General Psychology

Fall 2014
Updated 9/2/2014
---------------------------------Instructor: Thea D. Boyer, LMFT
Course Information: 3 credit hours; PSY 150- Z91 and Z93; Web Course
Classroom Hours: Moodle, varies
Office Hours: Please email the Professor, to make an appointment time.
Email: Tboyer3914@vgcc.edu
On every email to instructor, put your full name, course number and section
Only use VGCC email account.
Textbook: Psychology in Your Life; by Frison, Heatherton, and Gazzaniga. Required by 2nd week
Other Course Requirements: Reliable Internet Access, Firefox web browser, VGCC Email,
RTF or MS Word Format, Moodle Access
Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENG 090, RED 090, ENG 95/95A, DRE 98, or DRE 99
Description: This course provides an overview of the scientific study of human behavior. Topics
include history, methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, learning, motivation, cognition,
abnormal behavior, personality theory, social psychology, and other relevant topics. Upon
completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the science of psychology.
This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA and ICAA as a general education course
in Social/Behavioral Sciences. This is a Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
course. This course is also available through the Virtual Learning Community (VLC)
Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Students reading comprehension will improve as a byproduct
of the course requirements. 2. Students will interpret statements and associate them with the
appropriate psychological model of personality.
Grading and Evaluation: This class will consist of essentially seven components: Exams,
Quizzes, Forum Posts, Reading Assignments, Note Taking, Activity Assignments and
Attendance. ALL COURSE COMPONENTS ARE DUE ON FRIDAYS BY 11:00PM. This
day and time will not change. As I am certain each of you understands, there must be a due
date and time a proverbial line in the sand to keep you on track. This term Fridays at
11:00pm is that line. Should you have a vacation planned for one of the weeks we are in
session, you need to complete the work for that week ahead of time. This class will require
between 12 and 15 hours per week of focused attention. This is not a self-paced course.
VGCC Enrollment Key: In order to be entered into the class you MUST complete this
assignment/Enrollment quiz. You will not be able to access any of the class materials until
you complete this component. You need to get into the class and finish the enrollment key on
the first day of the class.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance is counted from the first published scheduled day of class. Students are expected to
attend all classes, laboratories, clinical, and shop sessions to attain the student learning
outcomes of the courses for which they are registered.
When absences total more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total contact hours for a
course, the student may be withdrawn from the classes in accordance with the colleges
withdrawal procedures. Two (2) absences from this course will violate the attendance
police and result in a WF grade for the course.
Some selective programs may have more stringent attendance guidelines in accordance with
accrediting or licensing bodies and in this case, the selective program attendance guidelines
shall be followed.
Writing Across the Non-English Transfer Curriculum: DRE 098 is a prerequisite for this
course. Like all transferrable Arts and Sciences courses, this course includes a writing
component. Essays, reports, and research papers will be largely graded based on clarity,
content, and following proper formats. In addition to these factors, special emphasis will be
placed on sentence structure, subject/verb agreement, and pronoun reference.
Disabilities Statement: Vance-Granville Community College faculty are committed to
providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities. Students
who require disability services or reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as
having a disability and provide current diagnostic documentation to Disability Services
located in Building 1. All information is confidential. Please contact the Student Learning and
Success Center in Building 1, 3rd Floor, 252-738-3350 or visit
www.vgcc.edu/disabilityservices.
Campus Security: VGCC strives to provide a safe and secure working and learning
environment for its faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Campus Security encourages everyone
to be vigilant, to be aware of his/her surroundings, to keep his/her belongings secure, and to
report any suspicious persons or behaviors to Campus Security or any college official. Victims
or witnesses can report crimes or threats anonymously and confidentially by calling the Security
Division at (252) 738-3373 or by emailing the Chief of Police at newtonsg@vgcc.edu.
VGCC Plagiarism Policy: The College recognizes plagiarism as defined in Blacks Law
Dictionary as the deliberate and knowing presentation of another persons original ideas or
creative expressions as ones own. Plagiarism will not be tolerated at Vance-Granville
Community College. *See the current online catalog for procedures.
Academic Integrity Policy: Students may not cheat or attempt to deceive instructors or any
College staff member on assignments, tests, exams, etc. Plagiarism, which includes
paraphrasing or summarizing another persons words, without proper acknowledgement is
prohibited. Academic dishonesty also includes assisting or attempting to assist another student
in an act of academic dishonesty

