Introduction to Psychology                                                               Instructor: Donette Steele, M.A.

Los Angeles Harbor College – Spring 2013

Email: donette.steele@verizon.net                                                   Phone – (562) 856-8122

Class Website: http://mysite.verizon.net/res0im1v/donettesteelepsychology/

SYLLABUS

REQUIRED TEXT: Psychology: Modules for Active Learning by Dennis Coon 12th edition

Recommended Text: Psychology: Modules for Active Learning Study Guide

Chapter 1 Discovering Psy and Research Methods Feb.  8 and 22

No Class on Feb. 15 

Chapter 2 Brain and Behavior March 1.      

Exam 1  Chapters 1 & 2  - March 8

Chapter 7 Memory  March 15 

Chapter 6 Conditioning and Learning  March 15 

Chapter 5 States of Consciousness March 22

Exam 2  Chapters 5, 6 & 7 - April  12

Chapter 11 Personality April 19 

Chapter 13 Psychological Disorders  April 19 & 26

Chapter 14 Therapies  April 26

Exam 3 Chapters 11, 13 and 14 - May 3

Chapter 12 Health, Stress and Coping May 10  

Chapter 15 Social Behavior May 10 

Chapter 3 Human Development  May 17  

Chapter 10 Sex, Gender and Sexuality May 24 

FINAL EXAM Chapters 12, 15, 3 and 10   - May 31

Please note: Syllabus dates are tentative and subject to change.

Make sure the Chapter Titles match your textbook if you have elected to use a different verison of the Text - Do not rely on Chapter numbers on syllabus.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of the nature, origins of psychology. 

2. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives

3. Discuss historical trends

4. Apply the scientific method to psychological constructs using basic research methods of design and interpretation

5. Evaluate major psychological concepts and empirical findings.

6. Synthesize and integrate psychological principles and apply these to personal, social, and organizational 

    issues

7. Recognize and analyze the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity

8. Develop insight into their own and others' behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement

OFFICE HOURS: I am available after each class and by appointment. I can also be reached at (562) 8568122. Leave a return number and the best times to reach you. I will not return calls if you have any type of call blocking on your line as I will not release my home number. The best way to contact me and receive the quickest reply is to email me. My email address is donette.steele@verizon.net I will return email promptly.

EMAIL: Email will not be opened by the Instructor unless the subject line includes your name, name of the college, course name and time class meets. Email me at donette.steele@verizon.net. Do not email at the Harbor.edu email address as I do not frequently check this. Do not call the college with messages for the instructor as the Department does not accept messages. Do not call me with a message that you will not be in class, this is your responsibility and not mine. Again, do not the email address at the college. My email address is donette.steele@verizon.net.

ASSIGNMENTS: Do not call me and ask what the assignments are OR what chapter we are on OR when the exam is - pair up with another student and work with them. Attend class so you have this information. Do not ask me, if you miss class, if you missed anything important as it is all IMPORTANT.

EXCHANGE PHONE NUMBERS/EMAIL ADDRESSES: You are required to write two other students phone numbers and email addresses on the back of your first Exam Scantron. If you do not have this information on the back of the Scantron, If you do not include this information I will deduct 50% from your exam score. Use these contacts if you miss a class or wish to discuss information from the lecture or text book. Make sure, if the students you exchange phone numbers and email addresses with withdraws from the course, you get new phone numbers and email addresses from other students. It is your responsibility to have contact numbers and your responsibility to be aware of information related to the class should you neglect to take notes or miss a class. Do not contact me for basic information. I am available to answer questions or explain concepts should you need further instruction but I am not here to keep you organized. This is your responsibility.

EXAMS: You will be taking five multiple choice exams; each will cover the material from the assigned chapters of the text, readings, films and lectures. You are responsible for all of the material in the assigned chapters, readings, films and lectures. Your grade will be based on your four highest exam scores. Each counted Exam is worth 23% towards your semester grade for a total of 92%.

Participation in class and classroom activities is counts as 8% towards your semester grade. Group or Individual assignments will be given in class and returned by you at the end of class. Participation will be based on your active participation in class and your completion of in-class assignment. Missing classes may affect your class grade as you will not be able to participate during those days. Excessive absences will result in the lowering of your semester grade or being dropped from the class.

Exams: Bring an 882 Scantron and a pencil. You may not leave the classroom once you began the exam, unless you request to do so, and are given permission to do so by the Instructor. All materials, if permission is given, must be left with the Instructor. Leaving the classroom without permission will result in the grade of F on the exam. The college does not provide Scantrons or Pencils.

During an exam, the Exam must cover your Scantron. Any Scantron not covered (except for the question you are working on) will be picked up by the Instructor and a grade of (0) F will be given to the student for the exam.

FIRST EXAM: On the back of your Scantron for the first exam you must list two other students, their phone number, and their email addresses. Failure to do this will lower your first exam score by 50%.

