Course Syllabus

Week

Class Dates

Week’s Readings

 

 

Assignment Schedule

 

1

Feb 8-12

Syllabus/ 

Chapter 1

Introduction to Psychology

 

Discussion due Friday, Feb 12, check rubrics on canvas for grading discussions

 

2

Feb 15-19

 

Chapter 2

 

Research Methods

 

 

3

Feb 22-26

Chapter 3        Biological Psychology        Homework and discussion due Friday Feb26                                                                   

 

4

March1-5

Chapter 4

Consciousness

Homework due Friday March 5

 

5

March8-12

 

Chapter 5

Sensation and  Perception

 

 

First exam is due March 12

 

6

March15-19

Chapter 6

Learning

 

First reflection paper is due March19

 

7

March 22-26

Chapter 7

Thinking & Intelligence

 

Discussion due Friday March 26

 

8

April 5-9

 

Chapter 8

Memory

Homework due Friday April 9

 

9

April 12-16

Chapter 9

Lifespan Development

 

 

Discussion due Friday April 16

 

10

April 19-23

Chapter 10

Emotion & Motivation

 

 

 

 

11

April 26-30

Chapter 11

 

Personality Psychology

 

Second exam is due April30

 

12

May3-7

Chapter 12

Social Psychology

 

 

 

13

May10-14

Chapter 14

 

Social Psychology, cont’d

Second reflection paper is due May 14

 

14

May17-21

Chapter 15

Stress & Health

 

 

Homework is due May 21

 

15

May24-28

 

Psychological Disorders

 

Discussion is due May 28

 

16

May31-June 4

Chapter 15-16

 

Psychological Disorders cont’d

Psychological Treatments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pdf version of the syllabus can be viewed here: psych1Spring2021.pdf   

Course Description

General Psychology 1 is a required course for psychology majors.  For non-psychology majors, the course serves to satisfy General Education requirements.  Specifically, it satisfies three of the nine units required in LACCD GE, Area B2: Social & Behavioral Sciences; LAPC CSU GE, Area D: Social Sciences; or IGETC Plan, Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences. (Pierce College 2019-2020 General Catalog, pp. 29 – 31, 58, 235.

 

 

Instructor Contact

  • Name: Maryam Tahmasebi
  • Email: tahmasm2@laccd.edu
  • Phone: 
  • Class hours: Online via zoom Wednesdays 1:15-3:15 weekly
  • Office Hours: Mondays 4:00-4:30 pm weekly

The best way to reach me is through the canvas. Before sending a message, please check your class notes or syllabus for an answer to your questions. I try to respond as quickly as possible, expect approximately 24 hours for a reply Monday through Thursday.

 

Course Modality and General Expectations

This is an entirely online course with live zoom sessions weekly. This course will be delivered through the learning management system, Canvas. You will use your Pierce College username and password to log in to the Canvas course. 

In Canvas, you will access online lessons, course materials, and resources. At designated times throughout the semester, we will participate in a blend of self-paced and group-paced activities using Canvas, Zoom web-conferencing, and other internet-based technologies. Activities will consist of online assignments, discussion forums, and announcements. All student work is submitted/posted online in Canvas.

This is a 3 unit course and will require approximately 20 hours per week in order to read course materials, watch course lectures, and participate in course assessment activities. 

 

Goals and Learning Objectives

The main objective of this course is to introduce you to the broad concepts in the field of psychology. At the end of the semester, you will gain a general understanding of the field and some of its main subfields. Even the general introduction to psychology will help you to start a critical thinking process, improve your observational skills, and learn the basic steps of research. I try to introduce a diverse set of concepts to the class and make the learning process a co-constructed collective collaboration. Together, we will learn about the history of the field of psychology, theories, and ideas developed in its subfields, and even more importantly about the fact that we know very little about the human mind and the decision-making process despite all the achievements and developments. Please feel free and ask questions. I will provide as many resources as I can. Keep an open mind and enjoy the journey!

