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WEST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE
Using Distance Delivery Strategies to Achieve Course Objectives In
Psychology 2, Biological Psychology
The online format enables instructors to evaluate a great variety of each student's
written interactions with assigned texts. Since textual interactions are posted, in writing,
for thorough review by the instructor and classmates alike, students put significant
critical thought into drafting both initial message addressing discussion prompts as well
as responses to each other. Required written student interaction adds another layer of
analysis in text interpretation and critical analysis that is particular to the online
classroom.
Instructions: List each course objective and explain how distance learning
strategies will be used to help students achieve the objective.
Course Objective:
Examine the mind-brain relationship, the genetics of
behavior, and discuss the major issues of biological
psychology.
Describe and critically evaluate the research methods
used in behavioral neuroscience (both human and other
animal models).
Describe the structure of neurons and the generation of
the neural signal.
Distance delivery strategy(ies):
Students examine the mind-brain relationship, the
genetics of behavior, and the major issues of biological
psychology by reading appropriate material within the
module. Other materials include online material such as
journal articles, videos, and TED talks, such as “Steven
Pinker: Human nature and the blank slate.” Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Students critically evaluate the research methods used in
behavioral neuroscience (both human and other animal
models) by reading appropriate material within the
module. Other materials include online videos, such as
“Animal Testing Ethics,” followed by an online
discussion board debate moderated by the instructor
(students are assigned sides – pro or con animal
research). Upon completing the module and discussion,
students evaluate their understanding of the material by
taking a module review in preparation for the module
exam. Students may also utilize the chat room to
discuss topics in real time during online office hours
with the Professor or to discuss important class-related
issues with their classmates.
Students describe the structure of neurons and the
generation of the electrochemical neural signal by
reading appropriate material within the module. Other
materials include online interactive activities and videos,
such as
“The Nervous System, Part 2 – Action Potential Crash
Course.” Additionally, students identify neuron
structures and their functions using Neuroscience
Describe the structure of the synapse and the
transmission of the neural signal between neurons.
Identify the major neurotransmitters and discuss their
effects on normal and abnormal behavior, and examine
the neural processes involved in drug actions.
Distinguish structure-function relationships of the
central and peripheral nervous systems; describe the
nature and function of the endocrine system and its
effect on behavior; and describe and evaluate anatomical
and functional brain-imaging techniques.
“coloring book” resources. Students and instructor
discuss application of the material by participating in
mandatory instructor-initiated discussions using the
discussion board. Upon completing the module and
discussion, students evaluate their understanding of the
material by taking a module review in preparation for
the module exam. Students may also utilize the chat
room to discuss topics in real time during online office
hours with the Professor or to discuss important classrelated issues with their classmates.
Students describe the structure of the synapse and the
transmission of the neural signal between neurons by
reading appropriate material within the module. Other
materials include online interactive activities and videos,
such as “Neuronal Synapses (Chemical).” Additionally,
students identify synapse structures and their functions
using Neuroscience “coloring book” resources. Students
and instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students identify the major neurotransmitters, their
effects on normal and abnormal behavior, and then
examine the neural processes involved in drug actions at
the synapse. Additional materials include online
interactive activities and videos such as “Mechanism of
Drug Addiction in the Brain.” Students and instructor
discuss application of the material by participating in
mandatory instructor-initiated discussions using the
discussion board. Upon completing the module and
discussion, students evaluate their understanding of the
material by taking the module review and then picking a
drug and writing a paper on its effects on the neurons
and at the synapses. Students may also utilize the chat
room to discuss topics in real time during online office
hours with the Professor or to discuss important classrelated issues with their classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn to distinguish structure-function
relationships within the central and peripheral nervous
systems; describe the nature and function of the
endocrine system and its effect on behavior; and
describe and evaluate anatomical and functional brainimaging techniques. Additionally, students apply their
knowledge of selective brain damage by diagnosing
science fiction creatures, such as zombies, who retain
certain functions but lose others. .” Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking the module
review and using the 3D brain app available on both
Apple and Android devices to take a “practical” exam.
Students may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics
in real time during online office hours with the Professor
or to discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Describe the nature and function of sensory systems,
examining transduction, neural pathways, and structures
through which humans experience the world.
Examine neurodevelopment and changes in the brain
structure and function due to experience and plasticity
after brain damage.
Examine the neural mechanisms of movement and
movement disorders.
Examine the neural mechanisms underlying the sleepwake cycle, sleep stages, research methods, the purpose
of REM sleep and dreams, and sleep disorders.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn the nature and function of sensory
systems, examine transduction and neural pathways, and
understand the structures through which humans
experience the world. Additional material include case
studies seen on videos and learned through selective
readings by neuroscientists such as Dr. Sacks, Dr.