MISSED EXAMS: There are NO makeup exams for the course for any reason. I am enforcing this and I will not allow any makeup regardless of your explanation or excuse. If you miss more than one exam it will significantly lower your semester grade and you may not be able to pass the class. You are allowed to drop your lowest exam score, if you miss an exam that will constitute your lowest exam score and will be dropped. .

EXTRA CREDIT: There will be assigned extra credit assignments for out of class completion. These are due the day of the corresponding Exam and late submissions will be given zero credit. No emailing of extra credit to the instructor. Bring it to class. Only typed submissions will be accepted for all out of class assignments. Do not hand write anything for submission to the Instructor unless you are specifically directed to do so. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: There will be a minimum of four writing assignments involving extra credit. These are to help you grasp the concepts you will be tested on. Each writing assignment must be a minimum of one page, two paragraphs minimum, each paragraph needs to consist of a minimum of six sentences, single space. Topic will be announced and writing assignments will be due the day of the corresponding exam. These assignments may vary and the Instructor will announce topic during class meetings.

ADDITIONAL EXTRA CREDIT: There will be no additional Extra Credit other than what is announced for the entire class. Do not ask me at the end of the semester if there is any extra credit that may help you pass the course - The answer is No. If you are absent the day in-class extra credit is given you will not be able to make it up and you will receive zero credit. If you cannot pass the exams, you do not have the basic knowledge of the subject in order to pass the course.

GRADING: The scale for assigned letter grades is as follows: 90%+ = A, 80%+ = B, 70%+ = C, 60% + = D, below 60% = F.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory according to academic policy. The policy states: Attendance is the student's responsibility. In the event of excessive absences (20% or more of course meetings), the instructor may drop a student from the course or lower the student's grade.

LATENESS TO CLASS: If you are late to class, enter through the back door. Do not walk in front of the Instructor during lecture. Keep disruption to a minimum. If role has been taken and you are not present you must (hand write) the Instructor include your name, class and the reason for being late and how you will avoid being late in the future or you will be counted as absent. The Instructor monitors absences and late students and this may lower your semester grade.

WITHDRAWING FROM COURSE: It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course should you decide to do so. It is your responsibility to complete and submit the paperwork to withdraw from the course. Failure to do the required paperwork by the required date will result in a Semester Grade being assigned by me. Usually not officially dropping a course due to poor grades will lead to the assignment of a failing grade in the course

CLASS DECORUM: I enjoy and encourage participation during the class. No question or comment is irrelevant and no question is stupid. If you choose to speak, please speak to the whole class. Aside conversations are not permitted. If you choose to speak and not address the entire class, or engage in private conversations, you will be asked to leave. If a student is directed to leave the class more than once, the student may not be allowed back into the class and a grade of F may be recorded for their semester grade. If you talk and distract me during lecture I know you are distracting students who may wish to get an education. Respect their right to do so and do not behave in a disruptive or distractive manner during class. I take this seriously and, if you do disrupt or distract, you and I will be having a private chat regarding your behavior and its consequences. Do not sit with your conversation buddies if you cannot control your behavior or their behavior.

Cell Phones/ Pagers/Texting: Cell phones and Pagers are to be turned off during class. No texting is allowed during class. The devices may also be set to Silent Mode. If it is an emergency and you must return a call, leave the classroom to do so. If you must leave class due to an emergency do so with the least amount of disruption possible. Do not interrupt a lecture to explain the situation to me, do this at the next class during break or at the end of class. Do not use your cell phone in the classroom during class or break - go outside of the classroom to do so. Cell phones are a great way to communicate with others but not during class. Again, do not text during class and turn your phone ringer off during class.

GROUP/INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY IN CLASS: Read your assigned chapter before you get to class. We will be working in groups to demonstrate many of the concepts in the text. There will also be individual classroom projects designed to aid you in understanding the text and concepts. It will benefit you to participate in all activities. Class participation will play a factor in determining your semester grade. It can decrease (if you do not participate) or increase (if you participate) your semester grade.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Cheating on an exam will result in a grade of F on an Exam may lead to expulsion from my class. Cheating may also lead to further disciplinary action by the college and you may be barred from attending any California supported institution.

HANDOUT MATERIALS: Extra Credit Materials are available on the course website. Study guides are also available on the course website. If you are missing any supplemental materials, such as study guides etc. because of loss or not downloading them, it is you responsibility to obtain them from another class member or from the course website.

TEXTBOOK: The syllabus chapter numbers are based on the latest version of the Textbook. If you decide to use an earlier edition please note the chapter numbers may be different. In that case you will need to match the chapter titles to the version you purchase. Earlier editions may be used but it is the student’s responsibility to attend to all information presented in each lecture. The Instructor has no responsibility if a student decides to purchase an alternate book or edition of the required text.

Notes: