Faculty Syllabus

PSYC-2301 Introduction to Psychology

Taylor Harper


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

PSYC-2301-053 (34061)
LEC TuTh 1:30pm - 3:00pm HAS HAS1 153

PSYC-2301-056 (48119)
LEC TuTh 6:00pm - 7:20pm HYS HYS1 01217.00

PSYC-2301-057 (48289)
LEC MW 9:00am - 10:20am SGC SGC1 1317

PSYC-2301-060 (48292)
LEC MW 10:30am - 11:50am SGC SGC1 1317

Course Requirements

To successfully complete this course, students are expected to:

  • Attend class on exam days and arrive on time

  • Complete all required readings from the assigned textbook prior to class

  • Demonstrate mastery of course material through four in-class, non-cumulative exams

  • Engage with course content during lectures and discussions, even though attendance is not mandatory

  • Adhere to ACC policies regarding academic integrity, classroom conduct, and examinations

There are no homework assignments, papers, online quizzes, or discussion boards in this course. Student performance is evaluated solely through in-class examinations.

Students are encouraged to actively participate during class sessions, as lectures, examples, and discussions are designed to reinforce material that will appear on exams. Periodic unannounced in-class extra credit opportunities may be offered to students who are present and engaged.

Readings

Students are expected to complete all assigned textbook readings prior to class. Readings are drawn exclusively from the required textbook:

What Is Psychology?: Foundations, Applications, and Integration
Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo (5th Edition)

Lectures, in-class discussions, and exams are based on the assumption that students have completed the assigned readings. Class time is designed to clarify, apply, and expand upon the material, not to replace reading the textbook.

Students are responsible for all material covered in readings and lectures, whether or not they attend class on a given day.

Course Subjects

This course covers major concepts, theories, and research findings in psychology, including but not limited to:

  • The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

  • Research methods and ethical principles in psychology

  • Biological bases of behavior and neuroscience

  • Sensation and perception

  • Consciousness

  • Motivation and emotion

  • Learning and memory

  • Cognition, language, and intelligence

  • Human development across the lifespan

  • Social psychology

  • Personality theories

  • Health psychology, stress, and well-being

  • Psychological disorders

  • Psychological therapies and treatment approaches

Course subjects are presented through textbook readings, lectures, in-class discussion, and applied examples, with emphasis on understanding how psychological principles apply to everyday life.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain psychology as a scientific discipline, including its goals, major perspectives, and research methods.

  2. Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate psychological research, theories, and claims.

  3. Describe the biological bases of behavior, including brain function, nervous system activity, sensation, and perception.

  4. Explain core principles of learning, memory, cognition, motivation, and emotion.

  5. Describe human development across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes.

  6. Analyze social behavior and personality using major theories and research findings.

  7. Identify and describe psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches used to promote mental health and well-being.

  8. Apply psychological concepts to real-world situations, demonstrating understanding of how psychology informs everyday behavior.

Student mastery of these learning outcomes will be assessed through four non-cumulative, in-class examinations.

Office Hours

Office Hours

Published: 01/20/2026 07:22:59