Download PSYC2301 - the Office of Planning and Assessment

LAMAR UNIVERSITY – BEAUMONT
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
PSYCHOLOGY 2301 – SECTION – 48F
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
FALL – 2016
INSTRUCTOR: Justin Babineaux, M.S.
E- mail: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Available by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introductory survey of the major areas of psychology, such as learning,
personality, psychological testing, developmental issues, and physiological bases of behavior. Emphasis is
on psychology as the scientific study of behavior, and includes both human and animal behavior.
Given that this is an online course, it is extremely important that you be self motivated. Completing the
assigned readings, participating in discussions, and other assignments will be critical for you to do well in
the class. I encourage questions, both those directed to the instructor and those directed to other students in
the Discussion Board. This will enable you to understand psychology better. While I have listed certain
discussion topics for each lesson, the Discussion Board can and should be used for any topic relevant to the
subject matter of the current lesson (or past lessons).
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
l) Learn the basic vocabulary associated with the field of psychology
2) Comparison of five major contemporary theoretical perspectives
3) Apply diverse perspectives and critical thinking in examining human behavior and emotions
4) Demonstrate understanding of appropriate research methods, technologies, and ethical standards
employed in psychological research with humans and animals
5) Analysis of the complex interaction among biological, psychological, and environmental influences
6) Understanding of the contributions of nature and nurture to human development
7) Demonstration of understanding of the application of psychological principles to our daily lives
8) Definition of types of memory and discussion of factors that influence encoding, storage, and
retrieval
9) Understanding of the basic concepts of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, insight learning,
latent learning, and social learning
10) Understanding of the existence of individual differences and variety within the range of “normal”
behavior and ability to differentiate these from psychopathology
11) Examination of the major theories of human development
12) Exposure to professional research by participation in department research and/or evaluation and
summary of research articles from A.P.A. journals
13) Examination of types of stress, coping strategies, the impact of psychological stress upon
physical and mental health, and discussion of personality factors related to stress & coping
TEXTBOOK REQUIRED: Gazzaniga, M.S., Heatherton, T.F., & Halpern, D.F. (2016). Psychological
Science (5th Edition). New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students are specifically warned against all forms of cheating and plagiarism.
The Lamar University Student Handbook states: Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of
academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. Punishable offenses include, but are not limited to,
cheating on an examination or academic work which is to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse
of resource materials. One aspect of the handbook’s definition of cheating is, “purchasing, or otherwise
acquitting and submitting as one’s own work any research paper or other writing assignment prepared by an
individual or firm’. Plagiarism is defined as, “the appropriation and the unacknowledged incorporation of
another’s work or ideas into one’s own offered for credit”. Students seeking to avoid plagiarism should
consult with the course instructor or recent handbooks such as the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers (6th edition). The instructor will thoroughly investigate all cases of suspected plagiarism or any
other academic misconduct and may issue an incomplete (I), even to a graduating senior, while the
investigation is underway. Accidental plagiarism may be avoided by consulting web pages such as
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
http://www.hamilton.edu/academics/resource/wc/usingsources.html
DISABILITY STATEMENT: Lamar University is committed to providing equitable access to learning
opportunities for all students. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) is located in the Communications
building room 105. Office staff collaborate with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange
reasonable accommodations. If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g., mental health, attentional,
learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical), please contact the DRC at (409) 880-8347 or [email protected]
to arrange a confidential appointment with the Director of the DRC to explore possible options regarding
equitable access and reasonable accommodations. If you are registered with DRC and have a current letter
requesting reasonable accommodations, contact your instructor early in the semester to review how the
accommodations will be applied in the course
SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE: While information and assurances are provided in this course
syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and
events beyond the control of the instructor. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that
will produce syllabus changes.
ONLINE ETIQUETTE: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you would follow in face-toface conversations. Use the discussion board to ask questions about material or assignments.
All students are required to contribute to class discussions appropriately. The course requires active
participation in all discussions of assigned topics. A student owes it to his colleagues to approach each
assigned topic with enthusiastic contributions to the discussion underway.
Full participation requires a student to give and to receive ideas in a courteous and forthcoming manner.
Refusal to actively contribute to discussions is an insult to a student’s colleagues and his instructor.
Dominating the discussion is equally insulting. Contributing willingly and productively to discussions is
ideal.
At times, all students will work with people of similar backgrounds, with people of opposing views, with
people whose company is enjoyable, or with people there is little to find in common. Cooperation in this style
of peer instruction always results in a pleasant learning environment.
Students should develop course study groups outside of the classroom so that they can exchange information
and ideas on all of the assignments.
All graded work must be submitted as scheduled. Failure to submit graded work in a timely fashion will
result in a failing grade for the assignment. No make up work or late work will be accepted in the course.
EVALUATION METHOD AND ASSIGNMENT OF GRADES: There will be three multiple choice exams,
each of which will be worth 100 points. These exams will be open book. Considering this, the questions will
not be as simple as defining a term. While some questions will be factual (although not as simple as a
definition), many of the questions will be application of conceptual questions. You will have practice with
these types of questions with the Quizzes (5 points each). In addition, assignments will be worth 10 points
and Discussions 5 points each. Please do not neglect these; while 5 to 10 points may not sound like much,
they do make up a substantial portion of your grade. NO EXTRA CREDIT IS OFFERED IN THIS COURSE.