Ramachandran, case studies of prosopagnosia, and
selected TED talks. Additionally, students identify
sensory system structures and processes by using
Neuroscience “coloring book” resources. Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn about stages of neurodevelopment and
changes in the brain structure and function due to
experience and plasticity after brain damage. Additional
materials include online journal articles of case studies
and selected videos on phantom limb syndrome and
other appropriate topics for this module. Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn about the neural mechanisms of
movement and movement disorders. Additional
materials include readings and videos of case studies of
movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease and
other selective damage to the basal ganglia, cerebellum
and spinal cord. Students and instructor discuss
application of the material by participating in mandatory
instructor-initiated discussions using the discussion
board. Upon completing the module and discussion,
students evaluate their understanding of the material by
taking a module review in preparation for the module
exam. Students may also utilize the chat room to
discuss topics in real time during online office hours
with the Professor or to discuss important class-related
issues with their classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn about the neural mechanisms underlying
the sleep-wake cycle, sleep stages, research methods, the
purpose of REM sleep and dreams, and sleep disorders.
Describe how homeostatic mechanisms influence
behavior.
Examine the organizing effects of sex hormones,
parental behavior, theories of mating behavior, genderdifferentiated behaviors, and sexual orientation.
Compare and contrast neural processes involved in
emotional expression, mental experience, and behavior.
Additional materials include videos such as “60
Minutes: Science of Sleep,” and a video on awake brain
surgery. Students and instructor discuss application of
the material by participating in mandatory instructorinitiated discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also be asked to keep a sleep journal in order to
better understand the importance of sleep on their own
daily functioning. Students may also utilize the chat
room to discuss topics in real time during online office
hours with the Professor or to discuss important classrelated issues with their classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students describe how homeostatic mechanisms
influence behavior, specifically through the
hypothalamus and other relevant nervous system
mechanisms. Additional materials include videos on the
effects of sleep and certain neurotransmitters on feeding
behavior and the sleep/wake cycle. Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn the organizing effects of sex hormones,
parental behavior, theories of mating behavior, genderdifferentiated behaviors, and sexual orientation.
Additional materials include videos and recent journal
articles. Students and instructor discuss application of
the material by participating in mandatory instructorinitiated discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam.
Additionally, students will be asked to write a paper on
some aspect of diverse sexual behavior. Students may
also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real time
during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn the neural processes involved in
emotional expression, mental experience, and behavior.
Much focus will be on the amygdala, frontal lobes, and
pathways or “circuits” through reading current journal
articles and watching assigned videos. Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Examine the biological mechanisms underlying learning
and memory, and types of amnesia resulting from brain
injury.
Examine the differences in left and right hemisphere
function, handedness, the corpus callosum and injury,
theories and neural mechanisms of language, and
consciousness and attention.
Examine injury and malfunction in the nervous system,
its effect on behavior, and how it further informs us.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn the biological mechanisms underlying
learning and memory, and types of amnesia resulting
from brain injury. Additional materials be used, such as
videos and articles about Eric Kandel’s research on the
physiological basis of learning and memory storage in
neurons. Students and instructor discuss application of
the material by participating in mandatory instructorinitiated discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn the differences in left and right
hemisphere function, handedness, the corpus callosum
and injury, theories and neural mechanisms of language,
and consciousness and attention. Additional materials
include a video case study of Mike Gazzaniga’s research
with split-brain patients, case studies of lateralized
injuries such as unilateral neglect, and reading/activities
involving lateralized functions in non-brain-injured
individuals pertain to language function. Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students
may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics in real
time during online office hours with the Professor or to
discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
Through appropriate reading material within the module,
students learn about injury and malfunction in the
nervous system, its effect on behavior, and how it
further informs us. Additional material (videos and
readings) address specific topics about research and
neurological disorders in adults, such as depression,
organic amnesia, and schizophrenia. Students and
instructor discuss application of the material by
participating in mandatory instructor-initiated
discussions using the discussion board. Upon
completing the module and discussion, students evaluate
their understanding of the material by taking a module
review in preparation for the module exam. Students are
also asked to pick a disorder and write a paper about it.
Students may also utilize the chat room to discuss topics
in real time during online office hours with the Professor
or to discuss important class-related issues with their
classmates.
We certify that the information and answers above properly represent this
course.
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Department/Cluster Chairperson
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Curriculum Committee Chairperson
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Vice President, Academic Affairs
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College President
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