Course Syllabus

Spring 2026 | PSY-1010-VO01 - Introduction to Psychology

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Hyle Daley
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Kate Hughes

General Education Requirements

Social Science

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is a survey of the basic issues, concepts, theories, and methods of psychology. Students explore the scientific approach to understanding human behavior through a study of sensory processes, perception, emotion, motivation, intelligence, learning, and personality formation.

Essential Objectives

1. Discuss the development of psychology as a social science, including practices that create, maintain, or dismantle social inequalities.
2. Analyze how current research in neuroscience influences our understanding of the biological and environmental foundations of behavior.
3. Explore how environmental stimuli are sensed and perceived.
4. Describe the nature of consciousness and its relationship to psychological well-being.
5. Experiment with learning and memory formation and evaluate how intelligence is measured.
6. Understand key milestones in language, cognitive, and socio-moral development.
7. Compare theories of motivation and emotion.
8. Identify psychodynamic, behavioral, social, cognitive, and humanistic theories of personality and discuss the approach each takes to understanding human behavior.
9. Discuss how individuals and groups are influenced in social settings over time.
10. Evaluate how socio-cultural norms and values shape psychological diagnosis and treatment and discuss the importance of cultural competence in the field of psychology.
11. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding the scientific method and in interpreting and evaluating statistical and other quantitative data as applied to human behavior in an ethical manner.
12. Explore the scope and diversity of career opportunities in the field of psychology and related professions through assignments such as informational interviews, job shadows, or other career exploration activities.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a low cost ($50 or less) textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used in this course only in ways that support learning and do not replace a student’s original thinking, analysis, or work. Students are expected to adhere to all academic integrity standards when using AI technologies.

Permitted uses of AI may include:

• Brainstorming ideas or topics

• Clarifying concepts or terminology

• Assisting with organization, outlining, or revision

• Generating practice questions or study aids

Prohibited uses of AI include:

• Submitting AI-generated work as one’s own

• Using AI to complete assignments intended to assess individual understanding or skill development

• Replacing required reading, analysis, or critical thinking with AI output

Unless explicitly authorized by the instructor, all submitted work must reflect the student’s original effort and understanding. Students may be required to explain, revise, or defend their work orally or in writing to demonstrate authorship and comprehension.

Failure to follow this policy may result in academic integrity violations and associated consequences as outlined by institutional policy.

Students are encouraged to ask questions if they are unsure whether a specific use of AI is appropriate for an assignment.

Methods

This course utilizes a student-centered, evidence-based instructional approach designed to promote critical thinking, active engagement, and meaningful learning. Instruction is structured to support diverse learning styles and to encourage students to take an active role in constructing knowledge.

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures and guided instruction
• Guided reading exercises
• Class discussions and collaborative activities
• Applied exercises and case studies
• Multimedia and instructional technologies
• Active learning strategies

Evaluation Criteria

Final grades in this course are calculated using a weighted categories system. Each category contributes a percentage to the overall course grade, as outlined below:

• Participation: 20% - Includes active engagement in class activities, discussions, and collaborative work.
• Writing Assignments: 40% - Includes written work such as essays, reflections, analyses, or other assigned written tasks.
• Quizzes: 20% - Includes short assessments designed to evaluate comprehension of course material and ongoing progress.
• Final Project: 20% - A cumulative or integrative assignment demonstrating understanding and application of course concepts.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Each instructional week begins on Monday and concludes on Sunday.

• Discussion boards:
  Students must submit their initial discussion post by Friday at 11:59 PM.
  Students must submit at least two responses to peers by Sunday at 11:59 PM.

• Weekly assignments:
  All assignments for the week are due by Sunday at 11:59 PM, unless otherwise specified.

Students are encouraged to manage their time accordingly and to submit work early when possible. Late submissions may be subject to course late-work policies as outlined elsewhere in the syllabus.

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Tests, quizzes, and individual assignments must be submitted by the posted deadline unless you contact me before the due date to request an extension.
• Unapproved late work is penalized at 10% per day.
• Students may receive up to two extensions without penalty if communication occurs before the deadline and an acceptable reason is provided.
• Discussion forums and collaborative activities must be completed on time to receive credit and cannot be made up once the course moves to a new week.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

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