Course Syllabus

Syllabus PDF

General Psychology - SYLLABUS

Psychology 1

Spring 2020

Online Course – Asychronous (no required regular meetings online or in-person)

CRN # 43860

Section # 05

4 Credit Hours

Instructor: Evan McGown

E-mail: mcgownevan@deanza.edu - Please email me through the Canvas system inbox.

About E-mail communication: I will respond as soon as I can, but sometimes it may be up to 48 hours after you email me, depending on how many emails I have to answer at any given time.

Online Office: Zoom link: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/my/evanmcg

Office Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 11 am – 12 pm

*Note about Office Hours: Office hours are for course related questions and other academic-related matters only. Although I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that is not my role in this course; I am purely an instructor and not your therapist. Therefore, I will not provide you with mental health counseling, but am happy to refer you to mental health counseling and or other resources, which are available through DeAnza.

Online Format:

This course utilizes Canvas (De Anza’s online platform) for course material (weekly readings, weekly quizzes, weekly activities and group discussions, assignment guidelines, and mid-term and final exam).

Canvas Student Guide: https://deanza.instructure.com/courses/27/modules/items/4526

* These are also regularly-updated sites on DeAnza’s website to help you navigate online learning:

Remote Learning Student Resource Hub: http://www.deanza.edu/online-ed/students/remotelearning.html
Info on Spring Online Semester: https://www.deanza.edu/online-spring/
Page on Canvas Help: https://www.deanza.edu/online-ed/help.html

Technical Support: De Anza Online Education Center Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm 408.864.8969; E-mail: onlineeducation@deanza.edu

After Hours Only Tech Support You can contact Canvas Support when the Online Education Center is closed, including weekends: 1-844-592-2207

Textbook: The textbook for this course is a free online Psychology textbook provided by Rice University at openstax.org. I will embed the online textbook readings into the weekly modules, so it is very easy to use. No need to purchase it, however if you greatly prefer reading an actual physical book, you can order a copy of it physically. You can also access the entire book for download or reference at: https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology.

Timing and Expectations:

This course is ASYNCHRONOUS, meaning there are no required meetings online. However, the course pace moves quickly, so it is vital to keep up week-to-week. My recommendation is that you log on 4 times a week to chip away at assignments, as this would normally be a one-hour class 4 times a week. I recommend you log in at the beginning of each week (Monday) to see what the to-do list is for each week and so you can plan the completion of that week’s tasks accordingly. The college’s official expectation for a 4-credit course like this one is 16 hours of total work per week, split between class lectures, readings, study, assignments and quizzes.

Modules

Modules are the main way you will navigate through this course. You will have one module per week. At the beginning of each Module will be an “Overview and To-Do List” which will tell you exactly what you need to do, and in what order. You cannot skip ahead and access future modules; each new module will be accessible starting each Monday at 12 am.

Announcements:

You’ll likely get 2-4 announcements per week from me via Canvas. To check announcements, go to Canvas and click on Announcements. I recommend you set you Canvas alert settings to send you alerts so that you’ll be notified (according to your preferences) whenever I have a new announcement.

Recorded Lectures:

For each week/module, there will be 2-4 mini-lectures (about 10-15 minutes each) that you need to watch/listen to (there will be audio versions as well as written transcripts) each week, because the lectures will cover certain topics that will not be covered in the readings. Some lectures may include the watching of a video from YouTube or another source. Topics covered in lectures will often be part of the prompts for the weekly discussion posts, as well as what might be covered in the weekly quiz. Therefore, it’s important to keep up with the lectures. I love the topics I’ll be talking about, so I hope they will be interesting and possibly even entertaining to listen to.

Course Description:

This course is a general introduction to the field of Psychology. Covers factors influencing human behavior including: biological and neurological processes and structures, evolution, genetics, gender, life span development, consciousness, attention, sensation, perception, learning, memory cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, stress, personality, psychopathology, psychotherapy, social and cultural determinants.

