Welcome to General Psychology
Course Description
Introduction to psychology as a science. Topics covered in this survey course includes historical background, fields and divisions, scientific methods, biological underpinnings of thought and behavior, learning and memory.
Course Requirements
How many assignments am I required to complete? You are required to complete three (3) assignments.
Where can I find the assignments? Assignment links are located on the blue navigation bar on Brightspace. If viewing Brightspace from a smart phone, click on the three bars in the upper left to view each assignment link. Video and written instructions for all assignments are available on the Assignments page of this website.
Where can I find the due date for each assignment? Assignment due dates are posted in the course syllabus. A link to the course syllabus is available on Brightspace.
Can I re-do an assignment? Assignments are submitted and graded one time only. If needed, contact academic support to make an appointment with a tutor before submitting.
Where do I submit assignments? Submit all assignments on Brightspace.
Can I text message or email assignments? Assignments that are emailed or sent as a text message will not be graded or counted as on time. All assignments must be submitted on Brightspace to receive credit.
What if I do not submit an assignment by the due date? Assignment links on Brightspace will remain available until the day before the final exam. Late submissions lose one (1) point for each day submitted after the due date.
Why am I having difficulty submitting Assignment 3 on Brightspace? If you are trying to post a link to your assignment, posting links are not permitted. Print and save your document as a PDF. Upload the PDF version under the Brightspace Assignment 3 link. Alternatively, you can complete your assignment directly in the Assignment 3 link or copy and paste the text directly into the Assignment 3 link and submit. Contact Brightspace help if you need further assistance.
How can I submit assignments if I don’t have a laptop or desktop? The college library is equipped with computers. You may also request a laptop/tablet loan at the college. Your local public library may also have computers.
How many worksheets am I required to complete? Ideally, you should complete all worksheets when prompted during lecture. To satisfy the course participation grade for synchronous and asynchronous sections, see Grades FAQs.
Where can I find the worksheets? Links to worksheets are available in the syllabus. The link for the syllabus is available on Brightspace.
What are interactive worksheets? Interactive worksheets are digital online versions of the worksheets that allow you to actively participate in answering questions. Interactive worksheets are available for synchronous and asynchronous sections. Links for interactive worksheets are not available in the syllabus.
Where do I find the interactive worksheets?
Links to interactive worksheets for synchronous sections will be provided in the zoom chat during class.
Links to interactive worksheets for asynchronous sections are available under the Weekly Work link on Brightspace. If viewing Brightspace from a smart phone, click on the three bars in the upper left to view the Weekly Work link.
Paper copies of worksheets will be available in class for in-person sections.
Where do I submit worksheets? Worksheets are not submitted. Worksheets are for practice and will be completed during class time to ensure understanding of the concepts discussed. Participation on interactive worksheets will be counted towards course participation grade for asynchronous and synchronous sections. See Grade FAQs for details.
Why can’t I submit answers on the interactive worksheet? If you are accessing the interactive worksheet link from a cell phone, you may not be able to submit answers. Try accessing each link from a laptop or desktop.
Why is it saying I need permission to access the worksheet links on the syllabus? If you get a permission request message when clicking on worksheet links in the syllabus, you will need to sign into your browser from a private account. If you are signed in under a company account such as the NYCPS, links outside of their domain are blocked. I will not be able to grant permission.
How many exams am I required to take in this course? You are required to complete four (4) exams.
How do I know when each exam is scheduled? Exam dates and times are available in the course syllabus. The course syllabus is available on Brightspace.
Where can I find exams? Exam links are located under the “Quizzes” link on the blue navigation bar in Brightspace. You can also click on the exam link from the calendar widget in Brightspace. When viewing Brightspace from a smartphone, click on the three bars shown in the upper left to view the “Quizzes” link.
I am taking this class in-person. Where do I take the exam? In-person classes will take exams in class at the college. A desktop computer is available in class for use during exams. You will not be permitted to take exams remotely. Have your CUNYfirst username and password available on days of the exam. If you are unable to log into your account on the day of the exam, paper versions of each exam will be available.
