Mt.

San Antonio College

PSYC 1A: Introduction to Psychology (CRN: 26146)
Course Syllabus (Fall, 2022)

Instructor: Gene “Gin” Ano, Ph.D. (Dr. “Gin” or Dr. Ano; Please do NOT call me “Mr.”)
Office: Building 26B, Room 2551G
Telephone: (909) 274-6306 (Note: Best to reach me by e-mail)
E-mail: gano@[Link]
On-Campus Office Hours: MW: 6:20pm – 7pm; 8:25pm – 8:45pm
Online Office Hours: Tues.: 9am – 11am (Synchronous Zoom or Email)
Class Meeting Times: MW: 7:00pm – 8:25pm
Class Location: 26A-2871

Textbook (Required):

Ciccarelli, S. K., & White, J. N. (2021). Psychology (6th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Education, Inc. (Note: ANY version of this textbook is fine: e-book,
hardcover, paperback, loose-leaf, etc. If you find a previous edition for significantly
cheaper, that’s fine too). See the following link for the most cost-effective option. If you
are taking other classes that use a Pearson textbook, the Pearson+ Multi option is best:
[Link]
tab=title-overview

Course Description (Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGL 1A; Advisory: Eligibility for
READ 100 or completion of AMLA 33R):

Hello and welcome to Introduction to Psychology! This course examines psychological

approaches to the study of behavior and mental processes. Topics include the history of
psychology, psychological research methods, biological psychology, sensation and perception,
consciousness, learning, memory, cognition, intelligence, and language, lifespan development,
motivation and emotion, applied psychology (e.g., gender and sexuality and stress and health),
social psychology, personality, psychological disorders, and psychological treatment.

This course will emphasize the importance of understanding psychological phenomena from a
scientific perspective. It is not designed to help you resolve all of your “issues” or diagnose all of
your friends, family members, peers, or coworkers. However, a crucial aspect of this course is
the practical application of psychological principles to your daily lives. I hope that you will be
informed, inspired, and invigorated by your experience in this class and that we will all have fun
as we learn together this semester!

Course Measurable Objectives:

1. Identify the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, core empirical findings, and historic
trends in psychology.

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2. Compare and contrast major theoretical perspectives of psychology (e.g.,
psychoanalytic, behavioral, humanistic, etc.)
3. Apply concepts and theories from the following general domains: (a) biological bases
of behavior and mental processes, (b) sensation and perception, (c) consciousness, (d)
learning and memory, (e) cognition, intelligence, and language (f) lifespan development
(g) motivation and emotion, (h) gender and sexuality, (i) stress and health, (j) social
psychology, (k) personality, and (l) psychological disorders and approaches to treatment.
4. Apply psychological principles to personal experience.
5. Compare and contrast research methods in psychology, including advantages and
disadvantages of each (e.g., observation, case study, survey, correlational method,
experimental method).
6. Distinguish between scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Theories in Psychology. Be able to differentiate the major theoretical perspectives of

psychology.
2. Psychology is Science. Explain how psychology utilizes the scientific method.
3. Application of Psychological Principles. Apply psychological principles to personal
experiences.

For a complete list of Student Learning Outcomes and Measurable Objectives for all courses
offered at Mt. SAC, visit: [Link]

Course Materials:

This course is supported by Canvas at Mt. SAC. It is ESSENTIAL that you have FREQUENT
ACCESS TO A COMPUTER WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION because all graded
assignments, quizzes, and exams will be submitted online. Please see this link to request a free
student laptop and/or internet loan.

In order to log into Canvas, log into your MyMtSAC portal. Once you are logged in, click on the
“Canvas” tab. Then, click on the “Log into Mt. SAC Canvas” button, select this course, and you
should be ready to go. If you have problems, contact the Mt. SAC IT HELP desk at (909) 274-
4357, the Canvas support hotline at (844) 303-4499, or check the Canvas support page:
[Link]

Grading Criteria:

LET ME EMPHASIZE UP FRONT THAT I DO NOT GIVE GRADES…YOU EARN

THEM! HERE’S HOW:

Mandatory Class Orientation (25 points): Part 1: Personal Introduction Discussion Post = 10
points. Part 2: Syllabus Quiz = 15 points. (More specific information is posted in Canvas).

