PSY2012

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SYLLABUS



Course Number: PSY2012
Course Name: Introduction to Psychology
Credit Hours: 3 credit hours
Length of Course: 16 Weeks
Prerequisite: Student must score into college-level English and Reading on placement
tests.

Course Description

This course is a basic introduction to the psychological study of human behavior and thought.
The primary focus of the course is to understand human behavior from a variety of psychological
perspectives. Topics to be covered include research methodology, biopsychology, sensation,
perception, consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, intelligence, personality, abnormal
behavior, and application of psychotherapies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Describe a wide range of global, social and cultural points of view and apply various perspectives
to analyze human behavior.

Course Learning Outcomes /Objectives

At the completion of this course students will be able to:
apply the principles of the scientific method to the evaluation of research in the
psychological sciences and to material presented in the media about the behavioral
sciences.
identify the impact of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors on human
behavior and mental processes
analyze human behavior using the neuroscience, evolutionary, behavioral genetics,
psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and socio-cultural perspectives
explain examples of human behavior within the domains of neuroscience, sensation,
perception, consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, personality and psychological
disorders

Course Resources

Required: (LaunchPad access + ebook)
Myers, D. (2013). Exploring Psychology in Modules 9
th
ed. Worth: New York.
E-book and LaunchPad Access Code ISBN: 1464164975
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Optional Resources: (hard copy of text)
Myers, D. (2013). Exploring Psychology in Modules 9
th
ed. Worth: New York.
LaunchPad Access code with E-book and Loose-leaf textbook ISBN: 1464189625

Both options provide six months of access to LaunchPad.

Course Requirements

This course consists of a series of assigned readings, activities and assessments to assist you in
achieving the outcomes/objectives for the course and instructional units/modules. Each week
there is work on various combinations of assignments, activities, discussions, readings, research,
etc.
Exams:
There will be five multiple-choice exams which includes a cumulative two-part final exam.
Questions will be drawn from the assigned readings and activities. All exams are proctored and
given in an online format in the Assessment Center on any of the IRSC campuses. You may even
take each exam at a different IRSC Assessment Center if you wish. Assessment Centers open at
8:00am and close at 8:30pm. You are given 75 minutes to complete each of the five exams. All
exams must be completed by the dates and times designated in the Course Schedule. No exam
score will be dropped from the final grade.

LaunchPad Activities:
Register in LaunchPad using the required access code purchased from the IRSC bookstore
using the instructions in Blackboard. Do NOT use the instructions printed on the access
card.
All LaunchPad activities are available from the beginning of the semester so students can
work ahead of the schedule if desired.
LaunchPad activities can still be accessed after the due date but no points for any
activities completed after the due date and time shown will be awarded.
Grades for all LaunchPad activities will be reported in the Blackboard gradebook.
LaunchPad Activities are graded as follows:
Learning Curves are marked as Completed (5 points) or Not Completed (0 points).
PsychInvestigator assignments are worth up to 4 points. Includes PsychInquiry and
PsychSim5 activities.
Concepts in Action assignments are worth up to 3 points.
Mastery Quizzes are worth up to 5 points. The highest score of three attempts will be
recorded in the gradebook. Be aware that there will likely be different questions covering
the same material in each quiz attempt.

LaunchPad Registration: Instructions found under Content> inside LaunchPad folder
All assigned LaunchPad activities are mandatory and constitute a significant portion of the
grade. If you do not yet have a purchased access code or a code provided by your high school, a
free trial code access is offered at the beginning of the registration process.
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Writing Assignments:
1. Student Introduction Discussion Forum: There will be an assigned Discussion Forum worth up
to 10 points. Students will be required to post their own response as well as respond to at least
one other students post.
2. Significant Life Event. Found in Unit 11. This assignment is worth up to 90 points. The
purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of how you developed into the person
you are. You will gain insight by examining an experience from your past.

a. Write a detailed description of a significant life event that has shaped how you think about
other people or yourself. Describe your thoughts, feelings and behavior, and explain why this
experience was so important.

b. Analyze the experience using material provided in your textbook related to the
psychologys current perspectives (neuroscience, evolutionary, behavioral genetics,
psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and socio-cultural), which are summarized on page 7 of
the textbook and expanded in modules later in the book. Specifically, identify which
perspective best explains why this experience was so influential in your life. Support your
choice with specific examples from your life. More than one perspective may be chosen.

