PSYC15065G
Psychology Core Concepts
Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.


Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2023
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Child and Youth Care, Community and Justice Services, Educational Support, General Arts and Science, General Education, Investigation-Public and Priva, Police Foundations, Social Service Worker
Program Coordinator(s): Allison Fitzgibbon, Jessica McLean, Lynnette Stevenson, Kate Hann, Malene Stewart, Jessica Pulis, Cathy Marion, Alia Somani
Course Leader or Contact: Kirsten Madsen
Version: 20230905_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
This is an introductory level course in psychology, the science of behaviour and mental processes. Basic concepts, theories and research findings are examined within the biological, behavioural, psychoanalytic, humanistic, and cognitive perspectives. Core topics covered will include scientific methodologies, biological foundations of behaviour; learning and memory; language, thinking and intelligence; motivation, emotion and stress, and personality theories. Two optional topics (which vary with each instructor) will also be addressed during the course.

Program Context

 
Child and Youth Care Program Coordinator(s): Kate Hann
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within Child and Youth Care.

Community and Justice Services Program Coordinator(s): Cathy Marion
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within Community and Justice Services.

Educational Support Program Coordinator(s): Allison Fitzgibbon
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within Educational Support.

General Arts and Science Program Coordinator(s): Jessica Pulis
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within General Arts and Science - College.

General Education Program Coordinator(s): Alia Somani
This course is part of the General Education curriculum which is designed to contribute to the development of the students' consciousness of the diversity, complexity, and richness of the human experience; their ability to establish meaning through this consciousness; and, as a result, their ability to contribute thoughtfully, creatively, and positively to the society in which they live and work. General Education courses strengthen students' generic skills, such as critical analysis, problem solving, and communication, in the context of an exploration of topics with broad-based personal and/or societal importance.

Investigation-Public and Priva Program Coordinator(s): Lynnette Stevenson
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within Investigations - Public and Private.

Police Foundations Program Coordinator(s): Jessica McLean
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within Police Foundations.

Social Service Worker Program Coordinator(s): Malene Stewart
Please see context for General Education. This is a mandated GENED within Social Service Worker.


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to explain the fundamental concepts, research findings, theories and perspectives of scientific psychology.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Outline the scientific method and the scientific attitude fundamental to the understanding and appreciation of psychological theories and knowledge.
  2. Summarize the key concepts, strengths and limitations of the bio-psychological (e.g., neuroscience, evolutionary), psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavioural and social-cognitive perspectives.
  3. Explain classical and operant conditioning and social and cognitive learning.
  4. Examine human memory and cognition (e.g., thinking, language, intelligence).
  5. Outline perspectives on motivation and emotion.
  6. Examine the several alternate approaches to personality.
  7. Outline the basic concepts, theories and research associated with two of the following content areas as designated in the topical outline: sensation, perception, consciousness, development, health, psychological disorders, psychological treatment, and social psychology.
  8. Apply the scientific methodology, the terminology, the concepts and the perspectives of psychology to one's personal life.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS
 Tests60.0%
 Assignments30.0%
 In-Class Quizzes and Activities10.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL To encourage behaviours that will help students to be successful in the workplace and to ensure that students receive credit for their individual work, the following rules apply to every course offered within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the professor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified times. Missed tests, in-class activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. If an extension or make-up opportunity is approved by the professor as outlined below, the mark of zero may be revised by subsequent performance. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding weekends and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. 3. Students, who miss a test or in-class activity or assignment or fail to submit an assignment on time due to exceptional circumstances, are required to notify their professor in advance of the class whenever possible. A make-up test may be supplied for students who provide an acceptable explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation explaining their absence (e.g., a medical certificate). All make-up tests are to be written at a time and place specified by the professor upon the student's return. Alternately, students may be given an opportunity to earn the associated marks by having a subsequent test count for the additional marks. Exceptional circumstances may result in a modification of due dates for assignments. 4. Unless otherwise specified, assignments and projects must be submitted at the beginning of class. 5. Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort unless the professor specifies otherwise. 6. Since there may be instances of grade appeal or questions regarding the timely completion of assignments and/or extent of individual effort, etc., students are strongly advised to keep, and make available to their professor, if requested, a copy of all assignments and working notes until the course grade has been finalized. 7. There will be no re-submission of work unless this has been previously agreed to or suggested by the professor. 8. Students must submit all assignments in courses with practical lab and field components in order to pass the course.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:


 

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

  • Communication Skills - Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
  • Communication Skills - Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
  • Information Management - Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

General Education
This General Education course relates to the following themes as specified by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

  • Personal Understanding

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

  • Challenge Exam
    Notes:  
  • Portfolio
    Notes:  
  • Interview
    Notes:  

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Print Instruction Mode Professor Applicable Student Group(s)
In-Class Alexa Roggeveen Social Service Worker
In-Class Andrea Stafford Public Safety Programs: Police Foundations, Investigation- Public and Private and Community and Justice
In-Class Multiple Professors General Arts & Science College Profile, General Education Electives, Investigations Public & Private, Police Foundations and Community Worker

Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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