CCBC-Essex Campus- Summer 2008
School of Business, Social Sciences, Wellness & Education
Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology
Section E50, CRN# 50089, MTWR 10:10am-12:05pm, L317
 
Instructor:   Dr. Jonathan W. Grimes Phone: (410) 780- 6916
Office Location: L219 E-mail: jgrimes@ccbcmd.edu
Office Hours: by appointment Website: http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/~jgrimes4
Text:     Required: Psychology: Core Concepts (5th edition), by Philip Zimbardo; Grade Aid, by Finley and Zimbardo; Optional: If a student prefers, the text and other materials are available in an e-book format. Several other learning and study aids are integrated into chapters that are exactly the same as the printed text for about half of the price of the printed text.
Protect yourself: Use these helpguides from the Essex Library!
 
The College Mission: The mission of the college is meant to help you know what the college structure deems important. It's a little bit like a job description, in that it helps you to understand our priorities. I would encourage you to visit the mission statement of the college.
Overview: This course will help you to understand how you and others think, feel, and behave.  In class, I will try to use different methods to engage you in our learning, including discussion, group work, videos, and lecture.  Your preparation for class is a key to our progress.  As you read through this document, please pay attention to course policies, objectives and evaluation.
 
Course Description: Introduction to Psychology is a survey of the science of psychology.  Topics addressed include research methods, biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, motivation and emotion, language, lifespan development, intelligence, stress and health, social behavior, personality, abnormal behavior and treatment.  Applications of psychology in a diverse world are also discussed.

Prerequisites: (ENGL 052 or LVE2) or (ESOL 052 or LVE2) and (RDNG 052 or LVR2)

Course Objectives:
1.   Demonstrate they have learned the fundamental theoretical perspectives, principles, concepts, vocabulary and methods used in each of the topics listed in the course description.
2. Critically analyze and apply data derived from psychological research with humans and animals in evaluating alternatives and making personal and workplace decisions.
3. Evaluate the validity of the source, as they analyze basic psychological information found in film, television, radio, or other information technology resources.
4.  Apply psychological concepts to your own experiences, the workplace, and a culturally diverse community.
5. Communicate their understanding of psychological concepts/issues in written and oral or signed formats.
6. Describe the relevance of religion, race, class, gender, age, and ethnicity to the formation of cultural differences in behavior, attitudes and perceptions.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of information technology tools for accessing, interpreting and expressing psychological principles in a rapidly changing world.
8. Develop the skills to analyze their strengths and weaknesses as learners.
9. Recognize that psychological information is continually evolving which requires the ability to pursue lifelong learning both independently and collaboratively.
10. Explain different psychological constructionist viewpoints about knowledge as either independently and/or socially constructed by the learner.

 

Methods: We will meet the course objectives by completing the following assignments:

1.      Exams: Students will have two, written exams during the semester (100 points each) addressing some of the information presented in class.  Exams will consist of three essay questions, 4 short-answer questions, and 50 multiple-choice questions. 
  • Essays are graded on a 10-point scale based upon content knowledge.
  • Short-answer questions are graded on a 5-point scale
  • Multiple choice items are graded on a correct/incorrect basis and are worth one (1) point each.

2. Assignment list: Students will choose two of the assignments from the listing below. It is your decision regarding the assignment and the order. The content of the assignment should coincide with the content of the unit in which we are studying.

All assignments shall be submitted and returned via the student's CCBC e-mail account. Assignments may be submitted by the instructor to "Turn-it-in.com" to ensure that your work is properly cited and/or original.

  • World Wide Web collection : Students will use technology to gain information on relevant issues.  Students will be responsible to choose a topic and then to find four web sites that provide information on the topic.  Students will then be required to summarize their findings in a written format.  Directions and a grading rubric are available on my website (30 points). 
  • Fact/Reference Sheet: Students will collect information about a psychological topic and organize a one-page sheet with knowledge about the topic, a listing of sites to learn more about the topic, and local names, addresses and numbers to make contact (30 points).
  • Journal article summary: Students will retrieve a research article from a professional, refereed journal, and provide a summary of the research in a written format. Further directions are available on my website (30 points).
Grade Breakdown Final Grade Scale
Two tests: 200 points A: 270-300 points
Menu choices : 60 points B: 240-269
In-class assignments: 40 points C: 210-239
  D: 180-209
Total: 400 points F: 179 and under

