Welcome to
General Psychology Online
It is my
pleasure to have you enrolled in this class. In this course you will read
about many things that are familiar; many things that you can use to make your
life better; and hopefully ideas and concepts that are new. How we learn
is also a major topic in the field of Psychology. The text and the online
activities use this information to structure activities that will help make it
easier for you to learn and master the concepts of Psychology. These same
techniques can also be applied to all of your classes.
As you begin
looking at the text you will find it is a different from most other
texts. The author uses a visual approach for presenting, organizing and
reinforcing information. You can use these images to your advantage as you
learn the material. In addition each chapter in our text begins with 2
examples that are used to illustrate and explain concepts found in the
module. In module 1 the author uses autism which is a rare childhood
disorder and test anxiety which is common among college students. Also
each chapter includes many other learning aids and provides application and
critical-thinking activities as well as summary tests. In addition the
text also has a companion website that provides excellent materials that can
enhance your learning experience. A link to the site can be found on my
website at http://inet4.swtjc.net/nmasters.
Using these features in the text will help you master the material and is well
worth your time.
Please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have a question. You may call 703-1552;
email me at nancy.masterson@swtjc.cc.tx.us, or better yet come by my office. My
office hours will be posted on my door at the end of the first week of class.
Warmest
Regards,
Nancy
Masterson, Instructor
General Psychology
2301: Spring 2010
Dr. Nancy Masterson, Instructor
Office Room 110 Academic Building, Del Rio
Phone 830-703-1552 with VOICE MAIL; to call toll
free you can call your local SWTJC center; dial 0 and ask for extension 1552.
Email Address: nemasterson@swtjc.edu For the quickest
response please email any questions regarding the course work to me using
the WebCT email program.
Office Hours:
M-W-F:
8:30-9:00 AM
Additional hours will be posted during the first
week of class
Virtual hours
To be determined. Will
be posted during the first week of class.
Immediate response to email and phone calls at
830-703-1552 during virtual office hours.
Course Description
PSYC
2301 - General Psychology - 3 sem. hrs.(3-0-0)
4201015125
Survey
of major topics in psychology.Introduces the study of
behavior and the factors that determine and affect behavior.
Three lecture hours per week. TSI Requirement: M1; R2; W1.
Prerequisite: None
Textbook and Readings
Plotnik,
Rod. Introduction to Psychology. 8th edition.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2007. You may also use the 6th or 7th edition.
Companion Psychology Web Site:
You can find a great deal of interesting information at
This is a companion website available for the
text.
General Education Core Outcomes
This
course is part of the college's general education core curriculum. The
outcomes noted with an asterisk (*) below are addressed in the course.
1. Read, summarize, and critically interpret written materials.
*2.
Identify, assess, and critically evaluate questions, problems and competing
ideas and perspectives.
3. Communicate effectively both in oral and written form.
4. Work collaboratively as well as independently; demonstrate competent team
and interpersonal skills.
5. Reason quantitatively as well as verbally.
6. Demonstrate competency in the application and use of technology.
*
7. Apply the scientific method to the process of evaluating reported research
findings and to problem solving.
8. Value artistic expression.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics, values, behaviors, and
viewpoints of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
*10.
Identify, retrieve, summarize, and critically interpret information from
electronic and text media.
11.
Recognize broad historical, cultural, social, political and scientific
perspectives.
12.
Seek and engage in health, wellness and lifelong learning experiences.
Course Objectives:
1.
Students will gain an understanding of the major concepts and behavioral
principles relevant to the field of psychology.
2.
Students will gain an understanding of psychology as a science and how the
scientific method is used to formulate explanations of behavior.
3.
Students will gain an understanding of predominate theories and explanations of
human behavior.
4.
Students will master the basic vocabulary relevant to the field of psychology.
5.
Students will gain an understanding of the major influences on human behavior
and how these factors affect and influence an individual's behavior.
6.
Students will gain an awareness of the field of psychology as presented in the
media.
Required materials
Textbook: Plotnik, Rod. Introduction to
Psychology. 8th edition.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2007. You may also use the 6th or 7th edition.
Access
to a computer with a 486 or higher processor.
Access
to a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
Access to the Internet.
Access
to word processing software such as Microsoft Word or Word Perfect.
Several
formatted diskettes or other portable storage devices such as a jump drive or
writeable CD's.
An
email account.
An
adventurous spirit, curiosity, and self-direction.
Course format
In an online course, a web site is used as our
classroom. You will find course information, assignments, and all the other
information you need to complete this course at the WebCT
web site located at http://webct.swtjc.net.
You will also use that site to participate in class discussions and work in
small groups. You will visit other Internet sites to complete interactive
activities and find important information. All assignments and class work
except for the midterm and final exam will be submitted electronically.
