Faculty

PSYC-2301 Introduction to Psychology

Maria Cisneros-Solis Johnson

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

PSYC-2301-014 (18317)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

PSYC-2301-020 (18322)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

PSYC-2301-022 (18324)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

PSYC-2301-041 (18337)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

Course Requirements

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

COURSE SYLLABUS

PSYC. 2301- 8 week ONL

SPRING SEMESTER 2026

Instructor:	Dr. María Guadalupe Cisneros-Solís Johnson
Course Title:	Introduction to Psychology
Course Abbreviation Number:	PSYC. 2301
Syn. & Section Numbers:	Syn#/Sec# = 020/18322, 022/18324, 041/18337

Instructor’s Office:	RGC, Room: 3175, Bldg.3000 by appointment & on-line every day except weekends and holidays
Instructor’s Telephone Number and email	ACC (512)223-3388 mcisnero@austincc.edu (prefer contact via email)
Instructor’s Office Hours	Before and after class on Thursdays and daily on-line, except Sunday and holidays, and by appointment
Required Text:	“What is Psychology? Foundations, Applications, and Integration”, 5th edition by Pastorino and Doyle- Portillo + Found (LL)W /ACCESS Mind Tap orLMS Integrated for MindTap psychology (1 term, 6months) Printed Access Card- (You will need the book and mind tap for the course) Please read Instructional Resources on page 5
BLACKBOARD LOG IN SITE	http://acconline.austincc.edu/.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

THIS SYLLABUS WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURSE. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY- THE BEST WAY TO REACH ME IS VIA EMAIL
LOG ON TO BLACKBOARD on the first day of class TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED ORIENTATION (you will have 5 days to complete it). Please note that Blackboard course material will not be ready until the first day of class!
MINDTAP: After you start completing the orientation, click on the mind tap link in the menu of Blackboard, register with Cengage, and complete the chapter 1 assignments (you will have approximately 9 days to complete it).
EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS: Please be sure to write PSYC 2301-RGC--Sec# (i.e. 032, or 033) on all the emails you send to me…next to PSYC 2301-sec# write Orientation, Urgent, Question, Mind Tap, under subject, so that I know how soon to reply and the nature of your communication (remember that I will have many students, and teach different sections, so please help me out so that we can communicate as effectively as possible).
Please send me fresh emails instead of just replying to my emails; sometimes a students’ email may be lost under other students’ emails that have also hit reply.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:

As a student, you are responsible for:

Logging on to Blackboard. You can use the following link: http://itdl.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.htm.
Check your ACC Google email and your announcements as often as possible
Complete your on-line Orientation on Blackboard
Read the required textbook readings for each lesson,
Complete your on-line assignments on mind tap (mastery training, and chapter quizzes, videos, etc. )
Complete the required discussion board (Orientation)
Complete the written assignments
Complete the test on Gender & Sexuality

Readings

INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:

IMPORTANT: YOU WILL NEED THE 5TH EDITION OF THE BOOK WITH THE MIND TAP ADDITION. USED OR RENTED BOOKS DO NOT HAVE MINDTAP.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

“What is Psychology? Foundations, Applications, and Integration”, 5th edition by Pastorino and Doyle- Portillo + Found (LL)W /ACCESS

MindTap or LMS Integrated for Psychology (1 term, 6months) Printed Access Card- (You will need the book and the access card for mindtap for this course) ISBN#9780357582985. You will not have an access code nor need it if you purchase the on-line version from your Blackboard link.

YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED THE BOOK WITH MIND TAP WHEN YOU REGISTERED FOR THIS COURSE. PLEASE READ FIRST DAY CLASS PROGRAM BELOW.

FIRST DAY CLASS PROGRAM

Information for your students-accessing & purchasing MindTap, Mobile App (to access the offline ebook), and tech support info:

https://www.cengage.com/coursepages/ACC_Students

Course Subjects

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a survey of introductory topics such as learning, memory, sensation and perception, personality, life-span development, physiological/biological basis of behavior, stress and health, psychological disorders, social psychology, and research methods. Additional topics such as language development, states of consciousness, and psychotherapy may also be included as determined by the instructor. The Honors course provides a more in-depth introduction to the science and profession of psychology with emphasis on developing oral and written communication skills as they relate to the analysis and discussion of research and controversial issues in psychology.

Please be aware that this is an introductory, survey course, therefore, psychological definitions will need to be memorized. One of the main learning activities will focus on memory and definitions (MindTap, Mastery Training).

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES/ STUDENT OUTCOMES

The common course objectives or goals include the following: The student will be able to demonstrate an understanding of representative theories, findings and/or principles concerning the following topics:

· Research Methods

Perspectives in Psychology and Types of Psychologists

· Personality

· Learning and memory

· Life-Span Development

· Physiological /Biological Basis of Behavior

· Cognition (including Sensation, Perception, and Memory)

· Stress (as well as intellectual, social, physical and emotional health)

· Psychological Disorders and Psychotherapy

· Social Psychology

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Lower Division Academic Course Guide Manual:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology.
Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology.
Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.
Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.
Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.
Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes:

Understand psychological concepts and be able to recognize them in real-world contexts.
Acquire a basic understanding of major perspectives in the field.
Gain an awareness of the breadth of the academic discipline of psychology.
Understand the various research methods psychologists use and critically evaluate evidence.

GENERAL EDUCATION STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR PSYC 2301

Critical Thinking Skills

Gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and apply information for the purposes of innovation, inquiry, and creative thinking.

Communication Skills

Develop, interpret, and express ideas and information through written,

oral and visual communication that is adapted to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills

Apply mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods through the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.

Personal Responsibility

Identify and apply ethical principles and practices to decision-making by

connecting choices, actions and consequences.

Social Responsibility (Civic and Cultural Awareness)

Analyze differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic

traditions, and cultural practices to include intercultural competence,

knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in

regional, national, and global communities.

Teamwork

Consider different points of view to work collaboratively and effectively

in pursuit of a shared purpose or goal.

Office Hours

W 4:38 PM - 6:34 PM On-line every day except weekend and holidays, RGC3175, Bld3000

NOTE I will be happy to meet students before and after class on Wednesday and Thursday. Students are also encouraged to make an appointment on another day and time if the above hours are not suitable to them.