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Course Syllabus

Online General Psychology

 

PSY 2012                                                                                                       Session 1, 2014-2015

3 Credits                                                                                                         CRN:

 

Professor:       Dr. Debra L. Hollister                        

 

Office:            Building 1 -315 – Lake

                        Nona Campus                                

                       

Office Hours:  may be reached by e mail or phone. If you e mail, I will return your e mail within 24 hours. My office is located at Lake Nona and you can either call or e mail to make appointments to come to my office.

 

Phone:            407 /582 - 7412 (leave message)

                        m/c: 7-1

E - mail: dhollister@valenciacollege.edu

 

Textbook:       Required: Understanding Psychology by Feldman 10^th edition (McGraw-Hill)

Required: Access Code to MyConnect (bundled with book if purchased at bookstore) is necessary to complete the chapter activities and tests. You may purchase this access code separately from McGraw-Hill if you buy a used book.  There is also a free trial access code if you need to use it prior to getting your own code.

                       

Course Description: Life orientated course in psychology, designed to give the student the factual foundation in techniques and the vocabulary of psychology and general understanding of human behavior. Surveys research and application of psychology in areas of learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, behavior disorders, mental health and therapy.  Your class will be accessible on August 25, 2014.

 

Prerequisite Requirements: This is an introductory course in psychology and the information that we cover in this course will provide you with a basic introduction to the discipline of psychology. Since this is an on line class, you should feel comfortable using a computer and navigating the Blackboard learning platform. If you are not familiar with Blackboard, there is a self-paced tutorial you can use to become familiar. To find this self-paced course go to the home page in Blackboard and the self-paced course will be listed at the bottom of the page.

 

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this class, the student should be able to demonstrate knowledge concerning:

            1. The definition of psychology

            2. Brain function and how it affects behavior

            3. Learning and memory

            4. Growth and development principals

These objectives are presented in the learning activities provided in this course and successful course completion should lead to these objectives being met.

 

Competencies Addressed: This course addresses the Valencia Student Competencies as well as the CLAST competencies. 

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Academic Dishonesty: In the event that a student is caught cheating, he/she will receive a grade of zero (0) for that assignment. This is a grade that will not be dropped! If another incident occurs, that student will be withdrawn from class.

 

Class Attendance: It is the policy of the college that you attend the classes that you are registered to attend. In an online formatted class, attendance is taken by the participation in the activities, discussions and tests. Failure to participate in these class projects may result in your withdrawal from the class.

 

Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and Withdrawals), a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline of November 7, 2014 will receive a grade of “W.”  A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline.  A faculty member MAY withdraw a student up to the beginning of the final exam period for violation of the class attendance policy. A student who is withdrawn by faculty for violation of the class attendance policy will receive a grade of “W.”  Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.”  For a complete policy and procedure overview on Valencia Policy 4-07 please go to: http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordID=75.

 

Technology Requirements:

Fast-Speed Computer. DSL or cable connection preferred.

Reliable Internet Access

Web Browser with graphics capability Mozilla Firefox. NO AOL as your ISP as it is not compatible with publisher's software. You may still sign on using AOL but then you must use Mozilla Firefox as your ISP.

Word Processing Software (MS Word) and you should be able to use this software to produce papers and discussions.

Your Valencia E-Mail is for private communication. Each student enrolled must use their Valencia E-Mail address for this course. Messages from other email addresses are deleted. Students are responsible for any messages sent to their Valencia email account as this will be considered official college communication.

This class will be conducted through Blackboard 9.1 and it will be your responsibility to respond to discussions, tests and activities through Blackboard 9.1 for your points for those assignments. An access code will be needed as well – this access code comes with the textbook or can be purchased separately from McGraw-Hill.  There is a free trial for the access code available from McGraw-Hill.

 

Announcements:  Please make sure you read the announcements page.  It is located on  the left hand side of the  page.  Important information is delivered through this page and new information is often given here.