  • LO 1: Evaluate the psychological, biological, and environmental factors that influence mental processes and behavior that guide psychologists in research and clinical practice.
  • LO2: Utilize psychological science in applied settings

 

Required Course Materials

Free Online text: Psychology from OpenStax – www.openstax.org/details/psychology

ISBN-10:  1-9381-6835-6

 

 

Grading Policy 

Grading Policy.  Throughout the semester, you will be earning your final grade for the course.  Grades are not given…they are earned.  So, grades will not be changed because (1) “you need a higher grade to get off probation”, or (2) to maintain athletic eligibility (financial aid eligibility), or (3) to help you make the Dean’s List or any other reason.  Please do not even ask.  I will only change a grade if I have made an error while grading your work.

 

I will be using Canvas to keep track of your course work. Please make sure to check Canvas Grades on a regular basis and please let me know right away if I make an error in reporting or entering grades. Letter grades will be earned based on the following percentages:

 

Letter Grade

Percentage

Performance

A

90-100%

Excellent Work

B

80-89.9%

Good Work

C

70-79.9%

Satisfactory Work

D

60-69.9%

Passing, Less than Satisfactory Work

F

0-59.9%

Failing Work

 

 

Guidelines for Grading Criteria

 

A Range:  Excellent Performance. Superior exam scores; consistently accurate and prompt completion of assignments; ability to deal resourcefully with abstract ideas; superior mastery of pertinent skills; excellent attendance; and probable success in the field or probably continued success in sequential courses.

B Range:  Good Performance.  High exam scores; accurate and prompt completion of assignments; ability to deal well with abstract ideas; commendable mastery of pertinent skills; excellent attendance; and probably continued success in sequential courses.

C Range:  Satisfactory Performance. Satisfactory exam scores; generally accurate and prompt completion of assignments; ability to deal with abstract ideas; fair mastery of pertinent skills; regular attendance; and sufficient evidence of ability warrant entering sequential courses.

D Range:  Passing, Less than Satisfactory Performance.  Low exam scores; generally inaccurate, incomplete or late assignments; inadequate grasp of abstract ideas; barely acceptable mastery of pertinent skills; irregular attendance; does not satisfy requirements for entry into sequential courses where prerequisites are specified.

F Range:  Failing Performance. Non-passing exam scores; inaccurate, incomplete or late assignments; failure to cope with abstract ideas; inadequate mastery of pertinent skills; repeated absence from class; does not satisfy requirements for entry into sequential courses where prerequisites are specified.

 

Consider these characteristics when making choices about the quality of work you submit in all learning appraisals, in this, and any other course.

 

 

Learning Appraisal Activity

Percentage of Grade

Midterm Exams

25%

Final Exam

25%

Reflection Papers

20%

Homework

 

15%

Discussions

15%

Total percentage

100%

Learning Appraisal Activities

During the semester, I will provide several opportunities for you to obtain formal feedback on your understanding of the course material, as well as your writing skills.  For example, I have scheduled two (2) midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam, which will allow you to demonstrate your grasp of the material.  A reflection paper will require you to apply course materials to your current everyday life, you will have to write 2 reflection papers.  Each type of feedback opportunity is explained below. Discussions are important tools for you to communicate with your classmates about your understanding of the material through prompt questions and peer feedback. HomeWorks are giving you a chance to prepare yourself for exams and reflection papers by reading and writing. Each of these activities has a significant role in your final grade and if you miss one of them, you won’t able to get the highest grade from this class.

Extra Credit.  I do not offer extra credit for this course. There are multiple ways to earn your grade throughout the course.

 

Late Work.  You are expected to meet all deadlines. However, if you feel you have extenuating circumstances that deserve special consideration, let me know as soon as you can. The earlier you let me know, the more discretion I have to work with you. If anything gets in the way of submitting your work on time, please reach out to me so that we can work out a suitable solution. Remember that this is something at my sole discretion and I might not accept any late work submission.

 

Midterm Exams (2 total * 25%).  Both are scheduled online in your canvas course.

There will be a total of 2 midterm exams on canvas.  Each exam will contain multiple-choice questions.  Each exam will cover ALL of the assigned material covered by the time of the exam. There are no make-up exams so mark them in your calendars properly. The first exam is due on Friday, March 12. The second exam is due Friday, April 30. All exams are online through the canvas.

