DAWSON COLLEGE

COURSE OUTLINE

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
350-101-DW, section 03002
Fall 2019
Thursday 6:30 – 9:30, classroom 5E.8
Ponderation: 2-1-3

Instructor: Camille Larson-Dupuis

Psychology/Anthro. Department
Email: Please message me via MIO and allow a 24h delay during the week (48h during the weekend)

IT IS YOUR OBLIGATION TO READ THIS DOCUMENT

PREREQUISITES: No prerequisites are required for this course

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Feldman, R., Catney, K., Cavanagh, L. & Dinardo, A. (2016) Essentials of Understanding Psychology (5th
Canadian Edition). McGraw-Hill Ryerson. ISBN : 978-1-26-033361-9.
(Loose leaf three-hole punched version WITH connect access)
GOALS:
This course is designed to:
• provide you with an overview of the scientific approach to the study of human behaviours;
• increase your awareness and understanding of the interaction of factors which influence human
behaviours;
• show you how the methods and concepts of psychology can be applied to real life situations;
• provide you with fundamental concepts on which you can build in later psychology courses.

ELEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:

Statement of competence (022k)
To explain the foundations of human behaviour and mental processes.
There are five elements of this competency.
1. To demonstrate the contribution of psychology to the understanding of human beings.
2. To distinguish the main perspectives, the main schools of thought and their proponents and the
methodology used in the field of psychology.
3. To describe the biological, cognitive and affective processes that underlies human behaviour.
4. To demonstrate the adaptation process of individuals to their environment.
5. To interpret various patterns of human behaviour using concepts and theories related to the field of
psychology.

Corresponding to the five elements are the following performance criteria:

1. Correct use of the concepts and vocabulary related to the field of psychology.
2. Clear identification of the perspectives, schools of thought and fields of intervention that are
predominant in the field of psychology.

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3. Explanation of the methodology used in psychology based on the main discoveries in the field of
human behaviour.
4. Correct description of the biological, cognitive and affective processes and of their interaction.
5. Satisfactory demonstration of the adaptation process of individuals to their environment.
6. Satisfactory interpretation of various patterns of human behaviour bases on various psychological
approaches.

CONTENT:
The following content corresponds to the five elements for the course listed above:
 Foundations of modern psychology.
 Areas of specialization and major characteristics of psychological research.
 Biological bases of behaviour: (1) the nervous system and (2) genetics, motivation and emotion,
memory.
 Perception and sensation, learning
 Optional content: Intelligence, consciousness, personality, social psychology, abnormal behaviour,
development

IN ORDER TO PASS THIS COURSE:

1. YOU MUST DEMONSTRATE ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREAS DESCRIBED BY THE OBJECTIVES AND EARN A MINIMUM
GRADE OF 60% OVERALL.
2. YOU MUST ALSO PASS THE SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (60 % - PASS/FAIL) OTHERWISE YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE 50%
REGARDLESS OF THE GRADE ACCUMULATED WITH THE OTHER COMPONENTS.

TEACHING METHODS:
Lectures, class exercises, group discussions, videos.

GRADING:
1. Grade distribution scheme:

A. Tests 3 in-class tests (20% each) 60%

B. Summative Assessment Case Study 25%

C. Learning skills & comprehension assignments 15%

Total 100pts

2. Explanation of evaluation:
A. Tests: There will be three in-class tests that will consist of multiple-choice, true/false and short-answer
questions. For these tests, you are responsible for material from lectures, videos that are
presented in class, the textbook and any other material specified in class. The tests are non-
cumulative. There will be no make-up exams except for valid and documented reasons (if

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medical, a doctor’s note will be required). If you have a valid medical reason, you must send me
an email as soon as possible. Also, note that you cannot arrive more than 30 minutes late on
test days. In other words, if you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you will not be allowed to do
the test and you will be given a grade of 0.
B. Summative Assessment: You will be given a case study to analyze and will be asked to apply psychology
research principles and integrate psychological concepts from various course
modules to analyze and understand this case study. Part I will be done in class as a
group assignment and is meant for you to learn how to do this type of assignment.
Part 2 will be an individual assignment to be submitted towards the end of the
course. If you fail the second part of this assignment you will fail the course. Your
final grade will be dropped down to 50% regardless of the grade accumulated in
the course from other work. In other words, you cannot pass this course if you fail
Part 2 of this assignment.

