WAYCROSS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS

PSYCHOLOGY 2101                                          PSYCHOLOGY OF ADJUSTMENT

Instructor:    Anthony Hendrix, Ed. D.
Office:           Room 172A, Faculty Suite
Phone:           912-449-7568
Email:           hendrix@waycross.edu
Text:             Karen Grover Duffy and Eastwood Atwater, Psychology For Living, 10th  

                      ed., Prentice  Hall, 2010 – ISBN - 9780205790364
Homepage:    http://www.waycross.edu/faculty/hendrix/

I.   Catalog Description :

     Prerequisite: Psyc 1101 or consent of instructor. A scientifically-based study of human adjustment.  An introductory examination of the applied psychological theory  and research concerning mental   health and well being, including special emphasis on personality development and dynamics, stress, and abnormal behavior.

II.  Purpose and Methodology :

A. The purpose of Psychology of Adjustment is to introduce the students to the changes that will take place in their lives and how they may better adjust to them. An emphasis will be placed in interpersonal relationships and adjustment in a society that is changing at accelerating rates.                                                                                  

B. The classes will consist of a mixture of lectures, discussions, videos and participatory activities.  The lectures will be presented in a form to clarify text material and to expand on the information presented in the text. (You are expected to read all class assignments before class.) The discussions will revolve around current topics in adjustment psychology. Participatory activities will consist of assignments that will either be given in class or given to be completed for the next class period. These assignments will be discussed and/or performed in class and will count toward your final grade for the course.

III.  Student Learning Outcomes:

A student who successfully completes Psychology of Adjustment  (PSYC 2101) will be able to ……..
I. … demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical perspectives of personality theories as they relate to adjustment psychology
II. …demonstrate an understanding of the self as it relates to gender, culture, values, and spirituality in an individual and social context
III. … identify sources of stress, as well as its effects on our psychological and physiological well-being, including mechanism for coping with our emotions
IV. …demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between the individual and various social influences that impact adjustment including attributions, conformity, prejudice, and discrimination
V. …Identify and develop strategies for improving interpersonal communications in friendships and love relationships
VI. …demonstrate knowledge of the nature and etiology of psychological disorders as they relate to human adjustment
VII. …identify the various therapies employed in treatment of psychological disorders
VIII. …explain the relationship between psychological adjustment and various wellness-related issues, including substance abuse/addiction and eating disorders

IV.  Class Attendance

The student is expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes. The College's attendance policy indicates that a student who misses 20% of scheduled classes may be dropped from the course with a grade of WF. In order to receive credit for attendance, you must arrive at class on time and you must remain until class ends.

V. Grades and Grading

     A. Letter grades will be assigned on the basis of the following numerical values:

         A = 90 - 100          C = 70 - 79           F = less than 60
   B = 80 - 89            D = 60 - 69

 Grades and current averages may be viewed on Vista

    B. Seven hourly exams and a comprehensive final will be given. Exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay. SEE ATTACHED READING AND EXAM SCHEDULE.

    C. Two book reports are required for the course. The books should deal with a selected issue from the text. The books should be current, copyright between 2000-2006, and should be at least 100 pages in length. The book report should consist of the following sections: (1) A title page. (2) A bibliography which should appear at the top of the first page of  the report. (3) An introduction of the book and its topical relevance for the course. (4) The text or body of the book report should summarize the book. (5) A critique section will comprise the third and final  part of the book report. The critique section should include your ideas, thoughts and/or opinions about the book and the topic of the book. The critique should comprise about one fourth (1/4) of the report. The length of the book report, not counting the title page, should be four typewritten pages. Points will be deducted for those reports under four pages.  Submission deadline for the first book report is October 12, 2011. Submission deadline for the second book report is December 5, 2011.

    D. Class assignments will consist of bi-weekly, seven (7) in total, assignments that the student will complete and turn in to be graded. These assignments will pertain to a major topic of study in adjustment psychology. They will involve such things as self-evaluation and self-knowledge exercises, brief projects, and interviews. See below for a handout of the assignment.

    E. The instructor has the option of giving periodic short exams, which may or may not be announced ahead of time. These will be averaged in with the hourly exams.

