PSY 150-40,41,42 General Psychology (Online)

Fall 2016
Instructor Information
Instructor: Amy M Graham, MA
Office Location: Offsite
Telephone: Department Secretary
Michelle Dixon (919-739-6793)
Office Hours: By appointment via telephone or
Skype
E-Mail Address: amgraham@waynecc.edu
Course Information
Course: General Psychology (PSY150)
Course Dates: August 18th- December 16th
Course Day & Time: Online
Course Location: Online
Course Description (CCL)
This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include history,
methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition, abnormal
behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon completion, students
should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.
Semester hours: 3.0; Contact hours: 3.0
Prerequisite(s)
Although experience in a previous online course is not required, students should prepare themselves
for the unique setting of online learning. Online learning is reading and writing intensive and requires
some basic technical skills. Successful online learners are good at scheduling time in an organized
fashion.
Co-requisite(s)
None
College Institutional Learning Outcomes
A graduate of Wayne Community College should be able to:
1. Make effective oral presentations.
2. Compose effective written documents.
3. Analyze aspects of human culture, such as creative expressions or diverse social structures.
4. Apply appropriate mathematics to solve real-world problems
5. Interpret or analyze natural phenomena using concepts and principles of the natural sciences.
6. Explain social phenomena or behaviors by applying concepts and principles of the social or
behavioral sciences.
7. Use computer technology to achieve academic and work-related goals.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Associate Degree Programs in arts, science, and fine arts prepare students to transfer to a fouryear college for a baccalaureate degree (B.A. or B.S.). Graduates of these two-year programs

complete the academic requirements and develop the skills in analysis, interpretation, and
communication necessary for transfer to a four-year institution.

Upon completion of the AA & AS program, a graduate should be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate the source, context, and credibility of information. (A.A, A.S., A.G.E)
2. Communicate information to a variety of audiences using appropriate written methods. (A.A,
A.S., A.G.E)
3. Apply appropriate mathematics to solve real world problems. (A.A., A.S.)
4. Analyze a problem or question using the scientific method. (A.S. only)
5. Analyze and derive solutions to engineering problems using appropriate techniques and
formulae. (A.E. only)
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)
Upon successful completion of this General Psychology course, the student will demonstrate
competency in the following areas:
1. Recognize and recall psychological concepts and theories from key subfields (e.g., biology of
behavior, development, learning, cognition, social, and abnormal) and the contributions of key
figures in psychology.
2. Apply the concepts and theories of psychological science to life situations.
3. Differentiate between the research methodologies on which psychological science is based, and
identify the types of questions each can answer.
4. Compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in psychological science and the types
of topics on which they focus.
5. Identify how sociocultural differences can affect behavior and cognition.
Required Textbook
Pastorino, E., & Doyle- Portillo, S. (2016). What is Psychology? Foundations, Applications, and
Integration. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Other Required Materials/Software
Software Required
The minimal hardware and software requirements needed to be successful in an online class can be
found on the college website http://www.waynecc.edu/distance-ed/moodle/.
To access your online course you will need access to the Internet. For best results, use the current
version of Mozilla Firefox. Although there are no absolute requirements, computers with faster
Internet connections, faster processors, and more memory will get better results. Keep in mind that if
you have difficulties connecting to the class or a slow connection, the problem could be occurring at
many levels. For help, look at the "Preventing & Solving Technical Difficulties" document in the
"Moodle Student Support" tab.
*Students are responsible for obtaining a stable Internet connection for the duration of this course.
Use of a mobile phones Internet connection is neither stable nor recommended.
Learning /Teaching Methods
You will accomplish the CLOs and MLOs (Course & Module Learning Objectives) by participating in
discussions, studying course materials, completing assignments, and watching video and media
simulations and independent reading and research. Teaching methods will include but are not limited
to web based resources, videos, reading assignments, supplemental readings, and video lecture.
I will assess is you have met the learning objectives through a variety of activities and assignments,
such as discussion forums, writing assignments, critical thinking activities, quizzes, reflective essays,
and exams.

