COURSE SYLLABUS

PSYCHOLOGY

Minimum Contact Hours:

Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
Experiential Hours:

PSY1060
Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Equivalents:

PSY106

45
4
45
0
0

Instructor Contact Information

Dara Cox
Phone: 618-294-6669
Email: dara.cox@harrison.edu

Course Description
This general education behavioral science course provides students with an introduction to the field of
psychology. Points of emphasis include sensation, perception, learning, intelligence, motivation and the
development of coping skills. Students will be required to complete writing and research assignments
providing the opportunity to apply psychological concepts and theories to their own lives.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of required course work, the student will be able to:
1. Describe scientific research methods common in the field of psychology.
2. Discuss the application of learning principles to human behavior.
3. Identify common psychological disorders and methods of therapy.
4. Explain and apply principles related to perception, intelligence and socialization.
5. Describe stress and conflict and list sources and possible coping strategies.
6. Identify, compare and contrast personality theories.
7. Describe the major types of psychological testing, identifying key variables and limitations
8. Describe different styles of social interaction and the cultural and environmental influences on
behavior.
9. Apply psychological concepts as they relate to career and personal development.

Copyright Harrison College

PSY1060 Syllabus

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COURSE SYLLABUS
Essential Competencies
Students will work to become proficient in the following skills and competencies within all courses
throughout their career-focused education. Not every course will address each of the essential
competencies.
1. Communication: Verbal, Visual, Written and Listening.
2. Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking.
3. Data Analysis, Quantitative Reasoning and Scientific Interpretation.
4. Information Literacy.
5. Cross-Cultural Awareness.

Required Resources

Rathus (2014). PSYCH, 3rd Edition w/CourseMate. Cengage. ISBN 9781133960805

Supplementary Resources

None

Course-Specific Expectations-Policies
Late penalties will apply for all work submitted past the end of the current course week beginning in
week 3.
Coursework Investment. A successful college experience requires each student to invest significant time
and effort. A student should expect to invest an average of three hours each week for each credit hour
earned through successful completion of a course. Depending on the course requirements and mode of
delivery, the coursework investment will include time spent in class or working within the learning
management system, outside reading, studying, completing required research and completing written
assignments.
Information Literacy. All students should expect to retrieve and interpret information through a variety
of media and be familiar with copyright compliance policies. The Harrison College Library provides
students with the services and resources needed to support all programs of study. Students can access
the Library at any Harrison College campus, or through the web address www.harrison.edu-Library.
Attendance. Students must familiarize themselves with the Harrison College Attendance Policy as noted
in the Harrison College Catalog. If students are unable to attend a class meeting, they must contact their
instructor or a classmate to secure applicable information, including the due dates. Instructors should be
contacted directly prior to the assignment due date if the student believes an extension is appropriate.

Performance Requirement for Core Courses

The Harrison College core course policy requires that each student achieve appropriate mastery of core
course objectives in specific professional, general education and foundation courses within each
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PSY1060 Syllabus

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COURSE SYLLABUS
program of study. In most cases, a student who is enrolled in a program for which a course is designated
as a core course must earn a grade of C or higher in order to have successfully completed the course and
to attempt courses for which the core course is a prerequisite. In some cases, a student may be required
to earn a grade of B- or higher to successfully complete a core course. Students should refer to the
Harrison College Catalog to determine the requirements for successfully completing the courses
required in each program of study. Please see your Instructor, Program Chair, Registrar or Dean for
additional information regarding this policy.

Evaluation Method

Grading Scale
Students will be graded using the following
grade scale:
95-100
A
73-76
C
90-94
A70-72
C87-89
B+
68-69
D+
83-86
B
67
D
80-82
B65-66
D77-79
C+
Below 65
F

Students will be evaluated by the following:

Unit Exams
Assignments and Quizzes
Project(s)

30%
60%
10%

Instructional Methods and Path to Course Success

This course will use a variety of activities and teaching strategies to assist students in mastering the
course objectives. Lecture, discussion, demonstration, audio/video, role play, illustration, independent
practice and collaborative learning will be used to engage students in this course. X % of the activities
will be delivered through digital resources found in the online learning management system.
This weekly schedule is to be used as a guide. The timeline is subject to change to meet the needs of the
class. The instructor before class meetings will announce any changes.

