Faculty Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE RATIONALE

The rationale for a course in Introductory Psychology, also known as General Psychology, is to introduce students to the scientific study 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.

PREREQUISITES: None

How are grades determined?

Grades will be posted on Blackboard as the semester progresses. Be sure to keep up with your grades so that you don’t get to the end of the semester and realize your grade is not what you were anticipating. There is no end of semester extra credit or ways to drastically change your grade once we get to the end of the semester. If you want to bring up your grade, that effort needs to start during the semester when there’s still time and assignments, not at the end. Grades will be rounded up at .50 and above (i.e., if you earn a 89.50%, I will round up to 90). This is a strict cutoff, meaning I will not round up at .49.

A 100-90

B 89-80

C 79-70

D 69-60

F below 60

How do I check my progress in this class?

Check Blackboard! You can see your grades in Blackbaord to know how you are doing. You can also check the feedback I leave on assignments! 

I try to provide substantive feedback on all assignments on Blackbaord. I do this so that you understand why you received the grade you did, and so that you know what to work on (or continue doing) in future assignments. Feedback is an important aspect of the learning process, and I want to make sure you know it is there and look for it. So be sure to look back at your assignments once graded to see my feedback. If the feedback I leave in unclear or if you have questions, please contact me! 

If you are struggling with topics in the class, reach out to me! Everybody can struggle with this material, but I won’t know the issue(s) unless you come talk to me. I am available by email, during my office hours, and by appointment to discuss what is going on and how we can work to improve your performance or understanding.

Can I turn in assignments late?

Here’s the deal with late work, all assignments are specifically tied to course material – so turning them in late is not useful to course progression and may snowball so that you are behind on the current material while catching up on the old material. I try to have reasonable deadlines that are set at the beginning of the course and typically they do not change. But again, I know that life can happen. Everyone has one 2-day grace period to use during the semester on one regular assignment, this cannot be used on your exams or project. You do not need to ask for permission to use your grace period, simply state you are using your grace period as a comment in your Blackboard submission. If you need more than one grace period during the semester, we will need to have a discussion about what is going on. Late work not using the grace period will be penalized 10% each day it is late. Absolutely no work will be accepted after 11:59pm CST on May 14th. That is the end of the semester according to the academic calendar, and I need all the time I can get to complete and submit the grades for all of my classes before the deadline set by the college.

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.  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 for this semester is April 27, 2025.  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.

INCOMPLETE POLICY

An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given due to extenuating circumstances. What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion. If a grade of “I” is granted, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the next semester. A grade of “I” also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade Form, to be signed by the faculty member, and the student. The form is then submitted to the department chair for approval. If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.” Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is almost never granted.

GENERATIVE AI POLICY

The use of generative AI (GAI) is permitted in this course under specific guidelines intended to support learning while upholding academic integrity. GAI may be used to promote technological literacy and assist with tasks such as preliminary research, idea generation, and learning coding practices. However, it should not replace independent thinking or the learning process.

Generative AI refers to technologies that produce content based on learned patterns and data rather than direct human input. In this course, GAI may not be used for final submissions unless its use is explicitly approved, clearly cited, and meaningfully discussed by the student. Any use of GAI must be transparent, and students will be evaluated on their ability to critically engage with and integrate AI-generated content.

Guidance on the ethical and appropriate use of GAI will be provided through course materials and during office hours. Misuse of GAI, including failure to properly cite its use, will be treated as a violation of academic integrity and may result in a failing grade for the assignment and further academic review. If GAI use is required as an accommodation, exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Do I need a textbook?

• No! There is no required textbook for this class. Everything you will be tested on will come from course lectures and materials. However, if you feel more comfortable using a textbook, you can access a free, online textbook here: https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e 

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

What are the learning goals for this course?

Knowledge base in psychology

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, theories, principles, and overarching themes in the field of psychology. Students will be able to apply psychology principles in everyday life.
  •  Assessed through exams, reflections, and the Treat Yo' Self project

 Critical thinking and problem-solving

• Students will demonstrate critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem-solving skills. They will use these skills to analyze and interpret psychological phenomena and to solve problems in innovative and integrative ways.
  •  Assessed through exams, reflections, and the Treat Yo' Self project

 Communication

• Students will acquire the skills to effectively communicate their ideas in both written and visual formats.
  • Assessed through reflections, the Treat Yo' Self project, and short answer exam questions

COLLEGE POLICIES

Health & Safety Protocols

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  The college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.

