Course Syllabus

Syllabus – 1st 7 Week Term: Fall 2025 – PSYC 1301 – Introduction to Psychology – ONLINE 

  

Instructor Information: 

     Hello! My name is Dr. Eric Stocks. I am a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling. My PhD is in Social Psychology, with an emphasis on Emotion and Motivation, and a secondary emphasis on the Philosophy of Science from the University of Kansas. My research investigates several topic areas, including the Psychology of Secrets, Empathy and Altruism, Confessions and Guilt Reduction, and the Psychology of Music.

     I am very excited to assist you on your educational journey. My goal is to help you develop a basic understanding of psychology as a science-based discipline. This includes providing you with an introduction to a number of domains within the psychology discipline including (but not limited to!) human development, cognition, personality theory, and the biological bases for human behavior. Additionally, it is important to me that you learn how to apply the course content to your chosen education and career pathways. 

     Please note – I like to think of this as an Intro to Psych “Bootcamp”! We have 7 weeks to touch on a vast array of topics, so things will move fast! Please be mindful of due dates, and contact myself or the Graduate Teaching Assistant if there's anything we can do to help you to understand the course material or to prepare for the quizzes.  

 

Office Hours and how to contact us!

My Graduate Teaching Assistant is Ruta. She can be reached via email here: rdighe@patriots.uttyler.edu

Her office hours are via Zoom during the following days and times:

Tuesdays 9 am to 5 pm

Fridays 10 am to 2 pm

Here is the Zoom link:

https://uttyler.zoom.us/j/83013105090?pwd=gFVOtG7Z4fPTSRmQa4NIvTeQV51acO.1

Meeting ID: 830 1310 5090
Passcode: 167498

 

     The best way to contact me is via email at estocks@uttyler.edu.  I usually respond to messages within one business day, Monday through Friday. Weekend availability will vary. You can also message me through Canvas. If you are sending an attachment, direct email works better than Canvas messaging. My office hours are on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 10:45 in HPR 256.

 

Course Catalog Description: 

 A survey of empirically based knowledge of behavior and mentation of individuals. 

Student Learning Outcomes: 

• Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, research methods, core empirical findings, and historic trends in psychology. 

• Explain (including advantages and disadvantages) and compare major theoretical perspectives of psychology (e.g., behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic and socio-cultural); 

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following general domains: biological bases of behavior and mental processes, sensation and perception, learning and memory, cognition, consciousness, personality, social processes, developmental changes in behavior and mental processes that occur across the lifespan, emotion, and motivation; 

• Draw the distinction between scientific and non-scientific methods of understanding and analysis. 

• Recognize and understand the impact of diversity on psychological research, theory and application, including (but not limited to): age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and sexual orientation. 

• Understand and apply psychological principles to personal experience and social and organizational settings. 

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and information competence as applied to psychological topics. 

  

Textbook: 

Your textbook for this class is available for free online! 
Psychology 2e from OpenStax Links to an external site.Links to an external site., ISBN 978-1-975076-45-0 

You have several options to obtain this book: 

• View online 

• Download a PDF

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device. 

  

Evaluation and Grading: 

6 Quizzes (20 questions each worth 1 point, totaling 20 points per quiz) – 100 points 

I will drop the lowest grade! This is already built in. 

4 Reflection Papers (15 points each) – 60 points 

1 Psychology in the News Assignment – 40 points 

  

** You have an opportunity to complete an additional “Psychology in the News” assignment for 15 extra credit points** 

  

I will do my best to ensure assignments are graded within 72 hours of submission. I will drop your lowest quiz grade (CANVAS will actually do this automatically), so please do not ask to redo or reopen the assessment.. You will also have an extra credit opportunity worth 15 points that will go towards your overall grade. Because of this policy, I will not be lenient on due dates so no need to ask for an extension as it will not be granted. 

  

Course Flow – What Can You Expect? 

Seven weeks is a short period of time to cover all that is necessary in a It is important to begin with the expectation that this course will require a similar amount of time and effort from you as a face-to-face course, but that you will have more flexibility as to when you complete the work. 

This class is divided into seven modules that are seven days in length each. The modules contain PowerPoint slides, video clips, articles, and other assignments that you will produce as the semester goes on.  You will want to make sure that you have read and taken notes over each chapter and viewed the additional module content before taking each quiz. 

  

Quizzes: 

• You may use your textbook, Power Points, notes, but NOT another person. Do not rely on these items exclusively because of the time constraints. You really need to KNOW the material. 

• Each quiz is a mixture of 20 questions, true/false and multiple choice, and matching 

• The quizzes are timed -- 45 minutes per quiz

• Please study as if this was an in-person quiz! 

• Please read the section on academic dishonesty. It is not tolerated AT ALL. If cheating is suspected, you will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs  

 

Reflection Papers: 

    There are a total of four reflection papers that will be throughout this seven-week course. The purpose of the Reflection Papers is for you to apply a theory or concept from the course material to your life in some meaningful way.