Grades and Grading Scale
Assignment of letter grades is based on a percentage of points earned. The letter grade will
correspond with the following percentages achieved. All course requirements must be
completed before a grade is assigned.

Points Percentage
A 900 and above 90 100%
B 800 - 899 80 89%
C 700 - 799 70 79%
D 600 - 699 60 69%
F 599 and below 59% and below

Assignment Name Point Value/Percent of Course Grade
Exam 1 4 (120 points each) 480 / 48%
Final Exam (Parts 1 & 2) 120 / 12%
Learning Curve Homework (25) 100 / 10%
Concepts in Action (21) 60 / 6%
Psych Investigator Activities (10) 40 / 4%
Mastery Quizzes (26) 100 / 10%
Writing Assignments (2) 100 / 10%
Total Points 1000 / 100%




Note: Calculated grades
will NOT be rounded to the
next whole number

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Schedule of Activities

The schedule will be located in the Schedule of Activities folder.

How to Succeed in this Course:
Take the SmarterMeasure evaluation if this is your first online course.
o For your username, select the type of degree program from the dropdown menu:
Associate or Bachelors.
o The PASSWORD is online for both degrees.
Review What makes a successful online student?
Log in and check for announcements daily.
Check your course e-mail regularly.
Communicate with your instructor.
Create a study schedule so that you dont fall behind on assignments.

Course Policies

Online Course
This is an online course and therefore there will not be any face-to-face class sessions. All
assignments and course interactions will utilize Internet technologies.

Specific Course Policies

1. Students are expected to check their IRSC email daily. If it is not working contact
RiverMailHelp@irsc.edu to resolve the issue.
2. In order to avoid withdrawal for non-attendance, students must complete the Start
Here quiz, register in LaunchPad and post in the Student Introduction Forum by
the due date and time listed in the Course Schedule in this syllabus.
3. Instructor Withdrawal. In accordance with institutional policy, an Instructor
Withdrawal can only be used (provided the student is not enrolled for the third attempt)
for extenuating circumstances such as deaths, illnesses, etc. whenever a student cannot
physically come in to process their own withdrawal.

Communicating with the Instructor
This course uses a three before me policy in regards to student-to-faculty communications.
When questions arise during the course of this class, please remember to check these three
sources for an answer before asking me to reply to your individual questions:
1. Course syllabus
2. Announcements in BLACKBOARD
3. The Ask the Instructor discussion board

This policy will help you in potentially identifying answers before I can get back to you and it
also helps your instructor from answering similar questions or concerns multiple times.

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If you cannot find an answer to your question, please first post your question to the Questions
for Your Instructor discussion board. Here your question can be answered to the benefit of all
students by either your fellow students who know the answer to your question or the instructor.
You are encouraged to answer questions from other students in the discussion forum when you
know the answer to a question in order to help provide timely assistance.

If you have questions of a personal nature such as relating a personal emergency, questioning a
grade on an assignment, or something else that needs to be communicated privately, you are
welcome to contact me via the course e-mail. Please allow 24 to 48 hours for me to respond.

***All correspondence must be conducted within your course email system or
Course Messages. ****

Attendance/Participation
Preparation for class means reading the assigned readings and reviewing all information
required for that week. Attendance in an online course means logging into the LMS on a regular
basis and participating in all of the activities that are posted in the course. Students will be
responsible for all posted announcements and information in the course.

In order to be counted as Present in the course, students are required to do the following
by the deadline found in the Course Schedule of this syllabus:

1. Complete the Start Here Quiz (required in order to gain access to course materials)
2. Post in the Student Introduction Forum and respond to at least one other students post.
3. Register for LaunchPad using the access code with the instructions provided in the
LaunchPad folder under Content. Do NOT use the instructions on the card.

***Failure to complete all three activities by the due date and time in the Course Schedule
provided in the syllabus will result in the student being withdrawn from the course for
non-attendance.***

Studying and Preparation Time

The course requires students to spend time preparing and completing assignments. For every
credit hour students should expect to spend at minimum of three hours working on the course.
Therefore, a 3-credit course would require approximately nine hours of time per week.
Examination Policy

There will be five multiple-choice exams which include a cumulative two-part final exam.
Questions will be drawn from the assigned readings and activities. All exams are proctored and
given in an online format in the Assessment Center on any of the IRSC campuses. You may even
take each exam at a different IRSC Assessment Center if you wish. Assessment Centers open at
8:00am and close at 8:30pm. You are given 75 minutes to complete each of the three exams. All
exams must be completed by the dates and times designated in the Course Schedule. No exam
score will be dropped from the final grade.
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A quick link to the Assessment Center (Testing) also is located in BLACKBOARD in the
Institutional Resources section under IRSC Policies and Resources.

