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PSY2012
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2014

Professor: R.J. Grisham, Ph.D. Office: Chastain Campus, C-114
Telephone: 772.419.5621 Office Hours: Posted on door and below
E-Mail: rgrisham@irsc.edu

Office Hours: Wed. 9:30 am 10:45 am & 12:15-1:00; Tues. and Thurs. 10:45 am 2:30 pm

Course Description and Learning Objectives: Students will apply the principles of the scientific
method to the evaluation of research in the psychological sciences and to material presented in the
media about the behavioral sciences; analyze human behavior in various contexts using the
neuroscience, evolution, behavioral genetics, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and socio-
cultural perspectives; evaluate human behavior using the various subfields of psychology including
neuroscience, sensation, perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, thinking and
intelligence, motivation, health and stress, personality, psychological disorders and social
psychology; and describe the cultural diversity of the human species and its implications for
scientific inquiry.

Department of Social Sciences Learning Objectives: Develop a wide range of global, social, and
cultural points of view and apply various perspectives to analyze human behavior.

Prerequisites: Student must score into college-level English on placement test.

Required course materials:
Text: Myers, D. G. (2013). Exploring psychology in modules, 9
th
ed. New York: Worth.
Portal: LaunchPad (http://courses.bfwpub.com/exploring9einmodules.php)

Options: eBook and LaunchPad access code (ISBN: 978-1-4641-8962-3)
Paper book and LaunchPad access code (ISBN: 1-4641-8962-5)

Exams and quizzes: There are five multiple-choice exams. Each exam covers 2-3 chapters and is
graded on teal green SCANTRONS. Questions are taken from classroom presentations and assigned
readings. Students are required to take all exams and quizzes. No exam scores are dropped.

LaunchPad: LaunchPad (access through Blackboard) is an important part of exam preparation and
contains quizzes that are part of your grade. There are two required activities to complete:
LearningCurve and Summative Quizzes, both of which are found in each module. The average
score of LaunchPad quizzes is combined with the scores of the five exam to determine your average
in the course. Additional information about LaunchPad is found on the course homepage.

Make-up Exams: No student may take a make-up exam without first contacting the professor.
Students who have legitimate reasons (for example, hospitalization or college-supported activities)
for missing a regularly scheduled exam may arrange to take the exam at another time, with my
approval. Please bring supporting paperwork to document the absence. For example, if sickness
prevents you from taking an exam, please bring documentation from a physician or the IRSC
Wellness Center. Students who miss exams without legitimate reasons should contact me
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immediately to schedule a makeup exam. I reserve the right to impose an academic penalty for
missing an exam without a legitimate reason (legitimacy and penalty are determined by the
professor). All makeup work must be submitted by the last class prior to finals.

Term Paper: The term paper requirements are listed on page 4. The due date is the last day
papers may be submitted. Although there is no required length, most students submit papers of four
to six pages. Papers must be written in APA format. The Academic Support Centers (ASCs)
provide guidance for students needing assistance with term paper assignments. Note: Keep a copy
of your term paper for your records.

Attendance: Class materials and discussions are important parts of the learning experience;
therefore, class attendance is mandatory. I reserve the right to reduce your final grade if class
absences become excessive. You are responsible for all announcements made in class including
changes to exam and term paper due dates. Note: IRSC offers a psychology Internet course for
students who have difficulty attending classes on campus.

Academic Integrity: Any student found guilty of cheating or plagiarism will automatically receive
a grade of F for the course and will be referred to the Vice-President of Student Affairs for
possible disciplinary action.

Method: Teaching methods include lectures and discussions, questions and answer sessions,
assigned and other readings, campus and media presentations, individual and group projects, student
presentations and reports, role-play, interactive exercises, dramatization and any other method
deemed necessary by the professor.

Classroom Standards of Conduct/Student Disability Services. Student classroom conduct must
comply with the standards outlined in the Student Handbook. Information for students with
disabilities can be found in the Student Handbook. Computers are allowed for note taking only. The
use of cell phones is prohibited during class at IRSC. All cell phones must be turned off during the
class period. Any student who uses a cell phone to make or answer a call, or send and read text
messages or emails other than IRSC emergency messages during class time may be asked to leave
and may be considered absent for that class. If you cant arrive on time or must leave early, dont
come to class. No student has the right to disturb the teaching and learning process.

Grading: Final grades are based on class attendance, five examinations, PsychPortal quizzes, and
the term paper as listed below. Any changes to the weighting system will be announced in class.