Some important things to remember:

• If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccine location near you.
• Campuses are open to faculty, staff, and students.  The college and its departments and offices may invite internal and external guests to their events and activities, though access is still restricted for external parties seeking to host activities at ACC.  The college’s Appian Health Screening App remains available to everyone who visits campus. This continues to be a good way to check your own health before coming to class or work. 
• If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility.  Testing is now widely available.  To find testing locations near you, click this link.
• If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.
• ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus.  Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
• The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.
• Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.

Because of the ever changing situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at for the latest updates and guidance.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at  the Academic Integrity website.   

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state, and federal laws.  Student Rights & Responsibilities

As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. 

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements 

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online, go to the Counseling website.

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964;  compliance@austincc.edu .

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at the Student Complaint Procedures website.  

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student..

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at  the Emergency Management website.  

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an outbreak of illness, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Smoke, Vaping, & Tobacco-Free Environment

ACC provides a smoke/vape- and tobacco-free environment for all College vehicles, facilities and all campuses. The College prohibits the use, distribution, and/or sale of tobacco, smoke, and nicotine vapor products and devices by any person on all premises owned, rented, leased or supervised by the College, including all College facilities, buildings, grounds, and vehicles. This prohibition applies to property owned by others that the College uses by agreement, and further applies to all College and personal vehicles on ACC District property.  Campus Managers and Campus Coordinators are required to inform anyone on their campus or in their center who are violating this rule that they are doing so and, if the violator is a student, the Dean of Student Affairs must initiate disciplinary procedures.

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.  

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 512-223-1231.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at the Campus Carry website.

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide.

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will 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 ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at the ACC Email Q&A website.

Use of the Testing Center

The Testing Centers will allow only limited in person testing and testing time will be limited to the standard class time, typically one and one-half hours.  Specifically, only the following will be allowed in the Testing Centers:

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Testing: All approved SAS testing
• Assessments Tests: Institutionally approved assessment tests (e.g., TSIA or TABE)
• Placement Tests: Placement tests (e.g., ALEKS)
• Make-Up Exams (for students who missed the original test): Make-up testing is available for all lecture courses but will be limited to no more than 25% of students enrolled in each section for each of four tests
• Programs incorporating industry certification exams: Such programs (e.g., Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) may utilize the ACC Business Assessment Center for the industry certification exams (BACT) at HLC or RRC

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at the Student Resources website.  A comprehensive array of student support services is available online at the Student Support website.

Student Accessibility Services

Austin Community College (ACC) is committed to providing a supportive, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  Each campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Students are encouraged to request accommodations prior to the beginning of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received accommodations from SAS for this course will provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Faculty Notification Letter” (FNL) through the Accessible Information Management (AIM) portal.

Until the instructor receives the FNL, accommodations should not be provided.  Once the FNL is received, accommodations must be provided.  Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is in the student’s best interest to request their accommodations as soon as possible prior to the beginning of the semester.

Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information.

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. 

An online tutor request can be made here: Online Tutoring Request

Additional tutoring information can be found here: Online Tutoring

Library Services

ACC Library Services offers both in-person and extensive online services, with research and assignment assistance available in-person during limited hours of service. Although all college services are subject to change, plans include ACC students signing up for study space and use of computers at open libraries, extensive online instruction in classes, online reference assistance 24/7 and reference with ACC faculty librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff can access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library website and by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services in numerous ways such as: "Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat service," an online form for in-depth research Q and A sessions, one-on-one video appointments, email, and phone (voicemail is monitored regularly).

• Library Website
• Library Information & Services during COVID-19 
• Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form 
• Library Hours of Operation by Location 
• Email: library@austincc.edu

Parent and Family Engagement Services

ACC understands how important parent and family support is to every student's college journey. From parents and siblings to stepparents, grandparents, partners, and loved ones, the Parent and Family Engagement Office at ACC is committed to empowering families to support student success. The office provides a family orientation to ACC, free workshops explaining the world of higher education (financial aid, student resources, career and transfer services, etc.), a monthly newsletter full of student success tips, and a website designed to answer family members' frequently asked questions. All students, especially first-generation students, are encouraged to share these resources with their families and invite them to be part of the Riverbat experience. Contact familyengagement@austincc.edu or visit the Parent & Family Engagement website for more information.

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at  at the Student Life website.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

• Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here at the Central Texas Food Bank website.
• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center 
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office.  
• A full listing of services for student parents is available at the Child Care website. 

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns at the Counseling website.

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help.  However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24-hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24-hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)