If you are out of the area, please make arrangements before the course begins with Steven
Daniello (sdaniell@irsc.edu) at our Assessment Center and a local college/school for a
supervised assessment. Send the information to the instructor for approval of the assessment
arrangements, one week prior to the assessment.

Late or Missed Assignments

All assignments must be finished and turned in to complete the course. Unless the instructor is
notified BEFORE the assignment is due and provides an opportunity for the student to submit
his/her assignment late, no points will be assigned.

Exams If you know you will miss an exam, please contact me immediately. Be aware that a
make-up exam may be provided in an alternative format (hard copy) of short-answer, fill-in-the-
blank and/or essay questions.

LaunchPad Assignments: LaunchPad assignments may still be completed after the due date and
time, but will not receive points.

Discussion Forums must be completed by the due date and time in the Course Schedule. Late
posts will not receive points.

Paper Late papers will be penalized 10 points per calendar day. No papers will be accepted
later than seven calendar days after the due date. They must be in Word, .rtf or .pdf format.

Submitting Assignments
All assignments, unless otherwise announced by the instructor, MUST be submitted via
BLACKBOARD. Each assignment will have a designated place to submit the assignment.

Subject to change notice
All material, assignments, and deadlines are subject to change with prior notice. It is your
responsibility to stay in touch with your instructor, review the course site regularly, or
communicate with other students, to adjust as needed if assignments or due dates change.

IRSC Policies

Quick links to the Indian River State Colleges resources and policies are listed in the Getting
Started section of the course including:
IRSC Policies & Resources
o MyIRSC Register for classes, view grades and financial aid awards
o Student Handbook & Student Handbook Reference Guide
o Advising
o Catalog
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o Drop/Add Policy
o Equity Statement
o Financial Aid
o Incomplete Grade
o IRSC Mission Statement
o Office of Student Disabilities
o Student Activities
o Student Success Services
o Testing Services
o Transcripts
o Update Personal Information
o Withdrawal Policy

Academic Resources

Quick links to the Indian River State Colleges Academic Resources can be found in the
Institutional Resources section in Blackboard including:
Academic Resources
o Academic Calendar
o Academic Support Center
o Academic Warning/Deficiency/Suspension
o Assessment/Examination Policy
o Graduation
o How to Succeed in this Courses
o Incomplete Grade
o Netiquette Rules
o Smarthinking - Tutoring
o Studying and Time Management

Library & Research Paper Resources

Quick links to the Indian River State Colleges Library and Research Paper Resources are listed in
the Institutional Resources section in Blackboard including:

o Library Link
o Course Specific Custom Library Guides
o Ask the Librarian (24/7)
o American Psychological Association Tutorial
o APA Guidelines
o MLA Guidelines
o CSE Guidelines
o Legal Citation
o Plagiarism Policy
o Writing a Research Paper

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Writing Expectations:
All students should write at college level in all course communication and assignments.
College-level writing and appropriate netiquette is required for all written assignments
including Discussion Forums and email correspondence.

Citation and Reference Style:
Students should use the APA citation style unless otherwise directed by their instructor.
Quick links to Library information and reference styles are located under Start Here, then
Library & Research Paper Information.

Technical Requirements

Course Specific Technology Requirements
This course requires the MacMillan LaunchPad platform for homework and quizzes.

IRSC Computer Requirements
Students must have a reliable computer and Internet connection throughout the course. Quick
links to the Indian River State Colleges Blackboard Technical Information are listed in the
Institutional Resources section in Blackboard including:

Essential Technical Skills Checklist
Browser Support
Blackboard Learning Center
Blackboard Technical Support for Students
Blackboard Learn Mobile

Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS)

If you need assistance with Blackboard please look at the tutorials on the Log In page of
BLACKBOARD. Click on the Blackboard Tutorials link in the course control panel. Blackboard
Video Tutorials include:
Checking Your Grades
Taking a Test Online
Interacting with the Discussion Board
Submitting an Assignment

Note: The preferred browser in Google Chrome
BLACKBOARD LOG IN:
USERNAME: Student ID number (no dashes)
PASSWORD: IRSC web registration/pay pin

Technical Support
Students should contact Blackboard for support by filling out a ticket, live chat or
calling1- 888-281-5187 or go to:
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http://bbcrm.edusupportcenter.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8616

Accessibility Statement

In compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, professional disability specialists and support staff at the Student
Disability Services (SDS) facilitate a comprehensive range of academic support services and
accommodations for qualified students with disabilities.