Assignment Weights Grading Scale:
5 - Exams A = 90%-100%
1 - Quiz average B = 80%-89.99%
1 - Term Paper C = 70%-79.99%
D = 60%-69.99%
F = 00%-59.99%

The average score of LaunchPad quizzes is combined with the five exam scores to determine your
final average in the course. LaunchPad quizzes completed to the Target Score are worth ten points
and Mastery Quizzes are worth ten points. The due not later than dates for these quizzes are found
in LaunchPad.

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Course Evaluations and Due Dates: Exam dates and material to be tested may change during
the semester.

Exam #1 __________
Thinking Critically with Psychological Science (Module 1, Module 2)
The Biology of Behavior (Module 3, Module 4)
Sensation and Perception (Module 15)

Exam #2 __________
Sensation and Perception (Module 16)
Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind (Module 6, Module 7, Module 8)
Learning (Module 18, Module 19, Module 20)

Exam #3 __________
Memory (Module 21, Module 22, Module 23)
Thinking and Intelligence (Module 24, Module 26, Module 27)

Exam #4 __________
Personality (Module 34, Module 35)
Social Psychology (Module 36, Module 37, Module 38)

Exam #5 __________
Psychological Disorders (Module 39, Module 40, Module 41)
Core Concepts (see below)

Term Paper ________

Core Concepts: Students should understand and appreciate the major perspectives of psychology
and the scientific method which are introduced in modules 1 and 2 and discussed throughout the
course. These concepts are tested on exam1 and on the last exam.

Module 1: Perspectives in psychology neuroscience, evolutionary, behavior genetics,
psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, social-cultural, biopsychosocial, observational learning
Module 2: Scientific methods critical thinking, research methods (case study, survey, naturalistic
observation, experiment, random sampling, representative sample, cause-effect, correlations,
replication, operational definitions, availability heuristic

Term Paper:
1. General Requirements. The term paper must be submitted on or before the due date. Late papers
will receive a grade of 50%. Length: as needed to cover the topic. Format: typed, double-spaced,
APA (title page, page numbers, citations, and reference page). Personal pronouns are acceptable.

2. Topic. Personal Insight Paper. a. Identify and describe, in detail, a personal trait that at times
causes problems in your life. After describing this trait, describe in detail a personal experience
when the trait caused a problem for you. Explain the circumstances surrounding the problem to
include your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. (This part of the paper is worth 30% of the grade)
b. Next, assume that you have decided to meet with a psychologist, not because you are having
serious problems but because you want to understand the trait better. Which approach to therapy (see
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modules 42 and 43) do you think would help you understand this trait best? Identify which therapy
you would want your therapist to use and explain why, using the concepts and theories of the
therapy. (This part of the paper is worth 40% of the grade)
c. Finally, if you could totally eliminate this trait from your personality, would you? Explain your
answer. (This part of the paper is worth 20% of the grade)
3. Documentation. You are not required to use outside sources to write this paper. Your textbook
and class notes are sufficient. The reference page must list your textbook and any additional sources
you choose to use. In-text citations are required for quotations and material that is paraphrased. Use
the APA format, which can be found at the following web site:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf. Be sure to check your title
page, page numbers, citations, and reference page.

Grading Criteria for the Term Paper:
1. Experience: This is the second most important part of the paper. Is it detailed? Is the description
sufficiently detailed to allow for meaningful analysis? Be sure to include your thoughts, feelings,
attitudes and behaviors.

2. Therapy: This is the most important part of your paper. You must use the information in your
textbook and notes to explain the cause of your behavior. The analysis is meant to give you personal
insight.

3. Choice to eliminate the trait: This is the third most important part of your paper.

4. Typos: I mark every grammar, syntax, spelling and formatting error found. Typographical errors
can greatly enhance or diminish the readability and persuasiveness of your paper.

5. APA: Be sure that your paper conforms to APA standards. The IRSC website and the
Assessment Centers have information summarizing APA requirements. Be sure to check your title
page, page numbers, citations and reference page.

Instructions for LaunchPad:

What you need before you begin:

1. an email address that you check regularly.
2. the access code which is located in the card that came with your textbook
3. section number __________ (the reference number of the class youre in)
4. the instructors name: RJ Grisham also known as Joe Grisham

How to activate LaunchPad.

1. Go to the Blackboard homepage for our course.
2. Click on the LaunchPad link and follow the directions.