Grading Policy/Criteria
The following ten-point grading scale will be used by the department to assess your final grade. A
total of 1000 points are available in this course. Your final grade will be based on the following scale:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 59% or less

900 1000 points

800 899 points
700 799 points
600 699 points
599 points or less

Course Requirements / Methods of Evaluation

In order to demonstrate attainment of learning outcomes for PSY 150, the student must achieve an
overall average of 70% or 700 points total. You may earn a total of 1000 points for this course, and
points will come from the following areas:
Assignments
Enrollment Verification
Module Assignments
(15 Modules)
Midterm Assessment
Comprehensive
Final Exam

Specifics
Quiz

Total Points Possible

= 20 bonus points

Total %

60 points/module
Essay

= 900 points
Included In Module points

90%

Exam

= 100 points

10%

Specific assignments per module can be found within the module. The will include but are not
limited to discussion forums, critical thinking assignments, quizzes, exams, short or long essay
assignments etcI use a combination and variety of assignments to assess the course and
module objectives. All module assignments will add up to 55 points unless otherwise stated.
Rubrics can be found in the Course Information Section under Grading Policies and Rubrics.
For written assignments, you must upload a file as well as copy and paste your text in the box
provided to receive any credit. If you fail to follow both of these steps, your assignment will NOT
be graded. You will receive a 0.
If you foresee an issue with an assessment or any other classroom activity listed or not listed
above, you must contact me in advance to make arrangements.
Emergencies etc will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and I will have the final say
on if I allow any activity or exam to be made up. If a makeup exam etc is approved, it is
possible that it will not be in its original form and/or there will be a deduction in points.
The final exam must be completed and submitted to pass the course.

Course Interaction/Communication
Students who contact the instructor by email (using their WCC email account) Monday through Friday
can expect a response within 48 hours. E-mails sent during non-business hours (after 5pm or on
weekends) may not receive a response until the next business day. Students must use WCC e-mail for
reliable email correspondence. Use of other email addresses (yahoo, aol, Gmail, etc) may result in
the delay of the email reaching the instructor or non-delivery of the message due to the school's spam
blocking software.
Grades for assignments will be posted within 7-10 days of the assignment's due date unless
otherwise stated.
Expected Student Participation Level:
o You must have basic computer skills and knowledge of basic computer operations. Before
starting this class, you should know how to use email, attach files to an email, download
documents, use a word processing program, locate information online with a browser,
and use Moodle features (which can be learned quickly).
o You must have access to a computer and the Internet three times a week (at a
minimum).
o You must be able to navigate Moodle.

Use your WCC Email account. This is the email address used by default in Moodle, and
will allow you the easiest way to communicate with your instructor.
o Purchase books and software (if needed) early. Classes start discussing material the first
day of the course. It is very easy to fall behind if you don't have your text or other
materials. You may have assignments due at the end of the first week that require texts
or other materials.
o Keep up with work in the class. Students who fall behind are less likely to complete a
course successfully. If something happens that is going to cause you to fall behind,
contact your instructor immediately.
o Read and understand the course policies and procedures in the course syllabus. If you
have questions about anything, ask your instructor.
Netiquette Guidelines:
o Behind Every Name There is a Person
o Respect the privacy of your classmates and what they share in class.
o Ask classmates for clarification if you find a discussion posting offensive or difficult to
understand.
o Avoid sweeping generalizations. Back up your stated opinions with facts and reliable
sources.
o Understand that we may disagree and that exposure to other peoples opinions is part of
the learning experience.
o Be respectful of each other. Were all in this together. Before posting a comment, ask
whether you would be willing to make the same comment to a persons face.
o Keep in mind that everything you write, indeed every click of your mouse is recorded on
the network server. On the Internet there are no take backs.
o Keep in mind that you are taking a college class. Something that would be inappropriate
in a traditional classroom is also inappropriate in an online classroom.
Online Communication
o Be aware that typing in all capital letters indicates shouting.
o Be careful with humor and sarcasm. Both can easily be misunderstood!
o Review all discussion postings before posting your own to prevent redundancy.
o Check your writing for errors by reviewing what youve written before submitting it.
o Acronyms (LOL, etc.) and emoticons (smilies) are commonly used online, but be careful
not to overuse them.
o