IRSC offers many disability resources at on-campus labs. The SDS works with online students to
ensure accessibility. A quick link is located to the SDS in the Institutional Resources section in
the course control panel. Students who wish to request an accommodation for a documented
disability should contact the SDS immediately at 772-462-7782 or 772-462-7808.


Syllabus Disclaimer

The instructor views the course syllabus as an educational contract between the instructor and
students. Every effort will be made to avoid changing the course schedule but the possibility
exists that unforeseen events will make syllabus changes necessary. The instructor reserves the
right to make changes to the syllabus as deemed necessary. Students will be notified in a timely
manner of any syllabus changes in the course Announcements or course e-mail.




See next page for Course Schedule.



















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Course Schedule

Week 1: Aug. 25 31 Activities in RED are mandatory for attendance.
Aug 27 Start Here Quiz due on Wednesday at 11:55pm.
Aug 28 Registration due in LaunchPad on Saturday at 11:55pm.
Module 1 The History and Scope of Psychology
Aug 30 Student Introduction Forum deadline due on Saturday at 11:55pm.
Aug 31 Module 1 assignments due Sunday at 11:55pm


Week 2: Sept. 1 - 7
Module 2 Research Strategies
Appendix A Statistical Reasoning
Sept 7 Module 2 and Appendix A assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 3: Sept 8 - 14
Module 3 Neural and Hormonal Systems
Module 4 The Brain
Sept 14 Modules 3 & 4 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 4: Sept. 15 - 21
Sept 15-17 Exam 1 (Modules 1, 2, Appendix A, 3 & 4)
Module 6 Dual Processing, Sleep, and Dreams
Sept 21 Module 6 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm

Week 5: Sept. 22 - 28
Module 7 - Hypnosis
Module 8 Drugs
Sept 28 Modules 7 & 8 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 6: Sept. 29 Oct. 5
Module 15 Basic Concepts of Sensation and Perception
Module 16 Vision and Perceptual Organization and Perception
Oct 5 Modules 15 & 16 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 7: Oct. 6 - 12
Oct 6 - 8 Exam 2 (Modules 6, 7, 8, 15 & 16)
Module 18 Basic Learning Concepts and Classical Conditioning
Oct 12 Module 18 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 8: Oct. 13 - 19
Module 19 Operant Conditioning
Module 20 Biology, Cognition, and Learning
Oct 19 Modules 19 & 20 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 9: Oct. 20 - 26
Module 21 Studying and Building Memories
Module 22 Storage and Retrieval
Module 23 Forgetting, Memory Construction, and Memory Improvement
Oct 26 Modules 21, 22 & 23 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.

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Week 10: Oct. 27 Nov 2
Oct 27-29 Exam 3 (Modules 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23)
Module 24 Thinking
Nov 2 Module 24 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 11: Nov. 3 - 9
Module 26 Intelligence and Its Assessment
Module 27 Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Nov 6 Last day to withdraw from the class with a W.
Nov 6 Significant Life Event Writing Assignment due in the assignment dropbox on
Thursday at 11:55pm.
Nov 9 Modules 26 & 27 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 12: Nov. 10 - 16
Modules 34 Classic Perspectives on Personality
Module 35 Contemporary Perspectives on Personality
Module 36 Social Thinking and Social Influence
Nov 16 Modules 34, 35 & 36 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 13: Nov. 17 - 23
Nov 17-19 Exam 4 (Modules 24, 26, 27, 34, 35 & 36)
Module 32 Stress and Illness
Module 39 Basic Concepts of Psychological Disorders, and Mood Disorders
Nov 23 Modules 32 & 39 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 14: Nov. 24 - 30 Thanksgiving Holiday


Week 15 Dec 1 - 7
Module 40 - Schizophrenia
Module 41 Other Disorders
Dec 7 Modules 40 & 41 assignments due on Sunday at 11:55pm.


Week 16: Dec 8 - 11
Dec 8 - 11 Final Exam-Parts 1 & 2 (Modules 39, 40 & 41; Comprehensive Learning Outcomes)