Frederick Community College PS 101–GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY Summer 2011
Class begins: June 4	Class ends: Aug 1	Last Day to Drop: July 13

You must send your email address to the instructor before class begins

Instructor Information:
Name: Alexa Kauffman	Office: no office
E-mail: AlKauffman@frederick.edu	Phone Number: 301-846-2400
Office Hours: By appointment only	Campus Mail Box #: 991

Course Information:
Credits: 3
On-campus Meetings: 0 required	On-campus Exams: 0 required
Prerequisites: EN 52 & ESL99	Co-requisites: n/a

Course Description:

Emphasizes the major factors that influence human behavior, including behavioral neuroscience, perceptual processes, consciousness, intelligence, and personality and psychological disorders.

Core Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course students will demonstrate

1. (Goal I) Demonstrate college-level communication skills by

· writing and speaking effective, organized, clear, and grammatically correct English appropriate for a specific subject, purpose, and audience (1)

· interpreting written texts and video presentations pertaining to

psychology (2)

· participating in small group and class discussions (3)

2. (Goal II) Demonstrate critical thinking skills by

· evaluating evidence by differentiating among facts, opinions, and inferences through comparing/contrasting major paradigms of psychology (4)

· demonstrating a disposition toward critical thinking through an understanding of the basic principles of human behavior (7)

3. (Goal III) Display general knowledge and historical awareness by

· displaying historical awareness and demonstrating an understanding of contemporary issues in the field of psychology within their historical and cultural context (10)

4. (Goal VII) Understand and be able to interpret social and educational

values by

· identifying and evaluating moral issues and conflicts, including basic forms of

social influences from an ethical and moral perspective (22)

· displaying academic honesty and adhere to professional standards in the field of psychology (23)

· Recognizing and understanding the relationship between the individual and society from a psychological perspective (24)

5. (Goal X) Value the emergence of a multicultural society by

· acknowledging a plurality of cultural and personal values and demonstrating respect of the right of others to express their viewpoints (30)

· examining psychological issues from multiple perspectives (31)

· working cooperatively in groups with diverse membership and contribute to the group’s efforts with ideas and suggestions (33)

Instructional Methods:

Reading assignments with weekly quizzes, unit tests, online project assignments, online discussions and reactions, and one on campus proctored exam.

 How is this course organized?

This section of General Psychology is taught on the INTERNET. Selected text and internet-based readings, viewing of on-line streaming videos, individual learning assignments with written responses, as well as class discussions/presentations will facilitate student learning. Additionally, a variety of on-line research/reaction assignments will prompt you to become a more active learner.  You will have the opportunity to interact with your classmates via the Discussion Board and via email.  I will interact with you via the Discussion Board, emails, and office meetings where appropriate.

Text(s) for Course:

Psychology, S. Ciccarelli and J. White. 2nd Edition

Progress Report:

By the end of the fourth week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course. Assignments are graded and posted online either immediately after the evaluation, or within 48 hours if an extensive evaluation is required, so a student can be constantly aware of his/her standing in the course.

Evaluation Methods: Graded Assignments consist of:

8 on-line chapter quizzes.  Each quiz is worth a maximum of 10 points each for a possible 80 points.

2 Multiple Choice Unit Tests at 100 points each. Worth a total of 200 points. Tests can be taken on-line or at FCC Testing Center (with advanced request to the instructor). 

You will complete 4 thoughtful, well presented; research or discussion assignments posted to the Discussion page or turned in as attachments to emails by the posted deadline date.  Late submitted assignments will not receive credit.  Each assignment is worth up to 40 points, for a total of 160 points. 

There is only one possible extra credit opportunity built into this course - the Orientation Quiz at the start of the semester (worth 20 points maximum).

If the graded performance for online assignments or unit tests differs significantly from the grade average for any proctored assignment, the professor reserves the right to administer additional tests or evaluative assignments. Additionally, exceeding the time limit on on-line tests, or turning in assignments late will result in point reduction at the discretion of the professor.

Final Course Grade is based on total points earned throughout the term:

A = 396 - 440 earned points (90% of possible total)

B = 352 – 395 earned points (80% of possible total)

C = 308 – 351 earned points (70% of possible total)

D = 264 – 307 earned points (60% of possible total)

F = 263 or below

Student Services

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

Participation Policy:

This section of Social Psychology is offered as an asynchronously, totally online course.  Selected text and internet-based readings, viewing of on-line streaming videos, individual learning assignments with written responses, as well as posted class discussions/presentations will facilitate student learning. Additionally, a variety of on-line research/reaction assignments will prompt you to become a more active learner.  You will have the opportunity to interact with your classmates via the Discussion Board and via email.  I will interact with you via the Discussion Board, emails, and office meetings where appropriate. These activities require an active attitude toward learning, so it is expected that a student will log onto the course website at a minimum of at least two times a week. Work submitted after the posted deadline will receive reduced or no credit at the discretion of the professor. In case of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, students remain responsible for completing the requirements of the course.

Email Policy:

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 48 hours.

Academic Integrity:

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times. Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm

Topical Outline:

Week #	Chapter Topic	Text Chapter	Assignment #
1	The Science of Psychology	1
2	The Biological Perspective	2	1
3	Learning	5	2
4	Memory Test One (Online) Chapters 1, 2, 5, & 6	6
5	Development Across the Life Span	8	3
6	Theories of Personality	13
7	Psychological Disorders	14
8	Psychological Therapies Test Two (Testing Center) Chapters 8, 13, 14, & 15	15	4

NOTE: Your instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline as needed.

Students are responsible for checking their grades online, both during and at the end of the course.