C. Learning Skills & Comprehension Assignments:

A series of exercises have been designed to help you further develop learning skills necessary at the
college level. Short exercises will be done in class and as short homework on topics such as how to
read a textbook, how to take notes from a textbook and from a lecture, how to prepare a test outline
and ideas on how to organize your study time. Other exercises have been designed to help you acquire
the competencies associated with this course. The point of these exercises is to help you learn and
engage with the material.
 All in-class exercises will not be announced ahead of time and there will be no make-up for
these exercises for those who are absent (unless you have a medical note).

COLLEGE AND COURSE POLICIES

ISEP
The Institutional Student Evaluation Policy (ISEP) is designed to promote equitable and effective evaluation of
student learning and is therefore a crucial policy to read and understand. The policy describes the rights and
obligations of students, faculty, departments, programs, and the College administration with regard to
evaluation in all your courses, including grade reviews and resolution of academic grievance. The ISEP is
available on the Dawson website.
1. Literacy requirements:
All written work must be presented in a readable manner and must be well written. Proper grammar and
spelling are expected. If you have difficulty please see me or the Academic Skills Center (Room 4E.3) for
help in improving these skills. One major problem is that students do not proof read their work. Grades
will be deducted for sloppiness and absence of proof-reading (e.g. no space after a period, spelling
mistakes, unstapled assignment, misplacing punctuation).

2. Written assignments:
All written assignments must be typed, double spaced and use a regular size font (12pts). All submitted
work must be clean, stapled, and have your name on it.

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Submission of assignments & homework:

Assignments have to be submitted on time.
 All late assignments will lose 5% per day.
 An assignment that is more than 7 days late from due date will not be accepted unless given a
special written permission from your teacher.
 A hard copy of all assignments must be submitted, unless told otherwise.

3. Classroom Policies:

Student conduct:
Everyone has the right to a safe and non-violent environment. Students are obliged to conduct themselves
as stated in the Student Code of Conduct and in the ISEP section on the roles and responsibilities of
students. (ISEP Section II-D)

You are not allowed to talk constantly with other students during class time. Chronic talkers will be asked
to leave the classroom and be permitted to reenter only when he or she has addressed this problem with
me. Students who cause chronic problems will have to discuss the issue with their program coordinator
and the director of student services. Be a positive force in your classroom interaction. You are not allowed
to talk during lectures, read non-course-related material during lectures, prepare other course
assignments, or take a nap during class.

Electronic devices policy: (cell phones, portable music players, laptop computers, etc.):
Cell phones must be turned off and in your bag before you enter the classroom. Cell phones must not be
seen. The teacher reserves the right to keep your cell phone on the teacher’s desk if it interrupts the class.
Portable music players must be turned off when you come into the classroom and earphones/headphones
are to be removed.

The use of laptops is permitted in the classroom as long as it does not disturb the class. The use of
computers in the classroom is only for taking notes or working on a group assignment. The use of a
computer is a granted privilege that will be removed if it is abused.

Attendance & absence:

Students should refer to the Institutional Student Evaluation Policy (ISEP Section IV-C) regarding
attendance.
Attendance will be taken in all classes. It is important to arrive in class on time and to attend all classes.
You must attend all classes in order for you to succeed by acquiring the competencies associated with this
course. A number of in-class exercises have been designed to help you do this. The exercises may not be
announced ahead of time. There will be no make-up for these exercises.

Note that you are responsible for knowing what went on in class; absence is never an excuse for not
knowing something. If you have to miss a class, contact someone to find out what was covered or contact

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me. If your absence coincides with an assignment due date and you are sick, contact me and make
arrangements for an extension, otherwise your assignment will be considered late and will accrue
penalties from the due date.

Students arriving late for a test will NOT be given extra time to complete the test. Students arriving late
to do a test will NOT be allowed to do the test if they arrive more than 30 minutes late, at which point
students who have already finished writing the test will be allowed to leave the room. Students will not
be allowed to go to the bathroom during a test. Plan accordingly.

