Course Syllabus

Syllabus – Spring 2026 – PSYC 1301.001 – Introduction to Psychology  MWF 9:05am – 10:00am 

STE 127 

 

Instructor Information: Kristie Allen, M.A. 

Hello! My name is Kristie Allen. I serve as a lecturer for the Department of Psychology and Counseling. I graduated from Grand Valley State University (Allendale, MI) with my Bachelors in Psychology and later from UT Tyler with my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am passionate about working with college students to find meaning in their coursework and a greater purpose in their educational journey. The human mind is one of the most fascinating and complex subjects of modern science. 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.  

The best way to contact me is to send a message through CANVAS. I usually respond to messages within one business day, Monday through Friday. Weekend availability will vary. You can also e- mail me directly at kallen@uttyler.edu or call me at (903) 566-6177. 

Each Wednesday, I will be available from 12:30pm-2:00pm in my Office (HPR 214) or via ZOOM for Office Hours. If this time does not work for you, we can arrange a time by appointment . 

Join Zoom Meeting  
https://uttyler.zoom.us/j/82203054072?pwd=dCcy4cNoXq7R3SoSZ21VCbFSH5gPRC.1  

Meeting ID: 822 0305 4072  
Passcode: 444092 

I am committed to facilitating a learning environment that is equitable, inclusive and welcoming and that fosters a climate of mutual respect and full participation. I expect you all to demonstrate that same level of respect to one another. Please be kind, open-minded, and receptive to feedback as that is the best way to ensure you get the most you can out of this class. 

 

Personal Applications & Impact 

It is impossible to study Psychology without thinking about our own lived experiences – that would take all the fun out of it! However, some topics we study may not be relevant to your own experiences, and your own experiences may not be consistent with the material presented. This does not mean that the research I present is inaccurate or that your experiences are “wrong”. No psychological study will account for every person’s experiences. In addition, some of the material in this class may provoke strong feelings about your past experiences or current life. It is a specific goal of this course to make sure you become good consumers of psychological information and sometimes that will mean challenging your own prior beliefs, values, and experiences.  

 

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(s): 

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

You have several options to obtain this book: 

• View online  Links to an external site.(Links to an external site.) 

• Download a PDF (Links to an external site.) 

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

You will also be required to access the Portland State University Human Development Open Access textbook 

Portland State University. Human Development Teaching and Learning Group, "Human   Development" (2021). PDXOpen: Open Educational Resources. 35.  
  https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/pdxopen/35   

And a few NOBA Modules  

Diener, E., Biswas-Diener. (Eds.) (2017). Introduction to Psychology: The Full Noba Collection. Noba textbook series: Psychology. Champaign, IL: DEF publishers. DOI: http://noba.to/d95jpvm7 

 

Evaluation and Grading: 

Quizzes	There will be four quizzes completed via Canvas. Each quiz will have 25 questions worth 1 point each	100
Exams	There will be 2 exams completed in-person. Each exam will have 40 questions worth 2.5 points each	100
In-Class Activities	There will be 6 in-class activities. You are allowed to MISS ONE at no penalty. Each of the 5 that count are worth 20 points. These are noted on the course outline so you can make sure you are present and plan ahead. If you miss class you will miss the points.	100
Attendance	You will all start the class with 20 points for attendance on Canvas. You are allowed to miss 4 classes with no penalty. Once you surpass 4 classes, I will begin taking off 5 points per absence.	20
Inside Out 2 – Creative Psychological Analysis	See Canvas for Instructions	40
Psychology in the News Assignment	See Canvas for Instructions	40
Total Points		400
Extra Credit: I will give extra credit questions on each exam and quiz. You will also have the opportunity to complete another “Psychology in the News” Assignment for 20 extra credit points.

 

360-400 points: A 

320-359 points: B 

280-319 points: C 

240-279 points: D 

<239 points: F  

 

Course Flow – What Can You Expect? 

The first 10 minutes of class will be considered an interactive study hall. Because reading is SO important for your success in this course, my expectation is that you will have read before class. However, I want to give you some time to reread and freshen up on the material so you can be active and engaged listeners who have things to contribute to our discussion. This also gives you a little bit of time to get to class and get situated and for me to take attendance. 

Minutes 10 through 45 will usually be composed of a lecture (unless noted on the syllabus) and we will leave the last 5 minutes for reflection, burning questions, and any housekeeping items we need to discuss. 

