CVCC - HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

PSY 200 - Principles of Psychology Course Outline/Syllabus

MWF 12:00 – 12:50 Amherst Hall 2207

 

 

Instructor’s Name:        Cynthia R. Lofaso M.A. Semester:    Spring       Year:    2007

 

Office Hours and Location:

 

                        Office -  Room 2109G Amherst Hall                   

Phone – 832-7783

Email address: lofasoc@cvcc.vccs.edu

Office Hours:  MWF 11:00-12:00, MW 1:00-3:00

TR 11:00-2:00 and by appointment

 

Course Catalog Description:  Surveys the basic concepts of psychology.  Covers the scientific study of behavior, behavioral research methods and analysis, and theoretical interpretations.  Includes topics such as physiological mechanisms, sensation/perception, motivation, learning, personality, psychopathology, therapy, and social psychology.

           

Credit Hours:    3                      Contact Hours: 3

 

Prerequisites:   none

 

Basic Textbook(s) and Workbook(s):    Exploring Psychology 6th edition in Modules by David G. Myers

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASS WITHOUT PENALTY:  Monday, March 12th     

 

Instruction Method:  Lecture with class participation in discussion and question and answer sessions; small group discussion, computer and video media presentations.

 

Course Objectives:

 

            1. To become aware of the major psychological approaches to the study of behavior.

            2. To become aware of the major problems investigated by psychologists.

            3. To learn of the history of psychology and the major contributors to the field.

            4. To learn the methodology of psychology and its limitations.

            5. To become an informed consumer of psychological information.

            6. To prepare the student for further study in the field of psychology

 

Policies:

 

1.     ATTENDANCE is mandatory and will be calculated into your final grade as follows.    The Virginia Community College System requires that you attend at least 80% of classroom sessions to receive a passing grade.  Failure to attend at least 80% will constitute your being dropped from the course.  You are allowed 5 absences throughout the semester.  If you miss class after those 5 absences, you will begin to lose points.  I do not differentiate between excused or unexcused absences.  If you are in class, you will receive credit for that day. 

 

2.     You are expected to be in class on time and not leave until class is over.  If you must be late, please do not disrupt the class upon your arrival and be sure to see me after class.  A role sheet will be distributed at the beginning of each class session.  It is your responsibility to make sure that you have signed this sheet.  A lack of signature will constitute an absence.

 

3.     CLASS PARTICIPATION , including actively listening, note taking and/or relevant discussion, is required.  In order to receive credit for attending class, you must actively participate throughout the entire session.  Class Participation will be calculated through various in class projects and group discussions throughout the semester.  Please be sure that cell phones are turned off before entering the classroom.  Listening devices (anything with headphones) will not be permitted.

 

4.     READING ASSIGNMENTS are mandatory and should be completed before class begins.  In order to make sure that you are indeed reading, you will be expected to respond to discussion questions on the main module topic on the day we begin talking about the topic in class.  Assignments must be turned in on the assigned dates (see calendar) in class.  Assignments are worth 5 points each. 

 

5.     QUIZZES will be taken online using Blackboard.   There are 5 quizzes scheduled during the semester and are marked on your calendar.  Each quiz will cover an average of 3 modules. 

 

6.     Three TESTS covering 8-10 modules each will be given during the semester.  Make up exams will be given on an assigned day at the end of the semester.  If you do not take the make up exam on the make up day, you will receive a 0 on the exam.  The time, date and location will be determined towards the end of the semester.

 

7.     There will be one written Project to be completed for this course that is due on the day assigned.  Late papers will receive a five-point reduction in grade for each school day late up to one week. No papers will be accepted which are handed in over one week late. Papers must be submitted to me personally.  No email submissions will be accepted.  Detailed information on the project will be handed out in class.  

 

8.     The FINAL EXAM is scheduled for Friday May 4th from 2:00 to 4:30 and will be a comprehensive examination (covers all material). 

 

9.     FINAL GRADES will be calculated using the following formula:

 

Attendance                               25 pts.

 

Class Participation                    50 pts.

 

Quizzes                                     50 pts.

 

4 chapter tests                          150 pts. (50 pts. each)

 

Project                                      100 pts.

 

Final                                           75 pts.

 

10.  Academic Honesty Policy - Any student found cheating (using books, notes, observation of another student’s test) will automatically receive a non-droppable grade of “0”.  Any work that has been copied all or in part from that of another student or any other source will receive an automatic non-droppable grade of “0”.

 

11.  Grade Distribution is as follows

90-100 = A,  80-89 = B,  70-79 = C,  60-69 = D,  59 and below = F

 

This syllabus is a guide and is subject to modification by the instructor.  Students are responsible for reading the syllabus and for meeting all the requirements of the course, both as written and stated in class.