Faculty Syllabus

PSYC. 2301

Intro to Psychology

Revised: January 7, 2026

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This course is a survey of introductory topics such as learning, memory, sensation and perception, personality, life-span development, physiological 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. Written communication skills as they relate to the analysis and discussion of research and controversial issues in psychology is an important aspect of this course.

• Credit Hours: 3
• Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3
• COURSE RATIONALE

The rationale for a course in Introductory Psychology, also known as General Psychology, is to introduce students to the scientific student of behavior and the mind.  Knowledge of this discipline will provide students with knowledge of why people and animals do the things they do and think the ways they think. 

PREREQUISITE: NONE

Attendance/Class Participation

• Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.
• Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. 
• In the event the college or campus closes due to unforeseen circumstances (for example, severe weather or other emergencies), the student is responsible for communicating with their professor during the closure and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor as a result of class sessions being missed.
• If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Withdrawal Policy

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. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. 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.”

Last day to drop – January 19, 2026

Last day for final withdrawal – April 27, 2026

INCOMPLETE GRADE (“I”)

To obtain an incomplete grade (I), extenuating circumstances need to be present, and the student must have completed 75% of all assignments, including 2 of the 3 exams. It will be the student's responsibility to contact the instructor via email before the current semester ends. Only completion of required assignments applies for the removal of the incomplete grade; the optional bonus-point activities do not. Incomplete grades not removed by the deadline turn automatically into “F”. Therefore, students should consider withdrawing if they find that they cannot maintain the pace of the course.

Prior to the end of the semester in which the (I) is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually. Once agreed upon, the instructor will complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

Late assignments will not be accepted. Please prioritize your schedule accordingly. Do not send assignments via email, all assignments must be submitted in Blackboard by the deadline, if late assignments are accepted, points will be deducted accordingly.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES & GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES 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

∙ Personality

∙ Learning

∙ Life-Span Development

∙ Physiological Basis of Behavior

∙ Cognition (including Sensation, Perception, and Memory)

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

∙ Psychological Disorders

∙ 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 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.

REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS/SOFTWARE

Licht, Hull, Ballantyne (2021). Presenting Psychology. Macmillan Higher Education

• Edition: 3rd Edition (2021)
• ISBN: 978-1319247201

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

In-Class Lecture and Discussion

• Lectures: The core of the in-person sessions will be instructor-led lectures. These will cover foundational concepts, theories, and case studies. Lectures will be interactive, incorporating open-ended questions, think-pair-share activities, and real-time polls to maintain student engagement.
• Discussions: Face-to-face time will also be dedicated to group discussions and activities that build on the lecture material. This allows for spontaneous, in-depth conversations that are difficult to replicate in an online format. Students will have the opportunity to debate concepts, solve problems collaboratively, and present their ideas to the class.
• Guest Speaker: This course will invite 2 guest speakers who will speak on the relevant topics of psychology and its careers.  

Online Assessments and Submissions

• Blackboard for all Assessments: All exams, quizzes, and discussion posts will be administered through Blackboard. This standardizes the testing environment, ensures secure delivery of exams, and provides a clear record of student participation in online discussions. Students will be expected to log in to Blackboard to complete these tasks by their specified deadlines.
• Assignments: All assignments, including written work for oral presentations, must be submitted via Blackboard. This includes uploading documents, presentations, or other files to the designated assignment drop box. Submissions will not be accepted via email to ensure all work is properly time-stamped, organized, and graded within the official course platform.
• Oral Presentations: While the presentation itself will be conducted in a face-to-face setting, any accompanying written report, outline, or visual aids must be uploaded to Blackboard by the specified due date.

Assignments

• Individual Assignments

• Movie Review – Case Study - Each student will complete psychological assessments of a client through observation and therapy. Each student will be required to complete one assessment this term based on the movie selected and approved by the instructor.
• Social Theory Research Paper - Throughout this 5-week assignment, you will undertake a critical review and assessment of one peer-reviewed, published empirical article from a social science discipline (e.g., Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Economics, Education, Public Health).
• Group Assignments
• Case Study Analysis – In pairs - students will complete a psychological assessment of a client through observation and therapy. Each student will be required to complete one assessment this term based on a serial killer profile selected. Please reference: http://murderpedia.org/  and select your patient.

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

Changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement (or other resource the faculty is using to communicate).

Theme 1: The Foundations of the Mind

This theme encompasses the fundamental building blocks of psychology, focusing on how we gather information about the world and ourselves, as well as the biological and mental processes that underpin all behavior.

• Chp. 1 - Introduction to the Science of Psychology: Establishes the scientific basis of the field, its history, and the research methods used to study human behavior.
• Chp. 2 - Biology and Behavior: Explores the biological hardware of the mind—the brain, nervous system, and genetics—that enables psychological processes.
• Chp. 3 - Sensation and Perception: Examines how we sense our environment and interpret that sensory data into meaningful perceptions.
• Chp 4 - Consciousness: Delves into the nature of awareness, including states like sleep, dreams, and altered consciousness.

