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.
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
Psychology in Your Life, Fifth Edition
Sarah Grison, Stephen Chew, and Ebony Glover
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 August 31st and September 2nd Unit 1: Psychology in your Life |
No class September 1st - Labor Day
To do before class :
To do before class September 2nd::
To do after class:
Attend Class on August 31st and September 2nd
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Week 2 September 7th and 9th The Role of Biology in Psychology |
To do before class September 9th:
To do after class:
Attend Class on September 9th. No School on September 7th.
|
Week 3 September 14th and 16th Consciousness |
To do before class:
To do after class:
Attend Class on September 14th and 16th
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Week 4 September 21st and 23rd Development Across the Life Span |
To do before September 21st:
To do before September 23rd:
To do before next class:
Attend Class on September 21st and 23rd |
Week 5 September 28th and September 30th Chapter 6 Learning |
To do before class on September 28th::
Exam 1 will be on October 5th
To do before class on October 8th
To do after class:
Attend Class on September 28th and 30th
|
Week 6 October 5th and 7th Memory |
To do before class:
To do before class on October 7th Review remainder of Canvas module
To do after class:
Attend Class on October 5th and 7th
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Week 7 October 12 and 14th Thinking and Intelligence |
To do before class:
To do before class on October 14th
To do after class:
Attend Class on October 12th and 14th
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Week 8 October 19th and 21st Motivation and Emotion |
To do before class:
To do before class on October 21st
To do after class:
Attend Class on October 19th and 21st
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Week 9 October 26th and 28th Sex, Gender, And Sexuality |
To do before class:
To do before class on October 29th
To do after class:
Attend Class on October 26th and 28th
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Week 10 November 2nd and 4th Social Psychology |
To do before class:
November 2nd
November 4th:
To do after class:
Attend Class on November 3rd and 5th
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Week 11 November 9th and 11th Self and Personality |
To do before class:
To do before class on November 11th
To do after class:
Attend Class on November 9th and 11th
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Week 12 November 16th and 18th Psychological Disorder |
To do before class:
To do before class on November 19th
To do after class:
Attend class on November 16th and 18th
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Week 13 November 23rd and 25th Group Work and Treatment of Psychological Disorders |
November 23rd: prepare for presentations with your group
November 25th - No class Thanksgiving Break
To do after class:
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Week 15 November 30th and December 2nd: Treatment of Psychological Disorders and Presentations |
To do before class:
To do after class:
Attend Class on November 30th and December 2nd
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Week 16 December 7th and 9th Review for Final/Finish Presentations |
To do before class:
To do after class:
Attend Class on December 7th and 9th
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December 9th at 5:30 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.