 

Discussions: The discussions on Blackboard 9.1 will be worth a total of 80 points towards your final grade.   You must respond with 250 words or more and respond to another student in your discussions. You will be posting at least two different times. The discussion question will be open for 7 days and will not be re-opened once it closes. Remember to cite any sources that you use to answer your discussion questions following the APA format.  Please pay close attention to the due dates! The grades will be posted in the My Grades tab generally within three days of the discussion closing. The rubric for the discussion score is:

Rubric for discussions	Points
on topic	2
250 words	2
sources cited in APA format	2
response to another student	2
posted on different days	2

 

 

Evaluations: There will be 5 tests throughout the semester including the final. These tests will cover information presented in discussions and textbook material. The tests may be multiple guess, true/false and/or matching.

 

The tests will be scheduled as follows:

            Following Chapter 1, 2, 3

            Following Chapter 5, 6

            Following Chapter 7, 8, 9

            Following Chapter 12, 14

            Following Chapter 15, 16

 

Grades: Individual test grades may be assessed on the following scale:

                  A = 45 - 50

                  B = 40 - 44

                  C = 35 - 39

                  D = 30 - 34

                  F = 29 and below

 

 

Each test will be worth 50 points. There are no Make - Ups. If you miss a test you will receive a score of 0 for the missing grade. Five test grades (possible 250 points), Eight response answers on Blackboard 9.1 (possible 80 points total) and Twelve (12) My Connect  (60 points) exercises  for a total of 390 points will constitute your final grade.

 

 

Your final grade will be determined on the following scale:

                  A =  351 - 390

                  B =  312 - 350

                  C =  273 - 311

                  D =  233 - 272

                  F  =  equal to or less than 232

 

 

Expected Student Conduct

Valencia Community College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct.  By enrolling at Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct.  The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty.  Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class.   Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia.   Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions.  You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook. Please familiarize yourself with the “Netiquette” standards on the Welcome page.

 

Tutoring: There is tutoring available for any Valencia College student taking classes at Valencia whether you are taking classes on line, face to face; or hybrid classes. The academic support centers are available on every campus. If you need assistance – please go to the nearest academic support center – that is what they are there for!

 

Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class.  The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. 

 

 

Valencia College is interested in making sure all our students have a rewarding and successful college experience.  To that purpose, Valencia students can get immediate help with issues dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, substance abuse, time management as well as relationship problems dealing with school, home or work.  BayCare Behavioral Health Student Assistance Program (SAP) services are free to all Valencia students and available 24 hours a day by calling (800) 878-5470(800) 878-5470. Free face-to-face counseling is also available.

 

                        ****This syllabus is subject to change****

 

                  Full-Term  Online General  Psychology Course Calendar

  

Complete Blackboard essentials course if needed (this is located on the Home page for Blackboard) and will help you learn basic navigation skills for Blackboard …Student response to ungraded discussion question should include personal introduction that includes information about the student, such as intended major, career plans and or activites  …Read Course announcements and Welcome page …Begin to study Chapters 1, 2

 

Begin reviewing chapter 2, 3

Discussion 1 opens

 

Test 1 opens:  Covering Chapters 1, 2, 3

 

Discussion 2 opens

Study chapter 5

 

Begin studying chapter 6

Discussion 3

Test 2 opens covering chapters 5, 6

Study chapters 6

Discussion 4 opens

Begin studying chapter 7

 

Study chapters 7, 9

Discussion 5

 

Test 3 covering chapters 7, 9 

 

Study chapters 12.14 

Discussion 6

Study chapters 12 and begin chapter 14

Discussion 7 open

 

Test 4 covering chapters 12, 14

 

Begin studying chapters 15, 16

Discussion 8 opens

 

Study chapters 15, 16

Thanksgiving is 27, 2014

 

Continue studying chapter 15, 16

Test 5 opens December 4, 2013

 

Final (Test 5) is due on December 10 covering chapters 15, 16