 

Final Exam (25%).  The final exam is cumulative and will cover all of the material presented during the entire semester.  The final exam will be due Friday, June 11 on canvas. The final exam will be worth 25% of your final grade.

 

Discussions (15%). Discussions are a very important tool for you to give peer constructive feedback to your classmates, express your understanding through prompt questions, and diversify your understanding of the material. Pay attention to the rubric for discussion grading. Participate early (in order to receive full points, you have to submit your initial response to the prompt question by Wednesday of the discussion week) and often in order to receive points. You will have 5 discussions throughout the semester. Discussions will be worth 15% of your final grade.

 

Homework (15%).  The best way to learn the material and prepare for exams is to practice it.  Homework will be assigned throughout the semester and all should be submitted through the canvas. You will have 4 homework assignments throughout the semester. Homework assignments will be worth 15% of your final grade. 

 

Reflection Papers (20%).  Reflection papers are a great way for you to demonstrate comprehension of material other than by means of a conventional exam. There are 2 reflection papers, and they will be due on Friday, March 19, and Friday, May 14 via Canvas.  Reflection papers will be worth 20% of your final grade. You have to choose a subject from class modules and your textbook and showcase your understanding by reflecting on your own life. This is a great practice for critical thinking. Each paper should be a minimum of 3 pages and APA style. There are many resources about the APA style of writing and formatting in Pierce library. Make sure you have a title page and reference page. Follow all the needed guidelines for proper citations.

University Policies

Commit to Academic Integrity

As a student in this course (and at this college) I expect you to maintain high degrees of professionalism, commitment to active learning and participation in this course, and also integrity in your behavior in and out of the class environment.

Pierce College’s Academic Integrity Policy & Procedures

“The faculty and administration of Los Angeles Pierce College are committed to the belief that honesty and integrity are integral components of the academic process.  The College expects students to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals.  Students who violate the code of academic conduct by which the College maintains its academic integrity will be dealt with in a manner reflecting the seriousness of these violations”

  1. Violations of academic honesty and integrity occur when a student participates in any act in which he/she uses deception or fraud while performing an academic activity. Violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Using study aids such as calculators, tape recorders or notes, when not authorized by the instructor.
    2. Cheating on examinations, assignments or experiments (allowing another student to copy one's answers or copying the answers of other students; exchanging information by any means, including verbal exchanges, sign language, hand signals, secret codes, passed notes, creation of a distraction for the purpose of cheating; changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment or experiment; inventing information and/or data.) NOTE: Cheating on a quiz/exam results in an automatic zero for that exam without the ability to drop or replace that zero.
  2. Allowing another student to assume one's identity in order to fulfill an assignment or take a test.
  3. Submitting for a grade the words, ideas, and/or written work (including laboratory notes and drawings) of another person without giving due credit to that person. This includes purchased papers or papers written by other students.
  4. Falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and/or grade rosters.
  5. Conspiring with other students to commit any of the above behaviors.
  6. Consequences for any offense against academic honesty and integrity may include:
    1. An “F” or a “0” on the examination or assignment.
    2. Suspension from the class and other sanctions and/or penalties authorized by the Board of Trustees for violations of the District Code of Conduct.
    3. A record of the student's violation placed in the student's disciplinary file.

Office of Special Services/DSPS

Special Services is the program on campus providing services to students with disabilities. This program has been serving students since 1974. Each semester over 900 students with disabilities receive a wide range of support services that are not provided by other departments on campus and many services that are. This "One- Stop" approach creates a more user-friendly atmosphere for all our students.

Student Health Center

 

Tentative Course Schedule (any change in this schedule will be announced on canvas)

 

 

 

Important dates:

The last day to register in classes on-line                                    Feb 9
The last day to enroll in classes with permission number            Feb 21
Last day to submit an Audit Card                                           Feb 21
The last day to submit a Pass/No Pass petition                            May 9
The last day to drop online without “W” and penalty fees          Feb 21
Last Day to drop online with a “W”                                       May 9
Final Grades due date                                                              June 14