 

Attendance 

A 2010 meta-analysis of the relationship between class attendance in college and college grades found that class attendance is a better predictor of college grades than any other known predictor of academic performance (Crede et al., 2010). Much of our learning will happen while working with peers and through our group discussions. These are learning experiences that are almost impossible to make up individually. I will take attendance using Mentimeter each class meeting. You are allowed 4 absences over the course of the semester. There is no need to e-mail me or let me know you will be missing. You will all start out with 20 points (5% of overall grade) in the Canvas gradebook. Once you surpass 4 absences, I will start deducting 5 points for each absence 

Important Note – Because I clearly define which days we will be completing in-class activities, I firmly advise against missing any of those days as I will not provide you the opportunity to makeup that work. 

 Credé, M., Roch, S. G., & Kieszczynka, U. M. (2010). Class attendance in college: A   meta-analytic review of the relationship of class attendance with grades and    student characteristics. Review of Educational Research, 80(2), 272-295. 

Quizzes: 

• Quizzes are completed via Canvas and will open Wednesdays after class at 10 am and will remain open until 11:59pm on Friday evening. 

• You may use the OERs, 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 25 questions, true/false and multiple choice.  

• The quizzes are timed at 60 minutes. 

• Please study as if this was an in-person quiz! 
• There are no extensions given on quizzes. Please plan accordingly. There is an extra credit module that will allow you to make up *some* points.

• 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  

Exams:  

• Exams will be conducted in-person  

• Exams are open note; feel free to print out PPTs, articles we review in class, and bring your notes you actively take in class 

• Each exam will be 40 questions (2.5 points each)  using true/false and multiple choice format with 5 extra credit questions (1 point each)

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

Exam Make-Up Policy : Make-up exams are not guaranteed and are granted only in cases of documented, extenuating circumstances(e.g., serious illness, family emergency, or university-approved obligation).

To be considered for a make-up exam:​

• You must contact me and receive approval no later than 5:00 PM the night before the
  scheduled exam.​
• Requests must include appropriate documentation.​

Reasons such as lack of preparation or schedule conflicts do not qualify as extenuating
circumstances.​

Requests made after the exam time, or without prior approval and documentation,
will not be approved.

Course Schedule: 