Personal Application Journals (100 points): A crucial aspect of this course is the personal
application of psychological principles to your life. Therefore, you will watch ten short videos

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dealing with the psychology of success and reflect upon each video in the proper forum (worth
10 points each). Then, after you have completed your post, reply to 2 of your classmates’ posts.
The purpose of these replies is to promote an interactive learning community. Therefore, each
reply should be individually written to each person, commenting on something specific they
wrote about in their post. You may NOT just copy and paste your replies for each person, saying
something generic like, "Hi (Name). I agree with what you said." More specific instructions
(e.g., length of responses, etc.) will be provided with each Personal Application Journal
assignment.

Multimedia Discussions (225 points): For each chapter, you will watch a video online through
the Mt. SAC library’s “Films On Demand” database and post a review and discussion in the
proper forum (worth 15 points each). Then, after you have completed your post, reply to 3 of
your classmates’ posts. The purpose of these replies is to promote an interactive learning
community. Therefore, each reply should be individually written to each person, commenting on
something specific they wrote about in their post. You may NOT just copy and paste your replies
for each person, saying something generic like, "Hi (Name). I agree with what you said." More
specific instructions (e.g., length of responses, etc.) will be provided with each multimedia
discussion assignment.

Critical Thinking Activities (225 points): Critical thinking is an essential part of any college
education. There are Critical Thinking Activities for each of the 15 chapters in the textbook
(worth 15 points for each chapter). It is essential for you to read the textbook in order to succeed
in this course. The Critical Thinking Activities are worksheets (multiple choice, short answer,
etc.) that require you to apply your understanding of the material from the reading assignments
and lecture notes.

Quizzes (75 points): There are 5 quizzes (worth 15 points each). All quizzes are taken online. The
quiz items are multiple choice and are based upon your lecture notes and reading assignments.

Exams (350 points): There are 2 midterm exams (worth 100 points each) and one cumulative
final exam (worth 150 pts.). All exams are taken online. Exam questions are multiple choice and
are based upon your lecture notes and reading assignments.

In summary, grades are based upon the following criteria:

Class Orientation: 25 points (2.5% of grade)

Personal Application Journals: 100 points (10% of grade)
Multimedia Discussions: 225 points (22.5% of grade)
Critical Thinking Activities: 225 points (22.5% of grade)
Quizzes: 75 points (7.5% of grade)
Exams: 350 points (35% of grade)

Total: 1,000 points

Letter grades are assigned at the end of the semester and are based upon the following
breakdown of total raw points. Please note: points or percentages are NOT rounded up.

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A = 900 pts. – 1,000 pts. (90% - 100%)
B = 800 pts. – 899 pts. (80% - 89%)
C = 700 pts. – 799 pts. (70% - 79%)
D = 600 pts. – 699 pts. (60% - 69%)
F < 599 pts. (< 59%)

Grade Changes:

In accordance with California Education Code § 76224(a) and Title 5, § 55025, the determination
of the student's grade by the instructor shall be final in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith,
or incompetency. If you believe the grade you received is incorrect (e.g., due to inaccurate
recording or calculations), you must contact me within two weeks of the beginning of the next
semester to discuss the matter. After that, I will destroy all assignments I have on file and assume
the grade you were assigned for the semester is accurate.

Tips for Success:

Although we meet for lecture 3 hours a week, all graded assignments will be submitted online.
While everyone works at a different pace, if you want to succeed in this class, you should be
planning to spend anywhere from 5 – 8 hours per week (maybe more) on reading,
completing assignments, and studying for this class. On some weeks, you may have more
assignments than others, but they are always due on the same day and time each week, so please
plan accordingly and develop your own weekly routine in order to budget your time wisely.

