1

Indian River State College

PSY 2012
Syllabus Introduction to Psychology
Course Meeting Times

Instructor: Fontley R. Corrodus, Ph.D.

Course Location:
Office Hours: As Posted or

Instructor Phone (772) 336 - 6203

Email: fcorrodu@irsc.edu

by appointment
Office Location: Pruitt A-105

Text:
Myers, D. (2013). Exploring Psychology in Modules 9th ed.)Worth: New York.
Required: Loose Leaf Book + Lauchpad Access isbn:9781464161216
Optional version includes hard copy of book in looseleaf format
Loose Leaf Book + LauchPad Access (Includes Ebook)
Isbn: 9781464162107
*******************LauchPadl access is required for this
course.*******************
Course Description

This course is a basic introduction to the psychological study of human behavior and
thought. The primary focus of the course is to understand human behavior from a
variety of psychological perspectives. Topics to be covered include research
methodology, biopsychology, sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, memory,
intelligence, development, personality, abnormal behavior, and application of
psychotherapies.
Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

apply the principles of the scientific method to the evaluation of research in the
psychological sciences and to material presented in the media about the
behavioral sciences.
analyze human behavior in various contexts using the neuroscience, evolution,
behavioral genetics, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and socio-cultural
perspectives
evaluate human behavior using the various subfields of psychology including
neuroscience, sensation, perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory,
thinking and intelligence, motivation, personality, psychological disorders
1

describe a wide range of global, social and cultural points of view and apply
various perspectives to analyze human behavior

Teaching Strategies

This course will use a variety of teaching strategies including the assignment of
required readings, the administration of exams and quizzes, class notes on important
chapter content, the LauchPad online learning site and small group activities. Teaching

methods will include lectures and discussions, questions and answer sessions, assigned and
other readings, campus and media presentations, individual and group projects, student
presentations and reports, role play, interactive exercises, dramatization and any other
method deemed necessary by the professor. During group activities and out of class
assignments, students will be required to apply their knowledge to instruction-related
issues.

*Warning: This course may expose you to theories, ideas, and viewpoints that may be
different from those with which you agree. If this happens, Don't Get Mad! Think!
Americans with Disabilities Act
Students with disabilities who need academic accommodation should: (1) register
with and provide documentation to Student Disability Services; (2) speak to the
instructor to confirm receipt of SDS email and indicate the provided accommodations
you will use. This should be done during the first week of class.
Academic Honor Code
Students attending Indian River State College are expected to uphold the highest
standards of academic integrity. These standards are based on the premise that each
student has the responsibility (1) to uphold the highest standards of academic
integrity in the students own work, (2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic
integrity in the college community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and
responsibility on the part of the college community. Reported infractions will be
discussed privately with the student(s). If it is determined that someone has violated
these standards, that person(s) will earn 0 points for that assignment. Violations
may be reported to the Vice-President of Student Affairs for possible disciplinary
action. http://www.irsc.edu/uploadedFiles/Admissions/DatesandDeadlines/StudentHandbook(2).pdf (p. 36-8)
Attendance
2

3
Class attendance is an integral part of the learning experience. Students are expected
to arrive for class on-time and to participate in class discussions and activities. You will
be responsible for all announcements made in class including changes to exam and
paper due dates. The instructor may reduce your final grade by 20% if class absences
become excessive (three or more absences). POSITIVE, PRODUCTIVE, class
participation will also be taken into account and may impact your final grade.
Exams
There will be 3 multiple-choice exams and a multiple choice final exam. Each exam
will cover 4-6 modules and will be graded on green scantrons. Questions will be
drawn from reading, homework, lecture and class discussion. Students are required
to take all exams. Students must take exams and quizzes on the dates designated.
Any student who is absent on the designated exam dates must provide the instructor
with a medical or college excuse in order to take the make-up exam. Make-up
exams will be in essay, fill-in-the-blank and short answer format. No exam score
will be dropped from your final grade. There will be no make-up exam for the

final (EXAM # 4). If you missed the final exam, your grade for that exam will be
ZERO, no exceptions.
LauchPad Activities: Each student is expected to participate in activities at the publishers
LauchPad site . Each student will have received an access code with the new textbook that
will allow registration and access to those materials. Learning Curve will be required for
each module for study purposes. Each module will also have a mastery quiz assigned.
Please use the activities available in the LauchPad to help you do well in this course.
Written assignment:

