Course Syllabus

Tarrant County College

Trinity River Campus

Syllabus

                                                                                                 Summer 2 - 2021

 

WELCOME TO GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY!!

 Syllabus_2301.55001_SU21-1.pdf 

Course Title:                         General Psychology

Course # / Section #:           PSYC 2301-55001

Class Days/Time:                 Online

Instructor’s Name:               James Williamson

Office Phone:                        817-515-1178

Email Address:                      james.williamson@tccd.edu

Virtual Office Hours:          Tuesdays/Thursdays: 8:30 – 9:30 AM  (Click on Conferences tab in the navigational menu in                                                      Canvas to participate.)

Weekly Lecture Reviews:     Video reviews are available in each of the Lesson folders. 

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 Required Textbook:

This course uses the textbook Psychology produced by OpenStax, Rice University, 2016.  The textbook can be downloaded for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11629/latest/

Learning Materials:

  • Required textbook listed above.
  • A laptop or desktop computer.
  • A DSL or cable connection to the internet.
  • A Blackboard Learn compatible browser, such as the latest version of Mozilla Firefox, Chrome and Safari. (Chrome is recommended)

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Course Information:

This course is a fully online course.  There will be no face-to-face meetings.  The course highlights the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology.  The course explores the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness.  The course also reviews human development - relative to growing up and growing old - and will discuss how the behavior of others affect our own thoughts and behavior.  Finally, the course discusses various forms of mental illness and the treatments that are used to help those who are inflicted with them.

By the end of the semester, students will have gained a much better understanding and appreciation of who they are and how they work.  This course meets the specific program requirement for behavioral sciences. 

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes:

Course goals are linked to required Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies, Perspectives, and Exemplary Educational Objectives as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The following specific core requirements are linked to the class schedule:

  1. Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology
  2. Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.
  3. Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.
  4. Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.
  5. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.
  6. To further interest in and knowledge of human behavior and motivation which can be applied to daily living.
  7. To understand the importance of and work to develop critical thinking skills.

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Communication:

Communication is through email, virtual office hours, and weekly reviews.  Emails will be checked twice per day Monday through Friday; Saturday and Sunday, email is checked once per day.  All emails will be returned within the same day or no later than 24 hours.  If there are special circumstances that will delay my response, I will post an announcement.  Students are required to include the course name and section # in the subject line on all emails. 

Technical Support:

For technical support 24 hours a day/7 days a week call 817-515-6411.

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Grading Scale:

Grades in this course will be based on the following evaluative criteria:

 

Assignments

Points

Exams (4)

100 points each (400 points)

Self-Assessments (2)

50 points each (100 points)

Research Paper

100 points

Assignments (10) 

20 points each (200 points)

Transformative Skills Assignments (2)

25 points each (50 points)

Discussion Posts (10)

25 points each (250) points

Syllabus Quiz

50 points

1-minute papers

15 points each (150 points)

Bonus Project

Up to 50 points

Total Points

1300 points

Letter grades for the course will be based on the following:

  • A 1170 points or more
  • B 1040 – 1169 points
  • C   910 – 1039 points
  • D   780 –   909 points
  • F   779 points or below

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Course Schedule:

2301_55001_Course Schedule_SU21-1.pdf 

Graded Assignments:

The following assignments are aligned to the course outcomes of the course:

Reading

Students are required to complete the entirety of the assigned readings and homework.  Even though students will not be graded on reading, knowledge of the readings are required for assignments and exams. 

Bonus Opportunity

Students have the opportunity to earn up-to-50 bonus points for the semester.

Discussion Posts

Students are required to be a part of an online community of learners who collectively interact, through ten (10) discussion forums to enhance and support the professional performance of each other.   Each post is worth up to 25 points.  Discussion posts are listed according to due dates in the lesson folders in Canvas.  Effective characteristics of discussion posts include:

  • Thorough and thoughtful responses. Just posting “I agree” or “good idea” will not be considered adequate. Support statement with examples, experiences or references.  Be brief, keep each post and response to one or two short paragraphs.
  • Posts and responses should address the question, problem or situation as presented for discussion. Be specific and not stray from the topic.
  • When relevant, add to the discussion by including prior knowledge, work experience, references, web sites, resources, etc.
  • Posts and responses should be complete and free of spelling, punctuation, grammatical or structural errors.
  • At all times, discussion posts will remain academic, professional, educated, and appropriate. Inappropriate and/or offensive language, especially comments that might be construed as racist or sexist, are not appropriate and will be dealt with on an individual basis and will affect a students’ course grade.
  • The rubric and rating criteria include:
  • 15-25: Well-developed responses that fully addresses and develops all or most aspects of the question; posts factually/objectively correct, reflective and substantive contributions to discussions with clear, concise comments; demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussion.
  • 1-14: Posts inadequate responses with little thought or preparation; posts information that is off-top, incorrect, but contributes some value to the discussion.
  • 0: Posts no assignment.

Exams

Exams are multiple choice consisting of 50 questions worth two (2) points each for a total of 100 points. Students will have one attempt and 180 minutes to complete each exam. Please note that exams run continuously.  That is, once a student starts an exam, the time does not stop.  There are four (4) exams worth 100 points each.  Exams are located in lesson folders in Canvas according to their respective due dates.  This course uses a tool called Proctorio for all exams.  Proctorio is a remote proctoring service software that works within your browser to confirm identity and monitor students taking exams.  Before using Proctorio, students must:

Research Study

Students will choose one of the three options to satisfy a research study.  The study is worth 100 points.

The instructions and grading rubric is located in lesson three folder in Canvas according to due date.

