TEXT: Psychology: A Journey (Third Edition) by Dennis Coon, Wadsworth 2008.

VIDEO MODULES: Discovering Psychology (video programs to be checked out of library) produced for PBS by WGBH Boston in association with the American Psychological Association.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: (Psy 200-W1) Surveys the basic concepts of psychology. Covers the scientific study of behavior, behavioral research methods and analysis, and theoretical interpretations. Includes topics such as: physiological mechanisms, sensation/perception, motivation, learning, personality, psychopathology, therapy, and social psychology.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES: To explore the subject matter of the field and to become familiar with the vocabulary and concepts of the field and with some of the research findings upon which our knowledge of human thought and behavior is based. Also, to emphasize development of critical thinking skills and to prepare you to be a cautious and analytical consumer of information that is proclaimed to be scientific or based on research.

ORIENTATION: Students are requested to attend the scheduled orientation to be held on Monday, January 11, at 4:30 PM, in room G220. Students, who pick up a syllabus from the Continuing Education Office, should mail me the “Student Contact Sheet” as soon as possible (I use this to show student contact).

ATTENDANCE: Regular class attendance is required. When absence from a class is necessary, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor prior to the absence. The student is responsible for the subsequent completion of all work missed during an absence. (MECC Student Handbook)

Mountain Empire Community College is committed to academic quality and student success. Elements that support both of these values are regular attendance and participation in class. The college policy states that regular class attendance is required. The attendance policy in this class is: Students are required to be in attendance for four (4) test sessions (test dates are listed below). Tests taken on-campus will be given in the Testing Center; tests taken off campus must be through a proctor. If you are off-campus, and taking the tests through a proctor, please make arrangements with Ms. Kennedy in the Continuing Education Office. If tests and homework are not completed by the scheduled dates, a “0” will be recorded and the student may be withdrawn from the class. The last day to withdraw without grade penalty, or change from credit to audit, is March 29.

1st test - Feb. 8 - Room “Testing Center” - Deadline for 1st MU test - Feb. 10
2nd test - Mar. 8 - Room “Testing Center” - Deadline for 2nd MU test - Mar. 10
3rd test - Apr. 5 - Room “Testing Center” - Deadline for 3rd MU test - Apr. 7
4th test - May 3 - Room “Testing Center” - Deadline for 4th MU test - May 5
(No work will be accepted after May 5.)

COURSE REQUIRMENTS: There will be four (4) scheduled tests. These tests will be objective; dates are in the reading schedule. Students are required to write four (4) short papers, on a topic of their choice, in context with one of the chapters covered before each test. Essay questions/answers are also required for each test section. All homework is to be submitted to the Testing Center, or mailed USPS (to me), by the first scheduled date (late homework may be penalized ten-points). If you are off-campus and need to mail your tests/homework, please send to: Smitty Baker / P.O. Box 716 / Pennington Gap, VA 24277 (tests and/or homework that is mailed must be postmarked by the scheduled dates).

a) TESTS - Four (4) tests will be administered. The test items will be taken from the reading assignments and video modules. Tests taken after the first scheduled date will be considered a make-up test and may not be the same as the first scheduled test. Make-up tests may consist of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions. Tests are to be taken in the “Testing Center” (check with the Testing Center for time schedule). If you are off-campus, and taking the tests through a proctor, please make arrangements with Ms. Kennedy in the Continuing Education Office.

b) REPORTS: Follow the instructions below:
1. Cover page should contain the following: your name, chapter number, topic, and page number from the text (for the topic).
2. The reports are to be summarized from an article, or articles, found on the Internet.
3. They are to be a page-and-a-half to two-pages in length (typewritten – double-spaced / 10 or 12 font).
4. Last page should contain your source of information (URL address).

DUE DATES FOR REPORTS:
Chapter 1 – 2 / Feb. 8
Chapter 4 – 5 / Mar. 8
Chapter 6 – 9 / Apr. 5
Chapter 10 – 14 / May 3

(Reports are worth up to twenty-five (25) points each to be added together for a single grade.)

c) ESSAY QUESTIONS: The following questions are to be answered and turned in on the scheduled test date (please type and include the question). Do not email your homework; if you cannot leave it with the Testing Center, mail it USPS to: Smitty Baker / P.O. Box 716 / Pennington Gap, VA 24277 (homework that is mailed must be postmarked by the deadline date).

* 1st homework assignment to be completed and turned in with test and report.