Academic Integrity / Student Rights and Responsibilities

See the following link for Student Rights and Responsibilities, which includes the Academic Integrity
Policy: http://www.waynecc.edu/wp-content/uploads/catalog16-17.pdf. Any student caught violating
the WCC Student Academic Integrity Policy (i.e., cheating, plagiarizing, or other dishonorable acts), in
academic work is subject to disciplinary action.
Plagiarism is NOT acceptable!
College-level work should be thoughtful reflection and assessment of the published materials you
have gathered for study, written in your own words not merely a cut and paste of that material.
Reflection and summary represent critical thinking skills; cut and paste constitutes plagiarism.
Plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft that violates widely recognized principles of academic
integrity. Plagiarism may occur with respect to unpublished as well as published material. It is the act
of representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one's own without providing proper attribution
to the author through quotation, reference, or footnote. You must give credit where credit is due.
Examples of plagiarism include:
1. Direct Plagiarism - The verbatim copying of an original source without acknowledging the
source.
2. Paraphrased Plagiarism - The paraphrasing, without acknowledgment, of ideas from another
that the reader might mistake for your own.
3. Plagiarism Mosaic - The borrowing of words, ideas, or data from an original source and blending
this original material with one's own without acknowledging the source.

4. Insufficient Acknowledgment - The partial or incomplete attribution of words, ideas, or data

from an original source. http://www.byui.edu/student-honor-office/ces-honor-code/academichonesty/plagiarism
The Humanities/Social Science/Fine Arts Department has agreed on an Academic Honesty Policy:
1. Cheating on a test will be an automatic F in the course
2. Plagiarism on an assignment:
a) First offense - Zero on the assignment
b) Second offense - Automatic F in the course
Students with Disabilities
WCC is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to and participation in
all programs of study. For further explanation, please note the Students with Disabilities section in the
WCC catalog and Student Handbook at http://www.waynecc.edu/wp-content/uploads/catalog16-17.pdf.
Students with disabilities can visit the Disabilities Services Counselor in Counseling Services, WLC 182,
or call 919-739-6729.
Non-Discriminatory Statement
Wayne Community College is committed to a policy of providing educational opportunities to all
students regardless of economic or social status, beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, or
physical or mental disability. WCCs nondiscriminatory statement may be found in the WCC Catalog at
http://www.waynecc.edu/wp-content/uploads/catalog16-17.pdf
Audio & Visual Recordings and Student Privacy
An instructor has the final decision on the recording of lectures. If allowed to record, a student may
only use the recording for personal study. Courses may be recorded by the College. A student can
choose to sign an Opt Out form in Admissions & Records, which will then be filed within the students
electronic record. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the student to inform the instructor of their
privacy needs.
Student Attendance Policy
The attendance policy can be found in the WCC General Catalog and Student Handbook at
http://www.waynecc.edu/wp-content/uploads/catalog16-17.pdf
All students enrolled in an online or hybrid course MUST complete the Enrollment Verification process
before the deadline given by the instructor. Failure to complete this process will result in disenrollment
from the course.
Wayne Community College expects students to gain skills, competencies and an awareness of a
workplace ethic, which emphasizes responsibility and commitment. The college believes that when
students attend class regularly they are demonstrating responsibility and commitment to their
education.
Students must attend 80% of the total class hours to receive a passing grade. Students must attend
the class during the first ten percent (10%) of the class to be considered enrolled in the class.
Instructors will not excuse absences under this policy. Absences due to late registration are counted as
regular absences. If a student is in excellent academic standing, instructors may adjust the
attendance procedures. Instructors expect students to make up missed work, but students cannot
make up absences. If a student drops, withdraws, or stops attending a class, he or she will receive a
grade of OW, W, WP, or WF.
A student meeting one or more of the following criteria will be dropped from the course:
Misses more than 20% of the class assignments
Fails to log in to the course for 14 calendar days

