Course Syllabus in General Psychology, 1st Semester AY 2011-2012


COURSE SYLLABUS
1st Semester, A.Y. 2011-2012


Course Code                            : SS102

Course Title                               : GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY

Course Credits                          : 3 units

Class Schedule and Room         : Wednesday, 10:00AM-1:00PM, Room 101
                                                  Wednesday, 1:00PM-4:00PM, Room 101
           
Course Instructor                       : Marlon B. Raquel
                                                  Master of Arts in Demography (continuing), UP Diliman
  Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Political Science), UP Tacloban

Consultation Hours                    : WTh, 4:00PM-6:00PM/Sat, 7:00AM-3:00PM at the Faculty Room
                                                  Or by appointment, email me at raquel.marlon@yahoo.com

Contact Numbers                      : 553-9187 (C5); 839-1903 (Main) 

Class Website                           : http://tfvc2010.blogspot.com                                         
                                                   
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to psychology – a scientific study of human behavior, thought, and emotions which focuses on basic concepts, principles, and issues. Topics include the history of psychology and its relation to other fields of studies, biological basis of human behavior, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, intelligence, personality development, motivation and emotion, stress and health, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the semester, you should be able to learn the following four Ds (4Ds):
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical foundations of psychology and its development;
  2. Describe the basic concepts, theories, and principles of psychology;
  3. Discuss the basic human processes such as motivation, learning, and personality and human development; and
  4. Develop a better understanding of many facets of humanity including you and the others.  

COURSE OUTLINE:

One (1) semester is equivalent to eighteen (18) weeks, or its equivalent of normally six (6) school days a week, or one hundred (100) days (CHED Memorandum Order No. 40, Series of 2008).

Session #1       INTRODUCTION
                       
Distribution of Course Syllabus and Orientation
                        Definition, Goals, History, and Branches of Psychology
                        The Relation of Psychology with Other Sciences

Session #2       PSYCHOLOGY AND SCIENCE
                        The Scientific Method
                        Research Methods and Statistics
                        Ethics in Research
                       
Short Quiz #1: Session 1 Topics and Course Syllabus

Session #3       THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR
                        The Human Brain
                        Neurons
                        The Nervous System
                        Transmitters and Reflex Responses
                        Heredity vs. Environment
                       
Session #4       SENSATION
                        Vision and Audition
                        Vestibular System: Balance
                        Touch and Pain
                        Senses and Receptors
                        Sensory Cortex
                        Loss of Sensation
                       
Short Quiz #2: Sessions 2 and 3 Topics

Session #5       PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

Session #6       PERCEPTION
                        Features and Theories of perception
                        Perceptual Thresholds
                        Sensation vs. Perception
                        Depth Perception
                        Illusions
                        Extrasensory Perception (ESP)

Short Quiz #3: Session 4 Topics

Session #7       CONSCIOUSNESS, SLEEP, AND DREAMS
                        Continuum of Consciousness
                        Altered States of Consciousness
                        World of Sleep
                        World of Dreams
                        Problems with Sleeping

Short Quiz #4: Session 6 Topics

Session #8       LEARNING
                         Definition of Learning
                        Classical Conditioning
                        Operant Conditioning
                        Cognitive Learning
                        Limits of Learning

Session #9       MEMORY
                        Definition and Types of Memory
                        Short Term Memory vs. Long Term Memory
                        Repressed Memories
                        Unusual Memories

Short Quiz #5: Sessions 7 and 8 Topics

Session #10     MIDTERM EXAMINATION
                       
Session #11     THINKING, LANGUAGE, AND INTELLIGENCE
                        Nature of Thinking
                        Language
                        Definition and Theories of Intelligence
                        General Characteristics of Intelligence
Measurement
                        Problems of IQ Testing
Levels of Intelligence
                        Mentally Retarded and Gifted

Short Quiz #6: Session 9 Topics

Session #12     HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND PERSONALITY
                         Infancy
                        Childhood
                        Adolescence
                        Adulthood
                        Aging
                        Theories of Personality
                        Personality Assessment                       

Session #13     MOTIVATION AND EMOTION
                        Definition, Types, and Theories of Motivation
                        Biological and Social Human Needs
                        Sexual Behavior
                        Definition and Theories or Emotion
                        Emotional Intelligence
                        Functions of Emotions
                        Universal Facial Expression
                        Happiness vs. Joy
                        Emotions across Cultures around the World

Short Quiz #7: Sessions 11, 12 and 13 Topics

Session#14      PRE-FINAL EXAMINATION

Session #15     SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
                        Intrapersonal Phenomena
                                    Attitudes and Persuasion
                                    Social Cognition
                                    Self-concept
                       Cognitive Dissonance
                       Interpersonal Phenomena
                                    Social Influence
                       Group Dynamics
                       Interpersonal Relations
                       Interpersonal Attractions
                       Altruism


Session #16     HEALTH, STRESSS, AND COPING
                        Relationship between Health and Stress
                        Appraisal
                        Physiological Responses
                        Personality and Social Factors
                        Kinds of Coping
                        Stress Management

Session #17     ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
                        Abnormal Behavior
                        Anxiety Disorders
                        Mood Disorders
                        Personality Disorders
                        Sexuality Disorders

Short Quiz #8: Sessions 15, 16 and 17 Topics

Session #18     FINAL EXAMINATION


COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Note: Submissions of academic papers and assignments beyond the deadlines will not be entertained/accepted/approved!