Mastery of the computer skills covered in the Orientation to Online Instruction
is very important to your success in this class. The ability to perform these
skills and the ability to type will greatly reduce your frustration
level.
In the online environment, students choose when
they will work on class materials; however the class has structured deadlines
for the completion of the units. All assignments will be uploaded to
our WebCTassignment boxes. PLEASE NOTE it is a
good idea to make two copies of your work. Keep one on your hard drive
and one on a portable storage device such as a diskette, jump drive, or
CD. If you are doing your work somewhere other than your own
computer be sure to save 2 copies of your work on
two separate storage devices [two diskettes, CD's etc]. Many things can happen
and your work can be lost. Having back up files will allow you to
resubmit your work. Some students have asked if they need their own
computer to take this class. You will need to spend at least 6 hours per week
on course activities. Using a friend or relative's computer is fine as long as
you are able to use the system when you need it. Access to computers and the Internet
is also available at the SWTJC libraries and in some computer labs. Using
a computer other than your own will require advanced planning and storing your
work on portable storage devices.
Attendance
It is important that you attend (login to) the virtual
classroom at least every two days;
every day is even better. You need to check your email and the class home page
for announcements. You also need to participate in the discussion
forums. WHEN you login is up to you. The discussion forum and quiz for
each unit, however, have a closing date and all responses need to be posted by
that time for you to receive credit. Your participation in the discussion
forums and completion of your assignments make up your attendance in this
class. Failure to do this will bring about the same consequences as missing
face-to-face classes—falling behind, confusion, penalties for missed
assignments, mega-stress trying to catch-up and an overall lower grade. I
strongly suggest you plan for and schedule a time for working on the course
assignments. Procrastination can be one of the biggest problems students face
in an online course. Everything seems to take longer than we originally think
it will.
Course activities and grading scale
FOR EACH UNIT YOU WILL
1. Read the assigned
text material, online articles, and lecture notes.
2. Complete an
open-book online quiz.
3. Complete the
homework and/or Internet assignment/s/.
4.
Participate in the discussion forum if assigned.
5.
Find a URL [internet article] that relates to the unit and post it to the
discussion forum, email the instructor or list facts learned and applied. This
assignment will vary for each unit.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. Complete a personal personality analysis.
2.
Complete a personal stress assessment and a stress reduction plan.
3.
Take an in-person midterm and final exam at your closest SWTJC campus or with
an approved proctor.
Making the Grade
All course material except for the exams will be
turned in electronically to a WebCT
homework/assignment box. Please save a copy of all your work
somewhere other than your hard drive. If you have a copy of your work and
there is a problem you will not have to do the work again. You can send
your saved copy. The number of the points you earn on the following activities
will determine your course grade. Your grade will be based on 800 to 1000
points.
Grading Scale:
90% of points possible =A; 80% of points possible =
B; 70% of points possible = C; 60% of points possible =D; below 60% is not
passing
You can earn a 5 point bonus for each module turned
in before the suggested closing date/time set for each Unit.
The cutoff date for work to be counted toward
midterm grades is Monday, March 8th at 8:00 and will include work
from units 1-3 plus the orientation. Work for Units
4-6 is due Thursday, May 6th at 8:00 am.
EXAMS:
There will be 2 closed book exams in this class.
You need to plan to travel to your closest campus to take the midterm and the final
or discuss with me the process of getting an approved proctor. There will
be several time options and you can choose the one that is most convenient for
you. A final exam schedule will be posted later in the semester as soon
as the IT department determines testing room availability. If you do not live
near a SWTJC campus, it may be possible to make arrangements to take the
exam with an approved proctor or supervisor. These arrangements need to
be made in advance.
*Withdrawing from Class: If you choose
to withdraw from class, please note that "not logging in" or
"e-mailing the instructor or others that you are dropping" does
not constitute an official drop and will result in an F on your
transcript. You must fill out an official drop card at a SWTJC
office to officially withdraw from the class.
Academic Honesty
You are expected to do your own work. While
it is fine to work with another student, it is not acceptable for two or more
people to submit the same or substantially the same file unless it is a group
project. If this occurs all parties will receive a 0 for the
assignment. Repeated occurrences may result in an F for the course.
Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] Statement
Any student with a documented disability needing
academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to the Counseling
Department (see below) as early in the semester (preferable within the first
week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.
Crystal City Idalia De La Cruz (830/374-2828)
Del Rio Marilyn Casson (830 775-1560)
Eagle Pass Brenda Hoffman (830/758-4102)
Uvalde Melissa Deleon (830/591-7352)
Revised January, 2010
Dr. Nancy Masterson
Psychology 2301 Online