Self-Assessment

Many students wonder how they can improve their academic performance over the course of their college careers regardless of how well they performed prior to college.  The goal of the Self-Assessment is to help students:

  1. Learn to evaluate college assignments, study and work habits and identify strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Establish personal academic goals and how your reach them.
  3. Develop a deeper understanding of your purpose for going to college.

The self-assessment assignment has two parts:

  • Part One requires students to develop a “personal goals statement.”
  • Part Two requires students to analyze and summarize how each goal was met or not met.

The self-assessments are worth 50 points each and located in the lesson folders according to their respective due dates. 

Assignments

Ten (10) assignments are scheduled during the semester worth twenty (20) points found in the lesson folders according to due dates.  Detailed instructions accompany each assignment.

1-Minute Papers

1-minute paper assignments are brief papers (1-minute) summarizing the following: 1) Favorite topic reviewed in each respective chapter (or lecture), and 2) why was it your favorite topic?

Papers should be written using complete sentences, free from writing errors, 3-to-4 sentence paragraphs, and double-spaced.  One-minute papers are worth 15 points.

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Course Policies:

  • Online Attendance:   Regular attendance requires students to log into Canvas.  Attendance is measured by student interaction with course learning materials and assignments.
  • Participation: For in-person sections, students are expected to be in attendance and on time, involved and attentive for the entire class. For online sections, students are expected to complete all required work prior to due dates.
  • Technology: For in-person sections, use of phones, tablets, and laptops must be academic in nature, directly related to what’s happening in class at the time, and respectful to your fellow students and instructor.  Disruptions may affect your grade and your ability to remain in the classroom.
  • Academic Honesty: All class requirements are put forth in good faith with the expectation of a good faith effort from students.  Academic dishonesty may result in complete loss of credit for an assignment, exam, or, in extreme cases, failure in the course. Violations are reported to the Dean of Student Conduct and may go on the students’ permanent academic record. Students are responsible for adhering to the TCCD policy on scholastic dishonesty as stated in the online Student Handbook at the address below.

            http://www.tccd.edu/district/handbook/student/sthandbook_frame.htm

  • Missed Due Dates/Late Assignments: Once coursework is available, students may complete most work early. However, deadlines are final. Late items receive a zero. If a student encounters an emergency or illness, please communicate with the professor immediately so the best and most appropriate course of action may be followed. Students with situations that repeatedly interfere with completing coursework are encouraged to seek assistance from the Academic Advising and Success Center.
  • Missed Exams: It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor prior to the time of the scheduled exam or present documentation of an emergency.  If appropriate, a different form of the original exam will be given on a date prescribed by the professor; otherwise a grade of zero will be assigned to the student. These decisions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Online Conduct and (N)etiquette:  The following points will provide smooth communication for both students and instructor:
  • Read first, write later: Read the entire set of posts/comments on a discussion board before posting your reply, in order to prevent repeating commentary.
  • Avoid language that my come across as strong or offensive. Language can be easily misinterpreted in written electronic communication.  Review email and discussion board before submitting.  Humor and sarcasm may be easily misinterpreted by your reader (s).  Try to be as professional as possible.
  • Follow the language rules of the internet. Do not write using all capital letters, because it will appear as shouting. 
  • No inappropriate material.
  • Course withdrawals: Withdrawal dates are posted on tccd.edu on the official calendar and handled through the Academic Advising. 

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Student Resources:

Basic Needs Resources & Care Contact Information

TCC cares about the safety, health, and well-being of its students and community.  As a result, each TCC campus has a CARE Team, a dedicated group of faculty and staff who provide consultation and support for students in distress or in need of resources.  Students and/or faculty may complete an incident report at www.tccd.edu/incidentreport.  Please see the CARE Team’s website for more information.  NOTE:  In cases where a person’s behavior poses an imminent threat to your or another, contact 911 or TCC Police at 817-515-8911.  Additionally, any student who faces challenges securing basic needs (e.g., food, housing, transportation) and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the CARE Team for support. 

Student Accessibility Resources

Any student with a documented disability needing academic accommodations is required to contact the Student Accessibility Resources (SAR) Office located on each campus to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of SAR. All discussions are confidential. Because SAR accommodations may require early planning and are not provided retroactively, students are encouraged to contact SAR as early in the semester as possible. SAR is responsible for approving and coordinating all disability-related services. TCC professors will honor requests for accommodation when they are issued by SAR.

Title IX Reports of Discrimination Based on Sex, Including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Dating Violence, Gender-Based Harassment

All faculty at Tarrant County College are designated as a "Responsible Employee" and are required to report Sexual Misconduct. State law requires all faculty and staff to report sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking against a student or employee to the Title IX Coordinator. TCC cares about the safety of our employees and students and has created this notice because interpersonal violence and sex discrimination in all forms are unacceptable. TCC is committed to holding perpetrators accountable and keeping reporting parties safe. Student's privacy is of utmost importance and TCC will strive to protect your privacy to the extent possible while complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as well as TCC policy.

Pregnant and Parenting Students

Title IX prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions; and for parenting a child under one year of age. To learn more about how to request support for pregnant and parenting students, go to the Title IX website by clicking on Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students.

Tutoring Services

TCC provides free interactive, online tutoring and learning assistance to all students.  Online services are provided by trained staff who are familiar with TCC and the TCC professor expectations.  Staff are available to answer questions and assist with course assignments, test preparation and materials review, study skills development, and more.  Students can easily access TCC learning assistance services by clicking “Tutoring@TCC” in the myTCCResources list on the left side of myTCC.  Please find more information about learning assistance available to all TCC students by visiting https://www.tccd.edu/academics/academic-help/labs-tutoring.

Final Note

Your success in this course is important to me.  Please contact me early and regularly if you have difficulties or questions.  Otherwise, enjoy your fascinating learning journey with me and have fun!!

James Williamson