In this course cheating of any variety will result in a zero on the course component in which
cheating has occurred for the first instance. Should a second incident of cheating occur in this
course, you will receive an F for the course. Your advisor, the Dean of Arts & Sciences, as well
as the Dean of Students (and your college liaison if applicable) and the Vice President of
Instruction may all be notified of your failure due to Academic Dishonesty.
ASSIGNMENTS
I. WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS (350 total points)
Weekly assignments will also be given in Moodle; like forum discussion about, a one-page
essay about a relevant topic, chapter notes, Word worksheets, and youtube videos. The
assignments will vary, but the point value will be 20 points possible each week. It could be one
of the following assignments or a combination of two or more.
Assignments will be posted by Monday at 8am each week, with a deadline for completion.
No assignment will be received late.
Below you will read more about each possible Assignment:
Forums: Just as in a seated course, this course will have class discussions just in a bit
of a different format. Each week we will discuss topics as a class via the forums. Forums
may require that you view or explore something and then give an informed comment
about it, or I may only ask for your own opinion. You will only have access to the forum
for that particular week so forum access is restricted. Grading of the forums will be
determined using the following guidelines:
Discussion forum postings are to be scored based on knowledge of the topic under study,
your ability to clearly articulate your response, and the responsible use of the forum.
Forums vary in points.
Etiquette of Forums: Points will be deducted for the following:
1. Do not type in all caps no one likes to be yelled at
2. Post each of your minimum forum interactions separately
3. Do not use text-speak (e.g. lol, omg etc.)
4. All responses should be made within the original question thread (click respond
not new thread)
5. Responses must be of good quality to receive credit I agree is not an
appropriate response. I am looking for original thought behind your postings. You
need to answer why and use some critical thinking. A minimum number of words
may be required on a forum.
6. While, for many of us, religion informs our everyday lives, do not use religion
alone to support your responses. If you would like to include a religious argument
that is fine just be sure youre supporting it with critical thought and
sociological analysis as well.

Reading Assignments/Worksheets: Each week you will have at least one chapter to
read. All other course components depend on your reading, completely and thoroughly,
the chapters assigned. So while there is not a direct grade given for reading the material it
does dramatically impact your grade on all of the other course components. The Word
Documents, that are worksheets, will evaluate your knowledge of the chapter. They are to
be thorough, complete answers, and using your own words. No cut and paste. You must
complete and submit via Moodle. Emailed assignments will not be accepted.
Writing Assignments: You must complete and submit via Moodle. Emailed assignments
will not be accepted. This could be an essay and/or paper on a topic. Essay based activity
assignments may be checked for plagiarism using a plagiarism checker. You may be
required to submit all/ or some of your essay type assignments through a special link.
Plagiarized submissions will be given a grade of zero, for the first offense, second offense
will result in a grade of F # (failure due to plagiarism) for this course.
Notes: Typed, Times New Roman, 12 font. Chapter # as main heading. Throughout note
taking, use Chapter/Section (ex. 2.1, then 2.2, etc). Being complete. 1,500 to 2,500 words
make for complete notes, especially if this is the Assignment for the week.
Formatting the notes:
1. Should be neat, clear, and easy to read (can be hand-written or typed)
2. On each page there should be; page numbers, chapter, and section. It needs to be very
clear to what part of the textbook is being read.
3. Not just the items in bold, but concepts and understanding. The goal is to be specific,
but not re-write the textbook. Feedback will be given after Chapter 1.
You may not share work, nor copy and paste from an online textbook. If a textbook
quote is used, then it must be in quotation marks and the page number cited. All notes can
be used on any quizzes or exams.
Resource Assignments: This could be a personality test, stress test, experiment, youtube
video, and any other resource that you are to complete and upload the results into
Moodle.
Quizzes and Exams: Quizzes and exams will be timed, with only one attempt. Any notes
taken by the student can be used on any quizzes and exams.
I1. PARTICIPATION: (50 points)
Participation is more than just signing into Moodle, but having valuable contribution to the
class. If a forum question is posted, assignment due, or an email sent from the instructor then
the student will be responsive within 24-48 hours. This grade is earned, points will not be given.
III. FINAL EXAM
There will only be a final exam in this class.
100 total points possible.
No make-ups will be given without prior permission.