Attendance, Make-up, and Late work policies
Attendance policy: I expect students to attend class. I am required to keep class attendance as part of the course. However, no points shall be given or subtracted in relation to attendance. Remember that only those students in attendance are eligible for in-class points.
Make-up policy: Assignments may only be made up if prior notice is given regarding the absence.  Any deviation from this policy is subject to my judgment as “legitimate” reason.  Students that miss an exam (without notification to me) will receive a grade of “0” on the missed exam. No make-ups are offered after the designated final exam time without prior arrangement.
Late work policy: Late work will be docked one letter grade per day (weekends included). All assignments are due at the beginning of the class time, or late points will apply. No late work will be accepted after 4 days.
Awareness: Please remember that our classroom and my office are places where you are free to ask questions and seek clarification.  If you find yourself needing special/extra assistance, please contact the Student Success Center.
Inclement weather, attendance, writing, and cheating policies: Please consult the college handbook for descriptions of these policies.
Spelling and grammar- One of the purposes of education is to help students acquire habits that assist them in their expression.  Please remember that you send messages to other people through your ability to write well and spell correctly.  We will do my best to help you with these skills.  However, we reserve the right to not enter any grades in the grade book when excessive misspellings and grammatical errors are present on the page.  If you need writing help, contact the Online Writing Lab or Tutoring Services, or visit sites such as Dictionary.com, Easybib.com, & Noodletools.com.

Services for Students with Disabilities- CCBC is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all students by arranging support services and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. A student with a disability may contact the appropriate campus office for an appointment to discuss reasonable accommodations. An appointment must be scheduled within a time period which allows staff adequate time to respond to the special needs of the student. The student must provide the appropriate office with proper documentation supporting the need for reasonable accommodations. For more information, contact:

CCBC Catonsville

  • 410-455-6946 or
  • 410-455-4163(TTY)

CCBC Dundalk

  • 410-285-9808 or
  • 410-285-9529 (TTY)

CCBC Essex

  • 410-780-6741 or
  • 410-238-4601
Important Dates
50% Refund Period Ends:
Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”:
Last Day of Classes:
 
Classroom respect issues & other code of conduct issues
Standards of Classroom Behavior- "Primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class for the remainder of the class period. Longer suspensions from a class, or dismissal on disciplinary grounds, must be proceeded by a hearing or disciplinary conference, as set forth in Part 25 of this code." (CCBC Code of Conduct, June 2004, page 7)
CCBC Code of Academic Integrity- For the College to make its maximum contribution as an institution of higher learning, the entire college community must uphold high standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior. In seeking the truth, in learning to think critically, and in preparing for a life of constructive service, honesty is imperative. Each student has a responsibility to submit wok that is uniquely his or her own, or to provide clear and complete acknowledgement of the use of work attributable to others. To these ends, the following actions are expected of students:
  • Complete all work without unauthorized assistance.
  • Follow the professor's instructions when completing all class assignments.
  • Ask for clarification when instructions are not clear.
  • Provide proper credit when quoting or paraphrasing.
  • Submit only one's own work.

Students who do not accept responsibility for the integrity of their own work will experience sanctions, including a written reprimand, failure of the assignment, failure of the course, and/or dismissal from the program. For repeat and extreme offenses, the College reserves the right to suspend or expel students. Suspension and expulsion are actions taken only by the chief student development officer on campus, or a designee.

If a student wishes to appeal a charge of having violated the code of academic integrity, the appeal must be filed within ten days of receiving notice of the offense. The appeal will be handled according to the procedures established for other academic appeals.
Sexual harassment- Sexual harassment is a form of sexual discrimination that is prohibited by federal and state law. It is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances: Although the learning environment has a social aspect to it, please remember to demonstrate appropriate social behavior toward others. Any behavior that crosses the line as an unwanted advance or persistent attempt at a social relationship will be dealt with at a class and college level.
Cell phones, text-message devices, and laptops- I want to keep disruptions to a minimum in the classroom, so that everyone has an opportunity to focus on the class.  Please refrain from using cell phones in the classroom.  In an emergency (for example, a nurse on call, or firefighters) situation, please exit the room as quietly as possible. Students using devices that distract other students (such as using a laptop and engaging in instant messaging or "surfing") will be asked to stop and/or removed from the class. Repeated infractions may necessitate a meeting with the Campus Ombudsperson before the student is allowed to return to class.
Children and pets- As much as I like both, I must ask that you not bring children or pets to class.  Again, they are often disruptive to students and that compromises learning.

Course Units & Tentative Dates (subject to change)

Unit 1: (Chapters 1, 3, 10, 6, 7, and 8) Mind, Behavior and Science Paper #1 due- TBA
States of Mind
Stress and Health
Learning
Memory
Thinking and Intelligence
Exam 1-
Unit 2: (Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 9, and 2) Personality Paper #2 due- TBA
Psychological Disorders
Therapy
Social Psychology
Emotion and Motivation
Biopsychology
Exam 2-