Students who meet one or more of the above criteria before (November 1st by 5:00pm) will receive
a grade of W. After the last date to drop, instructors will assign the grade of WF. The last time that
the student logs onto the site will be considered his or her last date of attendance.
Campus Safety
Wayne Community College is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and
employees. Students need to be familiar with the emergency information published on the red and
white cards throughout campus and fire alarm locations, along with the safety topics found in the
General Catalog/Student Handbook, including crime reporting and prevention. In addition, instructors
will provide information on any safety issues applicable to their specific courses, such as bloodborne
pathogen and bodily fluid cleanup/reporting, Chemical Safety/Safety Data Sheets, and personal
protective equipment.
WCC Alerts for emergencies and inclement weather situations are sent to all employees and students
using e-mail, text, and phone. More information regarding WCC Alerts may be found on the WCC
website.
Additional Information from the Instructor/Miscellaneous
1. Cell phones, beepers, and walkie-talkies cause unnecessary disruption to the learning/ teaching
process in the classroom, lab, or library setting. Out of courtesy to others, all systems of
communication should be in quiet position during instructional, lab, or library time.
2. Wayne Community College is a tobacco-free and drug-free institution. Tobacco products and
drugs are not to be utilized at any time while on any part of the college campus including but
not limited to parking lots, walkways, stairwells, or inside buildings.
3. I reserve the right to change or modify syllabus policies at any point during the semester if
needed. I will inform students of any changes in written form via e-mail or announcement in
Moodle.
4. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. If you are unsure what plagiarism is or how it can
be avoided in an online class, please contact WCCs writing center. Students, please be aware
Moodle has plagiarism software built in. If your first paper if flagged, I'll make you aware that
there is a problem. This is your one and only warning. All students found guilty of any form of
plagiarism will be disciplined immediately.
5. If you have difficulty or concerns with any aspect of this class, contact me right away. I will be
more able to assist you at that point. If you wait until the end of the course to report your
concerns, there is little I can do to help late in the semester. Issues needing immediate
attention could include but are not limited to disability accommodations, issues logging in, etc
6. If you have a documented disability I will need a letter from the disability coordinator before
those accommodations can be addressed or granted. We cannot accommodate any requests
unless they are officially documented through the appropriate channels.
7. Due to the content in psychology classes being controversial at times, any student who
verbalizes or posts (or for online assignments- posts any content in forums etc) insensitive or
inappropriate, harmful, threatening, demeaning, or discriminatory in nature will be addressed
and dismissed immediately, and will receive a formal warning via e-mail that will be CCd to our
department chair as well. Consider this your official warning. If it occurs again during the
semester, the department chair will be contacted, and the offending student will be disciplined
immediately and/or removed from the course. Please alert me to issues of this nature
immediately.
8. When sending me an email, please be sure it is not a "syllabus" question. For example, "How do
I calculate my grade?" If possible try to explore the site to find the answer to your question first.
It is very important in a college class to be independent. If you cannot find the answer to your
question on the syllabus or any other folder in our Moodle site, please feel free to e-mail me.
9. If you contact me via email, your e-mail must be written formally, spell checked, and cannot
contain text speak. Any informal or inappropriate emails will be overlooked. Emails may also
be forwarded to the department chair for possible disciplinary action if they are inappropriate or
unprofessional in any way.
10.It usually takes me 7-10 days to grade written assignments. Please do not email me before or
immediately after your assignment's deadline asking me why your assignment has not been

graded. If you do not see your grade in the gradebook for that assignment after 10 or more
days have passed, please contact me via email.
11.Students are required to check their WCC email accounts on a regular basis and check
announcements daily.
Course Schedule
Week

Dates

Module Information

EV

August 18th August 29th (by

11:59pm)

Enrollment Verification

Week 1

August 18th August 25th

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology

Week 2

August 26th September 1st

Chapter 2: Neuroscience

Week 3

September 2st September 8th

Chapter 3: Sensation and Perception

Week 4

September 9th September 15th Chapter 4: Consciousness

Week 5

September 16th September

22nd

Week 6

September 23rd September 29th Chapter 6: Learning

Week 7

September 30th October 6th

Chapter 7: Memory

Week 8

October 7th October 13th

Chapter 8: Cognition, Language & Intelligence &

Midterm

Week 9

October 14th October 20th

Chapter 9: Human Development

Week 10

October 21st October 27th

Chapter 10: Social Psychology

Week 11

October 28th November 3rd

Chapter 11: Personality

Week 12

November 4rth November 10th

Chapter 12: Health, Stress & Coping

Week 13

November 11th November 17th Chapter 13: Mental Health Disorders

Week 14

November 18th November 24th Thanksgiving Week: Brief Assignment!

Week 15

November 25th December 1st

Chapter 14: Mental Health Therapies

Week 16

December 2nd December 8th

Appendix A & B

Week 17

December 9th December 15th

Final Exam Module

Chapter 5: Motivation and Emotion

Important Dates For Fall 2016

August 18th - First day of class!

August 29th - Enrollment Verification Quiz Due by 11:59 pm!
September 5th Labor Day
October 10th & 11th Fall Break
November 1st - Last day to withdraw from full term courses
November 11th Veterans Day
November 23rd 25th -Thanksgiving Holidays
December 15th - Final Exam Due at 11:59 pm