Term Paper and Paper Proposal

Proposal: Select a topic in introduction to psychology that is of interest to you. Write a
proposal for your specific topic. The proposal should include:
a. Clear description of your selected topic
b. Why does this topic merit investigation
c. A brief description of what your paper will cover
d. A list of references that you intend to use in your paper.
Doing the proposal will help you select a topic early to facilitate your research. The
proposal (outline) must be attached to your completed paper.
The paper should be a thoughtful and critical commentary on your chosen topic. The final
paper should conform to the specifications pertaining generally to term papers (e.g., title
page, references, headings, and content). The paper should be about three to four (3-4) pages
not counting the cover page, abstract, and references page, double-spaced, typed, and should
3

contain substantial references from psychological journals and books. Psychological

research papers must conform to the American Psychological publication Manual (APA). A
copy of this manual is available in our college library or online. Your paper is due the
week.. Late papers will be penalized. You will be given the opportunity to read
your paper to the class for extra credit.
Good Communication depends on your ability to apply basic grammar, spelling,
punctuation, sentence structure and paragraph organization skills and you will be
graded on these elements as well. Appropriate in-text citations are required for
quotations, paraphrased material and specific references. However, if you quote
or use more than 3 words of anothers work and do not cite the source for
the information, it is plagiarism.
Plagiarism is defined as The act of copying any portion of another's work and
representing it as your own, regardless of whether or not the work is copyrighted or
in the public domain simply reworking the text when the concept is clearly lifted
from another's work can still be plagiarism. See the IRSC link
http://www.irsc.edu/libraries/tutorials/tutorials.aspx?id=1242 for further guidance.
Each paper must be double-spaced, typed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, and stapled.
Papers should include a title page with a title as well as your name, course title, and
the date.
Grading Criteria

Grading Scale

Your final grade will be based on one Term Paper and four exams, weighted as follows:
Term Paper
Average of four exam scores

20%
80%

Grading Scale
90 - 100%
80 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
0 - 59%

=
=
=
=
=

A
B
C
D
F

Course Policies

5
1. Students are expected to have read the assigned readings and be prepared
to participate in class discussions and activities.
2. Blackboard . This is a web-assisted course. Students are expected to check the
site regularly and are responsible for all curriculum information. The instructor
will also post any changes to the schedule or assignments. Please check the
announcements frequently.
3. LauchPad . LauchPad is a required component for all PSY2012 courses taught
at IRSC. Students are required to purchase access through the bookstore or
alternate source.
4. The use of cell phones is prohibited during class at IRSC. All cell phones
must be set on silent or off during the class period. Any student who uses a cell
phone to make or answer a call, or send and read text messages or emails,
other than IRSC emergency messages, during class time may be asked to leave
and may be considered absent for that class. No student has the right to
disturb the teaching and learning process.
PSY2O12 - Blackboard Support Materials & LauchPad Access
In order to access the Blackboard portion of the class, you must go to the IRSC
homepage, click on E-learners (on the far right on the yellow bar near the top of
the page). Choose Blackboardl Learning.
Username: Student ID (no dashes). Your ID can be found on your class
registration form. Password: PIN used for web registration.
There is a tutorial for Blackboard. Please use this to acquaint yourself with the
Blackboard platform.
You will access the LauchPad directly from your blackboard website by clicking on
its icon on the course homepage.
Course Schedule
Module 1 The History and Scope of Psychology
Module 2 Research Strategies
Module 2 Research Strategies
Appendix A Statistical Reasoning
Module 3 Neural and Hormonal Systems
Module 4, 5 The Brain
Exam#1 (Modules 1, 2, 3,4 & 5)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6
-

Module 6 Dual Processing, Sleep, and Dreams

Module 7 - Hypnosis
Module 8 Drugs
Module 15 Basic Concepts of Sensation and Perception
Module 16 Vision and Perceptual Organization and Perception
Module 17 The Nonvisual senses
Module 18 Basic Learning Concepts and Classical Conditioning
Module 19 Operant Conditioning
Module 20 Biology, Cognition, and Learning
Exam#2 (Modules 6, 7, 8, 15,16 , 17,18,19 & 20)

Module 21 Studying and Building Memories

Module 22 Storage and Retrieval
Module 23 Forgetting, Memory Construction, and Memory Improvement
Module 24 Thinking
Exam#3 (Modules, 21, 22 , 23,24)

Modules 34 Classic Perspectives on Personality

Module 35 Contemporary Perspectives on Personality
Module 39 Basic Concepts of Psychological Disorders, and Mood
Disorders
Module 40 - Schizophrenia
Module 41 Other Disorders
Exam#4 (Modules 34,35,39,40 & 41; Comprehensive Learning
Outcomes)

SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY:

This syllabus and course schedule is a guide for the course and is subject to change at the instructors
discretion with advanced notice.