Class Policies:

Attendance: Attendance is worth 2 points (extra credit) per each class period. If you come late or
leave early, you get 1 point (extra credit) for attendance that day. These extra credit points will
count towards your grand total at the end of the semester, but if you miss them, they will not
necessarily count against your grade as long as you keep up with the weekly assignments. For
the latest COVID protocols, please click on this link.

Laptops and Cell Phones: I HIGHLY recommend you bring your laptops to class because we
may work on the critical thinking activities during certain lectures. You may also use your cell
phone, but usage should be limited to class-related activities.

Profile Pictures: Because you will be interacting with one another in discussion forums, it is
necessary to upload a profile picture of yourself in Canvas for this class. Having a profile picture
keeps people a little more accountable for their conduct and promotes an atmosphere of openness
and mutual respect. If you do not upload an acceptable profile picture, you will NOT receive
credit in any discussion forums. Here are some guidelines for your profile picture:
1. It should be a real picture of yourself (e.g., no avatars, symbols, etc.).
2. Your face should be clearly visible (e.g., no sunglasses, masks, etc.).
3. It does not necessarily have to be a close-up, but it should not be from such a great
distance that your face is not recognizable.

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Communication: All communication regarding the class will be conducted through your Mt.
SAC e-mail. Therefore, you should check it frequently or have your Mt. SAC e-mails
forwarded to your personal e-mail account. It is best to reach me by e-mail at
gano@[Link]. I usually respond within 48 hours (except on weekends). If you e-mail me with
a question or concern and have not received a response from me within 48 hours, I probably did
not receive it because I usually always respond if you ask me to.

Announcements: Announcements regarding the class (e.g., instructions, assignments due,

potential changes in the schedule, etc.) will be posted in the “Announcements” section of
Canvas. It is your responsibility to check it frequently (at least twice a week, but preferably
more) in order to keep up with the class procedures, etc.

Make-Ups / Extensions: Make-up assignments, exams, or extensions are permitted only if

there is a system-wide problem with Canvas or the Mt. SAC portal. Because all of the
assignments for the semester are posted ahead of time, you have tremendous flexibility regarding
when you choose to do your work. Therefore, extensions are ONLY allowed if there is a system-
wide problem with Canvas or the Mt. SAC portal. You can always turn things in early, but not
late, so please plan accordingly.

Academic Honesty: Don’t cheat! Cheating is defined as (but not limited to): copying another
person’s work during an exam; working with another student on an assignment that is supposed
to be individual; plagiarizing or submitting work that is not your own, etc. Please note that not
understanding what constitutes cheating does not necessarily excuse you from the consequences.
Students who are caught cheating will receive a 0 on the assignment, may possibly fail the
course, and will be subject to further repercussions as specified by the college policies.

Class Conduct: It is absolutely essential that we create an atmosphere of openness, acceptance,

and mutual respect for one another in this class. Therefore, any disruptions or disrespect toward
me or your fellow classmates (e.g., through discussion boards, etc.) will not be tolerated and may
result in suspension from the class or other repercussions by the college. It is assumed that we
are all mature, respectful, and responsible adults capable of creating and maintaining a level of
scholarly behavior, so let’s all try to act like it and have fun as we learn together this semester.

Mandated Reporting: Any information that is shared with me (either verbally or in writing) is
kept confidential. However, as a professor and psychologist, I may be mandated to breach
confidentiality if: (1) you express any intent to harm or kill yourself, (2) you express any intent
to harm or kill others, and/or (3) you discuss any issues of child abuse or elder abuse.