 

     Specifically, you will be asked to select a major theory, hypothesis, or concept from the readings for that Unit of the course for each Reflection Paper and:

(a) Write the textbook definition of the theory, hypothesis, or concept you selected;

(b) Provide a definition of this theory, hypothesis, or concept in YOUR OWN WORDS -- that is, how you would explain it to another person, using your own way of thinking and speaking, and;

(c) Apply this theory, hypothesis, or concept to your life in some meaningful way and write about it. This could include such things as explaining how or why something in your life occurred, using the concept to improve some aspect of your life, or to invent an interesting study idea to test the theory or hypothesis in a new way.  

 

Each reflection paper should be approximately two paragraphs. The first paragraph lists the textbook definition and YOUR definition, and the second paragraph is where you APPLY the concept to your life in some meaningful way.

Total Points Possible - 15 each (60 points total)

If cheating is suspected, you will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. 

 

Module	Module Opens at 12am	Module Closes, ASSIGNMENTS DUE, at 11:59pm	Reading	Due
1: Psychology is a SCIENCE!	Monday, August  25	Sunday, August 31	Chapter 1  1.1 What is Psychology?  1. 2 History of Psychology  1.3 Contemporary Psychology  Chapter 2  2.1 Why is Research Important  2.2 Approaches to Research  2.3 Analyzing Findings  2.4 Ethics	Quiz 1
2: Biological Bases of Human Behavior – Neuroscience + Consciousness	Monday, September 1	Sunday, September 7	Chapter 3  3.1 Human Genetics  3.2 Cells of the Nervous System  3.3 Parts of the Nervous System  3.4 The Brain and the Spinal Cord  3.5 The Endocrine System  Chapter 4  4.1 What is Consciousness?	Quiz 2    Reflection Paper 1
3: Cognition, and Memory, and Sensation/Perception (Oh My!)	Monday, September 8	Sunday, September 14	Chapter 7  7.1 What is Cognition  7.2 Language  Chapter 5  5.1 Sensation vs. Perception  5.3 Vision  5.4 Hearing  Chapter 8  8.1 How Memory Functions  8.2 Parts of the Brain Involved with Memory  8.3 Problems with Memory  8.4 Ways to Enhance Memory	Quiz 3    Reflection Paper 2
4: Social Psych, Personality, and Emotion	Monday, September 15	Sunday, September 21	Chapter 11  11.1 What is Personality  11.2 Freud and the Psychodynamic Perspective  11.3 Neo-Freudians: Adler, Erikson, Jung, and Horney  11.8 Cultural Understandings of Personality  11.9 Personality Assessment  Chapter 12  12.1 What is Social Psychology  12.2 Self-presentation  12.3 Attitudes and Persuasion  12.4 Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience  12.5 Prejudice and Discrimination  12.6 Aggression  12.7 Prosocial Behavior  Chapter 10  10.1 Motivation  10.4 Emotion	Quiz 4    Reflection Paper 3
5: Learning & Lifespan Development	Monday, September 22	Sunday, September 28	Chapter 6  6.1 What is Learning  6.2 Classical Conditioning  6.3 Operant Conditioning  6.4 Observational Learning  Chapter 9  9.1 What is Lifespan Development?  9.2 Lifespan Theories  9.3 Stages of Development  9.4 Death and Dying	Quiz 5   Reflection Paper 4
6: Mental Health MATTERS.	Sunday, September 29	Sunday, October 5	Chapter 14  14.1 What is Stress?  14.2 Stressors  14.3 Stress and Illness  14.4 Regulations of Stress  12.5 The Pursuit of Happiness  Chapter 15  15.1 What are Psychological Disorders?  15.2 Diagnosing and Classifying Psychological Disorders  15.4 Anxiety Disorders  15.7 Mood Disorders  15.9 Dissociative Disorders  15.11 Personality Disorders  Chapter 16  16.1 Mental Health Treatment: Past and Present  16.2 Types of Treatment	Quiz 6
7: Psychology in the News	Monday, September 15	Sunday, October 5
Extra Credit -- Psychology in the News OPTIONAL assignment	Monday Sept 15	Sunday, October 5

 

Extra Credit Opportunity: 

Please see the extra credit assignment for more information about this opportunity. 

  

Academic Dishonesty: 

Canvas has tools that shows when/if a student has plagiarized information. It will generate a report once you submit your work and any information matching other sources will be highlighted in a document. I am sure you know that this would be considered to violate our Academic Dishonesty Policy and you will be turned into the Student Affairs office for review. Your work must be original and in your own words. I cannot stress enough; make sure ALL of your work is ORIGINAL. If you aren't sure if the work you are about to submit abides by the academic dishonesty policy of the university) don't submit it. You know if the work you are submitting is completely original. Make sure that you always include in-text citations as well as a Works Cited page in APA format with all of your work. For assistance with APA formatting, you may visit the writing center on campus and find this site to be helpful: 

 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/. 