1. What is psychology? What are the four goals of psychology?
2. List and define the five major research methods.
3. Briefly describe these five major perspectives in psychology: psychodynamic psychology, behaviorism, humanistic psychology, cognitive psychology, and biopsychology.
4. Explain how an experiment is performed and define these terms: independent variable, dependent variable, control group, experimental group, single-blind experiment, double-blind experiment, and the placebo effect.
5. Briefly describe each of the following pseudo-psychologies:
a. palmistry b. phrenology c. graphology d. astrology
6. Name the four basic parts of a neuron. Explain how information travels through the neuron?
7. Differentiate between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system.
8. Define and explain the term “reflex arc”.
9. Explain why and how a brain is “split”. Describe what the resulting effects are.
10. Define “aphasia”. Differentiate between “Broca's Aphasia” and “Wernicke's Aphasia”?

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 1 & 2).

* 2nd homework assignment to be completed and turned in with test and report.

1. Differentiate between the receptor cells called “rods” and “cones”.
2. Differentiate between the two main types of deafness: conduction deafness and sensorineural (nerve) deafness. What causes “stimulation deafness (noise-induced hearing loss)”?
3. Define “anosmia” and explain the “lock and key theory”.
4. List and explain the Gestalt principles of perceptual organization.
5. Differentiate between an illusion and a hallucination.
6. Define extrasensory perception and the term parapsychology. List and explain the three basic forms of ESP.
7. Differentiate between consciousness and an altered state of consciousness. List three causes of ASCs.
8. Briefly define these sleep disorders: insomnia, narcolepsy, REM behavior disorder, sleep apnea, and night terrors.
9. Describe the “activation-synthesis hypothesis” concerning dreaming.
10. Differentiate physical dependence from psychological dependence.

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 4 & 5).

* 3rd homework assignment to be completed and turned in with test and report.

1. Define “learning” and “reinforcement”.
2. Explain the following terms as they apply to classical conditioning: unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, conditioned response, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and stimulus discrimination.
3. Explain how shaping occurs and include a definition of the term “successive approximations”.
4. Differentiate between positive and negative reinforcement.
5. Explain the difference between “primary reinforcers, secondary reinforcers, and feedback”. Give an example of each.
6. Differentiate between “continuous reinforcement” and “partial reinforcement”. List and explain the schedules of partial reinforcement.
7. List and explain the three stages of memory.
8. Differentiate between “maintenance rehearsal” and “elaborative rehearsal”.
9. Differentiate the two kinds of fact memory—semantic memory and episodic memory.
10. Explain the term “mnemonic” and give an example.

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 6 & 7).

* 4th homework assignment to be completed and turned in with test and report.

1. Define and give examples of Allport's cardinal traits, central traits, and secondary traits.
2. Sigmund Freud portrayed personality as a dynamic system directed by three mental structures. List and explain these three mental structures.
3. List and explain the three levels of awareness.
4. Briefly explain how the humanists set themselves apart from the Freudian and behaviorist views of personality.
5. In assessing personality, explain the difference between an “objective test” and a “projective test”. Give an example of each test.
6. Explain this statement, “Almost any imaginable behavior can be considered normal in some contexts”.
7. Define “delusion” and give an example. Give an example.
8. Define schizophrenia and describe the four subtypes of schizophrenia.
9. List and explain the four basic techniques used in psychoanalysis.
10. Describe client-centered therapy, and explain the four conditions that should be maintained for successful therapy.

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 10, 12, & 13.

*Please note, I do not test on every chapter; the additional chapters are for your information and in case you would like to do a report on a topic in one of those chapters.

Scores will be posted on Blackboard.

EXTRA CREDIT: Students also have the option of completing practice tests via the Internet for extra credit points. There will be four Internet tests worth up to “5 points” each. These extra credit points will be calculated in this manner – a score on each test of 90-100% will earn “5” points, 80-89% - “4” points, 70-79% - “3” points, 60-69% - “2” points, and 50-59% - “1” point. Only one (1) practice test (for each scheduled test) can be submitted for the extra points. Tests may be accessed through “Blackboard” and will be available until the first scheduled test date. *This is a privilege, extended to you, to help raise your test scores (if this is abused in any way, it will be discontinued).

In order to take a test, you must:

1. Enter your name as it appears on the college register.
2. Enter your MECC ID # or your MECC User Name.
3. Enter your MECC (or other) eMail address.

For extra credit, the practice tests must be submitted via the Internet.
(All extra credit points will be added to the student's test scores at the end of the semester.)

