course syllabus - Faculty & Staff, Georgia Perimeter College

GEORGIA PERIMETER COLLEGE
Introduction to General Psychology Syllabus - Psychology 1101
PLEASE PRINT THIS OUT AND KEEP IT!!
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Tina Stern, Ph.D.
Phone: campus office (770) 274-5426
Office: Dunwoody Campus, E2216
Office Hours: See Daily Course Schedule
Email address: tina.stern@gpc.edu
Web address: http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~tstern/
DAILY COURSE SCHEDULE AND OFFICE HOURS
The Daily Course Schedule shows the exact dates that we will discuss particular topics and it includes my office hours for this
semester. It also indicates all due dates and deadlines for the semester. This is posted as a separate document in iCollege.
PLEASE PRINT THIS OUT, KEEP IT, AND ENTER ALL DUE DATES INTO YOUR OWN CALENDAR.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COURSE OBJECTIVES RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES
Welcome to Principles of Psychology. This course provides an overview of the major areas in the field of psychology. As a
survey course, we will cover a variety of areas within the field. The following areas will be emphasized: major theoretical
perspectives in psychology, scientific methods and ethical considerations in psychological research, the organization of the
human brain, nervous system, neurons and the biological bases of behavior, principles of learning including operant and
classical conditioning, motivation, development in infancy and childhood, theories of memory, major theories of personality
development, social psychological factors that affect behavior, and psychological disorders. Upon completion of this course,
students should be able to understand theories, terminology, principles, processes and methods in all of the above areas.
REQUIRED TEXT AND SUPPLEMENT Please bring the text to class every class session
1. Experience Psychology, 2 nd edition, 2013, by Laura King –ONLY this text can be used for this course
2. Connect – publisher’s online study system; this requires an access code. This is required; 20% of your grade is based
on performance on Connect activities.
3. Purchasing options for the text book and Connect:
a. GPC bookstore
i. The GPC bookstore has as a special reduced rate package of a loose-leaf copy of the text packaged
with the Connect-plus access code. This package is only available through GPC bookstores. At a GPC
bookstore, the ISBN number for the GPC package is 9781259112072.
b. Text from sources other than GPC online bookstore – the loose leaf version is not available elsewhere
i. The bound soft-cover text book - ISBN # is 9780078035340 (this does not include a Connect access
code).
ii. IF YOUR BOOK DOES NOT COME WITH A CONNECT PASSCODE THEN YOU MUST BUY CONNECT
SEPARATELY! IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING CONNECT IS BELOW
1. If you are buying Connect separately, there are 2 versions of Connect. Connect Plus
costs almost what a text book costs and that is because it contains the ebook of the
text. If you already have the text book, then you only need to buy Connect (NOT
Connect Plus).
2. You can buy a Connect passcode online and get an access code for Connect immediately
3. You can also get a 21 day free trial period of the text AND Connect immediately
4. To purchase the passcode online or to begin the 21 day free trial follow these steps:
a. Go to the student sign in page: http://connect.customer.mcgrawhill.com/student-start
b. Once there, you will be provided with three user options:
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i. 1) Sign In (register with code)
ii. 2) Purchase Access (buy code online – with or without ebook option is
available)
iii. 3) Start Free Trial (instant access to course work and material for a FREE
21 day trial)
REMEMBER THAT EVEN IF YOU CAN’T GET YOUR TEXT AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER, THERE IS A 21-DAY
FREE TRIAL OF THE TEXT AND OF CONNECT!!!
Therefore there is no reason that you cannot begin reading and completing Connect assignments immediately!!
Please be sure to have your text book by the second week of classes and bring it to every class
COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS:
• iCollege: All the material for this course is on iCollege. Check the iCollege course at least 2 times per week as I may
place announcements in iCollege. I have also placed a variety of student study aids on the iCollege section of this
course. It is important for you to monitor this section in iCollege.
• My web page: You will also find a variety of support materials on my web page at http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~tstern/
• E mail communications: I will respond to all email communications you send to me. If you do NOT receive a
response from me, that means I did not receive your communication, and it is your responsibility to follow-up.
Please communicate with me through iCollege email. You may also use GPC email, but I prefer iCollege email. If
you use GPC email, please identify yourself and the course number in the subject line or I may delete it by mistake.
