Fall 2020 Course Syllabus Course: PSYC-2301- Section: 04 General Psychology

Instructor Information
Instructor	Eric Hernandez
E-mail	hernandezea@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6341
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 410 Hours: Monday 12PM - 5PM and T/R 9:30AM - 12PM. Temperature checks will be required. Online app. available as well.
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Course Information
Description	General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills - Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. PSLO 2: Communication Skills - Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication. PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	1. Students will demonstrate comprehension of content-area reading material. (PSLO alpha) Measured by pre-test/post-test scores. 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify research findings through the application of the scientific method. ALTERNATIVELY, Exhibit an understanding and ability to apply basic research methods in psychology including research design, data analysis, and interpretation through the successful completion of embedded exam questions, class discussions, and assignments. (PSLO 1 and 3) 3. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify factors in the historical development of the study of human behavior including current theoretical perspectives prominent in the field of psychology through the successful completion of embedded exam questions, class discussions, and assignments. (PSLO 1 and 2) 4. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify terminology unique to the study of psychology through the successful completion of embedded exam questions, class discussions, and assignments. (PSLO 1 and 2) 5. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation through the successful completion of embedded exam questions, class discussions, and assignments. (PSLO 1 and 2) 6. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior through the successful completion of embedded exam questions, class discussions, and assignments. (PSLO 1 and 2) 7. Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making through the successful completion of embedded exam questions, class discussions, and assignments.(PSLO 1, 2, and 5)
Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. Good news: your textbook for this class is available for free online! If you prefer, you can also get a print version at a very low cost. Your book is available in web view and PDF for free. You can also choose to purchase on iBooks or get a print version via the campus bookstore or from OpenStax on Amazon.com. You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended --the responsive design works seamlessly on any device. If you buy on Amazon, make sure you use the link on your book page on openstax.org so you get the official OpenStax print version. (Simple printouts sold by third parties on Amazon are not verifiable and not as high-quality.) Psychology from OpenStax, ISBN 1938168356, www.openstax.org/details/psychology
Lecture Topics Outline	Week 1: Chapters 1 & 2: Introduction to Psychology and Psychological Research. Week 2: Chapters 2 & 3: Finish Psychological Research and begin Biopsychology. Week 3: Chapter 3: Finish Biopsychology Week 4: Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception and Exam 1 Week 5: Chapters 4 & 8: States of Consciousness and Memory Week 6: Chapter 6: Learning Week 7: Chapter 7: Intelligence and Exam 2 Week 8: Chapter 9: Lifespan Development Week 9: Chapters 9 &10: Finish Lifespan Development and Motivation Week 10: Chapters 11 and 12: Personality and and Social Psychology Week 11: Chapter 12: Social Psychology and Exam 3 Week 12: Chapters 13 & 14: I-O Psychology and Stress, Lifestyle, and Health Week 13: Chapter 15 Psychological Disorders Week 14: Chapters 15 & 16: Psychological Disorders and Therapy & Treatment Week 15: Sleep Research Assignment Due Week 16: Exam 4
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 2: Psychological variables assignment Week 3: Online biopsychology quiz Week 4: Unit 1 Exam (Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 5) Week 6: Classical Conditioning Assignment Week 7: Unit 2 Group Quiz & Unit 2 Exam (Chapters 4, 6, 7, & 8) Week 9: Take home development quiz & Motivation Assignment Week 10: Defense mechanisms assignment Week 12: Social Psychology Quiz and Exam 3 (Chapters 9, 10, 11, & 12) Week 12: I-O Assignment Week 14: Psychological Disorders Quiz Week 15: Sleep Research Assignment Due Week 16: Exam 4 (Chapters 13, 14, 15, & 16)
Final Exam Date	December 3, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 9, 2020 - 8:00 AM
Grading Scale	Based on Total Points 895 - 1000 = A 795 - 894 = B 695 - 794 = C 595 - 694 = D < 595 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Exams = 480 points Sleep Research Assignment = 160 points Assignments = 150 points Quizzes = 150 points Attendance/Participation = 60 points Total = 1000
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Late Work Policy: Late work will NOT be accepted with the only exception being documented emergencies. If such emergency occurs, contact the instructor immediately and be prepared to provide proof of the emergency. Otherwise, complete all assignments within the unit time frame or on the required due date. Missed Exam Policy: Missed exams will be assigned 0 points. The only exception to this policy will involve a medical or other emergency (your own or a dependent relative?s). In such cases, you must contact the instructor immediately (email) and provide them with documentation of the emergency. A student?s lowest exam grade will replace the first missed exam with proper documentation. A second missed exam will receive a zero. Undocumented missed exams will be assigned 0 points. Plagiarism is not tolerated. Minimum failure of the assignment for a first offense. Future offenses result in a grade of F for the course. Policy regarding assignment submissions: Students will be allowed 2 submission attempts per assignment. All assignment submissions must be in a compatible file format. Failure to do so means I cannot read your assignments, thus will not grade them. Extra Credit I will NOT offer individual extra credit. However, throughout the semester I may offer various opportunities to the entire class that are optional but highly recommended. The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus during the semester, if needed. The instructor also reserves the right to extend assignments, projects, or presentations at his discretion.
Attendance Policy	I will take attendance. I do this for two reasons: (1) I use it to get to know who you are, and (2) to encourage you to come to class. I encourage class attendance because you may miss an important exercise, activity, or topic discussion that may be crucial for understanding a concept or topic. There will also be the opportunity to earn a few extra bonus points for regular attendance. In short, come to class every day you possibly can! It is up to you to drop the course if you decide not to attend class any longer. I will not drop you from the course. Caution: dropping or failing a course can have serious financial aid impacts. Speak to a financial aid counselor before doing either of these things. You are not sitting in a room by yourself. You will be expected to be aware of the other students in class and contribute meaningfully toward their education. Specifically, you will have opportunities throughout the class to ask questions that are relevant and helpful to the whole class, and speak up during discussions, offering insights and clarifications that will benefit others in the class. You will have opportunities to participate in activities, helping yourself and your classmates learn the material more meaningfully. If you're absent, you should make it a point to get lecture notes from one of your classmates. You might use this as a convenient excuse to talk to that attractive classmate you noticed in the first week of class! Here's a starter. Pardon me, [sir or madam], but I regretfully cannot attend our class next Tuesday, I have noticed your thorough and careful not taking all term. Would you be ever so kind as to make a copy of your notes for me? Here's my telephone number. From there on, it's up to you to get that first date - oops - I meant notes. Good luck! Being late to class is strongly discouraged, but something we all might suffer once or twice in a semester. If you're unavoidably late, please be very quiet when you enter the room so disrupt the class as little as possible. Check with your classmates after class to see whether you missed any important announcements or information. Similarly, leaving class early is also discouraged. PLEASE inform me at the beginning of class if you're planning on leaving early, and again, plan to sit in a place that will create the least disturbance when you leave.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other	Note to students I would really like to speak with you if you have any questions or concerns! It's better to meet early in the course, than to wait until you have a major challenge. No question or concern is too small to discuss together. Most importantly, be assured that I want students to learn and receive the grade they deserve.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.