    F. Class participation (which includes participation in class discussion, alert attendance and behavior in class) is strongly encouraged and will be used to determine borderline grades. Students are required to read, watch and listen to the daily news. Class lectures and discussions will frequently revolve around examples from current world and national news. Suggested sources include the national and world news sections in most newspapers, news magazines, television local and world news, CNN or Headline news.

G.  Make-up work for assignments will be conducted on an individual basis, however, there will generally be no make-up considered for unexcused absences.  If the student is sick on the day assignments are due, or cannot make it to class due to circumstances beyond their control, the student is required to call or contact the instructor by email for permission to turn in assignments late. Students who have permission to turn in assignments late must turn in the assignments the very next day they are in class.

 There will be NO make-up tests.  Your lowest hourly test grade will be dropped.  If you miss a test, the missed test will be the grade that will be dropped.  You cannot miss more than two tests.  The second test missed will count as a zero. Even if you chose to miss a test and not come to class, your assignments are still due on the day of the test.  No assignment grades will be dropped.

   H.  Deadlines will be met and work will be of a standard reasonable expected from WC
         students.

     I.  The contribution of the exams, the final, the book reports and the class assignments are shown by the grading percentage below:

             Seven exams (or more)..........................60%
             Comprehensive Final Exam..................10%
             Book reports..........................................15%
             Class assignments.................................15%

      J. Incompletes - The grade of incomplete is given to students who for reason of illness, accident, or emergency are unable to complete a segment of the course. At least 75% of the course requirements must be met with a passing grade BEFORE an incomplete will be considered. In no case will the grade of Incomplete be given as a means to avoid a failing grade.

    K. CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE:

Please do not hold conversations with classmates whenever the instructor or another
student is speaking. Also refrain from writing and passing notes or participating in other distractive behavior. Your undivided attention in class is a must.  An atmosphere of mutual respect is in order. The instructor reserves the right to request students who engage in disrespectful conduct and/or disruptive behavior to leave the class and if the behavior persists in future classes the instructor will drop the students from the class.

    L. DROPPING A COURSE WITHOUT PENALTY

In order to officially drop a course without penalty, a student must obtain and fill out a Drop/Add form from the registrar's office, acquire appropriate signatures, and return the completed form to the Registrar's office before the designated date published in the Academic Calendar in the Waycross College Catalog.  If a student fails to drop the course and quits coming to class, the instructor has no alternative but to give the student a final grade of F.

   VI. PLAGIARISM

PLAGIARISM, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL, IS PROHIBITED; IT WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT PLAGIARIZED AND COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE. Webster’s Dictionary defines plagiarism as the stealing and passing off of the ideas or words of another as one's own.  PLAGIARISM IS ACADEMIC DISHONESTY. IF PLAGIARISM IS EVIDENT, THE STUDENT WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF 0 ON THE ASSIGNMENT PLAGIARIZED AND COULD EARN A FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE. When an instructor discovers an incident of plagiarism, the instructor will discuss the situation with the student, complete a Plagiarism Form to record the incident, sign the form and obtain the student’s signature, provide the student a copy of the form, and file a copy of the form with the Dean’s office. If two incidents of plagiarism are reported, the student will be required to meet with the Dean to discuss academic integrity. REPEATED CHARGES OF PLAGIARISM COULD RESULT IN PERMANENT EXPULSION FROM THE COLLEGE.

 VII. EASE STATEMENT

The Educational Assistance and Student Engagement (EASE) Center offers supplemental instruction and campus life resources to all students enrolled at the college. Educational assistance opportunities will allow students to develop strengths and to eliminate deficiencies. The EASE Center provides tutoring and supplementary materials in reading, writing, and mathematics; provides alternate learning strategies through audio-visual, individualized, computerized, self-paced, and one-on-one tutorial work; offers assistance in developing effective study skills; and helps students prepare for the Regents’ test.    Various testing services are offered by appointment in the EASE testing center. Student Engagement resources available to students in The EASE Center consist of guidance services, orientation services, disability services, career planning, minority advising program, and student activities.     

VIII. ADA STATEMENT

       The College is committed to providing accessibility to all students in accordance to
       ADA/504 guidelines. Students should contact the Director of Student Life regarding
       accessibility.

IX. Instructional Goals and Learning Outcomes by Chapter

1. Self-Direction in a Changing World.

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Social Change.
The Challenge of Self-Direction.
Themes in Person Growth.