• Submitting papers by email: To submit papers to me by email, you must get my permission and instructions. If you
submit something via email without my permission, I may not accept it. Further, if you receive permission to submit
work by email, you must receive a confirmation from me to insure that I received it and that I can open it. If you do
not, then it is not guaranteed that I received the paper and you should follow-up. Also, if you do submit work by
email, you must still submit a hard copy of your work to me at the next class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. READING ASSIGNMENTS
a. We will be reading nine, non-consecutive chapters in your textbook. Please note we are covering chapters
1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, so be sure not to go automatically from chapter 2 to chapter 3 since we are not
covering all the chapters in the book.
b. Specific assignments and their due dates are in the Daily Course Schedule. Please print that out.
c. Since the class will be discussing the material from the textbook, it is important that you have read the assigned
material before the class discussion so you can be an active participant. For this reason all reading due dates
occur before that topic is discussed in class. To encourage students to read the chapter BEFORE we discuss it in
class, you will be permitted to hand in ONE, single 5 X 8, hand written (NOT typed or xeroxed) note card AT THE
BEGINNING OF CLASS THE DAY THE CHAPTER IS DUE and the note card will be returned to you to use while
you are taking the test on that material. No credit will be assigned for the note cards. I will NOT accept ANY
cards after class begins the day the chapter reading is due (even if you were absent), though you are free to
turn them in ahead of time. If you arrive late, even 5 minutes late, and I have collected the note cards, I will not
accept your note card. The purpose of the note card is to encourage students to read the chapter before the
class discussion and lecture and to arrive on time.
2. CONNECT/LEARN SMART QUIZZES – 20% of your grade
a. The text book publisher has a wonderful online program called Connect. For each chapter you are required
to take a quiz available through this software, for a total of 9 quizzes. The quizzes are personalized; that is,
the questions you will be asked will be based on the questions that you miss and get right. The quiz will be
geared to help you address the things you do not understand. You should keep answering the questions
until you get them all right. The only way to get full credit for a quiz is to answer all questions correctly
regardless of how many attempts it takes to do this. You may take the quiz as often as you like and spend as
much time as you need to on the quizzes. Your score on the quizzes is the number of questions you
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complete correctly. Your quiz average is worth 20% OF YOUR GRADE!! Please see the Daily Course Schedule
for the due dates of the nine quizzes. You will need a pass code to use Connect which comes with the GPC
bookstore version of the text or can be purchased separately (see above).
3. TESTS – 45% of your grade
a. There will be four tests covering 2 to 3 chapters each. Test dates are in the attached course outline. Tests will
consist of 50 multiple choice questions. Each test is worth 15% of your grade.
b. MAKE-UP EXAMS - I do not give make up exams, either before or after a regularly scheduled test date. If you
should happen to have a problem or emergency on a test day, you may drop one of the 4 tests. Please do not
request a make-up test since the purpose of allowing you to drop a test is to allow you to skip one in case you
are unable to take it.
c. The three remaining tests will be worth a total of 45 per cent of your final grade.
d. PREPARING FOR TESTS – SOME TIPS AND AIDS
i. There are learning objectives for each chapter in iCollege under the Learning Modules folder. The
learning objectives are study guides for your tests. If information is on the learning objectives, it may be
on the test even if it was not dicussed in class. Information not on the learning objectives won't be on
the test.
ii. Remember, if you have handed in your chapter note card on time you may use it while taking your test.
I strongly suggest you take notes based on the learning objectives for that chapter.
iii. Be sure to check out the iCollege Learning Modules folder for other study materials.
iv. At http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html you will find videos (on demand) that correspond
to the topics we cover in class. These videos can provide supplemental information or simply allow you
to hear about our topics from another source. Students have found them very useful. Once on the
website you must establish a log in and password, but there is no charge for doing so.
e. TEST DATES
i. All test dates, including the date and time for the final exam, are listed on the daily course outline
4. FINAL – 15% of your grade
a. There will be a cumulative final exam held during exam period. The final will consist of 100-125 multiple-choice
questions, 10-15 from each chapter. The final may NOT be selected as a test grade to drop. The final exam will
be worth 15% of your course grade. A study guide for the final will be in iCollege prior to the final.
