Syllabi for Dr. Brown-Jordan
PSY 2012 General Psychology
Osceola Campus
Course Syllabus and Classroom Policies
Fall 2023: 8/21/2023 – 12/10/2023
PROFESSOR: | Elizabeth Brown-Jordan | CRN: | 15760 |
OFFICE LOCATION: | Bldg. 1 Rm. 141 (Mailbox) | CREDIT HOURS: | 3 Cr. |
OFFICE PHONE: | 407-582-1408 (Emergency Messages Only) | CLASS MEETINGS: | M/W 11:30 a.m.– 12:45 p.m. Room 2-268 |
EMAIL:
PREREQUISITES:
| ebrownjordan@valenciacollege.edu
None | OFFICE HOURS:
| M/W 10:45–11:15 a.m. (By Appointment) |
Important Dates During the Fall Semester
August 21st Classes Begin
August 28th Drop/Refund Deadline – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)
August 30th-September 8th No Show Reporting Period
September 4th Labor Day (College Closed)
October 27th Student-Initiated Withdrawal Date (“W” Grade) – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)
November 10th Veterans Day Observed (No Classes)
November 18th Veteran's Affairs: Deferral & Out-of-State Waiver Deadline – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)
November 22nd -26th Thanksgiving (College Closed)
December 3rd Faculty-Initiated Withdrawal Date (“W” Grade) – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)
December 4th-10th Final Exams Held
December 10th Classes End
December 12th Final Grades Viewable in Atlas
December 12th Commencement
December 21st – January 1st Winter Break (College Closed)
Required Materials/Textbooks
MindTap for Pastorino/Doyle-Portillo's What is Psychology: Foundations, Applications, and Integration, 5th Edition, [Instant Access]
Canvas
Significant portions of this course may take place online using Canvas. It is recommended that you review Canvas tutorials before beginning this material, and set up your phone or e-mail to give alerts for Canvas. To access Canvas, go to online.valenciacollege.edu. Enter your Atlas login and password. For details, contact Canvas support: 407-582-5600.
Recommended Supplies
These supplies are not required but are strongly recommended. A student should own or have access to a current edition of a college-level dictionary and thesaurus. If you cannot obtain a copy, you should have access to a computer or smart phone with online capabilities; I can recommend a number of websites to you (www.webster.com, www.wiktionary.org, or www.dictionary.com are excellent starting points). I’d also recommend purchasing a flash drive (small portable USB storage device) to assist in storing papers (this is a helpful tool through the rest of college). You may also want to investigate online cloud-based storage sites like Google Drive.
Course Description
Course Catalog Description/Learning Objectives: This course is designed to provide students with an overview of theory and research in the major areas of psychology, biological, experimental, developmental, social, cognitive, personality, and clinical. This factual and conceptual foundation in psychology will help students understand behavior and apply psychological principles in a variety of settings and to their own lives.
Major Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, the student will have met the following objectives:
1. Explain why psychology is a science with the primary objectives of describing, understanding, predicting, and controlling behavior and mental processes.
2. Identify key characteristics of major content domains in psychology (e.g., cognition and learning, developmental, biological, and sociocultural).
3. Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology.
4. Describe examples of relevant and practical applications of psychological principles to everyday life.
5. Apply scientific reasoning to psychological phenomena.
6. Describe how individual and sociocultural differences can influence the applicability/generalizability of research findings.
7. Apply ethical standards to psychological science and practice.
Core Competencies of a Valencia Graduate
Valencia’s Student Core Competencies are complex abilities that are considered the essential elements of a successful student. This course will help you develop and demonstrate the abilities to: (1) think clearly, critically, reflectively, and creatively; (2) communicate with others verbally and in written form; (3) make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments; and (4) act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly. Our goal is to provide these global competencies in the context of application; this means that students will be required to understand problems and effectively communicate an appropriate solution.
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Evaluation and Course Grading
Course evaluation is divided into five categories; together these categories will comprise the final grade.
· Discussion posts: 10%
· Case Study Analyses: 20%
· Key Terms Quizzes: 10%
· MindTap Chapter Quizzes: 20%
· Midterm Exam: 20%
· Final Exam: 20%
Grading Scale and Evaluation
The sum of points earned throughout the course will determine a letter grade as follows:
A: 1000-900 B: 899-800 C: 799-700 D: 699-600 F: below 599
| A: 90% - 100% B: 80% - 89% C: 70% - 79% D: 60% - 69% F: below 60%
|
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Course Assignments and Point Values
Reading assignments, review, and application activities will be administered in MindTap. Additional assignments (e.g., Case Study Analyses) will be accompanied by detailed descriptions and a breakdown of the assignment point values in a handout. A grading rubric will also be provided with the handouts.
VALENCIA COLLEGE & INSTRUCTOR’S CLASSROOM POLICIES
Attendance
Attendance is a major contributing factor to student success; as such, attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend at least 85% of our face-to-face meetings (M/W 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.). Students are allowed a maximum of four absences in this class. After the fourth absence, a student may be withdrawn from the course. As a student, here is my expectation of you: Arrive on time,
complete all required assignments before class, and remain in class for the duration of the class. In the event of an absence, students are responsible for making up any missed work, as well as keeping up with announcements made during class time. Please connect with one of your classmates to get notes on material covered and/or announcements made during your absence from class.
