Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | PSY-1010-VR01 - Introduction to Psychology

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Mike Sauro
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

General Education Requirements

VSCS Social Sciences

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 IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

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 uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2024 textbook details will be available on 2024-05-20. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

PSY-1010-VR01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

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.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

It is important to cite the use of generative AI at the end of any written assignment!!

Methods

• Readings
• Syllabus Scavenger Hunt
• Weekly Module Study Plans
• Weekly Module Quizzes
• Weekly Written Assignments
• Midterm Examination and Final Examination
• Periodic Optional Extra Credit Opportunities

Evaluation Criteria

Students will be evaluated utilizing the following methods:

• Syllabus Scavenger Hunt (100 possible points): A brief quiz on the contents of the syllabus that will be completed during Week 1.
• Midterm and Final Examinations (250 possible points each; 500 possible points):These two examinations will be given at the midpoint and end of the semester. They are found in Connect and will consist of multiple choice questions covering a certain number of chapters. Each examination is worth 250 points. You may use your textbook and notes to complete them. All questions are designed to have you apply what you have learned. Students will have two weeks to complete each examination. A paper copy of each examination will be provided by the instructor. Students who score less than 250 on their first attempts will be afforded a second opportunity to improve their grades.
• Weekly Module Study Plans (100 points each; 1600 possible points):Lumen One course materials are organized into Study Plans designed to provide you with everything you need to learn, apply what you’ve learned and check your understanding of course topics. Each Study Plan will update as you go to help you strategize your time.The first time you open a Study Plan, you will see a prompt to "Check Your Readiness." This launches the Readiness Check assessment, which is designed to help you understand if there's any skills you need to review before you jump into topics ahead. Participation for each Study Plan is calculated by how many Readiness Checks and Self Checks you have completedout of the total available in that Study Plan.
• Weekly Chapter Assignments (100 points each; 1400 possible points): Some weeks during the semester, students will be completing written assignments designed to help them synthesize and apply the knowledge gained about developmental psychology. They appear in the course space in Canvas under the week they are due. Assignments should include references to the text or other sources where appropriate, and must be clearly and legibly written.
• Weekly Chapter Quizzes (100 possible points each; 1400 possible points): All King 6e chapter quizzes will be available to students at the start of the semester and remain open throughout the semester. They are found in Connect and will consist of twenty multiple choice questions per quiz. Each quiz is worth 100 points. Students may use their textbook and notes to complete them. Students who score less than 100 on their first attempts will be afforded two more opportunities to improve their grades. Students may submit the quiz after the due date but will lose 2% of the total possible points for each late day.
• Optional Extra Credit Opportunities (800 possible points): There are four extra credit opportunities available at various points throughout the semester. Each extra credit opportunity can earn students up to 200 possible bonus points.

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

It is expected that students attend class each week in order to take full advantage of the weekly learning opportunities. Attendance is expected in accordance with CCV's Attendance Policy.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Assignments are expected to be completed by the due date. Assignments will lose five (5) points for each day they are late, up to a maximum of 25 points. After two weeks from the due date, the assignment will NOT receive credit. NOTE: In case of illness, a copy of a doctor’s note will be required for full credit.

It is required that individual out-of-class assignments be submitted through the course space on Canvas. Assignments that are attached to e-mails will not be accepted.

Attachments must be in a Microsoft Word or Open Office format, with one of the following extensions: .doc,.docx (Microsoft),.odt (Open Office), .txt (WordPad), .PDF (Adobe Acrobat), or .rtf (rich text). Extensions that I am unable to open and will not accept: .pages.zip (Mac), .png, or .jpg.

Students who use Apple computers: Assignments must be saved and attached as a PDF.

Students who use Google Docs: Assignments must be saved and attached as a PDF or Word document. Please DO NOT send me a link to your Google Docs folder.

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