Major Exams – Four (4) major exams are usually given in a semester – prelim, midterm, pre-final and final exams. However, in this class no written prelim and pre-final tests will be given; only preliminary and final exams. There are other requirements you need to submit in lieu of the midterm and final exams which will be discussed below.

No prelim exam will be administered to you in this class. Instead, you will be submitting a Graphic Organizer in Psychology. A Graphic Organizer in Psychology is a mind map or a web of concepts explaining key words or points in psychology that we will discuss each session. You will be compiling different pictures or cut-outs from newspapers or magazines which could explain a particular concept. You may also write a song, poem, a short saying or statement similar to “tweet” of Twitter. In a short bond paper (or any clean, similar paper as long as it is 8.8” x 11”), paste the pictures and write a caption just below it. You can be creative in this task. You may use sign pens, crayons, colored papers, and other art materials, just make sure that you would be able to explain the pictures or cut-outs using different psychological concepts in each of the 8 major topics (from Session 1 to Session 9). There will be two deadlines of submission here. The first part (covering Sessions 1-4) of your Graphic Organizer will be presented on July 13 (Wednesday), 2011 until 6:00PM and for the second part (covering Sessions 6-9), on August 17 (Wednesday), 2011 until 6:00PM for both classes.

For the midterm exam (2-3 pages), a combination of different types of tests will be given such as multiple-choice questions, enumeration, true-or-false questions, essays, etc.  This will be a 100-point test. The midterm exam will be administered on August 17, 2011 (Wednesday).  

For the pre-final period, you are required to submit an academic paper. This will give you additional exposure to different undertakings in the field of psychology. Throughout this course, you will study and learn many different aspects of psychology – concepts, theories, issues and problems. Information from texts, lectures, online readings, and group discussions will enhance your knowledge on the development of mental processes and human behavior and how these affect individuals and the society in general. Think now of how you can apply all these in your own life. 

You will be writing a 1,500-word academic paper about your own life considering the following questions:
1. What are the three most influential factors that shaped your personality? Explain the reasons of choosing them. Do you think your personality has changed over the years? Explain in detail. You may want to include your experiences at home, with your friends, in school, and other people.
           
2. Select at least three theories or principles in psychology which would support the significance of these factors in your development as a person. Explain each theory clearly.

3. Do you think your understanding of the concepts, theories, principles, and research methodologies in this course help you in the future? In what way your increased knowledge in psychology help you as a person – as a member of your family, as a student, a friend, and as a Filipino citizen – and in your future career? Discuss in some detail.

I strongly suggest using the American Psychological Association (APA) Style in writing your research paper. Use 8.5” by 11” bond paper; font size should be 12 if you use Times New Roman or 11-point size if you use Arial (Don’t use other font type!); one inch in all margins; double space; and with a title page. Contents of the research paper, e.g., format, will be discussed to you on the first class session. Submission is on or before September 14 (Wednesday), 2011 until 6:00PM for both classes.

For the final exam (2-3 pages), questions will be composed of multiple-choice and essay questions. Coverage includes but not limited to the questions on short quizzes and the midterm exam. Date of the final examination is on October 12 (Wednesday), 2011 for both classes.

Short Quizzes There will be eight (8) short quizzes to be given for the entire semester. All questions are objective type. Questions could be enumeration, multiple choice, or true-or-false. No essay or definition of terms will be given. Each quiz consists of not less than 10 items but not more than 20 items. They will be given right after the lecture-discussion but the topics covered are those that have been discussed two weeks before. This type of test will measure your memory. Please be aware of the dates of the short quizzes.

Online Assignments – Four assignments will be given to you throughout the duration of the course. Assignments will be available two weeks before the deadline on our class website at http://tfvc2010.blogspot.com. Look for the link with the heading “ASSIGNMENT, i.e, Assignment No. 1, Assignment No. 2, Assignment No. 3 and Assignment No. 4” then click “General Psychology.” Deadlines of submission are indicated below. You cannot submit your answers beyond the deadlines.

