Virtual/Online
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.
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
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; theories of personality; heredity and learning; development 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: Social and behavioral science elective. IAI: S6 900 Social and behavioral science.
Faculty Contact Information
I am here to support you on your educational journey in the classroom and beyond. I am available to respond to questions or concerns by email, Zoom, or in person appointment. To schedule an appointment outside of class hours, please email me directly at mpfeifer@kcc.edu
Megan Pfeifer-Taylor
mpfeifer@kcc.edu
Humanities/Social Sciences Division
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
Required Text: Grison, S., Glover, E., & Chew, S. L. (2025). Psychology in Your Life (5th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN: 978-0-393-87757-1
Evaluation
Grading Scale
A 90% 333-370 points
B 80% 296-322 points
C 70% 259-295 points
D 60% 222-258 points
F <60% 0-221 points
Graded criteria
Final Project (60 points) 60 points
Discussion Posts (10 points each) 160 points
Exams (50 points each) 150 points
Attendance & Participation ------
_________________
370 points
Description of each criterion.
Final Project (60 points): A final project will be assigned to enhance learning and apply concepts outside the classroom. This project must be completed and turned in by the due date to receive full credit. You can find a full description and grading rubric on Canvas under ‘Assignments’.
Exams (150 points): Three exams (questions including multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blank, or short answer) will be given through the course of the semester. Though most of the exam will focus on the chapters covered during that point of the term, due to the cumulative nature of course, some questions may draw upon information learned earlier in the course. These will be taken online using Canvas. Each exam must be taken within a specified time period.
Discussion Posts: (160 Points): You will be assigned one discussion post to complete each week. The discussion question(s) will be based on in-class materials, content from your assigned readings, or a combination of both. You do not need to reply to your peers unless you would like to do so. Due dates will be provided on Canvas.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
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.” All instances of “intentional plagiarism” on any major assignment for this course will lead to the immediate failure of the course with no opportunity for the student to withdraw. The instance of plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Student Development. If the student has a second instance of plagiarism reported to the Dean of Student Development, the student may be suspended from the institution.
Academic Integrity: Students are expected to submit honest, original work. Examples of
cheating include copying another students’ work, using another’s work without appropriate
references, or submitting your own work that has already been used in another class. The college
regards cheating as a very serious offense and may result in failure of the class.
Late Assignments: You will learn early on that communication is key in my class. All assignments and papers are expected on the due date assigned. However, should unusual circumstances arise that delay your work, please communicate with me so we can make a plan that works for you without negatively impacting your grade. My goal is to help you succeed and pass my course. Keep me in the loop, do the best you can do complete your work and show me you are trying, and I can promise you a successful term.
Writing style: All coursework must be typed. Abbreviations such as those use when texting (i.e., “u” instead of “you”) is NOT appropriate and work containing such abbreviations will not be graded. Papers should be in APA format (see course home page in Canvas for more info on APA formatting).
Participation & Engagement
Because this is an online course, participation is measured through your engagement with course materials and activities rather than physical attendance.
Active Participation: Students are expected to engage regularly with the course by completing readings, watching lectures slides, or instructional materials, participating in discussions, and submitting assignments on time. Simply logging into Canvas is not considered participation.
Week One Participation Requirement: Kankakee Community College requires instructors to verify that students are actively participating in their courses. To be considered actively enrolled in this course, students must complete at least one academic activity during the first week of class (this period is shorter for accelerated classes). Examples include submitting an assignment, completing a discussion post, taking a quiz, or otherwise engaging in a course activity that demonstrates participation. Students who do not complete a qualifying activity during the first week may be reported as non-attending and may be administratively withdrawn in accordance with college policies.
| Week 1 (August 17-23) | Reading: Ch. 1 Wk 1 DQ |
| Week 2 (August 24-30) | Reading: Ch. 2 Wlk 2 DQ |
| Week 3 August 31-September 6) | Reading: Ch. 5 Wk 3 DQ |
| Week 4 (September 7-13) | Reading: Ch. 3 Wk 4 DQ |
| Week 5 (September 14-20) | Reading: Ch. 4 Wk 5 DQ |
| Week 6 (September 21-27) | Reading: Continue Ch. 4 Wk 6 DQ Exam 1 (Ch 1-5) |
| Week 7 (September 28-October 4) | Reading: Ch. 10 Wk 7 DQ |
| Week 8 (October 5-11) | Reading: Ch. 9 Wk 8 DQ |
| Week 9 (October 12-18) | Reading: Ch. 6 Wk 9 DQ |
| Week 10 (October 19-25) | Reading: Ch. 7 Wk 10 DQ |
| Week 11 (October 26-November 1) | Reading: Ch. 8 Wk 11 DQ Exam 2 (Ch 6-10) |
| Week 12 (November 2-8) | Reading: Ch. 11 Wk 12 DQ |
| Week 13 (November 9-15) | Reading: Ch. 12 Wk 13 DQ |
| Week 14 (November 16-22) | Reading: Ch. 13 Wk 14 DQ |
| Week 15 (November 23-29) | Reading: Ch. 14 Wk 15 DQ |
| Week 16 (November 30-December 6) | Reading: Ch. 15 Wk 16 DQ |
| Finals Week (December 7-10) | Reading: None Exam 3 Final Project |
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.