Kankakee Community College

Course prefix and number: Psyc 1813   Course title: Introduction To Psychology        

Credit hours: 3       Lecture hours: 3       Clinical/Lab hours: 0   

Catalog Description:

This course consists of a survey of the major topics in psychology. Students will analyze psychological research; learn about intelligence, memory and thinking; and know the biological basis of behavior. Other topics include emotions, perception and sensation, motivation and wellness and stress. Also, students will learn theories of personality, heredity, and learning. Students will be introduced to developmental psychology, social psychology, abnormal psychology (including therapy and treatment), and states of consciousness.

Prerequisite: Appropriate assessment score.


Faculty: Professor Deborah S. Podwika, M.A., C.S.M.   Webpage: http://www.kcc.edu/faculty/faculty_pages/dpodwika/index.asp

Office Location: L318   Phone: 802.8712 Email:  [email protected]  Division: 802.8700

Office hours:

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

10-11 Office
11-11:50 Social
12-12:50 Intro
1-1:50 Intro

11-12:30 Office
12:30-1:45 Abnormal
Starting Oct 16th
5:30-6 Manteno

6-8:40 Intro
8:40-9:40 Manteno

10-11 Office
11-11:50 Social
12-12:50 Intro
1-1:50 Intro

11-12:30 Office
12:30-1:45 Abnormal
Starting Oct 16th
5:30-6 Manteno

6-8:40 Intro
8:40-9:40 Manteno

10-11 Office
11-11:50 Social
12-12:50 Intro
1-1:50 Intro


Textbook: Exploring Psychology in Modules 6th Edition by Dr. David Myers  (http://www.davidmyers.org)


Relationship to academic programs and transferability:

Psyc 1813 was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program. Transferability of this course will be determined by each transfer institution. Please see an academic advisor for an explanation concerning transfer option. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for more information.

Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will have:

An ability to use technology in a variety of methods.
An ability to apply psychological concepts to the real world.
An ability to critically evaluate research methods & their ethics.
An understanding of how one's behavior is influenced by physiology.
An ability to understand how one develops.
An understanding of global differences in behavior and thinking.
An understanding and ability to critically evaluate various theories of consciousness.
An understanding of how one learns & can modify behavior.
An understanding of how one remembers & why one forgets.
An understanding various theories of human & animal intelligence.
An understanding of various theories of motivation. .
An understanding of various theories of emotions.
An understanding of various theories of stress & wellness to improve your life.
An understanding of various personality theories.
An understanding of the symptoms & possible causes of various psychological disorders.
An understanding of various therapy methods.
An understanding of how one is influenced by society.


Evaluation

Module Outcomes:

Outcomes will be given for each module. The outcomes indicate to the student the knowledge which will be evaluated and in what method it will be evaluated. Evaluations are performed through a VARIETY of methods. SOME outcomes may be clarified by your instructor through class discussion & other methods. Others will be SOLELY THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY through a variety of methods. Of course should you have difficulty with ANY particular outcome you may seek help from many sources (additional readings, films, other students, and your instructor, etc.) Quizzes/Exams and some activities will be taken outside of class through Angel.

Quizzes/Exams/Activities:

The Angel system will be used in this class to complete quizzes, exams, some activities and to keep track of grades for students. KCC provides more than 700 computers in more than 35 computer labs on campus for those who do not have one with internet access at home. Quizzes/Exams and some activities will be completed outside of class through Angel. If you have any concerns about this please come see me to discuss other alternatives.

Final Grades:

Your grade is determined on the percentage of total points earned throughout the term.

Points

Percentage

Activity

200

20% final grade

Midterm & Final Exam (100 pts each)

350

35% final grade

Quizzes (7 @ 50pts each)

330

33% final grade

Activities (In-Class & Take Home)

1000

 

Final Total Points

1. In-Class Activities can NOT be made up. Use Extra Credit.
2. 1 Make-Up Quiz permitted. This is NOT a redo!
3. Midterm/Final can NOT be made-Up!
4. Asgn due at the beginning of class. 1/2 of the total pts deducted for each class period late on Take-Home asgns.

Percentage/Grade:

900 points (90%) = A

 

This grade level requires a student to demonstrate achievement which is of OUTSTANDING quality relative to the level necessary to meet course required outcomes.