Week 1
Introduction to the Science of Psychology
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 1
Chapter 12 pp. 285-292

Discussion Psychological Perspectives

Written Assignment Understanding Psychology

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PSY1060 Syllabus

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COURSE SYLLABUS
Week 2
Biology and the Science of Psychology
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 2
Chapter 12 pp. 292-299

Discussion Examining Assumptions

Written Assignment Biology and Disorders

Week 3
Sensation and Perception
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 3
Chapter 12 pp. 299-303

Discussion Examining Sensation and Perception

Written Assignment The Importance of Senses

Week 4
Consciousness
Readings
Chapter 4

Assignments
Discussion Altering Consciousness Through
Drugs
Written Assignment Sleep, Meditation, and
Self-Talk
Unit 1 Exam

Week 5
Learning and Memory
Readings

Assignments

Chapters 5 and 6

Discussion Learning Theories and Behavior

Written Assignment Behavior, Memory, and
Disorders

Chapter 12 pp. 303-305

Copyright Harrison College

PSY1060 Syllabus

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COURSE SYLLABUS
Week 6
Thinking and Intelligence
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 7

Discussion Intelligence Theories

Written Assignment Divergent Thinking, The
Value of Education, and IQ

Week 7
Motivation and Emotion
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 8

Discussion Emotion and Behavior

Written Assignment Sensation Seeking and
Eating Disorders
Unit 2 Exam

Week 8
Developmental / Lifespan Psychology
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 9

Discussion Stages of Development

Written Assignment Erikson, Parenting, and
The Stages of Death
Written Assignment Final Project Part 1

Chapter 13
Appendix pp. 355-358

Week 9
Personality
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 10

Discussion Personality Traits

Written Assignment Personality, Social
Interactions, and Myers-Briggs
Written Assignment Statistics Application

Appendix pp. 358-362

Copyright Harrison College

PSY1060 Syllabus

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COURSE SYLLABUS
Week 10
Stress and Coping Skills
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 11

Discussion Healthy Stress

Written Assignment Humor, Stress, and Fight
or Flight
Written Assignment Final Project

Appendix pp. 363-366

Week 11
Social Psychology
Readings

Assignments

Chapter 14

Discussion Group Behavior

Written Assignment Commercials, Prejudice,
Attractiveness, and Aggression

Week 12
Unit 3 Exam
Readings

Assignments

None

Unit 3 Exam

Harrison College Policies

Students are expected to be familiar with information found in the various Harrison College Academic
Policies, including:

Harrison College Catalog.

Student Handbook.

Financial Policies and Procedures.

Copyright Compliance.

Selected Harrison College programs maintain a handbook specific to that program of study. Students
must also be familiar with and adhere to the requirements outlined in the program handbook.

Copyright Harrison College

PSY1060 Syllabus

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COURSE SYLLABUS
Syllabus Historical Log Effective June 2015
Categories:
Initial Author / Course Reviwer
Course Code-Course Name Revision
Prerequisite-Corequisite Revision
Course Description Revision
Course Objectives Revision
Course Materials Revision
Evaluation Methods Revision
Path to Success Revision

Copyright Harrison College

Name & Title

Cengage Learning / Charlotte Taylor
NA
NA
Jeff Schillinger, VPAA
Jeff Schillinger, VPAA
Kelsey Dunning
Jeff Schillinger, VPAA
Jennifer Smith (Wendt), Instructional Development Manager

PSY1060 Syllabus

Revision Date
06-01-5

06-01-15
06-01-15
05-29-15
06-01-15
06-03-15

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