Student Learning Outcome Statements (SLO)

Student Learning Outcome: Describe the ways in which psychology is grounded in the scientific method.
Student Learning Outcome: Will demonstrate by reference to supporting research, findings that underlie everyday knowledge and beliefs as they relate to psychology.
Student Learning Outcome: Create real life examples that show how psychology is present in many human endeavours.
Student Learning Outcome: Contrast the 5 main models (cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, biological, social-cultural) used to explain psychopathology and treatment.

Grading Rubric:

Assignment	Total number and possible points each	Total Points
Weekly Online Discussions (regular class participation)	9 posts @ 10 pts. each *usually 6 pts. for your original post, and 4 pts. for your responding to at least one other student’s post	9 x 10 = 90 pts.
Weekly Reading and Lecture Quizzes	10 quizzes @ 5 pts. each *11 total quizzes, lowest score gets dropped	5 x 10 = 50 pts.
2 Personal Reflection Writing (1 page)	2 @ 15 pts. each	2 x 15 = 30 pts.
Group Project	1 @ 50 points 25 for group strengths analysis 25 points for final group Power Point	50 pts.
Midterm Exam	1 @ 40 pts.	40 pts.
Final Exam	1 @ 40 pts.	40 pts.
TOTAL POINTS		300 pts.
**Extra Credit	1 @ 15 pts. maximum	Up to 15 pts. (5% total possible of final grade)

*NOTE: Instructor reserves the right to change the assignments and due dates during the course of the quarter if such changes seem appropriate or needed; if so, students will be informed.

Grades will be calculated on the points you earned during the term, plus any extra credit. The total points possible are 300.

A= at least 90% (270+)

B= at least 80% (240-269 points)

C= at least 70% (210-239 points)

D= at least 60% (180-209 points)

F= below 60% (less than 180 points)

Course Grade Breakdown (300 Points Possible)

*The California Community College Board of Governors recently passed revisions to Title 5 regarding course repetition. “Students may enroll in a course only three (3) times if they received a substandard grade (D, F, NP or NC) or withdrew from a class with a "W."”

About Assignments:

The 3 main thing I am looking for from you are 1) Effort and Sincerity, 2) Engagement with Other Classmates About Class Material, and 3) Comprehension of Basic Concepts. The following are the ways I will evaluate you.

Weekly Online Discussions: Every week you’ll be asked to 1) post an original response of your own based on a reading, experiential exercise, question prompt, and/or video as well as 2) a reply to at least one fellow student’s original post. You’ll receive up to 6 points for your post, and up to 4 points for your reply. Your original post should be 100-200 words, or approximately 1-2 paragraphs or 4-8 sentences. Your response to others should be at least 50 words, or about 2 sentences.

Weekly Reading and Lecture Quizzes: Every week you’ll have readings from the online textbook as well as possibly other sources (provided) that you are expected to read and then take a quiz which will test your comprehension of the readings as well as lectures (the lectures will cover topics not in the readings, or highlight certain ones). The quizzes will be in short writing-answer form and are designed to make sure you are grasping certain core concepts as we move along in the course.

2 Personal Reflections Writings: One of these will be due about halfway through the quarter, and the other one will be due near the end of the course. Each one is a one-page personal reflection related to a question of psychology as it applies to yourself. Beyond basic readability, you will not be judged on grammar and writing structure, but rather the content and sincerity of thoughtfulness in your response to the question.

Group Project: You will be placed into small groups of 5 and asked to work together via phone or online video conferencing, towards the completion of a power-point slide presentation. You will not present this, only put it together. Each group member is expected to personally create and contribute 3 of the slides to the power-point, for a total of 15 slides – the final product is worth 25 points and each group member will receive the same grade. The first part of the assignment will be a written analysis of the personality strengths of each group member, applying psychological concepts used in the course; this strengths-analysis will be worth 25 possible points.

Mid-term and Final: The mid-term and final exams will be a combination of multiple-choice and essay questions, testing comprehension of core concepts. The mid-term will cover the first 6 weeks of class material, and the final will cover the second 4 weeks.

Extra-credit assignment: This will be explained near the end of the course, should you wish to complete it.

Turning-In Assignments:

Weekly assignments will be due at the end of each week by Friday night at 11:59 pm, and responses to others’ posts as well as quizzes are due by Sunday night at 11:59 pm. This is to allow people to respond to posts over the weekend, at the very latest. Other assignments’ due dates will be provided as the quarter goes on. However, I will accept late assignments for some extenuating circumstances. If you need more time for certain assignments for whatever reason, please reach out to me.

