COURSE OVERVIEW

This course serves as a broad introduction to the field of contemporary psychology, which is explored as a science, a profession, and a means of promoting human welfare. Students are exposed to psychology as both a natural and social science through reading assignments, lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Writing assignments reflecting critical thinking are required. This course partially satisfies the general education requirement in the Individual and Social Awareness category.

What can you expect from this course?

Come to class - in class there will be some lecture and some active learning. You will complete a Concept Check in class for each lecture. These are things (lectures, practice labs, and Concept Checks) that cannot be made up if they are missed. Additionally, for each domain (i.e., Psychology as a Science, Development, etc.) you'll have a content page where you can find all assigned readings and videos as well as any additional lecture resources, such as PowerPoint presentations or instructor-recorded video presentations provided. Be sure you check out the Content Page on each module before the start of each new domain. Finally, Canvas will help you organize your days/times in this course; however, most things will be listed in your syllabus course schedule as well and have a fairly routine timeline for when they are due.

For example:

Reading Checks are ALWAYS due the day new content is introduced - so, when we begin content on "Development" for example, you will have only until the first lecture period of "Development to take that Reading Check.
Exams, exams are ALWAYS due by the date listed. They are open for 24-hours.
Practice Labs (in class) are ALWAYS due on the day they are assigned, unless the activity warrants additional time and the due date will be announced in class and published on Canvas.
Concept checks (in class) are ALWAYS due the day of class in which they were assigned. No exceptions.

You'll learn a lot and it will feel like a lot. This is a general overview of a very broad field. You'll explore a new topic within psychology nearly every week, so be sure you're really spending time with the material. There are great FREE, online resources provided to you as a student in PSY 101. Use them!

SYLLABUS

A downloadable, printable version of your syllabus can be found here .

Your Canvas Modules serve as a guide to your course schedule and student resources. Important things to note from your syllabus:

Assignments

Each week you'll have mostly the same things within each Canvas module; however, this does not take the place of class attendance.

A typical week of content will include:

A content page. There you'll find the topic for the week, the assigned readings, any videos, and a brief lecture series if provided.
A reading check. Using any resource available to you (use your textbook - it's free, linked below, and will be the point of the assignment) you will complete a reading check. You may take this twice and Canvas will keep only the highest score. The lowest score from all reading checks drops from your final grade.
Concept checks. You'll complete an activity based on the day's content. The lowest two scores from all concept checks drop from your final grade.
Additionally, you will have in-class practice labs approximately every two content areas (one drops from your final grade), and one writing assignment to complete. See Canvas and your syllabus for due dates. More details to come.
Exams and reviews are the exception to the above format. More details to come.

Policies

Please review your syllabus and the Canvas module with resources and policies for additional information. COVID-specific policies and resources can be located within those tabs.

TEXTBOOK

Your textbook for PSY 101 is FREE and totally online. Follow this link to access your textbook, its resources, and other online tools. You can save, download, and print from the link.

Psychology.mind.jpg