Department of Business and Public Services
CRN 134: Introduction to General Psychology (PSYC 1101 – A)
Online
Summer, 2014
Instructor / Dr. Qi ZhouOffice Location / Russell Hall 322
Email /
Phone / (678) 359-5384
Catalog Course Description
Credit: 3 semester hours – A broad survey of the major topics in psychology, including research methodology, biological and social factors influencing behavior, development, learning, memory, personality, and abnormal psychology.
Textbook
Required: Exploring Psychology, 9th Edition in Modules, Myers, 2014, Worth Publisher. ISBN: 978-1-4641-1173- 0. The textbook has an open-access website with helpful information and study materials: www.worthpublishers.comn/myers.
Course Requirements
1. Attendance: Students are required to log into the class at least two times per week starting January 7, 2015. Failure to log in will result in an absence for the week. Three accumulated absences will result in the reduction of one letter grade off the final grade.
2. Textbook Reading Assignment: Students are required to read each module as assigned on the class schedule. The assigned reading should be completed prior to doing online assignments.
3. Online learning opportunities: There will be online learning opportunities for each module (PPT lecture notes, videos, handout assignments, etc) to enhance your learning experience. Students are expected to view and engage with these online activities.
4. Asynchronous Discussion: There will be online discussion assignments. A question will be posted and students should provide a thoughtful, two to three-paragraph (approximately 150 words) response based on their text-reading, video-watching, and their understanding of relevant materials. In addition, students are required to respond substantively (mere "I agree", "good job" responses will earn no points) to two of their classmates' postings. Classroom etiquette dictates that all students should be respectful of all other students during the discussion!
5. Exams and Quizzes: There will be four exams (four in total including the final exam) and weekly quizzes. Exams and quizzes will be multiple-choice in format. Exams will each be worth 100 points. Quizzes will be worth 10 points each. All exams and quizzes will be administered on Desire2Learn. Exams and quizzes will only be available for a specified time period. No make-up tests or quizzes will be given under any circumstances including technology problems. However, students are allowed to drop the lowest quiz grade and the lowest test grade on the first three tests. Your grade on final exam cannot be dropped.
6. Final Exam: The final exam is not comprehensive but will be administered on campus.
Student assessment
Students’ performance on the course will be evaluated on a point-based grading system. Students will earn points on exams, quizzes, assignments, and attendance throughout the course of the semester. Grading is based on the following percentage scale:
· A = 95-100%
· B = 90- 94.99999….%
· C = 80-89.99999….%
· D = 60-79.99999….%
· F = below 60%
ADA Statement
The college is committed to providing accessibility to all students in accordance to ADA/504 guidelines. If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you must go through the process of receiving approved accommodations through the Student Counseling and Disability Services office, Student Center, Room 212, phone – 678-359-5585.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be dealt with according to the official college policy in the Gordon College Academic Catalog. As a Gordon College student and as a student in this class, you are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the Gordon College Student Code of Conduct included in the Academic Catalog. It is also available online at http://www.gdn.edu/admissions/catalog/section/student_conduct_code.pdf#code. Evidence of cheating on examinations or plagiarism of written assignments will, at minimum, result in a grade of zero for the test or assignment. Any work turned in must be your original work and any information taken from outside sources must be referenced.
Changes to the Syllabus
This syllabus is intended to provide structure for the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the professor reserves the right to make changes as course needs arise.
Tentative Reading Assignment/Class Schedule
(Subject to change with due notice)
Week / CLASS TOPICS/CLASS ACTIVITIESWeek One / Syllabus
Optional on-campus session 10 am-11 am Russell 106, January 8
Module 1 – The history and scope of psychology
Quiz 1
Week Two / Module 2 – Research Strategies
Quiz 2
Module 34 -- Classic perspectives on personality
Quiz 3
Week Three
/ Module 35 – Contemporary perspectives on personality
Quiz 4
Week Four / Test 1
Week Five
/ Module 32 – Stress and illness
Quiz 5
Module 33 – Health and Happiness
Quiz 6
Week Six / Module 18 – Classical conditioning
Quiz 7
Week Seven / Module 19 – Operant conditioning
Quiz 8
Week Eight / Midterm
Week Nine / Module 36 – Social thinking and social influence
Quiz 9
Week Ten / Module 37 -- Antisocial relations
Quiz 10
Week Eleven / Module 38 – Prosocial relations
Quiz 11
Week Twelve / Test 3
Week Thirteen / Module 28 – Basic motivational concepts, the need to belong, and achievement motivation
Quiz 12
Week Fourteen / Module 29 – Hunger
Quiz 13
Week Fifteen / Module 14 – Human Sexuality
Quiz 14
May 1, 2015 / Final Exam 3:45pm-5:45pm IC 103 for section B
6:00 pm-8:00 pm IC103 for section C