GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 1 (Section 0123)

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INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Elena Reigadas

EMAIL: reigade@lahc.edu

OFFICE: GC 205

OFFICE HOURS: W 4:00 � 6:30; TH 1:00-3:30 (M-T by appointment)

TELEPHONE #: (310) 233-4581

REQUIRED TEXT: Coon, D. & Mitterer, J. O. (2007). Introduction to Psychology (11th edition). Thompson/Wadsworth.

RECOMMENDED WEBSITE: www.thomsonedu.com/psychology/coon

RECOMMENDED STUDY GUIDE: Thuy, K. & Coon, D. (2007) Study Guide to Introduction to Psychology. Thompson/Wadsworth. (Reserved copy available at the Library)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines psychology\'s basic subject matter through a survey of the historical, physiological, and social influences on behavior, emphasizing learning, motivation, cognition, measurement, mental health, individual and cultural differences. This broad survey of psychology is a prerequisite to more advanced psychology courses that examine specific topics in more depth.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

A major course objective is for students to gain an understanding of how scientific methods are used to further knowledge of why individuals think and behave as they do. It is also hoped that students will gain an appreciation for the complexity of human behavior as well as the diversity of the many sub-disciplines found within the field of Psychology.

SPECIFIC COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. To understand at an introductory level, major theoretical approaches, findings, and historical trends in psychology as presented in the course content.
2. To understand at an introductory level research methods in psychology in order to think critically and skeptically about how psychology investigates behavior.
3. To build interpersonal communication skills in the diverse, multi-cultural classroom setting through small group discussion and problem-solving related to course content.

COURSE EVALUATION

Class Participation: Students are expected to participate in class discussion by contributing information gleaned from their readings as well as from their personal experience. Since the course is designed to be an interactive exchange between the instructor and the students (and between students themselves) it is each student�s responsibility to complete the readings before class and come prepared to ask questions and discuss the assigned material. Please note that actual % points have been assigned to this category.

In-class Activities/Attendance: Students will work during class time individually or in groups in a variety of class activities. These activities entail the application of concepts presented in each of the chapters we will cover throughout the term. This work should be turned in at the end of the class period in which the activity took place. Although students may be working in groups, points will be assigned individually. Students who are absent during the activity WILL NOT get credit. For each activity details and instructions will be provided in class.

Exams: There will be four examinations, each covering approximately one-fourth of the course. Exams will be based on lectures presented in class and will cover all reading assignments whether or not particular topics were covered in class. These exams include true-false questions, multiple choice questions, and matching definitions. Please note that your best three (3) tests will count toward credit.

Independent Projects: Each student will complete five short independent projects that require the application of critical thinking and writing. Guidelines to complete these assignments are provided in the last pages of this syllabus.

TEACHING POLICY:

1. Make-up exams: Make-up exams will not be given so plan to take the exams on the scheduled dates. In case of extreme circumstances such as illness, accident or family death, you�ll be given the opportunity to take the fourth exam. If a student misses two exams then a make-up will not be possible.

In other words, it is in your best interest to take the exam at the scheduled time, unless you are compelled by extreme circumstances to miss it!

2. Late Independent Projects: Please note that assignments (Independent Projects) not turned in on time WILL BE MARKED OFF FIVE POINTS per day late. This five point penalty includes the weekend.

3. Plagiarism/Cheating: In line with Harbor College policy on academic dishonesty anyone caught cheating during an exam or turning in someone else\'s work and claiming it as his/her own will receive an automatic F for the class and may be subjected to disciplinary action.

Note: Although the syllabus will be followed as much as possible, it is intended as a guideline and circumstances may require a change in both the syllabus and the lecture/examination schedule. Students are responsible for any changes announced in class. In addition, students are required to check Blackboard on a regular basis for class updates and guidelines to the different aspects of the course

GRADING

Exams (best 3 out of 4) = 40% 90% - 100% = A

Ind. Projects (5) = 30% 80% - 89% = B

Class Participation = 10% 70% - 79% = C

Activities/Attendance = 20% 60% - 69% = D

BELOW 60% = F

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Total 100%

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

CLASS SCHEDULE

This outline is intended to help you keep abreast of reading and provide you with food for thought for class discussions.