No make-up or supplemental tests/quizzes will be offered, and alternative arrangements for missed
exams will be considered only for certified medical reasons unless I have approved your reason before the
test. Medical notes must state that you were not well enough to attend class and give a clear time interval
before returning to class. To be valid, the medical document must be signed by your physician, state the
clinic telephone number and the license number.

If you are allowed to do a missed test or submit an assignment late, you will be given a make-up date that
will be indicated in the teacher’s agenda and your agenda. This new date is a contract that you cannot
break unless for a valid medical reason. Note that missed tests will be rescheduled to the end of the
semester if the teacher cannot accommodate a new test time. The submission of a fraudulent medical
note will be reported to the Sector Dean and will result in a grade of zero on the test or assignment
towards which the medical note was to be applied.

Intensive course conflicts:

If a student is attending an intensive course, the student must inform the teacher, within the first two (2)
weeks of class, of the specific dates of any anticipated absences.

Policy on religious observances:

Students who intend to observe religious holidays must inform their teachers in writing as prescribed in the
ISEP Policy on Religious Observances (ISEP Section IV-D). Students must inform the teacher in writing
within the first two weeks of each semester of their intent to observe the holidays so that alternative
arrangements convenient to both the student and the teacher can be made at the earliest opportunity.

4. Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the Dawson College policy on Cheating and
Plagiarism, which is contained in the Institutional Student Evaluation Policy. According to ISEP, the teacher
is required to report to the Sector Dean all cases of cheating and plagiarism affecting a student's grade.
(ISEP Section V-C)

Plagiarism is the deliberate or accidental submission of someone else’s work as your own without
acknowledging the author. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and will result in a grade of zero
for the piece of work in question, or a grade of zero in the course if the circumstances warrant.

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Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:
 copying, downloading, or including a phrase, a sentence, or a longer passage from a source and
submitting it as your own;
 changing words or phrases but keeping the rest of the sentence;
 summarizing or paraphrasing someone else’s ideas without a proper citation;
 submitting as your own work any material that was bought, copied or written by someone else.

Cheating includes but is not limited to:

 allowing another student to copy your work;
 copying another student’s work;
 unauthorized use of notes during tests;
 falsifying references.

To encourage a better understanding of academic integrity, Turnitin will be used in this course. Please note
that Turnitin, an internet-based plagiarism prevention tool, may keep a copy of the work submitted but does
not claim ownership of the work. If you have concerns about your work being submitted to Turnitin for
review, please see the teacher within the first two weeks of the semester.

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COURSE CONTENT AND CALENDAR

WEEK/DATE TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE

Introduction
Week 1
- Course outline
August 22
- Introduction to psychology
What is Psychology?
Week 2 Chapter 1
- Main approaches
August 29 (Modules 1 & 2)
- Goals of psychology
The Science of Psychology
Week 3 Chapter 1
- The Scientific Method
September 5 (Module 3)
- Research Methods
Week 4 The Science of Psychology Chapter 1
September - Research: Ethical Issues
(Module 4)
12 - Investigating the brain
Week 5
September Test 1 (20%) + Study Guide 1 (3%) - Chapter 1
19
Week 6
Biology of behaviour
September Chapter 2
- The nervous system
26
Biology of behaviour
Week 7 Chapter 2
- The nervous system
October 3 Chapter 3
- Perception & Sensation
Week 8 Case Study Summative Assessment Part I
Sleep Chapter 4 (5%) In class
October 10
Week 9
Memory Chapter 6
October 17
Week 10
Test 2 (20%) + Study Guide 2 (3%) - Chapters 2, 3, 4 & 6
October 24
Week 11
Learning Chapter 5
October 31
Week 12 Chapter 8
Motivation and Emotion
November 7
Week 13 Summative Assessment Part II
Intelligence Chapter 7
November 14 (20%) DUE
Week 14
Social Psychology Chapter 14
November 21
Week 15
Test 3 (20%) + Study Guide 3 (3%) - Ch. 5, 7, 8 & 14
November 28

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