---

	PSYC111 - General Psychology
This course is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters every year.

---

Instructor: Ling-Yi Zhou, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Office: S435, Tower Hall Office Hours: MWRF 2:30-3:30 p.m. Phone: (815) 740-3594 E-mail: lzhou@stfrancis.edu

Course Description Course Requirements Grading Tentative Schedule

---

Required Textbook

Griggs, ,

R. A. (2006). Psychology: A concise introduction (1st ed.). NY: Worth.

Course Description and Goals

PSYC 111 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (3) [1] – introduces students to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Emphasis is on the biophysiological and psychosocial processes underlying a broad range of topics such as: perception, learning, memory, life-span development, cognition and language, motivation, emotion, personality, social behavior, and psychopathology, in addition to brief introductions to major divisions and schools of thought in psychology and general research methodology. (IAI Course #: S6 900) .

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course the student will be able to:

1. demonstrate a basic understanding of psychology as a scientific discipline (including a brief history of psychology, research methodology, and major subdisciplines in psychology);
2. demonstrate knowledge of the language used by psychologists;
3. demonstrate a basic understanding of major concepts and theories in the major areas of bio/physiopsychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and abnormal/clinical psychology;
4. compare and evaluate theories;
5. demonstrate knowledge of the major research findings of important studies;
   6. demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between basic research and applied research;
6. demonstrate skills to apply basic research findings from psychological studies to real life situations;
7. appreciate various factors affecting the mental processes, psychological states, and behaviors of individuals;
8. demonstrate a basic appreciation of both similarities and differences across individuals and groups;
9. use electronic instruments to obtain valid information in the area of psychology; and
10. comprehend current research articles of primary sources. [This might be the very first time for many students to experiencing reading papers of this nature. Focus will be placed on comprehension of the major points and reflective thoughts on the implications of the findings.]

Methods of Instruction

Lectures assisted with PowerPoint slides and active learning

Course Requirements

Students will be expected to:

1. read the textbook chapters and other required sources in a timely manner;
2. attend all classes and actively participate in all in-class learning activities;
3. take a series of quizzes; and
4. complete all the assignments independently and submit each electronically before or on its due date.

Attendance Policy

Fifty points are assigned to in-class learning activities. Attendance will be formally taken at each class meeting. If you miss the class, you miss the points assigned to the activities in that class.

Methods of Evaluation

Student learning outcomes will be assessed based upon class attendance, participation, assignments, and tests.

Homework

	All of the assignments must be submitted electronically. If all of your assignments are turned in on time, you will receive five extra points to reward your commitment, good time management, and respect for the others' needs. One week extension is allowed for each assignment; after one week, I will not accept late submission due to my feedback to the assignment has to be released to the rest of the class.
	NO.	CONTENTS	POINTS
	1	Intro & Research	30
	2	Article - Brain	20
	3	Sensation/Perception & Altered States	30
	4	Learning	20
	5	Stress & Health Psychology	40
	6	Course/Learning Reflection	10

Quizzes

	Make-up tests are possible if you have valid reasons AND contact the instructor prior to the test date. If the student fails to obtain my permission for test date rearrangement PRIOR to the scheduled test date, the student’s test score will be deducted by ten percent (the reason of this penalty being that he or she is having more time for test preparation than those who stick to the time table).
	NO.	CONTENTS	POINTS	TIME
	1	Chapter 1	35	Week 2
	2	Chapter 2	35	Week 4
	3	Chapter 3	40	Week 6
	4	Chapter 4	40	Week 8
	5	Chapter 5	50	Week 10
	6	Chapter 6	50	Week 12
	7	Chapter 7	50	Week 13
	8	Chapter 8	50	Week 15
	9	Chapters 9 and 10	50	Week 17 (Final)

Grades

Final Grade Componens		Points	Grade
1	Attendance & Participation (50 Points)	540-600	A
2	Assignments (150 points)	480-539	B
3	Quizzes (400 points)	417-479	C
		357-416	D
Total	600 Points	356 and lower	F

Academic Integrity