some Basic Concepts
- Sleep and Dreams
- Drugs and Consciousness
Chapter 4: Developing Through the Life Span
- Developmental Issues, Prenatal Development, and the Newborn
- Infancy and Childhood
- Adolescence
- Adulthood
Chapter 5: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
- Gender Development
- Human Sexuality
Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception
- Basic Concepts of Sensation and Perception
- Vision: Sensory and Perceptual Processing
- The Nonvisual Senses
Chapter 7: Learning
- Basic Learning Concepts and Classical Conditioning
- Operant Conditioning
- Biology, Cognition and Learning
Chapter 8: Memory
- Studying and Exceeding Memories
- Storing and Retrieving Memories
- Forgetting, Memory Construction, and Improving Memory
Chapter 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence
- Thinking
- Language and Thought
- Intelligence and Its Assessment
- Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Chapter 10: Motivation and Emotion
- Basic Motivational Concepts, Affiliation, and Achievement
- Hunger
- Theories and Physiology of Emotion
- Expressing and Experiencing Emotion
Chapter 11: Stress, Health, and Human Flourishing
- Stress and Illness
- Health and Happiness
Chapter 12: Social Psychology
- Social Thinking and Social Influence
- Antisocial Relations
- Prosocial Relations
Chapter 13: Personality
- Classic Perspectives on Personality
- Contemporary Perspectives on Personality
Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders
- Basic Concepts of Psychological Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia and Other Disorders
Chapter 15: Therapy
- Introduction to Therapy and the Psychological Therapies
- Evaluating Psychotherapies
- The Biomedical Therapies and Preventing Psychological Disorders
Office Hours
M W 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online Conferences
NOTE Students can schedule online conferences with Professor Voss through Google Meet. To arrange a meeting, please send an email to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu. Meetings will be flexible to accommodate your schedule.T Th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Online Conferences
NOTE Students can schedule online conferences with Professor Voss through Google meet. To arrange a meeting, please send an email to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu. Meetings will be flexible to accommodate your schedule.M W 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Round Rock Adjunct Suite
NOTE Students can schedule online conferences with Professor Voss through Google meet. To arrange a meeting, please send an email to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu. Meetings will be flexible to accommodate your schedule.T Th 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Round Rock Adjunct Suite
NOTE Students can schedule online conferences with Professor Voss through Google meet. To arrange a meeting, please send an email to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu. Meetings will be flexible to accommodate your schedule.Published: 01/23/2025 17:25:28