Course Syllabus

Course Description:

Explore psychological terminology and concepts, and identify the various disciplines within the field. Introduce scientific research methods and ethical principles. Illustrate the scientific application of psychology and how the major psychological principles and theories can be applied to real life situations. Provide for the critical examination and evaluation of psychological concepts, methods, and theories. Examine the interaction of bio-psycho-social processes as related to behavior and mental processes. Offer opportunities for the examination of the impact of multicultural factors on the self and others. 

Wood_05.04.2024 Updated TOCC-syllabus (3)-1.docx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office hours: Hours can be scheduled between 8am-8pm Mondays through Sundays by appointment (can be via phone, video conference, Canvas Chat, In-Person).

Ask me about: Anything related to the class, real world applications of psychology, becoming a psych major, graduate school and other psych-based careers, being a first- generation college student.

Textbook:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Psychology from OpenStax, ISBN 1938168356 

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to the scientific study of animal and human behavior. Origins and assessment of individual differences in terms of learning, memory, thinking, intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, and personality.

Why are people the way that they are? Why do they do the things that they do? What can psychological science tell me about the world around me? And how can I use it to make the world a better place? If these questions (especially the last two) keep you up at night, this is the perfect section of Intro Psych for you. Over the course of the semester, you’ll grapple with these questions and learn how to think like budding scientists—a skill that will benefit you through college and beyond, regardless of your major or ultimate career path. Throughout the semester, you will be highly encouraged to apply your knowledge of the material to your own lives, as well as the world around you.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this class Students will be able to:

    1. Compare theoretical perspectives of psychology 
    2. Communicate the goals, methods, and ethics of psychological research 
    3. Explain how physiology affects behavior and mental processes 
    4. Explain physical, cognitive, and social development over the lifespan 
    5. Examine aspects of sensation and perception 
    6. Analyze examples of learning theories and their components 
    7. Describe different models of memory 
    8. Describe how intelligence is defined, measured, and interpreted 
    9. Discuss the factors that motivate human behavior and mental processes 
    10. Identify the factors that comprise emotion 
    11. 11. Identify and explain aspects of personality 
    12. Distinguish between major psychological disorders and therapies 
    13. Recognize the nature and states of consciousness 
    14. Analyze how stress influences health (optional) 
    15. Examine how social situations influence human behavior and mental processes 

COURSE MATERIALS:

Great news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
Psychology from OpenStax (Links to an external site.), ISBN 1938168356 

You have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

ABOUT THIS CLASS

This class is an introduction to the scientific study of animal and human behavior. Origins and assessment of individual differences in terms of learning, memory, thinking, intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, and personality

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

  • Essays: 30%: At the end of each month, a 5 page essay will be due on one of the topics covered in the prior weeks. The essays must be in APA format, with a cover page, abstract page, two pages of content, and a reference page. For help with citations, visit Purdue OWL.
  • Weekly Quizzes: 20%: At the end of each module, there will be a cumulative quiz of the chapter covered that module. Quiz questions will be multiple choice. Quiz grades will be posted on the course’s Canvas page immediately. All quizzes are multiple choice, open timed, open book, and several attempts.
  • Final: 30%: At the end of the semester, there will be a cumulative test of the semester. The final is multiple choice, open timed, open book, and two attempts.
  • Homework/Discussions: 20%: Participation in the weekly online discussion boards is essential, as well as weekly homework. For online discussions, you are required to post an original post no later than Thursdays at 11:59pm, and two responses to classmates no later then Sundays at 11:59pm.

METHODS OF EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE:
Classroom activities, Weekly online discussion forums, weekly online homework, essays, weekly quizzes, and final.

GRADING

Final letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A: 90-100

B: 80-89

C: 70-79

D: 60-69

F: Below 59

If you become concerned about (or would simply like to improve) your performance in the class at any point, please reach out as soon as you can. There is absolutely no shame in needing or seeking help but remember that this assistance will be the most beneficial for you, grade-wise, if you are able to put my tips and tricks into practice as early in the course as possible.