Syllabus
Guttman Community College, 101, Introduction to Psychology
Instructor Information
- Natalia Lara-Gonzalez
- Wednesday 10:30-11:30 or by appointment (ONLY ZOOM)
Course Information
- PSYCH101
- Introduction to Psychology
- Pre-requisite: None
- Monday & Wednesday: 11:30 – 1:00PM
- NCC 40th 409A
Course Overview and Goals
This course introduces students to the scientific study of mental processes and human behavior and provides a foundation in the principles, methods, and theories of psychology. Students will study psychology’s major areas of inquiry, including the history of psychological science, sensory and perceptual processes, learning and cognition, motivation and emotion, human development, social influences, as well as psychological disorders and treatment.
Upon Completion of this Course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of critical concepts in Psychology;
- Distinguish the questions and approaches of psychology from those of the other social sciences;
- Apply principals of psychology to personal, social, and organizational contexts;
- Systematically investigate problems related to human behavior and mental processes.
Course Requirements
Exams
There will be three exams in this course, each consisting of a combination of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Many of the questions will be applied, meaning you will need to understand the concepts in depth (not just memorize definitions) to answer correctly. Each exam is worth 20 points, I will drop your lowest exam grade.
Participation
You are expected to attend class and actively participate. Participation includes asking questions during class as well as completing in-class activities, such as answering questions with a group or providing examples for concepts covered.
Group Presentation
At the end of the semester, you will be assigned to groups of 4 students to collaborate on a final presentation. Each group will cover a specific psychological disorder, addressing its symptoms, etiology, prevalence, ethical issues, and treatment. Additionally, you will select a movie that portrays the disorder you are presenting and discuss any inaccuracies or inconsistencies based on the academic research covered in class. You will have one full class period to work with your group, but you are also expected to collaborate outside of class. Detailed guidelines for the presentation will be provided. You must be present to receive credit.
Reflections
There will be five assignments throughout the course, each consisting of two questions. For each question, you are required to provide a thoughtful reflection. Your responses should be clear, coherent, and fully address all aspects of each question. Each reflection should be 2 paragraphs. All responses must be submitted before the start of class on the due date. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Grading of Assignments
The grade for this course will be determined according to the following formula:
| Assignments/Activities | % of Final Grade |
| Class participation | 10% |
| Exams | 40% |
| Group Presentation | 20% |
| Reflections | 30% |
Letter Grades
Letter grades for the entire course will be assigned as follows:
| Letter Grade | Points | Percent |
| A | 4.00 | 92.5% and higher |
| A- | 3.67 | 90.0 – 92.49% |
| B+ | 3.33 | 87.5% – 89.99% |
| B | 3.00 | 82.5% – 87.49% |
| B- | 2.67 | 80% – 82.49% |
| C+ | 2.33 | 77.5% – 79.99% |
| C | 2.00 | 72.5% – 77.49% |
| C- | 1.67 | 70% – 72.49% |
| D+ | 1.33 | 67.5% – 69.99% |
| D | 1.00 | 62.5% – 67.49 |
| D- | .67 | 60% – 62.49% |
| F | .00 | 59.99% and lower |
View Grades
Grades will be available to students through Brightspace.
Course Schedule
Topics and Assignments
| Week/Date | Topic | Reading | Assignment Due |
| TBD | Syllabus & Introduction to Psychology | Syllabus | |
| TBD | Research methods | Research Methods in Psychology: -The Science of Psychology -Experimental Research | Reflection 1 due by 9AM |
| TBD | Fields of Psychology and Other Forms of Inquiry | None | |
| TBD | Biological Basis of Behavior | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 3: Brains, Bodies, and Behavior | |
| TBD | Sensation and Perception | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 4: Sensing and Perceiving | Reflection 2 due by 9AM |
| TBD | Consciousness | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 5: States of Consciousness | |
| TBD | Cognitive Development | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 6: Growing and Developing | Reflection 3 due by 9AM |
| TBD | Attachment | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 6: Growing and Developing | |
| TBD | Learning | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 7: Learning | |
| TBD | Memory | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 8: Remembering and Judging | Reflection 4 due by 9AM |
| TBD | Social Psychology | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 14: Psychology in Our Social Lives | |
| TBD | Personality | Introduction to Psychology: -Chapter 11: Personality | Reflection 5 due by 9AM |
| TBD | Psychological Disorders | Abnormal Psychology: -Anxiety Disorders -Mood Disorders -Schizophrenia | |
| TBD | Psychological Disorders | Abnormal Psychology -Obsessive-compulsive disorders -Post-traumatic stress disorder -Personality Disorders | |
| TBD | Presentations | Presentation Due |
Tests and Quizzes
- Exam 1: TBD
- Exam 2: TBD
- Ecam 3: TBD
Course Materials
Required Materials (Heading 3)
College-wide Policies:
Expectations for Out-of-Class Time
For every 1 instructional credit hour in class, a Guttman student is expected to spend at least 2 hours out-of-class studying, reading, writing, researching, and working on projects, and preparing for tests. For example, for a 3-credit course that meets for 3 hours a week, a student is expected to spend at least 6 hours outside of class time doing related course work. If a course provides more time in class than 1 hour for one credit, the additional time may offset out-of-class expectations.
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York. Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.
Cheating
Cheating is the unauthorized use or attempted use of material, information, notes, study aids, devices, or communication during an academic exercise. Examples include: a. Copying from another student during an examination or allowing another to copy your work. b. Unauthorized collaboration on a take-home assignment or examination. c. Using notes during a closed book examination. d. Taking an examination for another student or asking or allowing another student to take an examination for you. e. Changing a graded exam and returning it for more credit. f. Submitting substantial portions of the same paper to more than one course without consulting with each instructor. g. Preparing answers or writing notes in a blue book (exam booklet) before an examination. h. Allowing others to research and write assigned papers or do assigned projects, including using commercial term paper services. i. j. Giving assistance to acts of academic misconduct/dishonesty. Fabricating data (in whole or in part). k. Falsifying data (in whole or in part). l. Submitting someone else’s work as your own. m. Unauthorized use during an examination of any electronic devices such as cell phones, computers or other technologies to retrieve or send information.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research, or writings as your own. Examples include: a. Copying another person’s actual words or images without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their source. b. Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source. c. Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments. d. Internet plagiarism, including submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the internet without citing the source, or “cutting & pasting” from various sources without proper attribution.
Statement Regarding Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Guttman Community College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions, including pregnancy. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (emotional, medical, physical, and/or learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room 506 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please call 646-313-8061 or speak to your Student Success Advocate or Career Strategist. Furthermore, if you have a disability and think you will need assistance evacuating this classroom and/or building in an emergency, please make me aware so that the college and I can develop a plan to assist you.
Critical Incident Management
Guttman expects students to respect the rights, privileges and property of other people. Faculty are required to report disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment or inhibits students’ ability to learn.
Viewpoint Tolerance
Some of the issues covered during the seminar may evoke strong emotions. Students, faculty and staff must be able to disagree respectfully with others on topics that are personally very important to them. Civility is essential to all scholarly discourse.
Starfish
Starfish is a communication tool for students, faculty, advisors, and many academic support and student service areas at Guttman. Instructors and advisors will use Starfish to provide you with feedback about your progress. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails or text messages regarding your academic performance and referrals to specific campus resources, such as peer mentors or tutors. You can use Starfish to “Raise Your Hand” and ask questions, and make appointments with your advisor or with other service areas. To access Starfish log into my.guttman.cuny.edu and click the Starfish icon on the left side of the page. If you need help using Starfish, you can speak to your advisor.
