Ψ  Syllabus      • General Psychology •   Psyc 2301  Cisco College - 2018

Professor: Robert C. Gates

This course is normally taught on the Cisco campus of Cisco College as a face-to-face class with Canvas 
and Web page support

Use this e-mail address to contact the Professor: rcgates@rcgates.com

Web Page: rcgates.com
     
Course Description: General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and 
approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  Three lecture hours per week.

Credit: 3 Semester Hours 	Prerequisite: none        Transferability: Yes

Course Structure: This course will meet for 1.5 hours twice a week or for 3 hours once a week for 16 weeks 
in a standard semester.

Required Textbooks & Materials: Psychology - Ciccarelli 4/e or 5/e

Recommended Optional Materials & Library Resources: Internet search for current concepts

Purpose & Goal of the course as related to the College Mission: To offer a transferable comprehensive 
course in the social sciences which helps the student to form the basis of an understanding of 
individual human behavior.

Learning Outcomes: The student should be able to:

• 1. Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology. 
• 2. Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology 
• 3. Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology. 
• 4. Use terminology unique to the study of psychology. 
• 5. Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation. 
• 6. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior 

Core Objectives: 

 • Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and 
 synthesis of information 
• Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through 
written, oral and visual communication 
• Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or 
observable facts resulting in informed conclusions 
• Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others 
to support a shared purpose or goal 
• Personal Responsibility - to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to 
ethical decision-making 
• Social Responsibility - to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the 
ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities 

Methods of Assessment / Grading Policy

Major test: chapters 1 - 5 
Major test: chapters 6 - 10 

Average of Major tests - 50%   Major test format: multiple choice - Time limit: 30 minutes 
 
Student project - 25%

Final exam (chapters 11 -15) - 25% All required Major tests must be completed before a 
student can take the final.

Doing the practice testing on the instructor's web site is an integral part of this course! Always 
take the practice tests provided for you, it will enhance your chance of doing well on course's tests.

There is not, nor will there be made any provision for extra credit work in my classes.

Major Units of Study
 
   The Science of Psychology, The Biological Perspective, Sensation & Perception, Consciousness: Sleep, Dreams, Hypnosis,
and Drugs, Learning, Memory, Cognitive Psychology: Thinking, Intelligence, and Language, Development across the, Motivation 
& Emotion, Stress and Health, Social Psychology, Theories of Personality, Psychological Disorders, Psychological Therapies

Student Conduct, Notices and College Policies  Students are expected to follow all classroom policies listed in the course syllabus. 
College-wide policies can be found in the College Catalog and the Student Handbook. Inappropriate behavior in the classroom shall 
result, at a minimum, in a request to leave class. The Student Handbook contains a list of specific prohibitions. (Faculty may add 
reference to program handbooks.) 

Policies

Course Content College-level courses may include controversial, sensitive, and/or adult material. Students are expected to have the readiness 
for college-level rigor and content. 

Academic Integrity It is the intent of Cisco College to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to
 present as their own any work they have not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and subjects the 
 offender to disciplinary action. The Student Handbook contains a list of academic integrity definitions and violations. 

Cross-Listed Course Sections For reasons of pedagogy and course management, this course may be cross-listed with one or more other course 
sections on Canvas. Cross-listed course sections may interact. (Applicable to cross-listed sections of any format. 

Changes to the Syllabus The schedule and procedures in this syllabus are subject to change if deemed appropriate by the instructor. 

Students with Special Needs Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should notify the 
instructor the first week of class. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the necessary documentation to the Special Populations Coordinator. 

Title IX Harassment of any nature occurring on the premises of Cisco College will not be tolerated. Should a student be subjected to any form of 
harassment, the matter may be reported to the Title IX Director (254-442-5022 or 325-794-4439), Dean of Students (254-442-5173), Provost 
(325-994-4401) or any counselor. 

HB 1508 For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being 
licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department 
chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency. (Applicable to courses in programs 
that lead to state licensing.) 

Attendance Policy

•  Prompt & regular class attendance is considered necessary for satisfactory work. See College Catalog for full class attendance policy.

Ψ  IF you leave class without prior permission while it is in session, you will receive an unexcused absence!

Late Work/Extra Credit Policy

    If a student has an absence on a test day, the student will make up the test before the next test is given or receive a zero for that test grade. No makeups 
    will be allowed during final test week!  Make up tests will be taken in the classroom, by appointment only!  A Doctor’s written excuse for the class day of 
    the scheduled exam must be presented in order to take the make-up test. 
 
    Note: Makeup tests may be alternate versions of the test given to the class.
    There is not, nor will there be made any provision for re-tests in this class.
    There is not, nor will there be made any provision for extra credit work in this class.

Student Technology Use in Classroom Use of communication devices is prohibited during class. Exception to this policy may occur due to college-wide 
emergency notification or at the discretion of the instructor. In order to protect the privacy of other students and to encourage open discussion, covert digital 
recording is prohibited in the classroom. Students are expected to follow the Student IT Policy as stated in the Student Handbook

Student Help & Resources Students are encouraged to utilize the Canvas and online learning resources provided on the Distance Education webpage
 and the Student Resources provided on Canvas. Students may contact canvashelp@cisco.edu or call 325-794-4480 for Canvas assistance, or email 
 helpdesk@students.cisco.edu for assistance with college computers, software and email.