Tardiness and Other Class Disruptions
Students are expected to be in class on time. Please try to avoid any scheduling conflicts with this course. Special instructions for current assignments are often given at the beginning of class, so it is best to arrive at least five minutes early. If tardiness is excessive,
a direct intervention and plan may be required. It is understandable that we are occasionally faced with circumstances beyond our control. Persistent tardiness is considered rude so please try to be on time to every class. Students who persist in being tardy or leaving early will be dealt with on an individual basis. Additionally, leaving the room during a class session is unacceptable unless you have an emergency.
Do not engage in private conversations with other students while class is in session unless it is related to classroom learning activities. Do not use profanity, hostile gestures, or confrontational comments during class. Please give your classmates and yourself the full opportunity to learn. Do not use class time to read other books or do homework or assignments for other courses. Sleeping in class is unacceptable and causes a
distraction. The instructor reserves the right to dismiss a student who is disrupting the classroom-learning environment.
Class Preparation
Please come to class prepared, meaning that you have a utensil or device for taking notes, have all required course materials, and are prepared to be actively engaged in the class. Reading assignments should be completed prior to the class period where they will be discussed. All assignments must be submitted by designated deadlines.
Participation in class discussions is encouraged, however, class domination is discouraged. Please give ALL students the opportunity to contribute. Recognize that not all students may share your opinion. Consequently, state your opinions in a way that is not offensive to anyone of a different race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation. Please be aware that participation doesn’t just mean participation in classroom discussions. Participation includes being attentive, joining in group work, and communicating with your professor.
Improper Technology Usage
While you are allowed to use technology as a resource in class, it is expected that you will use the resource maturely. Please try to avoid using your cell phone for personal reasons during class time. The occasional emergency is understandable: please leave class to check your phone if that is necessary. Otherwise, it is extremely disrespectful to the professor and your fellow classmates to answer phones during class time. Texting, using social media, playing digital games during class, or any other inappropriate activities may result in you being removed from the class for the day and marked absent.
Expected Student Conduct
Valencia 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 in 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 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.
Academic Integrity
As with any college course, students are expected to exhibit academic integrity. No form of cheating will be tolerated. Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarizing will be given a grade of “F” for the course. In case of such an event, a written statement detailing the incident will be attached to the student's official College files. When referring to someone else’s writing, be sure to give credit to that author, otherwise you are plagiarizing. Any evidence of cheating – in or out of the classroom – will result in an “F” grade.
Make-up Exams
Make-up exams are rarely offered for this course. The exception to this policy is in the event of situations that are unavoidable and well documented, and that the instructor has been notified in advance of the scheduled exam. Such an occurrence (e.g., jury duty, military service) requires presentation of official documentation, after which, at the discretion of the instructor, arrangements will be made for an alternative exam to be proctored by the Testing Center.
Special Needs and Learning Support Services
Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), and must discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The OSD determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. OSD resources may be found at their website http://valenciacollege.edu/office-for-students-with-disabilities/default.cfm
Learning Support Services provides students with academic support through tutoring, library services and resources. Tutoring is offered in most academic disciplines including math, science and coursework specific to each campus. Assistance with library research can be accessed in-person or online through Atlas. Students also have access to resources such as calculators, laptops, iPads, group study rooms and quiet study rooms within the Learning Support areas. For campus specific information, please visit the Osceola Campus Student Services website at https://valenciacollege.edu/locations/osceola/student-services.php
BayCare Student Assistance Services
Valencia College has contracted with a private and confidential counseling service to provide short-term assistance to credit students who need to resolve problems that are affecting their college performance. Examples might include: stress, relationship/family issues, alcohol/drug problems, eating disorders, depression, and gender issues. Students who are experiencing any of these issues and who are enrolled in credit classes at Valencia should call the toll-free number 1-800-878-5470 to speak to a professional counselor. If needed, the counselor may refer the student to appropriate resources or to speak face-to-face with a licensed counselor. For more information, call or visit a Counselor in the Advising Center on any campus.
Note to International Students (F-1or J-1Visa)
Please be advised that withdrawal from this course due to attendance may result in the termination of your visa status if you fall below the full-time enrollment requirements of 12 credit hours. Consult the International Student Service office for more information.
Course Schedule
(N.B. Instructional emphasis will be on the chapters highlighted in yellow.)
Weeks 1 & 2 (August 21st; August 28th)
Module #1: Introduction to General Psychology
· Ch. 1 – The Science of Psychology
Weeks 3 & 4 (September 4th – Labor Day – College Closed; September 6th; September 11th)
Module #2: Foundations in Biological Psychology (Chs. 2-5)
· Ch. 2 - Neuroscience
· Ch. 3 - Sensation and Perception
· Ch. 4 - Consciousness
· Ch. 5 – Motivation and Emotion
Weeks 5 & 6 (September 18th; September 25th)
Module #3: Foundations in Cognitive Psychology (Chs. 6-8)
· Ch.6 – Learning
· Ch. 7 – Memory
· Ch. 8 – Cognition, Language, and Intelligence
Week 7 (October 2nd – Midterm Exam)
Weeks 7 - 12 (October 4th; October 11th; October 18th; October 25th; November 6th)
Module #4: Foundations in Developmental and Social Psychology (Chs. 9-11)
· Ch. 9 – Human Development
· Ch. 10 – Social Psychology
· Ch. 11 - Personality
Weeks 13 – 15 (November 13th; November 20th; November 27th)
Module #5: Foundations in Physical and Mental Health (Chs. 12-14)
· Ch. 12 – Health, Stress, and Positive Psychology
· Ch. 13 - Mental Health Disorders
· Ch. 14 – Mental Health Therapies
Week 16 (December 6th) Final Exam – 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Disclaimer
The syllabus, assignments, and due dates are subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
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