PSY 2012 General Psychology

COURSE SYLLABUS (Rev. 06/13)

General Information Section Number: Meeting Times: 12:18-3:00 Credits: 3 Term: Fall 2013 Instructor Information Instructor: Robby V. Brown, Ph.D. Office: Office Hours: Telephone: 863-578-4631 E-mail: rvbrown@robbybrown.com Course Description An introduction to modern scientific psychology and its application to human behavior. Topics include perception, motivation, learning, thinking, remembering, emotion, intelligence, personality development and the scientific methods used in psychology. Prerequisites: College level reading and writing skills are required. Course Objectives 1. To evidence comprehension of psychology as a behavioral and social science, including its vocabulary, concepts and key personalities. 2. To describe the scientific method as a tool of research. 3. To explain the nature/nurture controversy and how it affects research on human behavior. 4. To describe the major physiological components of the human organism, as they affect behavior. 5. To explain the principles of classical and operant conditioning, as tools of learning and behavioral change. 6. To explain the basic principles of sensation, perception and thought and their application to the understanding of behavior. 7. To compare and contrast the major theories of motivation and emotion, and their relationship of motivation and emotion in behavior. 8. To describe the role of individual differences in behavior and how these differences are measured

in the field of psychology. 9. To explain the various theories of the structure and development of personality. 10. To explain various patterns of psychological maladjustment and their ramifications in personal and social life. 11. To explain the leading psychotherapeutic approaches for emotional/behavioral problems. Course Materials Text: Psychology in Everyday Life 2nd Edition by Myers

Graded Assignments 24% Eight to ten reflections will be assigned. page will be a summary; page will be your interaction with the material. 33% A mid-term essay exam and a final essay exam will be given. 33% Final research paper (Six pages in length) 10% Attendance Course Policies Positive Learning Environment: To establish a positive and enthusiastic learning environment for this class: As a professor, I am committed to be professional, courteous, respectful, and empathetic to students and to: Begin and end class on time, Be prepared for each class session, Provide academic feedback and grade assignments in a timely manner, Be available for individual consultation, and clarify assignments and inform students of any adjustments to the class schedule. Cause you to become excited about learning!

As a student, you are expected to be reflective, courteous, respectful, and empathetic to classmates, the Professor, and other College staff assisting you in your learning and to: Demonstrate appropriate classroom behavior, Be in class and be on time, remain entire class period, Complete readings/assignments prior to class, Contact professor if unable to attend - rvbrown@robbybrown.com Participate in class activities, Follow instructions and complete assignments, Keep up with and turn in assignments by the due dates, Demonstrate excellence in all that you do, Ask questions when you dont understand or are simply curious,

Maintain knowledge of your grade status, Discuss academic issues/concerns with professor prior to crisis, Contact professor right away about concerns or situations that interfere with your success in the class prior to a crisis, Comply with policies found in College catalog and student handbook.

Attendance Policy Come to class, always. For a 3 credit hour course, you may miss 3 hours total. We will set our watches with the professors watch the first class session. Be on time. Make-Up Policy You are responsible for contacting your professor to make up any and all work missed due to an absence.

Class Web Page: www.robbybrown.com In addition to Blackboard, you may access all of the documents as well as information and schedule related to your course here. Members from previous courses who earned an A as well as Dr. Brown will be available for online tutoring most anytime. Classroom Conduct Policy Classroom Behavior: You are a college student, which I consider an adult. Act like one. Cellular Phones / Pagers: Turn off cell phones and pagers or turn them on vibrate or silent before entering class. The professor has quite a reputation for answering any students telephone that rings during class. If a telephone / pager vibrates during class AND IT IS AN EMERGENCY, be discreet and considerate, step out of class, take the call, and quickly and quietly return to class. NO TEXT MESSAGING IN CLASS WHATSOEVER. Professor Contact Information: Please feel free to contact me by telephone, but no later than 8 pm in the evening. Please feel free to email me anytime day or night. Do not hesitate to email questions about course content anytime. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you can think of. If I do not know the answer to your question, I will find someone who does. I will be happy to clarify any topic covered in class or psychology-related topics you may be interested in. College Policies Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes the following actions, as well as other similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to the student's academic performance: Cheating on an exam Collaborating with others on assignments that are presented as your individual work. (This does not include group or collaborative assignments), Submitting, work previously submitted in another course, unless specifically approved by the instructor, Plagiarism-- Academic work, submitted by students is assumed to be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression. When students borrow ideas, wording or organization from another source they are expected to acknowledge that fact in the appropriate manner. Failure to do is considered plagiarism. Knowingly assisting another student in any of the above actions,

Academic Dishonesty is unacceptable in this class. It may result in actions ranging from a zero grade on a specific test or assignment to dismissal from class, academic program or from the college.

Any student cheating on an exam, or found plagiarizing written assignments, will AUTOMATICALLY earn a failing grade for that particular exam or written assignment. This includes any student providing another with answers and/or their work. There is ZERO tolerance for academic dishonesty, and any incidents of such will also be reported to the appropriate administrators office for further review. Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses
This course begins on __________ and ends on ___________. The add/drop period for this course ends on _______. The last day to withdraw from this course with a "W" grade is ______________. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course. Students who do not withdraw by this date will receive the grade that they earned in the course. Students who have received financial aid this semester should not drop or withdrawal from this class without first talking with someone in the financial aid department. Dropping or withdrawing may require you to repay the financial aid you received for this class, including all federal and state aid, both grants and loans. This is especially true for Bright Futures and Pell Grant recipients.

HCC Educational Equity and Student Disability Policy

HCC is an equal access/equal opportunity institution that makes education-related decisions without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability or marital status or any other bias that is or may be prohibited by law. In addition, the college does not discriminate in our admission and treatment of students. HCC is committed to equitable treatment of all students and to working towards a learning environment free of discrimination and harassment for current as well as future students. The college provides equal educational opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities and complies with and fully supports the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. On the SouthShore Campus, a student or prospective student, wishing academic accommodations, must selfidentify and provide appropriate documentation of their disability. Students are encouraged to begin this

process at least one month prior to the start of the semester. To request academic accommodations, please contact the Student Services office at 813-253-7000 ext. 5703.