Faculty

PSYC-2301 Introduction to Psychology

Rosarita Voss

Credit Fall 2024

Section(s)

PSYC-2301-018 (92023)
LEC MW 3:00pm - 4:20pm EGN EGN1 1251

Course Requirements

This Introductory Psychology course is to introduce the student to the scientific study of animal and human behavior and mental processes. The Department of Psychology at ACC has directed all PSYC 2301 classes to cover these Core Topics:

Research Methods
Personality
Learning
Life Span Development
Physiological Basis of Behavior
Cognition including Sensation, Perception & Memory
Stress and Intellectual, Social, Physical and Emotional Health
Psychological Disorders
Social Psychology

Please allow me to be the first to say, “I am proud of you, and you can do all things.”

COURSE RATIONALE

Since psychology is complex, varied, and never the same, student participation in the form of questions, comments, and discussion is greatly desired. Students will be expected to become skilled at lecture material and/or world events. It is not my intention to change anyone's beliefs in a specific direction.

GRADING SYSTEM

The final average will be assigned a grade based on the following scale:

For example, if you have achieved 2100 points/30 assignments=70 points (Grade is C)

Point System: Grade System:

3000-2700 points = A A= 90-100

2699-2400 = B B= 80-89

2399-2100 = C C= 70-79

2000-1800 = D D= 60-69

1700- 0 = F F=59 and below

Blackboard will display your performance in this course since all coursework/grades will be entered Blackboard. Also, all communications will be sent through Blackboard.

Grades will be displayed on Blackboard within 48 hours after class. ALL assignments must be submitted on or before the due date to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu. No late assignment will be accepted since you may submit an assignment before the due date.

Assignment Policies

There will be 30 assignments. Grades will be determined by quizzes, in class assignments, research assignments, exams, presentations, and group work. There is NO makeup for class assignments designated date specified or the final exam. Partially completed assignments will not be accepted and given a grade of zero.

Revised September 10, 2024: If a student does not attend class, makeup assignments will not be given for this face to face class.

All assignments will be deployed in Blackboard at a designated date specified on this class schedule and must be submitted through email to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu. Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for viewing assignment instructions and grades.

Grades will be displayed on Blackboard within 48 hours after a class. ALL assignments must be submitted on or before the due date. No late assignment will be accepted since you may submit an assignment before the due date.

Writing Assignment

Writing is an important skill for a college student. We will have several writing assignments this semester. Please see the course outline for the deadlines since all assignments are posted on Blackboard. Feedback will be provided to everyone. However, if an individual does not complete the assignment including but not limited to essay discussion, and APA format, a zero will be awarded and displayed in Blackboard.

Writing can be a challenge, but like all things, you can get better with practice. Please make use of the learning labs at ACC to get editorial help on your writing assignments. It is with expectation all assignments submitted will demonstrate that you have reviewed and edited well.

Withdrawal Policy

The College defines withdrawals as occurring after the official reporting date of the semester, typically the 12th class day. In addition, the Legislature has mandated the Rule of Six. There may also be financial aid issues.

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. The Final Withdrawal Date is November 21, 2024. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACC mail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and notify students of any college-related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACC mail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

Readings

The required textbook for this course is Exploring Psychology; Twelfth Edition by David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall. ALERT! ALERT! It is the student’s responsibility to read the assigned chapters of this book promptly.

Course Subjects

August 26, 2024 - August 28, 2024

Classes Start!

8/26/2024: Review Syllabus and complete assignment worth 50 points.

8/26/2024-8/28/2024: Chapter One, Thinking Critically with Psychological Science

September 2, 2024 -September 4, 2024

9/2/2024: Labor Day College Closed

9/4/2024: Chapter 2: The Biology of Behavior (Bring Chapter 2 Learning Objectives completed to class: Oral discussion)

September 9, 2024 – September 11, 2024

Chapter 3: Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind

September 16, 2024 – September 18, 2024

9/16/2024: Exam 1 over Chapters 1, 2, and 3

9/18/2024: Presentations

September 23, 2024 - September 25, 2024

9/23/2024: Chapter 4: Developing Through the Life Span

9/25/2024: Chapter 5: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

September 30, 2024 – October 2, 2024

9/30/2024: Chapter 6: Sensation and Perception

10/2/2024: Chapter 7 Learning

October 7, 2024 - October 09, 2024

10/7/2024: Exam 2 over Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7

10/9/2024: Chapter 8 Memory

October 14, 2024 - October 16, 2024

Library research

*Manor ISD Fall Break*

October 21, 2024 - October 23, 2024

10/21/2024: Chapter 9: Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

10/23/2024: Chapter 10: Motivation and Emotion (Complete Chapter 10 Learning Objectives and bring to class)

October 28, 2024 – October 30, 2024

10/28/2024: Chapter 11: Stress, Health and Human Flourishing

10/30/2024: Work on Psychology Gaming

November 4, 2024 – November 6, 2024

11/4/2024 Exam 3 over Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11

11/6/2024: Work on Psychology Gaming

November 11, 2024 - November 13, 2024

11/11/2024: College Closed (Veterans Day)

11/13/2024: Exam 3 and work on Psychology Game

November 18, 2024 – November 20, 2024

11/18/2024: Chapter 12: Social Psychology

11/20/2024: Chapter 13: Personality (Bring Chapter 13 Learning Objectives completed to class: Oral Discussion)

November 25, 2024 - November 27, 2024

11/25/2024: Library research

*Manor ISD Thanksgiving Break*

11/27/2024: College closed at noon: Thanksgiving Break

December 2, 2024 -December 4, 2024

12/02/2024: Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders (Bring Chapter 14 Learning Objectives completed to class: Oral Discussion)

12/04/2024: Chapter 15: Therapy (Bring Chapter 15 Learning Objectives completed to class: Oral Discussion)

December 09, 2024 – December 11, 2024

12/09/2024: Exam 4 over Chapters 12, 13, 14 and 15

12/11/2024: Class discussion over loneliness and how to resolve it.

ASSIGNMENTS:

8/28/2024: Watch video on Henrietta Lacks and write a one-page paper worth 100 points by sending to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu @11:59 p.m.

9/4/2024: Discussion Board over the Biology of Behavior

9/11/2024: Critical thinking assignment must be sent to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu

9/18/2024: Presentations

Student’s Exploration
Jeremiah Project
Exploring Art through Psychology
Austin Community College STEPS
Emmett Till

10/9/2024 Memory Project due.

10/14/2024-10/16/2024 Library Research: Creating a Memory Music Playlist and Joy Journal

10/23/2024: Complete Chapters 8 and 9 Study Guides for a grade. Due before class ends.

10/30/2024: Psychology database assignment must be sent to rosarita.voss@austincc.edu by 11:59 p.m.

11/18/2024: Chapter 12: Social Psychology: Note: Bring assignment to class.

11/25/2024: Library research Sleep Deprivation

12/02/2024: Chapter 14: Psychological Disorders Quiz

12/04/2024: Research a world event and techniques how therapy may assist in a situation. (Critical thinking assignment)

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced online through email and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

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