Course Syllabus Development

Syllabus for Introduction to Psychology

Audience: Psychology and non-psychology majors

Medium: Lecture / classroom

Classroom Rules

It is your responsibility to read all assigned reading(s) and review assigned media before each class. You are expected to attend class on time and be prepared to participate.
It is your responsibility to notify the instruction of any need for accommodations, make-up assignment requests for extenuating circumstances (e.g.: illness, hospitalization, bereavement, religious observances, official/governmental responsibilities, etc., according to university policy). I cannot work with you if I do not know what you need to succeed.
For all assignments, your resources must be cited in APA format. Review the APA Style site for more information: http://www.apastyle.org
There is a “no cellphone or laptop use in class” policy for this course. Turn off your cell phone or put it on vibrate before arriving to class. If your phone rings during class, I will answer it and return it at the end of class.
Do not close your books or prepare to leave class before I have signaled that class is dismissed.

Course Description

Introduction to Psychology presents a bird’s eye view of the world of psychology, the study of human behavior, internal and external factors of influence, and varied methods of analysis and research. Throughout this course, students will learn and discuss the history of psychology, foundations of behavior and perception, motivation, cognitive development, theories and methodology, intelligence, personality, abnormal psychology, memory, learning, cognition, treatment methods, subfields of psychology, and psychological career options.

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Course Introduction

Welcome to Introduction to Psychology! This course is designed to give students an overview of psychology, from the historical foundations of the scientific study of the mind to the application of psychological theories and methodologies to personal and professional endeavors. Many students will be familiar with the discussions of the examination of mild to severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, and methods of therapeutic treatment and support. However, this course will also highlight how the science of psychology has been applied to areas such as the workplace, interpersonal and social interactions, marketing, healthcare, religion, sports, and politics.

There are no prerequisites for taking this class. All students, no matter their major(s), are highly encouraged to take this course to gain a deeper understanding of how and why people think, behave, perceive, and interact with themselves and others as they do. This knowledge is valuable for all areas of life concerning overall personal development and success and the cultivation of long-lasting and fulfilling relationships.

Course Materials

Myers, D. G. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

Course Schedule

[TABLE]

Grading Criteria

Assignment	Total Points	Percentage of Total Grade
Weekly discussion participation 12 Discussions @ 10 points each	12 x 10 = 120	10%
Application Assignments 5 Assignments @ 50 points each	5 x 50 = 250	40%
Activities 4 Activities @ 20 points each	20 x 4 = 80	15%
Exams 3 Exams @ 20 points each	50 x 3 = 150	15%
Final Assignment Week 12 = 100 points	100 x 1 = 100	20%
Total	700	100%

Grading Scale

A = 90–100%

B = 80–89%

C = 70–79%

F = below 70%