TEST AND FINAL EXAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
b. LATE ARRIVALS: Students who arrive more than 15 minutes after a test has been distributed will not be
permitted to take the test (unless there is a documented emergency).
c. LEAVING THE ROOM DURING A TEST: Students may NOT leave the room during a test so please address any
needs you have prior to entering the room to take the test.
d. SCANTRON POLICY: Students must bring their own #2 pencils and GREEN Scantron sheets to all tests and the
final. I will NOT have any extra Scantrons or pencils with me, so BE SURE to bring your own.
e. MAKE-UP POLICY FOR QUIZZES AND TESTS AND LATE PAPER POLICY: NO make-up tests are given either
before or after the designated test date. You are permitted to drop 1 test to accommodate for emergencies.
Save your drop test for a true emergency as that is its purpose. Late papers lose 5 points per day including
non-class days.
5. CLASS PARTICIPATION – 5% of your grade
a. There will be some form of class participation exercise in most classes except for days on which an exam is given.
Class participation is worth 5% of your grade. If you are not present, you cannot participate. Points are awarded as
follows: 0 –1 absence = 5 points, 2 absences = 4 points, 3 –4 absences = 3 points, 5 – 6 absences = 2 points, 7
absences = 1 point, greater than 7 absences = 0 points. If you participate in class on a regular basis, AND if your
contributions reflect that you have read and thought about the material you can earn 1 extra bonus point on your
grade. I do NOT award the bonus point just for talking a lot, rather your verbal contributions in class MUST reflect
preparation, effort, thought, and attempt to understand the material in the text book.
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6. WRITING ASSIGNMENT – 15% of your grade
a. Writing activities will count for 15% of your course grade. You will not be required to write a research paper.
Instead you will be writing one 3-5 page paper based on information in your text book or other sources. I will
describe the writing activities in detail in class.
b. Late papers - Five points will be deducted on each assignment for each day a written assignment is late; this
includes weekends, holidays, and non-class days. If you chose to turn your paper in outside of class on a date
other than the due date, there is a chance it could get lost.
c. IN ADDITION to submitting your writing assignment to me in class, you MUST also submit it to TURNITIN. I will
provide you with instructions for submitting material to turnitin.
d. Papers must be submitted to me in class as a hard copy. I will only take papers by email under special
circumstances and with my prior approval.
GRADING POLICY
3 tests = 45% 90-100 =A
final = 15% 80-89 =B
Connect quizzes = 20% 70-79 =C
class participation = 5% 60-69 =D
writing assignments = 15% Below 60 =F
Total 100%
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POLICIES
Attendance Policy
Students’ academic success is the major priority of the College. Because regular participation enhances the learning process,
students are expected to adhere to the attendance policy set forth by the College and individual faculty members.
Differences in content and teaching styles exist among courses, which can impact students’ learning. Therefore, students
are strongly encouraged to attend all classes to better prepare them for assignments, tests, and other course-related
activities. Students are accountable for assignments and material covered during an absence.
Class participation is an important component of this class. It is worth 5% of your grade. If you are not present, you cannot
participate, therefore class participation is directly linked to attendance. Points are awarded as follows: 0 –1 absence = 5
points, 2 absences = 4 points, 3 –4 absences = 3 points, 5 – 6 absences = 2 points, 7 absences = 1 point, greater than 7
absences = 0 points. If you participate regularly in class, AND if your contributions reflect that you have read and thought
about the material you can earn 1 extra bonus point on your grade. It is the student's responsibility to keep track of how
many absences they have had. If a student arrives after attendance has been taken, it is the student's responsibility to notify
the instructor of their presence at the end of class. Arriving more than 1/2 hour late or leaving more than 1/2 hour early
will be counted as an absence. Three late arrivals will count as an absence. Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive
to me and to the class, and I strongly urge students to avoid arriving late and leaving early.
Withdrawal Policy
Except in the case of “no shows,” I WILL NOT and CANNOT withdraw you from this course. (A “now show” is a student
who never attends class or logs in to an online class during the first week or two of the course. When students are
reported as no-shows, the course is removed from their records, and any financial aid awarded on the basis of that
course is returned to the lender or grantor. If you have attended the class even once or logged on to an online course,
you will not be reported as a no show.) If you decide that you do not wish to continue in this course, it is your
responsibility to withdraw yourself prior to the midpoint of the semester. (Exact dates for each term are posted on the
GPC website under “Academic Calendar.”) Withdrawal is a formal procedss that requires you to sill out a withdrawal
form and submit it to the registrar on one of our campuses. If you have Financial Aid, you may be required to repay all
or part of the Financial Aid awarded to you. Therefore, a Financial Aid advisor must sign off on the withdrawal form.
