Monday and Wednesday 5:30 p.m to 6:45 p.m.
This course consists of a survey of the major topics in psychology; analysis of psychological research; intelligence, memory, and thinking; the biological basis of behavior; emotions, perception and sensation, motivation; wellness and stress; personality; heredity and learning; developmental psychology; social psychology, abnormal psychology (including therapy and treatment); and states of consciousness. Some sections of this course are taught in the computer lab; computer literacy skills are recommended. AAS: Business elective. IAI: S6 900.
Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Critical Thinking
Explanation of Course Alignment:
Goal of Intro to Psychology:
- Learn the history of psychology and how it impacts todays world
- Learn the connection between biology and behavior
- Research sensation and perception
- Develop an awareness of consciousness, learning, memory, and cognition as it relates to the field of psychology.
- Study human development
- Motivation and emotion as it related to psychology
- How stress and health are connected
- Psychological disorders and the how they are treated
Faculty Contact Information
Anna Kirchner
akirchner@kcc.edu
Please reach out to me via email to set up an appointment. I also will be available before and after class.
Email: akirchner@kcc.edu
Anna Kirchner
akirchner@kcc.edu
Please reach out to me via email to set up an appointment. I also will be available before and after class.
Email: akirchner@kcc.edu
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of psychological research and evidence.
- Demonstrate an understanding of states of consciousness such as attention, sleep and dreaming, hypnosis and drug use.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the leading social factors that influence behavior, esp. how we relate to, influence, and think about people.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of learning and memory, and the major kinds of learning.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how psychological factors influence physical health.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the functions and operations of cognitive processes.
- Demonstrate an understanding of major principles of sensation and perception.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the kinds, causes, prevention, and treatments of psychological disorders and ways of coping with them.
- Demonstrate an understanding of major developmental changes that occur during the main stages of the lifespan.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of both heredity and learning to human behavior.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the functions and operations of the major parts of the brain and nervous system.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the causes, nature and effects of emotions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the major principles of motivation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the main theories of personality.
- Topical Outline
- Research Methods
- Biological Processes and Neuroscience
- Sensation and Perception
- Consciousness
- Learning and Behaviorism
- Memory and Cognition
- Human Development
- Personality Theory
- Social Psychology
- Stress and Health
- Psychological Disorders and Treatments
Licht, D., Hull, M., Ballantyne. (2022). Presenting Psychology , 4th ed . New York: Worth Publishers.
Grading Scale
A 90% or higher
B 80% - 89%
C 70% - 79%
D 60% - 69%
F Below 60%
Graded Items
Presentation 100 points
Three Exams 100 points each
Discussion Questions 150 points
Assignments 100
Total 550 points
Presentation: Each students will complete a group presentation with other classmates. The topic will be on a discussed topic of interest we have learned about in the classroom setting. Specific instructions will be provided closer to the due date.
Discussion Questions: Each week discussion questions will be asked regarding the reading or a current event of the week if it related to the classroom materials. All students are expected to respond to each question.
Assignments: There will be two homework assignments each worth 50 points. Specific instructions will be provided prior to the due date.
Exams: Three exams consisting of multiple choice, short answer, and matching will be given throughout the course of the semester. Exams will be taken in person in the classroom setting. Please let em know if accommodations are needed for test taking.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
Course Policies
Plagiarism, is defined in section 16.2 of the Code of Conduct: “Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own. Plagiarism includes claiming credit for assignments completed by someone else.” Please turn in your own work, using your own words.
Academic Integrity: Please turn in your own work.
Attendance: Regular attendance is expected as stated in the college policy. Please contact me if you are going to miss class. Participation is directly linked to learning, please participate in class discussions.
Late Assignments: All assignments and papers are expected on the due date assigned. Please contact me if you are going to turn in an assignment late.
Participate in class discussions.
Be respectful and kind to your classmates and instructor.
Course Calendar
| Week 1 January 12th and 15th Unit 1: Studying Psychology |
To do before class January 12th:
To do before class January 14th:
To do after class:
Attend Class on January 12th and 14th
|
| Week 2 January 19th and January 21st Biology and Behavior |
To do before class January 22nd:
To do after class:
Attend Class on Janaury 21st Monday January 19th no class in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
|
| Week 3 January 26th and January 28th Sensation and Perception |
To do before class:
To do after class:
Attend Class on January 26th and January 28th
|
| Week 4 February 2nd and February 4th Consciousness |
To do before February 3rd:
To do before February 5th:
To do before next class:
Attend Class on February 2nd and 4th |
| Week 5 February 9th and February 11th Learning |
To do before class on February 10th:
Exam 1 will be on February 11th
To do before class on February 11th
To do after class:
Attend Class on February 9th and February 11th
|
| Week 6 February 16th and February 18th Memory |
To do before class:
To do before class on February 19th
To do after class:
Attend Class on February 16th and February 18th
|
| Week 7 February 23rd and February 25th Cognition, Language, and Intelligence |
To do before class:
To do before class on February 26th
To do after class:
Attend Class on February 23rd and 2
|
| Week 8 March 2nd and March 4th Human Development |
To do before class:
To do before class on March 5th
To do after class:
Attend Class on March 2nd and March 4th Spring Break March 9th - March 13th No Classes |
| Week 9 March 16th and March 18th Motivation and Emotion |
To do before class:
To do before class on March 19th
To do after class:
Attend Class on March 16th and March 18th
|
| Week 10 March 23rd and March 25th Personality |
To do before class:
To do before class on March 26th
To do after class:
Attend Class on March 23rd and March 25th
|
| Week 11 March 30th and April 1st Social Psychology |
To do before class:
To do before class on April 2nd
To do after class:
Attend Class on March 30th and April 1st
|
| Week 12 April 6th and April 8th Stress and Health |
To do before class:
To do before class on April 9th
To do after class:
Attend class on April 6th and April 8th
|
| Week 13 April 13th and April 15th Psychological Disorders |
To do before class:
To do before class on April 16th
To do after class:
Attend Class on April 13th and April 15th
|
| Week 14 April 20th and April 22nd Treatment of Psychological Disorders |
To do before class:
To do before class on April 16th
To do after class:
Attend Class on April 20th and April 22nd
|
| Week 15 April 27th and April 29th Presentations |
To do before class:
To do after class:
Attend Class on April 28th and April 30th
|
| Week 16 May 4th and May 6th Review for Final/Finish Presentations |
To do before class:
To do after class:
Attend Class on May 4th and May 6th
|
May 11th at 6:00 pm Final Exam |
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.