Miami Dade College – Kendall Campus

Social Sciences Department

PSY 2012

 

Class Time: M & W 6: 30 PM – 9:50 PM Room 4203

 

Course Description:  Introduction to 

Psychology blends classic material with the most recent

developments  in  psychological  theory.

Provides an understanding of human behavior

as a natural phenomenon subject to scientific study. (3 hour lecture)

Course Objectives:  This course is a study of the field of psychology as a whole.  Psychology is a diverse field with many sub areas of study.  By the end of the course the student will be acquainted with the various subfields of modern psychology.   We will study research on biological psychology, stress, happiness, interpersonal communication, personality theory, human development, sex and gender, friendship and marriage, physical health, and careers and work, cognition, learning, memory, abnormal psychology, psychotherapy, and social psychology.  The goal of this course is to expose the student to knowledge in these areas so that the student is well equipped to study advanced psychology courses and also learn how to apply psychological knowledge to improve the quality of their lives.

 

Credits:                                  3 credits

 

Textbook:                   Wood, Et.Al.: The World of Psychology,  Sixth Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 2008.

 

 

Maximum Number

of Allowable Absences:                     3

 

Date / Time of Final Exam:  July 29, 2009  6:30 PM to 9:50 PM

 

Instructor Information:        Robert E. Beneckson, M.S.                           

rb@vorlon1.com

6:00 PM M & W or by appointment

Building 6, Room 6206

                                                305-237-2215

 

Department Information:     Social Sciences – Kendall, Dr. Lee Thomas, Chair

                                                Building 6, Room 6206

305-237-2215

 

Basic Requirements and Grading:

 This course will be taught through study of the textbook, lecture, video programs, discussion, and dialogue.  Class participation will be highly emphasized and rewarded. There will be 2 exams, with multiple choice and/or essays. The highest exam grade will be counted twice, the lowest score once, for a total of three test scores.  Students are required to keep a journal applying the material from each chapter to real aspects of their lives. 

What is ultimately required of the student is an open mind and the desire to learn.  In addition to the basic material, the emphasis on this course is learning how to enjoy the process of learning itself, thinking critically, and seeing how research and academic material may be applied in a practical context to self-study.

Grading:  Your final grade in the course is based on the total of the 3 exam scores, plus journal points, extra credit points, plus credit for the class presentation, the personality analysis, and class participation.  All mandatory assignments must be done or points are subtracted for each missing assignment.  Each student is required to participate in a small group presentation based on a specific application of material from selected chapters.  The maximum for the class presentation is 10 points.  The personal journal is worth a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 17 points.  The personality analysis is worth a maximum of 10 points.

Other extra credit points depend on the specific project, but generally are between 5 and 10 points. 

A = 280+

B = 240-279

C = 215-239

D = 185-214

F = 0-184

MDC’s General Education Outcomes:

As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
  2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
  3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
  4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
  6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
  8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
  9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
  10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.

 

Tentative Schedule/Due Dates: (This information is subject to change)

                    Topic:                     Textbook    Wood et.al. 

June 22    Introduction to Psychology                                                       Chapter 1

            

 Personality Test                                         http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/5/j5j/IPIP/ipipneo300.htm

 

June 24  Sensation and Perception                                                            Chapter 3  

June 24 – July 1 Personality Theory and Assessment                              Chapter 13 

July 1 Health and Stress                                                                            Chapter 12  

July 6 Child Development                                                                         Chapter 8

July 6 Adolescence and Adulthood                                                           Chapter 9                                           

July 8- Exam 1

July 8 Memory                                                                                         Chapter 6           

July 13 Motivation and Emotion                                                             Chapter 10 

July13 - July 15 Psychological Disorders                                                Chapter 14        

July 20 – July 22 Therapies                                                                      Chapter 15                

July 22 - July 27 Social Psychology                                                         Chapter 16

July 27 Psychology in the Workplace                                                      Chapter 17       

July 27 Review                                                          

Final Exam    July 29 6:30 PM-9:50 PM                                                                                                                   

 

 WRITING STYLE

Please, when you write your journals, leave two spaces between sentences.  Also, when using “quotation marks,” make sure that periods and commas are included within the “marks.”  This is proper English usage in writing.  Thank you.

 

Class Rules / Guidelines:

 

  1. ABSENCES: Roll is taken at the beginning of every class meeting.  It is your responsibility to attend class meetings and to arrive on time to be counted on the roll.

