BackIntroduction to Psychology: Course Syllabus and Learning Plan Overview
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Course Overview
This course, Introduction to Psychology (PSYC SS156), provides a comprehensive foundation in the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. It is designed for students in the General Arts & Science program and fulfills general education and service requirements. The course is delivered in a blended format, combining in-class and online learning.
Learning Outcomes
LO01: Describe various research methods and perspectives used in the past and present to study psychology.
LO02: Relate the functions of the nervous system to human thought, emotion, and behaviour.
LO03: Explain the psychological concepts of consciousness, cognition, and learning.
LO04: Examine individual- and group-focused theories and concepts that help explain individual differences in how we think, feel, and behave.
LO05: Explain the nature of stress and various psychological disorders, their etiology, and evidence-based treatments.
Assessment Outline
Student performance is evaluated through a series of online and in-person tests, each contributing 25% to the final grade. Assessments are aligned with the learning outcomes and cover all major topics in the course.
Assessment Type | Weight | Associated Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
Online Test | 25% | LO01, LO02, LO03, LO04 |
Online Test | 25% | LO01, LO02, LO03, LO04 |
Online Test | 25% | LO01, LO02, LO03, LO04 |
In-Person Test | 25% | LO01, LO02, LO03, LO04, LO05 |
Course Schedule and Topics
The course is structured around weekly topics that align with the core chapters of a standard introductory psychology textbook. Each week focuses on a major area of psychology, with assessments scheduled throughout the term.
Week | Topic | Learning Activity | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to Psychology | Online | |
2 | Biology & Behaviour | Lecture, Online | |
3 | Sensation & Perception | Lecture, Online | |
4 | States of Consciousness | Lecture, Online | Test 1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3) |
5 | Learning | Lecture, Online | |
6 | Memory | Lecture, Online | |
7 | Reading Week | Study and Review | |
8 | Motivation and Emotion | Lecture, Online | Test 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 6) |
9 | Social Psychology | Lecture, Online | |
10 | Health & Stress | Lecture, Online | |
11 | Personality | Lecture, Online | Test 3 (Chapters 9, 10, 12) |
12 | Psychological Disorders 1 | Lecture, Online | |
13 | Psychological Disorders 2 | Lecture, Online | |
14 | Psychological Therapies | Lecture, Online | |
15 | Exam Week | Test | Test 4 (Chapters 11, 13, 14) |
Major Topics Covered
Introduction to Psychology: Overview of the field, history, and research methods.
Biology and Behaviour: Structure and function of the nervous system, brain, and their influence on behaviour.
Sensation and Perception: How sensory information is received and interpreted.
States of Consciousness: Sleep, dreams, hypnosis, and altered states.
Learning: Classical and operant conditioning, observational learning.
Memory: Processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval.
Motivation and Emotion: Theories and biological bases of motivation and emotion.
Social Psychology: Group behaviour, attitudes, conformity, and social influence.
Health and Stress: Psychological factors in health, stress, and coping mechanisms.
Personality: Major theories and assessment of personality.
Psychological Disorders: Classification, symptoms, and etiology of major disorders.
Therapies: Overview of psychological and biomedical treatments.
Course Requirements and Policies
Textbook: Wood, S., Green Wood, E., Boyd, D., Wood, E., & Desmarais, S. (2024). The World of Psychology (10th Canadian ed.). Pearson.
Delivery: Blended (2 hours in-class, 1 hour online per week).
Accessibility: Materials available in multiple formats; accommodations provided as needed.
Assessment Policies: No make-up tests or bonus assignments; late submissions penalized at 10% per day (up to 50%).
Technical Difficulties: Report issues promptly to the professor and IT Service Desk.
AI Tools: Use only with explicit permission from the professor.
Key Academic Skills Developed
Understanding and applying psychological research methods.
Analyzing the biological bases of behaviour.
Explaining core psychological concepts such as learning, memory, and consciousness.
Evaluating theories of personality, motivation, emotion, and social behaviour.
Identifying and describing psychological disorders and evidence-based treatments.
Additional Info
This syllabus provides a roadmap for the course and ensures alignment with standard introductory psychology curricula.
Students are encouraged to review the textbook and attend all lectures and online sessions for optimal success.
