Course Information

Course Website

You are on the course website now!!

All class information, readings, and documents will be uploaded to the course website. To access this content visit: cuny.is/psych101fall24

Required Text and Materials

There is no required textbook. This is a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) course. We will use the following resources for our class:

• Introduction to Psychology (A critical approach) Edited by Jill Grose-Fifer, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at John Jay College, CUNY
• Selections from Noba Textbook Modules for Psych 101

Our Class Community

In this course we will celebrate diversity, actively work to foster equity, and strive to cultivate an inclusive environment. I care about you and will work to make sure you have a successful and meaningful experience in this class. In return, I hope you will come to class ready to engage in whatever way makes most sense for you — active listening, detailed note taking, enthusiastic participation in discussion, and critical thinking and sharing in group work are all great ways to participate.

I recognize that students and professors are just people! We are complex human beings with different backgrounds and lives outside of school. I will understand if and when things come up for you outside of the classroom. If you feel you are falling behind or need help please get in touch with me. You can talk to me before/after class or email me. I am committed to always treating you respectfully and will listen to any issues that you may experience that will impact your ability to perform in this class. I hope that you will treat me and your peers in the class with a similar level of respect and understanding.

Together, we can create an environment in which we treat others with respect, compassion, and understanding. We will not stand for violent, oppressive, or racist rhetoric or actions in our class.

  Join me in fostering a culture of care in the classroom by…

• Being kind and respectful to everyone.
• Listening to others’ ideas and engaging in considerate ways.
• Cultivating dialogue and understanding even when expressing opposite opinions.
• Looking after your peers, and your own! Take care of yourself and others.

Accessibility & Inclusion

This course is intended for all John Jay students. If, at any point in the term, you find yourself not able to fully engage in the course or access the course content, you are welcome to contact me via email or come talk to me to discuss your needs.

You are not required to disclose your specific disability to the instructor (me) or anyone else. Students with disabilities are entitled to confidentiality over disability-related status or details.

Students who believe that they may need an accommodation due to a disability are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) in the New Building, room L.66 (212 237 8031), or [email protected]. Qualified students with dis/abilities will be provided reasonable academic accommodations if determined eligible by the (OAS). http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/office-accessibility-services.

Prior to granting dis/ability accommodations in this course, I must receive written verification from the Office of Accessibility Services (Room L66). It is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the office to have the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Preferred Gender Pronoun and Name: I affirm all forms of gender expressions and identities. Please let me know of your preferred pronouns, and if you would rather be called a different name than what is on the class roster.

Students experiencing or witnessing discrimination or harassment, should discuss their concerns with me, and/or the psychology department.

Please see these polices for more information:

• John Jay’s Non-discrimination policy
• John Jay’s Policy and Procedures on Equal Opportunity and Non-discrimination 
• John Jay’s Policy on Sexual Misconduct
• Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments

Course Overview

Week	Date	Class  Topic
1	August 28	Welcome
2	Sept. 2	NO CLASS
	Sept. 4	Branches of Psych & the BioPsychoSocial Model
3	Sept. 9	Social Psychology – Cognition
	Sept. 11	Social Psychology – Interaction
4	Sept. 16	Social Psychology –  Groups
	Sept. 18	History of Psychology
5	Sept. 23	Conditioning
	Sept. 25	Research Methods
6	Sept. 30	Research Methods
	Oct. 2	NO CLASS
7	Oct. 7	Learning & Memory
	Oct. 9	Learning & Memory
8	Tuesday Oct. 15	Exam Lifespan Development
	Oct. 16	Developmental Psych
9	Oct. 21	Language, Intelligence, Culture
	Oct. 23	Personality
10	Oct. 28	Personality
	Oct. 30	Motivation & Emotions
11	Nov. 4	Stress
	Nov. 6	Review
12	Nov. 11	Exam & Consciousness
	Nov. 13	Sleep
13	Nov. 18	Sensation and Perception
	Nov. 20	Biopsychology & Nervous System
14	Nov. 25	Brain Chemistry
	Nov. 27	NO CLASS
	Dec. 2	Psych Disorders & Treatment
15	Dec. 4	Careers in Psychology
	Dec. 9	Career Discussion
16	Dec. 11	Review
	Dec TBD	Final Exam

Detailed Schedule & Readings

Grading & Assignments

Research Experience and Participation

Course Policies

Plagiarism & Generative AI (ChatGPT, etc.)

Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writings as your own. The following are some examples of plagiarism:

• Copying another person’s words without the use of quotation marks or citations.
• Presenting another person’s ideas or theories without acknowledging the source.
• Using information that is not common knowledge without citing sources.

Plagiarism includes submitting term papers or parts of term papers you did not write, paraphrasing or copying information without citing the source, and “cutting and pasting” from various sources without proper attribution (including ChatGPT and AI text generators). Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. It is your responsibility to make sure you cite your sources, and not copy directly from the internet without citing the source.

I do not encourage or tolerate the use of Generative AI to complete writing assignments for this class, especially the Synthesis Paper writing assignments. When you use AI tools the AI generated content is not original work – you do not write the words, develop the statements, or generate the ideas. In other words, you did not produce the knowledge. The content is produced by AI and therefore you may not learn from the assignment.

I want your papers to be in your own words, in your unique voice, with your original ideas – even if that means there are a few grammar errors, or it’s not “perfectly” written. You will have many opportunities to refine your writing during college, use this class as an opportunity to begin developing your own writing voice and style.

Incomplete Grades

An INC grade may be given only if you would pass the course if you were to satisfactorily complete course requirements. It is within my discretion to assign the grade of INC. INC grades will only be given in consultation with the student.

If a grade of INC is given, incomplete work is due by no later than the end of the third week of the following spring semester.

When assigning the INC grade, I will grade your outstanding coursework and submit your grade for the course any time from the date you submit the completed work until the end of the following fall or spring semester. If the I do not submit a change of grade, the incomplete grade automatically becomes the grade of FIN.

Student Resources

Writing Center

The Writing Center, located in room 01.68 New Building, is a service that provides free tutoring to students of John Jay. The Center has a staff of trained tutors who work with students to help them become more effective writers, from planning and organizing a paper, to writing and then proofreading it. https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/alan-siegel-writing-center

Lloyd Sealy Library

The library is a great place to study, use a computer or printer, pass time on campus, and collaborate with your peers. The library also provides online resources at no cost to students. https://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/

Wellness Center, Counseling, & Healthcare

Students experiencing any personal, medical, financial or family-related distress, which may affect their ability to fulfill the requirements of this course, are encouraged to visit the Wellness Center (L.65 NB). Available resources include Counseling Services, Health Services, Food Bank, and legal and tax aid through Single Stop.  https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/wellness-center

Food Pantry

The John Jay food pantry is a resource available to students who may be experiencing food insecurity. It provides free or low-cost groceries to help students meet their nutritional needs. https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/wellness-center/food-pantry

Tuition, Financial Aid, Emergency Funding  

https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/admissions/tuition-financial-aid

https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/wellness-center/emergency-funding

Resources for Undocumented Students

https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/student-life/immigrant-student-success-center/resources-undocumented-immigrant-students

ESL Resources

https://teachingwritingatjohnjay.commons.gc.cuny.edu/esl-support-center/