Course Syllabus

PSY 1010 General Psychology

Course Description

This course offers an introductory survey of general psychology theories and concepts with an emphasis on the scientific study of human behaviors and applications in daily life.

Justification

In addition to helping students learn more about human behavior, this course fulfills a General Education requirement. It is a prerequisite for all subsequent psychology courses. It is a required course for majors in numerous fields of study. This course is a common introductory psychology course at all institutions in the state of Utah.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. The discipline of psychology emphasizes the connection between the individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they relate to the larger social and cultural framework. In an introductory course, students will be exposed to different cultural ideas, norms, and values. They will learn how social and behavioral sciences explain individual as well as group behaviors - and how such behaviors have reciprocal influences. They also learn how to apply social and behavioral principles to improve their personal lives. This is assessed through Individual Assignments, Tests and Quizzes, In-Class Participation, and Collaborative Group Projects and/or Presentations.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Psychology's paramount endeavor is scientific accuracy. Hence, a student's ability to acquire the skill of gathering, analyzing, replicate, and synthesizing academic literature within the discipline is extremely important. Students will learn where to find valid literature, how to evaluate the methods and claims of such literature and use the information they find to inform their learning and lives. This will be primarily accomplished with individual assignments and/or collaborative group projects.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. In introductory psychology courses students are exposed to a variety of complex problems ranging from the social to the individual and much in between. Such problems are then addressed by demonstrating how different areas of psychology might be used to understand and mitigate the issues. It is regularly illustrated how psychology works with, or as part of other disciplines, (such as business, medicine, economics, humanities, etc) while examining these concerns. This will be primarily assessed by students in-class experiences and discussions but may also be assessed by individual or group assignments, and/or tests and quizzes.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students in psychology will be required to think critically in several different domains: First about their own thoughts, feelings, and actions - and the influences thereon. Then, they are asked to think about how the actions and intents of others can influence them. Additionally, they must evaluate pseudoscience using analytical, critical thinking, and methodological tools. Finally they use all the skills from the aforementioned to assess the utility of professional research articles. They learn to use critical thinking in evaluating facts, claims, ethics, and more. This is assessed through Individual Assignments, Tests and Quizzes, Individual Assignments, and Collaborative Group Projects and/or Presentations.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will become knowledgeable about processes that effect human thought, emotion, and behavior. They will also gain a basic understanding of how culture and established social structures can influence individuals. This will be assessed through class discussion, in-class work, individual assignments, and/or tests/quizzes.  Students will become knowledgeable about processes that effect human thought, emotion, and behavior. They will also gain a basic understanding of how culture and established social structures can influence individuals. This will be assessed through class discussion, in-class work, individual assignments, and/or tests/quizzes.
2. Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations for individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context. As emerging social scientists, students in Introduction to Psychology will learn how to apply existing theories about human behavior, develop new theories, and empirically test such theories. Students will also consider how influences outside the individual impact behaviors. This will be assessed through Collaborative Group Projects, in-class experiences, tests and/or quizzes, and individual assignments.
3. Draw on the social and behavioral sciences to evaluate contemporary problems using social science research methodology. Similar to above, students in Introduction to Psychology will learn how to develop new theories about human behavior, apply existing theories, and empirically test such theories in the context of individual and social problems. This will be assessed through Collaborative Group Projects, Individual assignments, and/or tests/quizzes.
4. Describe and analytically compare social, political, economic, cultural, geographical, and historical settings and processes other than one’s own. Through a variety of media such as videos, readings, interviews, etc. students will be exposed to ideological, cultural, and social ideas that may challenge their paradigm. This challenge will provide them with a better understanding of themselves, others, and the social world in which they live. Students will be encouraged to respectfully examine these perspectives as adding value and variety to society and individual life. They will display this understanding in class discussion, reflection, and/or individual assignments.
5. Explain and use the social-scientific method to test research questions and draw conclusions. Introduction to Psychology Students will learn how to how to apply existing theories about human behavior, develop new theories, and empirically test such theories - using sound scientific methodology. Students will receive instruction in up-to-date and rigorous social science research methods, and will be required to use them in Collaborative Group Projects, and/or Individual assignments.
6. Write effectively within the social science discipline, using correct disciplinary guidelines, to analyze, interpret, and communicate about social science phenomena. Students will acquire the skill of gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing academic literature in the field of psychology. They will become capable of adhering to APA writing standards and practices. This will be primarily accomplished with individual assignments, and/or collaborative group projects.

Student Learning Outcomes

Course Content

Introduction to Psychology is a course that engages students in the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. Through a variety of class activities students utilize different theoretical and analytical lenses to examine topics ranging from neuroscience to human development, learning and memory to social psychology, and much more. The content of the course integrates varying perspectives that represent different cultures, people, and perceptions as a key element of each section. The Introductory Psychology classes at Snow College espouse the APA Introductory Psychology Initiative (IPI) Student Learning Outcomes for Introductory Psychology. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/undergrad/introductory-psychology-initiative