What if I have internet issues while taking an exam? For asynchronous and synchronous sections of this course, WiFi issues are not a valid excuse for not completing exams. You can use your smartphone as a hotspot or find another internet connection as a backup. You are also able to access the exam from a smartphone using cellar data. When logging into Brightspace from a smartphone, click on the three bars in the upper left on the Brightspace home page to view the “Quizzes” link. You should prepare a backup plan beforehand as once the exam is started the time cannot be paused. The college library is also equipped with desktops and reliable internet.
Can I re-do an exam after it is graded? Each exam can only be taken one time. There are no re-takes. If needed, contact academic support to make an appointment with a tutor before completing exams.
What if I am absent for an exam? On campus sections, if you are absent for any of the first three exams, you have the option to request a make-up exam. One make-up exam can be taken during the next exam date. You will be required to complete two exams in the time allotted for one exam. A paper version of the make-up exam will be provided.
Asynchronous and synchronous sections, you will be required to complete make-up exams in-person, on campus. Day, time, and room will be provided. Other alternatives can be arranged. Alternatives will be taken on the day of the next exam and time will be shared between two exams.
What if I am absent for the final exam? If you are absent during the final exam, you must contact the instructor by the end of that day to request an incomplete (INC) in the course. A grade of INC will allow you to complete the final exam within the first ten weeks of the following semester. If you do not contact the instructor, a zero will be averaged into your weighted total. This may result in a failing or significantly lower course grade.
What if I don’t have a laptop or desktop to access exams on Brightspace? Exams can be accessed from a smartphone, however, it is best practice to complete exams on a laptop or desktop. The college library is equipped with computers. You may also request a laptop/tablet loan at the college. Your local public library may also be equipped with computers.
Where can I find my grades? Assignment and exam grades are posted on Brightspace under the “Grades” link on the blue navigation bar. If viewing Brightspace from a smart phone, click on the three bars in the upper left to view the “Grades” link.
How much is each assignment worth? Assignment 1 and Assignment 2 are each worth 5% of the course grade. Assignment 3 is worth 10% of the course grade. Assignments total 20% of the course grade.
How much is each exam worth? Exams 1, 2, & 3 are each worth 15% of the course grade. The final exam is worth 20%. Exams total 65% of the course grade.
How much is course participation worth and what counts as participation? Course participation is worth 15% of your course grade.
Course participation for in person sections is determined by presence in the classroom and participation on worksheets. If you are not present, you cannot participate. After one (1) absence, points will be deducted. Extreme lateness and/or leaving class extremely early will also result in a deduction from this grade.
Participation for synchronous sections is determined by presence in the zoom classroom and answering one question on at least five (5) interactive worksheets plus submitting score on the introversion/extroversion scale. After one (1) absence, one (1) point is deducted for each additional absence. If you are not present, you cannot participate in the course. Extreme lateness and/or leaving class extremely early will also result in a deduction from this grade.
Participation for asynchronous section is determined by thoughtfully answering one question on at least six (6) interactive worksheets throughout the semester plus submitting score on the introversion/extroversion scale. Providing feedback to another student’s answer if you determine their answer is incorrect also counts as participation. Providing the same answer for any question already answered by another student or providing an incorrect answer as feedback will not count as participation.
Students in synchronous and asynchronous sections are limited to answering one (1) question on each interactive worksheet to allow other students to participate.
Can I re-do an assignment or exam after it is graded? Assignments and exams are submitted and graded one time. If needed, contact academic support to make an appointment with a tutor before submitting assignments and completing exams.
Is extra credit available? Additional or extra credit is not available in the course.
Does the college offer academic support? Tutoring is available at the college at no cost. Check out the resources page on this website or click on the tutoring link available on the Brightspace navigation bar to schedule a session.
Course Orientation