Academic Integrity:

I expect that all students will act in accordance with the De Anza Code of Conduct Policy (http://www.deanza.edu/studenthandbook/pdf/studentrights.pdf, p.11-14) Academic dishonesty, cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing, you will fail the exam/assignment and will not be allowed to make it up. Your name will also be forwarded to the student disciplinarian officer, and she/he may take further action.

Confidentiality and Respect

-DO NOT publish or re-post ANYWHERE online any lectures, videos, writings or other materials created or posted by either the instructor or other students during this course. If you do not abide by this rule, your name will be forwarded to the campus disciplinarian officer. This is a breach in confidentiality to the instructor and other students.

-Please be respectful to everyone in the class by using appropriate language and appropriate topics of discussion. If you do not abide by these rules you may be dropped from the class.

Helpful Links for Student Success

Tutoring & Writing Center: http://www.deanza.edu/studentsuccess/

Disability Support Programs & Services: http://www.deanza.edu/dsps/

Counseling & Advising Center: http://www.deanza.edu/counseling/

Psychological Services: http://www.deanza.edu/psychologicalservices/

Health Services: http://www.deanza.edu/healthservices/

Tentative Schedule of Topics, Assignments and Important Dates:

(Subject to Change)

Week 1: Course Overview and Overview of the Field of Psychology

-Discussion: Update Canvas Profile (2 pts.), Personal Introduction (5 pts) and Question Response (3 pts) Due Sunday, 4/19 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 4/19 (by 11:59 pm)

Week 2: How We Know What We Know - Sensation, Perception and the Scientific Method

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 4/24 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 4/26 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 4/26 (by 11:59 pm)

LAST DAY TO ADD CLASS: April 25

LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS (for full refund or credit, and without a “W”): April 26

Week 3: How Am I Different and Unique? – Theories of Personality and Intelligence

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 5/1 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 5/3 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 5/3 (by 11:59 pm)

-This week we will break into small groups for discussions as well as begin working on group project

Week 4: Dude, I’m so stressed! – Stress, Trauma and Health Psychology

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 5/8 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 5/10 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 5/10 (by 11:59 pm)

LAST DAY TO REQUEST “PASS/NO-PASS”: May 8

Week 5: Do You Remember That Time? - Learning, Memory, and Decision-Making

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 5/15 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 5/17 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 5/17 (by 11:59 pm)

*GROUP PROJECT due this week by Sunday, 5/17 (11:59 pm)

Week 6: All the Feels - Emotions, Motivation, Irrationality and Social Psychology

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 5/22 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 5/24 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 5/24 (by 11:59 pm)

*MIDTERM due this week by Sunday, 5/24 (by 11:59 pm)

Week 7: Just a Phase? - Life Stages and the Developmental Psyschology

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 5/29 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 5/31 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 5/31 (by 11:59 pm)

*PERSONAL REFLECTION WRITING #1 Due Sunday, 5/31 (by 11:59 pm)

Week 8: Dreams, Drugs, and Art – The Unconscious and Altered Consciousness

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 6/5 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 6/7 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 6/7 (by 11:59 pm)

LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITH a “W”: June 5^th

Week 9: What’s Biology Got to Do With It? Biopsychology and Psychological Disorders

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 6/12 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 6/14 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 6/14 (by 11:59 pm)

Week 10: Paths to Healing: Comparing Models of Psychotherapy

-Discussion Original Post: Due Friday, 6/19 (by 11:59 pm)

-Discussion Response to Peer: Due Sunday, 6/21 (by 11:59 pm)

-Reading and Lecture Quiz: Due Sunday, 6/21 (by 11:59 pm)

*PERSONAL REFLECTION WRITING #2 Due Sunday, 6/21 (by 11:59 pm)

Week 11: Course Review and Final Exam

FINAL EXAM Due by Friday, 6/26 (by 11:59 pm)

*EXTRA CREDIT Due by Friday, 6/26 (by 11:59 pm)