800 points (80%) = B

This grade level requires a student to demonstrate achievement which is of HIGH quality relative to the level necessary to meet course required outcomes.

700 points (70%) = C

This grade level requires a student to demonstrate achievement which is of SATISFACTORY quality, meaning one has just meet course required outcomes.

600 points (60%) = D

This grade level requires a student to demonstrate achievement which is BELOW SATISFACTORY quality, meaning one has NOT met the minimum course required outcomes.

Below 600 points (below 60%) = F

This grade level requires a student to FAIL to demonstrate achievement of the minimum course required outcomes due to either failure 1) work not completed; or 2) work at a level of achievement not worthy of credit.

Extra Credit:

You can earn up to 100 PTS. That is 10% or equal to a exam grade! Extra Credit opportunities and submission requirements will be provided throughout the course.


Course Policies

Attendance:

According to the 2007-08 KCC Student Catalog, students are expected to attend classes regularly. Permission to make up work missed due to an absence is up to the individual instructor's discretion. The instructor has the right to record the grade of "F" for the course or reduce a student's grade if a student has excessive absences AS DEFINED IN THE INSTRUCTOR'S SYLLABUS! Students missing 2 weeks worth of classes must come see me BEFORE returning to class to discuss your class grade. Students missing 3 weeks worth of classes should WITHDRAW from the course to avoid failing.


Instructional Philosophy

Education = the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.  (Dictionary.com)

Education is NOT repeating a definition from the text! I do not know any employer who will expect this of you! Therefore, I do NOT evaluate students memorizing definitions from their text. Psychology is about life and thus it is extremely important for students to be able to critically think & apply the knowledge of this course to life. It is important for students to understand concepts and be able to recognize or provide examples of these concepts in life. This ability will allow you to mature by allowing you to reason better & thus make much better judgments. As the saying goes, “If I knew then, what I know now, I would have done better”. I want you to do better with each page you read in your text, with each class period you attend, with each activity you complete!

I will evaluate your ability to critically think (handout provided) about the course concepts. In addition, every course should help students improve their general skills – writing, technology, oral presentation etc. This course will provide these opportunities. I will reduce a grade by 10% for excessive spelling/grammar errors.  more than 5 errors in an assignment -  so please do make use of the writing labs suggested even after you have spell/grammar checked!


College Policies

Withdrawals

When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date stated on the syllabus without receiving a punitive final grade. Change of Schedule forms (used to add or drop a course) are available in Student Services and the student should obtain the required signatures prior to submitting the Change of Schedule form to an adviser in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. The last date to withdraw with a grade of “W” is Friday, October 26th.

Code of Conduct

Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog. With the exception of dangerous behavior or cheating/plagiarism/copyright violation, I will warn you ONCE, a second violation will result in withdrawal of the course.

Dangerous behavior will result in an immediate withdrawal of the course.

If a student has been found of cheating/plagiarism/copyright violation they will receive a grade of ZERO for the asgn the first time. A second offense will result in a grade of F for the course.


College Resources

Academic Skills Center

Tutorial Assistance – The center offers free tutorial services on a walk-in basis to support students enrolled at KCC in a wide range of college courses and individual skill development activities. The Learning Assistance Center, L335/339, is the location of most tutorial services.

Learning Laboratory – The Learning Lab, located in Room L329, uses instructional technology to provide individualized learning for students enrolled at KCC. In the lab, students can review and practice math, writing, reading, basic sciences, study skills, word processing, and other basic skills.

Special Populations Services – KCC offers advisement and special instructional support for students who are physically and learning disabled, as well as those with academic deficiencies. Students will receive appropriate academic instructional support, including preparatory courses, tutorial assistance, study skills assistance, and self-instructional programs. For special populations services, go to room L326 or D229.

Learning Resource Center

The LRC provides a variety of services free to students (print, audio, video, cd-rom & microfilm collections, computers etc.)

The LRC is available to you the following times:

Monday - Thursday: 7:45 a.m. - 9:45 p.m. (Fall/Spring)   7:45 a.m. - 8:45 p.m. (Summer)

Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.       Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – Noon

Copyright

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further Information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at http://www.kcc.edu/students/collegeinfo/copyright/index.asp .

Syllabus disclaimers

1. Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change due to instructor absence, college closings, etc.

2. By staying registered in this course the student agrees to abide by the syllabus conditions though they may not agree with the policy.

Updated: Fall 2007

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