If you are having problems

If you are experiencing difficulty in your course, your first obligation is to work
directly with your instructor to resolve the issue. If you are unable to settle your
concerns with the assistance of your instructor, you may contact the Department
Chair (Dr. Dean Wagstaffe, dwagstaf@irsc.edu), who will assist you or advise you
6

7
about contacting the Academic Dean (Dr. Bruce Fraser, bfraser@irsc.edu) or Vice
President (Dr. Anthony Iacono, aicono@irsc.edu ).
Online Quiz & Homework Assignment
Each module has at least one Learning Curve activity and Mastery Quiz. All items below are required
and will help you do well on your exams.
Assignment (LC=Learning Homework; MQ=Mastery Quiz)
LC1 History & Scope of Psychology
_____
LC2a/LC2b Research Strategies
_____ _____
LC3 Neural & Hormonal Systems
_____
LC4 The Brain
_____
MQ1, MQ2, MQAppA, MQ3, MQ4
_____ _____ _____

_____ _____

Assignment (LC=Learning Homework; MQ=Mastery Quiz)

LC6 Dual Processing, Sleep & Dreams _____
LC7 Hypnosis
_____
LC8 Drugs
_____
LC15 Basic Concepts
_____
LC16 Vision
_____
MQ6 - 8, MQ15 & 16 ____ ____ ____ _____ ____
Assignment (LC=Learning Homework; MQ=Mastery Quiz)
LC18 Classical Conditioning
_____
LC19 Operant Conditioning
_____
LC20 Biology & Learning
_____
LC21 Studying & Building Memories
_____
LC22 Storage & Retrieval
_____
LC23 Forgetting
_____
MQ18 - 23 ____ ____ ____ _____ ____ ____
Assignment (LC=Learning Homework; MQ=Mastery Quiz)
LC24 Thinking
_____
LC26 Intelligence & Assmt
_____
LC27 Intelligence & Nature/Nurture
_____
LC34 Classic Personality
_____
LC35 Contemporary Personality
_____
LC36 Social Psychology
_____
MQ24, MQ26 & 27, MQ34 - 36_____ _____ _____
Assignment (LC=Learning Homework; MQ=Mastery Quiz)
LC32 Stress & Mental Illness
_____
LC39 Basic Concepts
_____
LC340 Schizophrenia
_____
LC41 Other Disorders
_____
MQ32, MQ39 - 41
_____ _____ _____ _____

_____

_____ _____

(____TL pts)

SAMPLE OF TERM PAPER TOPICS

1. Write a paper on a historical figure such as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, Harry Harlow,
or Abraham Maslow. Focus on different elements of the individuals life, such as his/her
biography, professional history, theories, or influence on psychology
2. Role of the environment in the development of personality.
3. What do modern psychologists feel are the major weaknesses of
Freud's psychoanalytic theories.
4. Addiction: influences of genetics vs. peers/environment
5. Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms and Therapy
6. Attachment Theory: relationship to parenting style & psychological
health as an adult
7. The effects of the circadian rhythms on human beings.
8. The Nightly Dream Cycle and Sleep Deprivation: impact on mental
health
9. The Validity of Psychological Tests: how established? Which tests more
valid? Less valid?
10. Gender differences and the Brain - separating actual differences from
stereotypes
11. The Internet: positive/negative effects on our psychological

health

12. How has Abraham Maslow's concept of self-actualization affected

Psychology?
13. Possible Causes of Childhood Autism
14. How is Intelligence Measured? Reasons for controversy/debate
15. The Dual Roles of Genetics and Environment on Intelligence
16. Inherited Behavior - The Latest Research
17.Compare and Contrast the Learning Theories of B. F. Skinner and Jean
Piaget
18. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
19. Bipolar Disorder
20. Causes, Symptoms and Effects of Depression
8

21. Antisocial Personality Disorder