NOTICE:  IF YOU MISS MORE THAN THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ALLOWABLE ABSENCES, YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS BY THE INSTRUCTOR WITHOUT NOTICE.

 

  1. CELL PHONES/PAGERS/TEXT MESSAGING:  All cell phones, pagers or text messaging devices MUST BE TURNED OFF during class.  Please do not answer your phone in class or repeatedly leave class to answer your phone/send a text message. You may be asked to leave by the instructor if you interrupt class. 

 

  1. IF YOU ARE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS:  If you are dropped from this class by the instructor or for non-payment of student fees, you will no longer be allowed to attend the class.  You will also not receive a grade for the class and the instructor will not accept your assignments, papers, or tests.

 

If you are dropped from the class and wish to re-enroll, you must do so BEFORE YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO CLASS.   You must provide proof of registration and payment of fees from the Registration Office before the instructor will let you attend the class.

 

TO RECEIVE A GRADE IN THE CLASS, YOU MUST BE PROPERLY ENROLLED BY NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE TERM.

 

  1. LATE/MISSED WORK:  You are responsible for submitting work by the due date/time.  The instructor may impose a penalty for work submitted late.  If you should miss class due to an absence or from being temporarily dropped from the course, you (not the instructor) are solely responsible for making up the work/ material/tests missed.  The instructor is not responsible for reminding you about missing work/test.

 

Unless an incomplete is arranged through the instructor, ALL COURSEWORK IS DUE BY THE END OF THE ACADEMIC TERM.  WORK SUBMITTED AFTER THE END OF THE TERM WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND YOUR GRADE WILL NOT BE CHANGED.

 

  1. PLAGIARISM/CHEATING:  All plagiarized papers will receive a grade of zero and the student will not be allowed to re-do the assignment.  Cheating is the deliberate act of receiving unfair assistance or help on a test or assignment or the submission of someone else’s work as your own.  Should an instructor determine that a student has plagiarized or cheated on an assignment, you will receive a grade of zero for the work and not be allowed to make-up the grade.  The student may also be referred to the Dean of Student’s Office for disciplinary action.

 

  1. INCOMPLETE GRADE FOR THE COURSE:  Instructors and the department will only consider issuing a grade of “I” or incomplete if the student has satisfied the majority of required work in the class, has faithfully attended the class, and has an extremely extenuating circumstance.  An Incomplete Agreement Form must be completed by the student and signed by the instructor if the incomplete is deemed valid.  Students who are past due on assignments/tests/papers or who have exceeded the allowable number of absences are usually not granted the opportunity to do an incomplete.

 

NOTICE:  A STUDENT HAS ONE SEMESTER TO SETTLE THE INCOMPLETE OR THE FINAL GRADE ASSIGNED WILL BE AN “F.”   The instructor is not responsible for reminding the student about the incomplete.

 

  1. EXTRA CREDIT:  The instructor may only grant extra credit opportunities to the entire class.  No student will be allowed an extra credit opportunity any different than what has been offered to the entire class.  Please do not ask for special exceptions.

 

  1. REQUEST FOR CHANGING A FINAL GRADE:  Final course grades are only changed for two reasons:

·         Changing from an incomplete or “I” to a final grade, or

·         Due to a grade calculation error by the instructor.

Remember, the instructor cannot curve or adjust a student’s grade for any personal reasons.  Nor can the instructor accept work submitted after a term has ended unless the student has received permission to do an incomplete and the proper paperwork has been filed in advance with the department.

 

  1. DISRUPTING CLASS:  Any student who intentionally disrupts the teaching/learning process or who acts in a disrespectful, threatening, or intimidating way toward the instructor will be asked to leave the class.  Campus Security will be called if the student refuses to leave.  The student will be referred to the Dean of Students and must receive his approval before returning to class.

Any student who deliberately causes a class to be cancelled due to his/her inappropriate actions will be immediately reported to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.  An inquiry may be made by the academic department and the responsible student may face suspension or expulsion.

 

  1. INSTRUCTOR COMPLAINT PROCESS:  Should a student have an academic  grievance against the instructor, he/she should follow these steps:

·         Try to address and resolve the problem with the instructor first.

·         Make an appointment with the Chair of Social Sciences, Dr. Lee Thomas to try and resolve the issue.  The Chair will consult with the faculty member, the student, and the Dean of Academic Affairs in reaching a decision.

·         If the student feels that his/her problem has not been addressed adequately by the instructor or department, he/she may contact the Dean of Academic Affairs.