Date	Topic	Readings
2/6 � 13	Course Overview Introduction to Psychology & Research Methods	CH. 1
2/13	Independent Project # 1 due
2/13 � 20	Social Behavior Affiliation, Friendship, & Love Groups, Social Influence, & Conformity Obedience & Compliance	CH. 18
2/20 � 27	Attitudes, Culture, & Human Relations Attitudes & Persuasion Prejudice & Intergroup Conflict Aggression & Prosocial Behavior	CH. 19
2/27	Independent Project # 2 due
3/1	Exam # 1 (Chapters 1, 18, & 19)
3/6 � 13	Conditioning and Learning Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Partial Reinforcement Punishment Cognitive Learning & Imitation	CH. 8
3/13 � 15	Memory Memory Systems STM & LTM Measuring Memory Forgetting Improving Memory	CH. 9
3/15	Independent Project # 3 due
3/15 � 3/20	Cognition, Language, and Creativity Imagery, Concepts, & Language Problem Solving & AI Creative Thinking & Intuition	CH. 10
3/22	Exam # 2 (Chapters 8, 9, & 10)
3/27 � 4/10	Brain and Behavior Neurons & the Nervous System Cerebral Cortex & Lobes Subcortex & Endocrine System	CH 2
4/2 - 4/6	SPRING BREAK
4/10	Independent Project # 4 due
4/10 -17	Intelligence Definition Variations Mental Retardation Heredity & Environment	CH 11
4/17 � 24	From Birth to Death: Life-Span Development The Life Cycle Problems of Childhood Adolescence & Moral Development Adulthood & Aging Death & Dying	CH. 4
4/26	Exam # 3 (Chapters 2, 11, & 4)
5/1 � 8	Psychological Disorders Normality & Psychopathology Personality & Anxiety-based Disorders Psychosis, Delusional, & Schizophrenia Mood Disorders	CH. 16
5/8 - 17	Health, Stress, and Coping Health Psychology Stress, Frustration & Conflict Defenses, Helplessness, & Depression Stress & Health	CH. 15
5/22	Independent Project # 5
5/17-24	Personality Overview & Trait Theories Psychoanalytic Theory Behavioral & Soc. Learning Theories Humanistic Theories Personality Assessment	CH 14
5/31	Exam # 4 (Chapters 16, 15, & 14)

Handout 1. Guideline for Independent Project # 1 (Due 2/27)
Handout 2. Guideline for Independent Project # 2 (Due 2/27)
Handout 3. Guideline for Independent Project # 3 (Due 3/15)
Handout 4. Guideline for Independent Project # 4 (Due 4/10)
Handout 5. Guideline for Independent Project # 5 (Due 5/22)

CLASSROOM DECORUM (APPROPIATE BEHAVIORS)

It is important to maintain class sessions in a manner that ensures that a meaningful educational experience is available to all of our students. Students attending Psychology 001 are expected to abide by the rules set forth by Harbor College- Office of the Dean with regards to appropriate behaviors in the classroom. Students whose behaviors fit the pattern outlined below will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs for student discipline action which may result in his/her being placed on probation, suspended or expelled from the University.

Inappropriate or disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to:

� coming to class late,

� leaving class early,

� talking to other students while the professor is lecturing,

� leaving cell phones on (receiving and answering cell phone calls, checking phone messages during class),

� using during class any kind of electronic device,

� wearing head sets for phone communication and/or listening to music during the class period

� being rude and disrespectful to the instructor or fellow students,

� reading non-class materials (newspaper, magazines, etc.) while in class and

� sleeping in class.

If any student fits into any of the patterns of behavior outlined above and is not willing to change those habits, perhaps the student needs to rethink his/her academic schedule and drop this class.

page updated 02/21/2007