Therefore, it is very important for you to keep up with your assignments and reading in order to achieve the
grade you desire.
Thus, your final grade will be determined as follows:
Exam 1
100
Exam 2
100
Exam 3
100
Assignments
100
Discussions
40
Quizzes
35
Total
475
Letter grades are based of 90, 80, 70, 60% cutoffs for grades of A, B, C, and D, respectively.
Grading of the message boards will be based on the assigned topics (not the open discussion). The open
discussion is provided for the benefit of the students (not for grading).
OFFICIAL DROP DATES: The last day to drop or withdraw without academic penalty (still receive a “Q”
or a “W”, even if failing the course), is Monday, 9/26/2016 (no refund of tuition or fees). The final day to
drop or withdraw for the semester with academic penalty is Monday, 10/31/2016 (no refund of tuition or
fees). Only students who are passing the course may receive a Q or W between September 26th and October
31st. All students enrolled in the course after the final drop date, according to the Registrar’s records, will
receive a final course grade and cannot receive a “Drop” or “Withdraw” from the instructor. Students wishing
to drop or withdraw for any reason must obtain appropriate form and signatures and must follow university
procedure.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: In the event of an announced campus closure in excess of four days due
to a hurricane or other disaster, students are expected to login to Lamar University’s website’s homepage
(www.Lamar.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely.
Many types of emergencies can occur on campus; instructions for severe weather or violence/active shooter,
fire, or chemical release can be found at: http://www.lamar.edu/about-lu/administration/riskmanagement/index.html
Following are procedures for the first two:
Severe Weather
• Follow the directions of the instructor or emergency personnel.
• Seek shelter in an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor, putting as many walls as possible between
you and the outside.
• If you are in a multi-story building, and you cannot get to the lowest floor, pick a hallway in the center of
the building.
• Stay in the center of the room, away from exterior walls, windows, and doors.
Violence/Active Shooter (CADD)
• CALL - 8-3-1-1 from a campus phone (409-880-8311 from a cell phone). Note: Calling 9-1-1 from either
a campus phone or cell phone will contact Beaumont City Police Dispatch rather than University Police.
• AVOID - If possible, self-evacuate to safe area outside the building. Follow directions of police officers.
• DENY - Barricade the door with desks, chairs, bookcases or any other items. Move to a place inside the
room where you are not visible. Turn off the lights and remain quiet. Remain there until told by police it is
safe.
• DEFEND - Use chairs, desks, cell phones or whatever is immediately available to distract and/or defend
yourself and others from attack.
TENTATIVE COURSE PLAN: Any necessary changes in course plan, exam dates, reading
assignments, etc. will be announced in class
DUE DATE
TOPICS / GRADED ASSIGNMENT
Course Introduction: Subfields of psychology, major theoretical
approaches Class Begins 8/22/16
8/26/16
Complete Subfields/Professions in Psychology Assignment
8/30/16
Participate in the Subfields/Professional Orientation in
Psychology Discussion Board
9/02/16
Chapter 1 Quiz
Research Methods & Ethical Guidelines
9/07/16
Complete the assignment on Research Ethics
9/09/16
Participate in the “Research Ethics” Discussion Board
9/12/16
Chapter 2 Quiz
Biological Aspects of Psychology
ASSIGNED READING
Syllabus
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
9/15/16
Complete the assignment on Biological Aspects
9/16/16
Participate in the “Changes in the Brain” Discussion Board
9/19/16
Chapter 3 Quiz
9/25/16
EXAM #1 Available Until 9/25/16 @ 11:59 pm
Chapters 1 - 3
Learning: Classical Conditioning, operant conditioning,
schedules of reinforcement, social learning, and latent learning.
Chapter 6
9/28/16
Participate in the Learning Discussion Board
9/30/16
Complete assignment on Learning
10/04/16
Chapter 6 Quiz
Memory
10/07/16
Complete the assignment on Reaction Time and Attention
10/11/16
Participate in the “Memory’s Implication on Eyewitness
Testimony” Discussion Board
10/13/16
Chapter 7 Quiz
Cognitive Development (J. Piaget)
Psychosocial Development (E. Erikson)
10/17/16
Participate in the “Psychological Development” Discussion
Board
10/20/16
Complete assignment on Psychological Development
Moral Developent (L. Kohlberg)
Attachment Theory
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Chapter 9 continued…
10/24/16
Participate in the “Moral Development” Discussion Board
10/26/16
Chapter 9 Quiz
11/02/16
EXAM #2 Available Until 11/02/16 @ 11:59pm
Chapters 6,7, and 9
Stress Profile; Personality, Stress & Coping
Health & Well-Being
Chapter 11
11/09/16
Participate in the “Stress & Coping” Discussion Board
11/14/16
Complete Assignment on Health and Well Being
Criteria for Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Somatoform Disorders
Mood Disorders
11/18/16
Complete the assignment on Psychological Disorders
Chapter 14
Schizophrenia; Dissociative Disorders; Personality Disorders;
Substance Abuse
Chapter 14 continued…
Social Psychology
Chapter 12
11/28/16
Complete the assignment on Social Psychology
12/02/16
Complete the assignment on Stanford Prison Experiment
12/05/16
Chapter 12 Quiz
12/13/16
EXAM #3 Available Until 12/13/16 @ 11:59 pm
Chapters 11,12, and 14