Drop Policy: You may be dropped from the course if you miss ALL of the assignments for two
consecutive chapters before the deadline to withdraw because this is counted as a “no show,”
unless you contact me stating your intention to remain in the class. After that, it is YOUR
responsibility to drop the course. If you stop completing the work, but do not drop the
course, you will be assigned an “F” at the end of the semester (or the appropriate grade
based upon the point breakdown). See the following link for a list of important dates:
[Link]

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Assistance:

Mt. SAC strives to make our courses accessible to everyone. We specifically consider design
features that make our courses accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those using
assistive technology for computer access. If you find a feature inaccessible to you, please contact
the instructor or Mt. SAC Disabled Student Programs & Services at (909) 274-4290.

Assistance Needed With: Where to Go / Who to Contact

Course Content or Policies Professor
Course Delivery Professor
Accessing the Canvas Course or Mt. SAC
IT Help Desk, x 4357
Portal
Navigating the Canvas Course Professor or Click on Canvas Help icon
Tutoring (Math, Writing, Reading, and other Tutorial Services in Learning Assistance
GE subjects.) Center, LTC - Lower level, x4300
Assessment (for placement) Assessment Center
Testing Services (proctored testing for online Learning Assistance Center, LTC - Lower
classes) level, x4300
Learning Assistance Center, LTC - Lower
Writing Development and Workshops level, x4300 or Writing Center, Bldg 26 Room
1561A
Accommodations for Disabled Students ACCESS x4290

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 Tentative Course Schedule

All assignments are due online by 11:59pm every Sat. During some weeks, you may have
extra assignments (e.g., quiz, exam, etc.) and NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE
ACCEPTED, so please plan accordingly.

Week Topic and Assignment Due Date

Reading Assignment Due
1 Personal Introduction Personal Intro. Discussion Post Sat., 8/27
Class Orientation Syllabus Quiz (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 1: The Science of Psychology: Personal Application Journal #1
Then and Now (PURPOSE)
Ch. 1 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 1 Reading
Ch. 1 Critical Thinking Activity
2 Ch. 2: The Biological Perspective Personal Application Journal #2 Sat., 9/3
(BELIEF) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 2 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 2 Reading
Ch. 2 Critical Thinking Activity
3 Ch. 3: Sensation & Perception Personal Application Journal #3 Sat., 9/10
(RESPONSIBILITY) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 3 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 3 Reading
Ch. 3 Critical Thinking Activity
Quiz #1 (Ch. 1 – 3)
4 Ch. 4: Consciousness: Sleep, Personal Application Journal #4 Sat., 9/17
Dreams, Hypnosis, & Drugs (ACTION) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 4 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 4 Reading
Ch. 4 Critical Thinking Activity
5 Ch. 5: Learning Personal Application Journal #5 Sat., 9/24
(VISION) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 5 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 5 Reading
Ch. 5 Active Learning Activity
Exam #1 (Ch. 1 – 5)
6 Ch. 6: Memory Personal Application Journal #6 Sat., 10/1
(COLLABORATION) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 6 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 6 Reading
Ch. 6 Critical Thinking Activity
Quiz #2 (Ch. 4 – 6)
7 Ch. 7: Cognition: Thinking, Personal Application Journal #7 Sat., 10/8
Intelligence, & Language (MINDSET) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 7 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 7 Reading