Assignments:

• Exam (Chp. 1-4)
• Social Theory Research Assignment

Theme 2: Mental Processes and Individual Differences

This theme concentrates on the core cognitive functions that define our internal experience and the unique traits that make each person an individual.

• Chp. 5 - Learning: Explains how we acquire new knowledge and behaviors through various forms of conditioning.
• Chp. 6 - Memory: Details the processes of encoding, storing, and retrieving information, from short-term to long-term memory.
• Chp. 7 - Cognition, Language, and Intelligence: Focuses on higher-level mental processes like thinking, problem-solving, and the nature of intelligence.
• Chp. 8- Human Development: Traces how our physical, cognitive, and social selves change and evolve from birth through old age.
• Chp. 10 - Personality: Explores the stable patterns of behavior and thoughts that differentiate individuals from one another.

Assignments:

• Exam (Chp. 5-8 and 10)
• Movie Review – Family Switch
• Speaker

Theme 3: The Social World and Well-Being

This theme broadens the focus from the individual to their interactions with others and the broader issues of mental health, stress, and therapeutic intervention.

• Chp. 11 - Social Psychology: Investigates how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the presence of others and by group dynamics.
• Chp. 13 - Psychological Disorders: Introduces the major categories of mental health conditions, their symptoms, and contributing factors.
• Chp. 14 - Treatment of Psychological Disorders: Covers the various therapeutic approaches and interventions used to help individuals with mental health conditions.

Assignments:

• Exam (Chp. 11, 13 and 14)
• Case Review – Serial Killer Profile

GRADING SYSTEM

Grades are calculated on a point system.

ASSIGNMENTS

• Discussion Posts: There will be a discussion post that corresponds with weekly discussion topics for a total of 8 discussion posts. You will be required to post an initial discussion and respond to 2 classmates each week. All discussion posts must be submitted by the deadline. No late submissions will be accepted. Students must follow the discussion guidelines and keep all responses to 250 words or fewer.
• Exams: There will be three exams consisting of multiple-choice, matching, and true/false questions from the textbook. You will be tested on the course materials presented and required readings whether we cover during instructional class time or not.
• Individual Assignments: Students will be required to complete 2 individual assignments. All assignments will be required to present the assignment (oral) during class, and written assignments must be uploaded to Blackboard.
• Group Assignments: The class will be divided into pairs. Each complete a serial killer profile.

AI policy

Introduction: This policy outlines the expectations for using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools in this course. My goal is to foster an academic environment that values authentic learning, critical thinking, and ethical engagement with new technologies. Please read this policy carefully and understand your responsibilities.

Definition of Generative AI: For this course, Generative AI (GAI) refers to any technology or software that can automatically generate text, images, code, or other media based on a given prompt or input. Examples include, but are not limited to, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL-E, Midjourney, and GitHub Copilot.

Rationale: Permitted Rationale: Generative AI is a powerful tool that is becoming increasingly integrated into many professional fields. This course will treat GAI as a resource, much like a calculator or a word processor, to help you with [e.g., brainstorming, drafting, editing]. The goal is to teach you how to use GAI effectively and ethically as a supplement to, but not a replacement for, your own critical thinking and original work.

Permitted Usage

• Permitted Activities: You are allowed to use GAI for the following purposes, provided it is properly cited and acknowledged:
• Brainstorming and Ideation: Generating initial ideas or outlines.
• Drafting Support: Helping to rephrase sentences or suggest alternative wording.
• Syntax and Grammar: Assisting with minor edits and proofreading for clarity and correctness.

Prohibited Activities: You may not use GAI to:

• Generate a full draft of a paper, essay, or any other assignment.
• Create or solve problems, code, or data without your own original intellectual contribution.
• Pass off GAI-generated content as your own original work.

Assessment: Your submitted work will be assessed primarily on your critical analysis, original thought, and the synthesis of course materials. Proper use of GAI will be considered as part of your process. If you use GAI, you must include a citation in a footnote or a separate "Methods" section detailing how you used the tool. For example: "I used [GAI tool name, e.g., ChatGPT] to brainstorm ideas for the introduction."

Penalties and Exceptions

Consequences of Violating the Policy

Violation of this GAI policy will be considered an act of academic dishonesty. This may result in a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade for the course, and/or further disciplinary action as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy. If you have questions about whether a particular use of GAI is acceptable, please ask me before you submit your work.

Exceptions

Any exceptions to this policy must be discussed with and approved by the instructor in advance. Examples of potential exceptions include:

Accommodations: If you have academic accommodation that would benefit from the use of GAI, please discuss this with me and the [e.g., Disability Services Office].