When you submit the form to the registrar, he or she will stamp the form with the date received and give one copy to
you. You should KEEP this form in case there are ever questions as to whether you properly withdrew yourself from the
course.
If you are unable to come to one of our campuses to fill out and submit a withdrawal form, you may print one from
online: http://www.gpc.edu/forms/withdrawal.pdf. Note that there is a second page with detailed information about
the withdrawal process. If you are unable to submit your form in person, please contact the GPC Online office at 678-
891-2805 for assistance in submi9tting your form. No matter how your form is submitted, it is your responsibility to
ensure that it is received by Georgia Perimeter College no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the withdrawal deadline.
Academic Honesty Statement
Cheating is against Georgia Perimeter College policy. Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the
instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment, and may include coptying answers from other students or using
unauthorized notes during tests. Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating that involves presenting as one's own the ideas
or work of another person, and may include using other people’s work as one’s own. Violations of the academic honesty
policy will result in a ‘0’ for the assignment in question and may result in a failing grade for the course at the instructor’s
discretion. The College Court may impose additional sanctions, including suspension, expulsion, or dismissal from the
College. Students have the right to appeal a grade awarded on the basis of alleged cheating or plagiarism. See the Academic
Honesty Policy in the Student Handbook for details and for a review of the appeals procedure.
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Americans with Disabilities Act Statement
If you are a student who is defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires assistance or support services,
please seek assistance through the Center for Disability Services. A CDS counselor will coordinate those services.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
No person shall, on the basis of age, race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability, be
excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or
activity of Georgia Perimeter College.
Affirmative Action Statement
Georgia Perimeter College adheres to affirmative action policies to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty
and students.
MY EXPECTATIONS – The following classroom behaviors are very important to me! Read carefully!
Please DO
Arrive on time & stay for the entire class
Turn off & put away cell phones, beepers, IPods, etc.
Come to class & tests prepared- do assignments, bring all books,
scantrons, pencils, paper, etc.
Disagree with me & classmates respectfully
Know all assignments, due dates, test dates, etc.
Turn in all assignments in class when they are due
Pay full attention to the class discussion – any use of technology
MUST be related to the discussion
Arrive on time with a pencil and scantron to all tests
Please DO NOT
Come late, leave early, or come & go during class
Use of answer cell phones or listen to IPods
Sleep in class!! Please stay home if you’re too tired
Engage in private conversations
Monopolize discussions-give everyone a chance
Ask me to take a make-up test (either early or late)
“Secretly” (or otherwise) use electronic devises
during class
Come late to tests or come without a pencil or
scantron
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STUDENT DATA SHEET
The following questions are intended to assist me in getting to know you better. I am interested in getting to know you
because it is my belief that getting to know each other facilitates the teaching AND learning process. So while I would like
you to answer all questions, it is not mandatory to do so. Please answer those question that you feel comfortable
answering. Thank you.
Name
Address:
Email address:
Phone number where I have your permission to call you if I need to ____________________
Are you employed yes no If yes, how many hours________
Do you plan to complete you Associate’s Degree at GPC
How many courses are you taking this quarter
What are your goals for taking this course For example:
you are considering being a psychology major
Psychology interests you
you need the hours
other (specify)
Have you declared a major If so, what is it ______________________
If you know your career goals, please describe _____________________
Are there specific things that interest you in the field of psychology What are you hoping we will talk about in this class
How well do you expect to do in this class (circle one)
1 2 3 4 5
poor average excellent
How confident do you feel about your ability to do well in college
1 2 3 4 5
very confident
not at all confident
If you have had learning difficulties in the past, please describe the problems you have experienced. For example
concentration, comprehension, reading, self-discipline, motivation (you may use the back of this page if needed).
I have read and understand the classroom policies and course outline for Psychology 1101 on the attached syllabus.
Signed______________________
Date_____________________
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