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 Ch. 7 Critical Thinking Activity
8 Ch. 8: Development Across the Personal Application Journal #8 Sat., 10/15
Lifespan (DILIGENCE) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 8 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 8 Reading
Ch. 8 Critical Thinking Activity
9 Ch. 9: Motivation & Emotion Personal Application Journal #9 Sat., 10/22
(RISK) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 9 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 9 Reading
Ch. 9 Critical Thinking Activity
Quiz #3 (Ch. 7 – 9)
10 Ch. 10: Sexuality & Gender Personal Application Journal #10 Sat., 10/29
(PERSISTENCE) (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 10 Multimedia Discussion
Ch. 10 Reading
Ch. 10 Critical Thinking Activity
Exam #2 (Ch. 6 – 10)
11 Ch. 11: Stress & Health Ch. 11 Multimedia Discussion Sat., 11/5
Ch. 11 Reading (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 11 Critical Thinking Activity
12 Ch. 12: Social Psychology Ch. 12 Multimedia Discussion Sat., 11/12
Ch. 12 Reading (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 12 Critical Thinking Activity
Quiz #4 (Ch. 10 – 12)
13 Ch. 13: Theories of Personality Ch. 13 Multimedia Discussion Sat., 11/19
Ch. 13 Reading (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 13 Critical Thinking Activity
14 Ch. 14: Psychological Disorders Ch. 14 Multimedia Discussion Sat., 11/26
Ch. 14 Reading (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 14 Critical Thinking Activity
15 Ch. 15: Psychological Therapies Ch. 15 Multimedia Discussion Sat., 12/3
Ch. 15 Reading (by 11:59pm)
Ch. 15 Critical Thinking Activity
Quiz #5 (Ch. 13 – 15)
16 Final Exam (Ch. 1-15) Final Exam (Ch. 1-15) Sat., 12/10
(by 11:59pm)

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 Appendix: How to Complete and Submit Assignments

Personal Application Journals

Step 1: Click on the link to watch the video for that week’s Personal Application journal. After
watching the video, I’d recommend typing your post in a separate word processing program so
you can keep track of your word count. Then, submit it by pressing the “Reply” link, copying
and pasting your post, and then pressing the “Post Reply” button (not shown in this diagram—
you’ll see the button and where you can copy and paste your post after pressing the “Reply”
link). Your post should be at least 200 words.

Step 2: Reply to 2 of your classmates’ posts by clicking on the “Reply” link at the bottom of each
post. Each reply should be at least 50 words.

Personal Application Journal Grading Rubric:

10 points = 6 points for your review (3 points for every 100 words. Should be at least 200
words); 2 points for each reply (1 point for every 25 words on each reply). (Please Note: Since
personal application journals are worth less points, you only need to reply to 2 classmates’ posts,
instead of 3, as in the multimedia discussions.)

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Multimedia Discussions:

Step 1: Click on the link to watch the video for that week’s particular discussion. After watching
the video, I’d recommend typing your post in a separate word processing program so you can
keep track of your word count. Then, submit it by pressing the “Reply” link, copying and pasting
your post, and then pressing the “Post Reply” button (not shown in this diagram—you’ll see the
button and where you can copy and paste your post after pressing the “Reply” link). Your post
should be at least 300 words.

Step 2: Reply to 3 of your classmates’ posts by clicking on the “Reply” link at the bottom of each
post. Each reply should be at least 50 words.

Multimedia Discussion Grading Rubric:

15 points = 9 points for your review (3 points for every 100 words. Should be at least 300
words); 2 points for each reply (1 point for every 25 words on each reply). (Please note: since
multimedia discussions are worth more points, you need to reply to 3 classmates.)

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Critical Thinking Activities:

Step 1: Download the assignment by clicking on the link.

Step 2: After completing the worksheet, please submit it by attaching your file in one of the
following formats (.rtf, .doc, .docx, or .pdf; Mac users-NO .pages format).

Critical Thinking Activities Grading Rubric:

15 points = Full or Partial credit based upon how much is completed. Points will be deducted if
not submitted in the proper format. (See Canvas for more details).

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 A NOTE ABOUT CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM IN ANY FORM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Cheating is defined as, but not limited to:

 Submitting replicas of assignments from other students (either currently or from other
semesters).
 Submitting or re-submitting assignments for the wrong chapter/discussion in an attempt
to pass it off as the correct assignment.
 Copying other people’s Multimedia Discussion posts or replies.
 Copying and pasting the same replies for different students in discussion forums.

Although I do not provide specific comments on every individual assignment, I read through
ALL of your assignments when grading them. Students who are caught cheating will receive a 0
on the assignment, may possibly fail the course, and will be subject to further repercussions as
specified by the college policies. [Link]

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