Week 1
Monday	January 12	Syllabus Day
Wednesday	January 14	What is Psychology?  History of Psychology  1.3 Contemporary Psychology
Friday	January 16	1.4 Careers in Psychology  Introduce Psychology in the News Assignment
Week 2
Monday	January 19	MLK Jr. Day; No In-Person Class
Wednesday	January 21	2.1 Why is Research Important?  2.2 Approaches to Research
Friday	January 23	2.3 Analyzing Findings  2.4 Ethics
Week 3
Monday	January 26	SNOW DAY
Wednesday	January 28	ANOTHER SNOW DAY Virtual Lecture (plus built in In-class Activity): 3.1 Human Genetics  3.2 Cells of the Nervous System
Friday	January 30	Quiz Day # 1 – No In-Person Class - Note: Quiz 1 will be due by 11:59pm on Sunday February 1
Week 4
Monday	February 2	3.4 The Brain and the Spinal Cord  3.5 The Endocrine System  NOBA: Psychophysiological Methods in Neuroscience
Wednesday	February 4	4.1 What is Consciousness?  4.2 Sleep and Why We Sleep  4.3 Stages of Sleep
Friday	February 6	4.5 Substance Use and Disorders  4.6 Other States of Consciousness  7. 1 What is Cognition?  7.2 Language
Week 5
Monday	February 9	5.1 Sensation vs. Perception  5.2 Waves and Wavelengths  IN CLASS ACTIVITY
Wednesday	February 11	5.3 Vision  5.4 Hearing  5.5 The Other Senses
Friday	February 13	Quiz Day # 2 – No In-Person Class
Week 6
Monday	February 16	8.1 How Memory Functions  8.2 Parts of the Brain Involved with Memory
Wednesday	February 18	8.3 Problems with Memory  NOBA: Eyewitness Testimony and Memory Biases
Friday	February 20	VIDEO + IN-CLASS ACTIVITY:  -Elizabeth Loftus TED Talk  -Ronald Cotton CBS Eyewitness Testimony (Parts One and Two)
Week 7
Monday	February 23	11.1 What is Personality  11.2 Freud and the Psychodynamic Perspective
Wednesday	February 25	11.3 Neo-Freudians: Adler, Erikson, Jung, and Horney  11.4 Learning Approaches  11.5 Humanistic Approaches
Friday	February 27	11.6 Biological Approaches  11.7 Trait Theorists  11.8 Cultural Understandings of Personality  11.9 Personality Assessment
Week 8
Monday	March 2	Exam 1 Review – Attendance Optional
Wednesday	March 4	Exam 1 – In Class; Open Note
Friday	March 6	NO CLASS – Happy Spring Break!
Week 9 - Spring Break – March 9 – 13
Week 10
Monday	March 16	Psych in the News Work Day – To earn your in-class activity points, you must have a copy (either on your computer or printed out) of your popular press article AND the peer reviewed journal article that your pop press article references.  IN CLASS ACTIVITY
Wednesday	March 18	12.1 What is Social Psychology  12.2 Self-presentation
Friday	March 20	12.3 Attitudes and Persuasion  NOBA: Persuasion: So Easily Fooled  In-Class Activity
Week 11
Monday	March 23	12.4 Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
Wednesday	March 25	NOBA: Positive Relationships  NOBA: Love, Friendship, and Social Support  NOBA: Attraction and Beauty
Friday	March 27	Quiz Day # 3 – No In-Person Class
Week 12
Monday	March 30	9.1 What is Lifespan Development?  9.2 Lifespan Theories  PSU Human Development – Unit 8 – Early Adulthood  PSU Human Development – Unit 3 – Infancy  FINAL Draft of Psychology in the News Assignment Due by 11:59pm via Canvas
Wednesday	April 1	PSU Human Development – Unit 5 – Early Childhood/Attachment
Friday	April 3	PSU Human Development – Unit 6 – Middle Childhood  PSU Human Development – Unit 7 – Adolescence
Week 13
Monday	April 6	10.1 Motivation   NOBA: Motives and Goals   10.2 Emotion   NOBA: Emotion Experience and Well-Being
Wednesday	April 8	Inside Out 2 Viewing Day 1  In-Class Assignment
Friday	April 10	Inside Out 2 Viewing Day 2
Week 14
Monday	April 13	6.1 What is Learning  6.2 Classical Conditioning  6.3 Operant Conditioning  6.4 Observational Learning (Modeling)
Wednesday	April 15	14.1 What is Stress?  14.2 Stressors  14.3 Stress and Illness  14.4 Regulation of Stress  Inside Out 2 Assignments Due
Friday	April 17	Quiz Day # 4 – No In-Person Class
Week 15
Monday	April 20	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  16.1 Mental Health Treatment: Past and Present  16.2 Types of Treatment
Wednesday	April 22	Exam 2 Review – Attendance Optional
Friday	April 24	Exam 2 – In-Person; Open Note

  

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/. 

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy:  

UT Tyler is committed to exploring and using artificial intelligence (AI) tools as appropriate for the discipline and task undertaken. We encourage discussing AI tools’ ethical, societal, philosophical, and disciplinary implications. All uses of AI should be acknowledged as this aligns with our commitment to honor and integrity, as noted in UT Tyler’s Honor Code. Faculty and students must not use protected information, data, or copyrighted materials when using any AI tool. Additionally, users should be aware that AI tools rely on predictive models to generate content that may appear correct but is sometimes shown to be incomplete, inaccurate, taken without attribution from other sources, and/or biased. Consequently, an AI tool should not be considered a substitute for traditional approaches to research. You are ultimately responsible for the quality and content of the information you submit. Misusing AI tools that violate the guidelines specified for this course (see below) is considered a breach of academic integrity. The student will be subject to disciplinary actions as outlined in UT Tyler’s Academic Integrity Policy. For this course, I expect all work students submit for this course to be their own. I have carefully designed all assignments and class activities to support your learning. Doing your own work, without human or artificial intelligence assistance, is best for your efforts in mastering course learning objectives. For this course, I expressly forbid using ChatGPT or any other artificial intelligence (AI) tools for any stages of the work process INCLUDING EDITING (please don’t use Grammarly). Deviations from these guidelines will be considered a violation of UT Tyler’s Honor Code and academic honesty values. 

 

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.) 

  

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.) 

 carry/index.php 

  

UT Tyler a 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.) 

  

Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies 

Spring 2026 Census Date – January 26 

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.)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.)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 

CEP Vision   

The CEP will be a global leader in responding to needs in the fields of education, psychology, and counseling, with a focus on the East Texas region, by creating innovative academic and scholarly pathways and partnerships.     

CEP Mission    

The mission of the CEP is to prepare competent and passionate professionals in the fields of education, psychology, and counseling; to advance knowledge and expertise; and to impact these fields locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.