PSY 201 GENERAL SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. EDWARD SPRINGER
Phone: (703)933-3980
Web page: (www.nvcc.edu/home/espringer)
Email Address: (espringer@nvcc.edu) This is the best way to reach me.
Office: AA252 (Humanities & Social Science Division)
Office Hours: TBA

    Psychology 201 and 202 together form a complete introductory unit of the fundamental concepts and principles of psychology. This two-session format is the one most favored by the American Psychological Association for acquiring a solid foundation in the field of  psychology. Topics to be covered in psychology 201 are the nature and history of psychology, research methods and basic statistical concepts and applications, the biological bases of behavior, sensation, perception, motivation, emotion and human development.

PSYCHOLOGY by David G. Meyers, Worth Publishing, 8 th. edition, 2007 is required.
STUDY GUIDE FOR MEYER'S PSYCHOLOGY by Richard O. Straub is recommended but optional.
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1. To acquire an understanding of psychology's origins.

2. To gain an understanding of the scientific method and its use for studying human behavior.

3. To develop well formed critical thinking skills.

4. To be able to distinguish between fact and opinion in the field of psychology..

5. To be able to accurately state in written and oral form the important topics covered in class
    meetings.
6. To gain an understanding of the major psychological perspectives.

7. To be able to apply concepts from psychology to areas of your life and new situations.

8 .To gain facility in the use of computers to access sources of information in psychology.

Since this course is taught in English, and all written assignments are in English,   
English 111 or equivalent is most strongly recommended for this course.
    Math 003 or equivalent is also highly recommended.

    This course will be primarily lecture based. There will also be class discussions, DVDs, power
point and other presentations. You are expected to take notes on these presentations and additional exercises. Your exams will draw heavily from the material presented in class. You are strongly urgeds to be active in your approach to learning in this class by contributing to discussions and asking questions.
    This course is conducted according to the following ideas: as soon as we enter the class each of us becomes part of an academic team. As a member of that Environment we work together to build its strength. Therefore, our observations, comments or critiques are welcome as long as they are:

        (1) related to the topic under discussion
        (2) supported by facts and well founded opinions
        (3) directed to the idea, not the person expressing it, and
        (4) meant constructively to add knowledge and truth to the academic community we form.

    This course is conducted according to the honor code. This means that all class exams and any quiz work is to be done without the assistance of textbooks, notes or help from anyone else. Failure to adhere to this code will cause a breach in the environment being fostered in class. It will also lead to receiving a zero on the work for which assistance was obtained,an automatic "F" and dismissal from this course. NVCC and I regard cheating as a serious offense; the maximum sanction for such behavior is dismissal from the College. You may read the full policy on academis dishonesty in the Student Handbook.

    By signing up for this course you are signing a contract to attend each class. Since this class is primarily based based on our class presentations it is most important that you attend all class sessions. Roll will be taken at each class meeting. If you are absent from a class,  it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate. In general, I will not withdraw you for absences. You may receive a warning for any continuous absences and a decision will be made regarding your continuation in the class subsequent to the warning. However, if you exceed _____ absences, for any reason, you will be withdrawn from the class.
    A late policy is also in effect. Late means arriving more than ten minutes after class has started. You are not to leave the class early without the permission of your instructor.If you do leave without the explicit permission of the instructor you will be counted as absent. Two lates in three consecutive class meetings converts to one absence. Attendance will be favorably considered in determining your final grade.

    NOTE:
           1. In general NO make-up exams will be given. However, if a genuine emergency occurs you must call me or the Division Secretary immediately. When you call leave a telephone number where I can reach you and the best time to call. I reserve the right to require documentation for your absence if your attendance is below 80% or you have already missed another exam before consideration for a make-up. Failure to contact me immediately after missing an exam will cost you 1 letter grade (10 pts.) for any make-up exam that may be allowed.

            2. Exams will be based on class presentations, DVDs power point presentations and
                assigned textbook readings.
            3. Misconduct is not permitted or tolerated. Please refer to pages 55 to 62 of the Student
               Handbook.
            4. Up until Oct. 28 if a student needs to withdraw from the course, it is the student's responsibility to process a withdrawal form which can be obtained from the A&R Office. The last day to withdraw without grade penalty or to change to an audit is Oct. 28 After that date, if a student needs to withdraw, a mandatory meeting with the instructor is necessary. Students who simply stop coming to class without processing a withdrawal form will receive a final grade of "F."

            5. The College provides various tutorial services writing assistance and counseling. To maximize your academic success, please check the College Homepage  as well as the counseling department's KEYS TO SUCCESS WORKSHOPS bulletin for pertinent information so that you may benefit from the free services and workshops offered.

            6. Please address your instructor with any specific problems or needs at the beginning of the class session. If you are seeking accommodations based on a disability, you should provide a disability data sheet which can be obtained from the counselor for special needs--phone either Dr. Indira Acker at (703) 845-6301.

            7. Beepers and cell phones must never be turned on in class because they are so disruptive. They must be registered with your instructor at the beginning of our session. If yours goes off once you will receive a warning. If it goes off a second time, you will be dismissed from that class and counted as absent. If yours goes off during an exam, you will be dismissed from that class and have to finish the exam in the Testing Center.

            8. You are to come to each class prepared to discuss the topics assigned for that day.

            9. Your success in this class depends on your own behavior. Psychology is a reading-intensive discipline. You should expect to spend a minimum of 6 hours per week working on outside-of-class readings, reviewing notes, working on assignments, studying, etc. It is your responsibility to keep up with readings, assignments, test dates, etc. The best way to do so is to attend each class.

            10. In general, late assignments will not be accepted for a grade.

    Each student is responsible for studying the assigned material prior to coming to class. The chapters of our text that complement our class presentations are the prologue, chapters 1,3,2,5,6,12,13 and 4. There will be a series of 3 exams over the course of our session. Ninety percent of your grade comes from the exam items, the additional ten percent (10%) needed to bring the exam up to 100 % comes from your attendance and active participation. Any outside assignments will count towards your participation grade. Periodically unannounced quizzes may be given as a way of assessing student progress and understanding.