GRADING: Test scores will count 75% of the final grade, reports and essay questions will count 25%. The average of all grades taken will determine the basic course grade. Grading scale is: 90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, below 60%=F.

STUDENT/INSTRUCTOR CONFERENCES: Students may contact me by calling 276-523-2400 (please leave your message with the secretary in Arts and Sciences). If you would like to discuss your scores or review for a test, I can meet with you, on campus (M/W/F), at 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM (contact me and arrangements will be made). Students may also contact me by email.

My email address is "sam8110@comcast.net" and "sbaker@me.vccs.edu".
(Email is the best way to contact me.)

Jan. 11 - Feb. 8
Chapter 1 – Psychology: The Search For Understanding
Video Module (Program 1) Past, Present and Promise, (Program 2) Understanding Research, and (Program 24) Applying Psychology in Life.

Chapter 2 – The Brain, Biology, and Behavior
Video Module (Program 3) The Behaving Brain, (Program 4) The Responsive Brain, and (Program 25) Cognitive Neuroscience.

Chapter 3 – Human Development
Video Module (Program 5) The Developing Child, (Program 6) Language Development, and (Program 18) Maturing and Aging.

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 1 & 2).

Feb. 8 - Mar. 8
Chapter 4 – Sensation and Perception
Video Module (Program 7) Sensation and Perception.

Chapter 5 – States of Consciousness

Video Module (Program 13) The Mind Awake and Asleep, and (Program 14) The Mind Hidden and Divided.

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 4 & 5).

Mar. 8 - Apr. 5
Chapter 6 – Conditioning and Learning
Video Module (Program 8) Learning.

Chapter 7 – Memory
Video Module (Program 9) Remembering and Forgetting.

Chapter 8 – Cognition, Intelligence, and Creativity
Video Module (Program 10) Cognitive Processing, (Program 11) Judgment and Decision-Making and (Program 16) Testing and Intelligence.

Chapter 9 – Motivation and Emotion
Video Module (Program 12) Motivation and Emotion, and (Program 17) Sex and Gender.

Turn in assignments and take test (Ch. 6 & 7).

Apr. 5 - May 3
Chapter 10 – Personality
Video Module (Program 15) The Self, and (Program 26) New Directions.

Chapter 11 – Health, Stress, and Coping
Video Module (Program 23) Health, Mind, and Behavior.

Chapter 12 – Psychological Disorders
Video Module (21) Psychopathology.

Chapter 13 – Therapies
Video Module (Program 22) Psychotherapy.

Chapter 14 – Social Behavior
Video Module (Program 19) Power of the Situation, and (Program 20) Social Reality.

Turn in assignments and take final test (Ch. 10, 12, & 13).

*Please note, I do not test on every chapter; the additional chapters are for your information and in case you would like to do a report on a topic in one of those chapters.

All scores will be posted on Blackboard.

BONUS POINTS: Students should also check “Student Tools / Tasks,” in Blackboard, for any additional Internet activities for bonus points. If available, these activities will only be accessible for limited time periods (which will be posted).

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER: Tests and homework are due within the specified time period listed above. You may take tests and submit homework, in the Testing Center or through your proctor, anytime before and up until the scheduled dates (do not email any homework to me; I will not open it). If you do not complete the tests and homework within the specified time period, the penalties mentioned may be applied. All homework and tests must be submitted by 4:30 PM, May 5, 2010 (no work will be accepted after this date). And, don't forget to send me the Student Contact Sheet. If I don't receive this from you, I will report you as a “no-contact” student.

EMERGENCY STATEMENT: In the event of a college-declared emergency, the instructor of this class will post instructions, and any additional assignments needed for completing the class, on Blackboard (Announcements page). Students may also contact me at the email addresses listed above under "Student/Instructor Conferences".

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: Students may request academic accommodations for disabilities through the Office of Student Services. That office will evaluate the request and make recommendations for appropriate and reasonable accommodations, which the student will provide to the instructor. Individuals requiring temporary handicapped parking accommodations due to short-term illness should also contact Student Services. All correspondence will be kept confidential.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Home Ph. _________________________________ (optional)

Work Ph. _________________________________ (optional)

MECC User Name __________________________

eMail _________________________ (MECC OR OTHER)

*Please make sure that you complete the information above and return this page to me. If you do not turn this page in during the orientation session, you need to mail it to me ASAP (I use this as proof of student contact).

With my signature, I acknowledge that I have made contact and received a syllabus for PSY 200-W1.

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