University Policies 

UT Tyler Honor Code 

Every member of the UT Tyler community joins together to embrace: Honor and integrity that will not allow me to lie, cheat, or steal, nor to accept the actions of those who do. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities 

To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please follow this link: http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/rightsresponsibilities.php (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. 

Campus Carry 

We respect the right and privacy of students 21 and over who are duly licensed to carry concealed weapons in this class. License holders are expected to behave responsibly and keep a handgun secure and concealed. More information is available at http://www.uttyler.edu/about/campus- (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. 

 carry/index.php 

UT Tyler Tobacco-Free University 

All forms of tobacco will not be permitted on the UT Tyler main campus, branch campuses, and any property owned by UT Tyler. This applies to all members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, University affiliates, contractors, and visitors. 

Forms of tobacco not permitted include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and all other tobacco products. 

There are several cessation programs available to students looking to quit smoking, including counseling, quitlines, and group support. For more information on cessation programs please visit 

 www.uttyler.edu/tobacco-free. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. 

Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies 

Check the UT-Tyler Website for Census and Drop Dates!!!!

Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the 

Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at http://www.uttyler.edu/registrar.  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Each semester's Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar. 

Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average. Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract. 

The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware. These include: 

• Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No 

• Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date) 

• Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a "W, grade) 

• Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment 

• Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid 

State-Mandated Course Drop Policy 

Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date). 

Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions. 

Disability Services 

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University of Texas at Tyler offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychological disabilities. If you have a disability, including a non-visible diagnosis such as a learning disorder, chronic illness, TBI, PTSD, ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment, you are encouraged to visit 

 https://hood.accessiblelearning.com/UTTyler and fill out the New Student application. The Student Accessibility and Resources (SAR) office will contact you when your application has been submitted and an appointment with Cynthia Lowery, Assistant Director of Student Services/ADA Coordinator. For more information, including filling out an application for services, please visit the SAR webpage at http://www.uttyler.edu/disabilityservices,  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.the SAR office located in the University Center #3150 or call 903.566.7079. 

Student Absence due to Religious Observance 

Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second class meeting of the semester. 

Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities 

If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed. 

Social Security and FERPA Statement 

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically. 

Emergency Exits and Evacuation 

Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor's directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services. 

Student Standards of Academic Conduct 

Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who engages in scholastic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. 

• "Cheating, includes, but is not limited to: 

• copying from another student's test paper; 

• using during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test; 

• failure to comply with instructions given by the person administering the test; 

• possession during a test of materials which are not authorized by the person giving the test, such as class notes or specifically designed "crib notes,. The presence of textbooks constitutes a violation if they have been specifically prohibited by the person administering the test; 

• using, buying, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program; 

• collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test or other assignment without authority; 

• discussing the contents of an examination with another student who will take the examination; 

• divulging the contents of an examination, for the purpose of preserving questions for use by another, when the instructor has designated that the examination is not to be removed from the examination room or not to be returned or to be kept by the student; 

• substituting for another person, or permitting another person to substitute for oneself to take a course, a test, or any course-related assignment; 

• paying or offering money or other valuable thing to, or coercing another person to obtain an unadministered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program, or information about an unadministered test, test key, homework solution or computer program; 

• falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other academic work offered for credit; 

• taking, keeping, misplacing, or damaging the property of U. T. Tyler, or of another, if the student knows or reasonably should know that an unfair academic advantage would be gained by such conduct; and, 

• misrepresenting facts, including providing false grades or resumes, for the purpose of obtaining an academic or financial benefit or injuring another student academically or financially. 

• "Plagiarism, includes, but is not limited to, the appropriation, buying, receiving as agift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the submission of it as one's own academic work offered for 

• "Collusion, includes, but is not limited to, the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any section of the rules on scholastic 

• All written work that is submitted will be subject to review by plagiarism 

CEP Vision and Mission and Program Standards 

Vision 

The College of Education and Psychology is nationally recognized and respected for its academic programs and opportunities. It is a center of academic excellence, scholarly inquiry, and public service. The College prepares leaders to meet the critical challenges of the 21st Century, to make significant contributions to local and global communities, and to work toward individual and cultural equity. 

Mission 

The mission of the College of Education and Psychology is to provide a positive environment that fosters the acquisition of knowledge and skills. The mission is individually and collectively realized through a community of scholars that contributes to knowledge through scholarly inquiry; organizes knowledge for application, understanding and communication; and provides leadership and service. Additionally, the College is committed to affirming and promoting global perspectives, cultural diversity, and respect for individual differences as a means of enhancing learning, service, and scholarship.