PSYC& 100: General Psychology

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Class Program

Psychology

Credits

Clinical Hours None

Weekly Contact Hours

Course ID

091980

Meets Degree Requirements For

Social Science

Description

Offers an overview of psychology as a scientific study. Theories and research findings concerning many major branches of psychology will be examined. Application of psychology concepts to school, family, work and other life settings will be taught and discussed. Critical thinking about psychology concepts will be emphasized.

Grading Basis

Graded

Course Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate orally and in writing a broad introductory view of psychology as a science through study and application of the concepts and language of several approaches/schools of thought within psychology.

Think critically about various ideas and themes within psychology. Students will be able to apply basic research methods and critical thinking skills to evaluate information and see how it applies to real world decisions.

Students will apply concepts such as metacognition, memory, and learning as well as increased awareness of their own learning styles as they begin to become more responsible and effective learners.

Apply aspects of psychology into their personal/professional/academic lives in order to be more productive, responsible, ethical and culturally competent.

Core Topics

Outcome goals are aligned to the American Psychological Association recommendations for introductory psychology courses. The course will cover the following:

The scientific method and research methods as underlying understanding of psychology
1. Some experience with research within the class
At least one topic from each of the five pillars identified by APA. Additional topics may be selected and covered. Topics that must be included at WVC are in bold.
1. Biological – neuropsychology, sensation, consciousness, motivation
2. Cognitive – cognition, memory, perception
3. Developmental- learning, human development, language
4. Social and Personality- social, personality, intelligence, multicultural, gender, emotion
5. Mental and Physical Health – abnormal psychology, therapies, health and stress
Integration of different topics into an organized whole and showing how topics interrelate
Cross cutting themes in modern psychology
1. Cultural and social diversity
2. Ethics
3. Variations in Human Functioning
4. Applications showing how psychology relates to everyday life and can help solve societal problems

Guidelines are adapted from:

American Psychological Association. (2014). Strengthening the common core of the introductory psychology course. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, Board of Educational Affairs. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ed/governance/bea/intro-psych-report.pdf