MOODLE
Weekly assignments will be posted into Moodle. It is the students responsibility to check
Moodle, at the beginning of each week, and accomplish the required tasks prior to the
deadline. Assignments will be posted each Monday morning by 8am.
Please know that there are many variables involved in on-line learning and problems do
occur. Start assignments early in the week.
Each week students will do their assigned readings and then upload their assignment into
Moodle, which is how attendance will be taken. Sharing notes is prohibited and must be
original to the student.
A students computer troubles, and/or internet disconnection, are not the problem of the
instructor and will not be a valid excuse for incomplete assignments. However, if you do
experience technical issues with Moodle, please let the instructor know as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT NOTES
The student handbook, and its guidelines, will be strictly adhered to in this class.
Assignments will not be received late.
There are no make-up assignments or extra credit in this class
Participation is paramount to the overall enjoyment of class, as well as to your grade.
Do not be afraid to voice your opinions on relevant topics of conversation or in your
essays.

Please give this class priority in your weekly schedule. It is easy for students to
forget or fall behind in on-line classes. Students will work at a steady pace and not be
able to post assignments before the due date.

Technical Issues: Technical issues are not accepted as an excuse. Any technical error
on an exam will result in a face to face alternative examination, at which no book or notes
will be allowed. All alternative tests will be given at Franklin campus. It is your
responsibility to contact me should you encounter any technical issues during your exam.
If the situation calls for it, I will schedule your face to face alternative test at my
convenience. Should you fail to appear at the agreed upon time, no additional opportunity
will be provided.

GRADING SYSTEM
Your final grade will be determined objectively and is based on your performance on five
evaluations, each of which has the indicated points. Your effort, ALL semester long, will
equal your grade. Assignment grades will take at least one week to process and post on-line,
maybe two weeks.

YOUR EFFORT = YOUR GRADE

Points Possible

ASSIGNMENTS
I.

POSSIBLE POINTS

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS

350 Points

PARTICIPATION

50 Points

FINAL EXAM

100 Points

II.
III.

Final

Grade
450-500 points = A
400-449 points = B
350-399 points = C
300-349 points = D
299 and below = F

PROJECTED COURSE OUTLINE

Subject to Change; REVISED ON 9/2/2014

WEEK ONE
Aug 18 week
WEEK TWO
Aug 26 week
WEEK THREE
Sept. 2 week
WEEK FOUR
Sept. 9 week
WEEK FIVE
Sept. 16 week
WEEK SIX
Sept. 23 week
WEEK SEVEN
Sept. 30 week
WEEK EIGHT
Oct. 7 week
WEEK NINE
Oct. 14 week
WEEK TEN
Oct. 21 week
WEEK ELEVEN
Oct. 28 week
WEEK TWELVE
Nov. 4 week
WEEK THIRTEEN
Nov. 11 week
WEEK FOURTEEN
Nov. 18 week
WEEK FIFTEEN
Nov. 25 week
WEEK SIXTEEN
Dec. 2 week
WEEK SEVENTEEN
Dec. 9 week
Dec. 16

Syllabus and Introduction

Overview Psychology ** Enrollment key done to have access.
Chapter 1: World of Psychology
(Student must have a book)
Chapter 2: Biology in Psychology
Chapter 3: Consciousness
Chapter 4: Development Across the Lifespan
Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception
Chapter 6: Learning
Chapter 7: Memory
Fall Break (no class)
Chapter 8: Thinking and Intelligence
Chapter 9: Motivation and Emotion
Chapter 10: Health and Well Being
Chapter 11: Social Psychology
Chapter 12: Self and Personality
Chapter 13: Psychological Disorders
Thanksgiving Break.
Chapter 13: Psychological Disorders
Chapter 14: Psychological Treatments
Final Exam

NOTES
75% of the chapter needs to be read before the week it is due!
You will not be able to read, take notes, and do the weekly assignment in one week.
This is a reading intensive class, do not get behind