PSY 101 1

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment

Effat University
College of Humanities and Social sciences
Psychology department

Introduction to Psychology
PSY 101

Course Specification

Course Specifications
Institution: Effat University
College / Department: Psychology

A Course Identification and General Information

1. Course title and code: PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology

2. Credit hours (total): 3

3. Program(s) in which the course is offered.
Psychology, Early Childhood Education, and can be taken as a general elective in other programs.

4. Name of faculty member responsible for the course.
Kimberly Deatherage-Mominah, M.S.

5. Academic year and level at which this course is offered: Fall 2008, Freshman level

6. Pre-requisites for this course: COM 111

7. Co-requisites for this course: None

8. Date of approval of course specification

9. Location if not on main campus

B Aims and Objectives

1. Overall Aims of Course:
1. Be able to identify the different types of research methods utilized in psychology.
2. Be able to list the different fields of study in psychology and how it is used in other disciplines.
3. Be able to identify basic concepts of psychology such as “stimuli”, “response”, and “conditioning” commonly associated with learning.
4. Be able to discuss at least 2 advances in neuropsychology that have led to better understanding of human behavior.
5. Be able to define sensation and perception and explain the relationship between the two concepts.
6. Be able to discuss and explain the different states of consciousness.
7. Be able to identify different types of memory and discuss errors in memory recall.
8. Be able to identify ways to promote emotional health and well being.
9. Be able to discuss the connection between the mind and body.
10. Be to able to define and explain different types of intelligence and apply which types of intelligence are key to success in different career fields and tasks.

2. Briefly describe any course development objectives that are being implemented (e.g. increased use of IT or web based reference material, changes in content as a result of new research in the field)

This class is being considered one of the “on-line” classes for Effat College. The class will still utilize 3 contact hours per week with students in the classroom, but Blackboard is being utilized as well to enhance learning of the students. Eight modules will be taught throughout the semester. The instructor will utilize different methods such as traditional lecture, small group in-class activities, reading independently from internet resources and prescribed course book, and internet activities. In addition, lecture outlines, syllabus, assignments, as well as testing will be conducted through the College’s Blackboard system. The amount of topics covered in this course has been reduced to give the instructor to utilize other methods to increase the student’s knowledge and application of the subject matter.

C. Course Description

1. Topic to be Covered

Topic

No of Weeks

Contact hours
Introduction to class, review of syllabus, and development of class goals.

1 week
3 hours
Introduction to the broad fields of psychology as well as origins to the development of the field of psychology.

2 weeks
6 hours

Introduction to basic concepts of the scientific method and its’ application in psychological research.
2 weeks
6 hours
Introduction to the biological basis of behaviour and the emerging field of neuropsychology.

2 weeks
6 hours
Introduction to the concepts of sensation and perception processing and how it relates to the field of psychology.

1 week
3 hours
Introduction to the different concepts of consciousness and it's relation to human functioning both at emotional and physical levels.

2 weeks

6 hours

Introduction to the basic learning theories, as well as theories related to memory.

1 week
3 hours
Introduction to the basic theories associated with different types of intelligence.
2 weeks
6 hours
Introduction to the basic strategies for mental health, as well as examining normal vs. abnormal behaviour.
1 week
3 hours