outline

Psychology 121
Introduction to Psychology
Course Outline

1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A survey of the study of human and animal behavior with emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary psyhological investigation. Topics may include the biology of behavior, sensation and perception, learning, memory, cognition, motivation, emotion, life-span development of behavior, personality, abnormal behavior and its therapies, social behavior, and individual differences.

2. PRE-REQUISITE: None

3. GENERAL STATEMENT: The course is designed to acquaint the student with fundamental ideas and terminology in psychology and to facilitate the student's development of a broader perspective of reality and society, and self.

4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
A. Explore and identify the subject matter of the field of psychology.
B. Recognize basic concepts and vocabulary, i.e., learn the "language of the field."
C. Recognize names and contributions of persons who have shaped the study of psychology.
D. Develop the critical thinking skills to evaluate basic methodology in order to be a cautious and analytical consumer of information that claims to be based on scientific research.
E. Recognize genetic, physiological, environmental, and cultural factors which influence human behavior.

5. PRIMARY METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Discussion/Lecture

6. MAJOR COURSE TOPICS:
A. The Psychology of Studying
B. Psychology: The Search for Understanding
C. The Brain, Biology, and Behavior
D. Child Development
E. Life-Span Development
F. Sensation and Reality
G. Perceiving the World
H. States of Consciousness
I. Conditioning and Learning
J. Memory
K. Cognition, Intelligence, and Creativity
L. Motivation and Emotions
M. Health, Stress, and Coping
N. Personality
O. Abnormal Psychology
P. Therapies
Q. Gender and Sexuality
R. Social Behavior
S. Applied Psychology
T. Statistics

TEXTBOOK: Dennis Coon. Essentials of Psychology, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2000.

SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS:

A. Course Requirements

1. To attend every class on time. Students who accumulate so many absences may be requested to drop the class. (Absences due to illness or other reasons should be discussed with instructor before and/or after absence.) A make-up assignment that meets the approval of the instructor may be used to count an absence as "excused" which will not count against student's record.
2. Participate in class in accordance with the SIC Mission statement.
3. Take exams on time unless previously arranged with instructor.
4. Complete all readings and assignments on time.
5. To participate in and complete at least one special project.

B. Evaluation and Grades

1. There will be four cumulative tests and one final exam. They will be multiple-choice.
2. Points will be given for class participation. Successful participation requires completing assignments and being prepared to discuss and contribute knowledgeably to the class interaction.
3. One Special Project is required. Additional Special Projects may be done for bonus points up to 100 points. All Special Projects must be discussed and scheduled for presentation with the instructor.
4. Breakdown of Grades:

Four tests (100 points each) 400 points
Attendance and Participation 100 points
Final Exam 200 points
Special Project(s) up to 100 pts. 100 points
Total 800 points

5. Final Grade: The following scale applies to students who have fulfilled all course requirements under 8A (above).

800 - 630 pts. = A
629 - 560 pts. = B
490 - 559 pts. = C
420 - 489 pts. = D
419 - None = F

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