2. The Puzzle of Childhood. 

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Perspectives on Child Development.
The Biological Perspective on Development.
The Psychodynamic Perspective on Development.
The Social-Cognitive Perspective on Development.
The Humanistic Perspective on Development.

3. Affirmative Aging - Adulthood.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Adult Development.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions - Early Adulthood.
Same Old, Same Old?
Middle Adulthood.
Aging Gracefully - Late Adulthood

4. Seeking Selfhood.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
What Is the Self-Concept?
Core Characteristics of Self-Concept.
The Self-Concept and Personal Growth.  

5. Toward Better Health.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Body Image.
Psychological Factors and Physical Illness.
Coping With Illness.
Promoting Wellness.  

6. Taking Charge.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Mastery and Personal Control.
Resolve and Decision-Making.  

7. Managing Motives and Emotions.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Understanding Motivation.
Understanding Emotions.  

8. Making and Keeping Friends. 

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Meeting People.
Interpersonal Attraction.

9. Leader or Follower?

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Kinds of Groups.
How Do Groups Form?
Why Join a Group?
What Goes on in Groups?
Leaders and Followers.
When Groups Go Wrong.  

10. At Work and at Play.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Choosing a Career.
Your Career Outlook.
Contemporary Issues In the World of Work.
Leisure Time.  

11. Sexuality.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Men and Women.
Sexual Responsiveness.
Practical Issues.  

12. Love and Commitment.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Love and Intimacy.
Commitment.
Adjusting to Intimate Relationships.
Divorce and Its Consequences.  

13. Stress!

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Understanding Stress.
Reactions to Stress.
Managing Stress.  

14. Understanding Mental Disorders.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Understanding Psychological Disorders.
Anxiety Disorders: The Most Common Disorder.
Mood Disorders.
Common Disorders.  

15. If You Go for Help.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Insight Therapies - The Talking Cure.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies.
Other Approaches to Treatment.
How Well Does Therapy Work?
Getting Help.  

16. Good Grief and Death.  

After completing this chapter, you should be able to discuss:
Death and Dying.
Bereavement and Grief.
Life and Death in Perspective.

 Also see learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter in your textbook. 

PSYCHOLOGY 2101 – Fall 2011
Tentative Schedule

There will be a test approximately every two weeks

1st Hourly Exam -   Chapters 1 & 4

2nd Hourly Exam - Chapters 5-6

3rd Hourly Exam - Chapters 7-8

First Book Report Due - October 12, 2011

4th Hourly Exam - Chapters 9-10

5th Hourly Exam - Chapters 11-12

6th Hourly Exam - 13-14

Second Book Report Due – December 5, 2011

7th Hourly Exam - Chapters 15-16
 

Fall Semester 2011
August 18, 2011	Registration
August 22, 2011	First day of classes - Last day for 100% refund
August 29, 2011	Last day to register, change a class, and/or pay tuition/fees
September 5, 2011	Holiday - Labor Day
October 13, 2011	Mid-semester - Last day to drop a class or withdraw from College without penalty
October 24-27, 2011	Early registration for Spring 2012 - Sophomores only
October 25, 2011	Regents' Test - No classes
Oct 31 - Nov 17, 2011	Early registration for Spring 2012 - All students
November 23-25, 2011	Holiday - Thanksgiving (Students - no classes)
December 8, 2011	Last day of classes
December 12-14, 2011	Final Examinations

Psychology 2101 - Class Assignments

Your class assignments will consist of creating seven (7) personal reflection papers dealing with the topics covered in the text and in class. The paper should be typed. It should be doubled spaced. The length should be at least one full page.

These papers should include your personal examples and feelings of dealing with the topics covered. The paper should include how you adjusted to or how you are trying to adjust to a specific challenge. It could also include a challenge that you know that you should deal with, but as yet have not. The paper should be totally creative and not an article critique. In other words, the paper should be your thoughts and feelings.

These papers will be kept strictly confidential. The only person to see these papers will be me. I will give them back to you as soon as I have graded them. So do not be afraid to open up on these papers. I hope that they will be a benefit to you, helping you deal with the challenges you are facing or have faced, or will face in the future.

First Paper - Chapters 1 & 4

Second Paper - Chapters 5-6

Third Paper - Chapters 7-8

Fourth Paper - Chapters 9-10

Fifth Paper - Chapters 11-12

Sixth Paper - Chapters 13-14

Seventh Paper - Chapters 15-16