                        Assignment 1                            9 July 2011, 11:59PM
                        Assignment 2                            13 August 2011, 11:59PM
                        Assignment 3                            10 September 2011, 11:59PM
                        Assignment 4                            8 October 2011, 11:59PM

Class Participation – Class participation will measure your involvement during discussions. This class is not designed for a one-way process; this is a two-way communication. Therefore, recitation is of vital importance. If there is something that is not clear to you, you better ask. You are free to disagree with me or your classmates even at the middle of my lecture. Exercise your freedom of expression. Just make sure you are able to defend and justify your position.

GRADING SYSTEM:

Midterm Grade:                                                 Final Period Grade:
Graphic Organizer – 30%                                   Academic Paper – 30%
Research Paper – 30%                                      Final Exam – 30%
2 Online Assignments – 15%                              2 Online Assignments – 15%
4 Quizzes – 15%                                                4 Quizzes – 15%
Class Participation – 10%                                  Class Participation – 10%

FINAL GRADE = Midterm Grade (40%) + Final Period Grade (60%)
                                                           
*** Final grades will be posted online. Check out http://tfvc2010.blogspot.com
TWO WEEKS after the final examination period ***

CLASSROOM POLICIES:

The moment you enrolled in the college, you agree to submit yourself to the school policies. Academic institutions are not social clubs; we have rules to follow.

Attendance – It is your responsibility to come to class on our schedule and on time. I will be checking your attendance regularly. Inform me early if you will be late or if you will leave early. Any one who gets a perfect attendance will receive 0.25-point bonus on the FINAL GRADE. Perfect attendance means being present in all class sessions. Those with excused absences will not be given the bonus grade.

A student who has incurred 11 hours of absences in a 3-unit subject during the regular semester shall be dropped from the roll and given a failing grade (Article VIII, College Student Handbook: The Fisher Valley College). The 5th absence will qualify you to receive a W/F (withdrawal failure) mark equivalent to a grade of 5.0. Necessary warnings will be given to you with excessive absences and names of students who have incurred 4 or more absences will be reported to the Associate College Director so that necessary notice can be given to the parents/guardian (No. 4, Policy Guidelines for Faculty). 

Three (3) tardiness marks would mean one (1) day of absence. A student who leaves the classroom and stay out for the duration of the class period without the professor’s permission shall be marked “absent” (Article VIII, College Student Handbook: The Fisher Valley College). However, don't use this as an excuse for you to come to class late. This time allowance has been designed for working students and those who have children to take care of before going to school. Unavoidable circumstances like traffic are also given consideration. 

Cellphone and Other Electronic Gadgets Policy – I strongly discourage you using your cellphones, laptops, and other similar gadgets while we are having class discussions. It does not only distract me; it is also annoying to your classmates who are listening to my lectures. You are expected to demonstrate respect to everyone and avoid disruptive behaviors.

Make-up Exams – I do not give make-up exams EXCEPT for serious illness or death in the family. Do not make other commitments on the scheduled dates of examinations. If you have your examination permit signed by the authorized school authorities and you fail to take the exam, you will get a grade of 60% or 5.0 on that particular exam. Failure to take the final examination because of unpaid tuition fee, on the other hand, would mean an INC grade. There is NO EXEMPTION.

Academic IntegrityYou are expected to maintain academic integrity at all times. Avoid cheating during quizzes and examinations. When you cheat, you are making a contribution to the degradation of the quality of your college education. Plagiarism will not be tolerated as well. In every academic paper you submit, make sure that you cite properly the authors/institutions of your references. Claiming something as your own when you actually copied it from someone is a clear violation. Hiring someone to do your assignments, research papers, or other related works is also an offense to academic integrity. Any violation committed will have a corresponding disciplinary action as outlined in the College Student Handbook.

Index Cards - You are required to submit an index card no later than the 3rd class meeting containing the following information:

Front:
    1. Last Name, Given Name, Middle Name
    2. Student Number, Course, and Section
    3. Address (Provincial and Metro Manila)
    4. Contact Numbers (Landline, Cellular Phone, Email Address, Personal Website)
    5. Include a 1” x 1” recent photo PASTED (NOT STAPLED) on the upper right corner of the index card. 
Back:
a.       All exams, quizzes, and assignments
b.      Attendance record

If you follow all these policies, you will surely survive in all of my subjects.


TEXTBOOK:

Myers, David G. (2007). Psychology (8th Edition). New York: Worth Publishers

REFERENCES:

            Atkinson, Rita et al (1990). Introduction to Psychology. Florida: Harcourt

Kahayon, A. H. & Aquino, G. V. (1999). General Psychology. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store

Plotnik, Rod (2000). Introduction to Psychology (6th Edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth- Thompson Learning

Sanchez, Custodiosa, et. al. (2002). General Psychology. Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc.

Newspapers, websites, movies, and articles/research papers



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