Psychology 101 - Introduction to Psychology-100% online - Michelle LaBrie
| Course: | Introduction to Psychology-100% online |
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| Professor: | Michelle LaBrie |
| Email: | michelle.labrie@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
Dear Virtual Psychology Students!
Welcome to Introduction to Psychology! My name is Michelle LaBrie; I’ll be your instructor for the course, and I look forward to working with you. I have been a full time faculty member since 2002 and I have taught full time in the psychology department since 2008. In addition to teaching Social Psychology, I have taught several courses in the department including Social Psychology, Human Sexuality, Developmental Psychology, Personal Growth & Adjustment and Psychology as a Major and a Profession. I was an academic counselor at COC for 10 years prior to transferring into the Psychology Department.
I have taught in all modalities, including traditional on campus classes, and I have taught 100% online courses since 2006. I also teach other faculty members how to teach online. If you are still developing your online learning skills, try not to worry, I will provide help and guidance as we move through the class. I am a graduate of College of the Canyons, so I have experience as a community college student.
Please read this entire orientation letter for details about access the course, which textbook will be used, and the type of work required in the course, including the requirement of Proctored exams and a webcam.
Course Description
An introduction to the psychological theories, psychological research and applications in major areas of social psychology with an emphasis on individual and cultural differences in social cognition and social behavior as seen by the discipline of psychology.
In this course, will cover the following topics:
- psychology as a science, how we conduct research and why that is important
- what's happening in the brain and the fascinating connection of the brain to behavior, emotions and thoughts, sensation and perception
- states of consciousness: Sleep, dreams & drugs
- learning, memory, thinking, intelligence, motivation, emotion, gender & sexuality
- social psychology--how we think, feel and behave in the presence or implied presence of others: how we figure other people out--why did they DO that?
- personality, stress, mental health--what happens when emotions, thoughts and behavior become maladaptive and what kinds of therapeutic interventions can help
What to Expect in this Course
Format:
This is a 100% online course with proctored exams using Honorlock and a webcam. There are no class meetings: face to face or online via Zoom. All course work is delivered online via the campus Learning Management System, Canvas. That means you can log onto Canvas when it is convenient for you to view the learning objectives, videos, video lectures, notes and participate in the course at a time convenient for you, as long as you meet the deadline dates published in the course syllabus. The entire class moves through the course together at the same pace, so there are deadlines to keep all students moving at the same pace. Access Canvas from the College of the Canyons homepage, click on Canvas and follow the log in username and password instructions. Students are encouraged to use the campus computers to submit course assignments and exams in order to ensure reliable internet access.
Attendance in the online class:
Please note that although this is a 100% online course with no in person or Zoom meetings, "attendance" is measured in a distance education course by completing "academic related activities" such as a quiz, assignment, discussion or exam, not just logging into Canvas. The college policy on attendance (BP 4233) and AP 4233 specify that after a student misses 10% of the course, 1.6 weeks in 16 week class, that they can be dropped from the course. Online participation is just like in class participation—if you don’t “show up” on the discussion boards, assignments and quizzes then a student is virtually absent from class. In short-term courses each week is condensed.
How is the course set up?
The course is divided into 4 units made up of chapters, usually 3 or 4 chapters each. Within each chapter, there are chapter assignments, chapter quizzes, lecture videos, some with quizzes attached to them, supplementary videos, lecture notes and discussions. At the completion of every unit, there is a unit exam.
All of the course content is located in the Modules. You will only be able to see what is relevant; I open and close modules as we move through the class. Future modules are locked so you cannot accidentally click on something and open it by mistake.
Throughout the course you are asked to:
- read the text: Open Stax College, (2020). Psychology 2e, Open Educational Resources Text, Retrieved from https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e
- watch/Listen to my video lectures to supplement the text reading, just like if we were in class together.
- participate in unit discussions and reply to other's responses to the material --engaging in lively conversation with each other (and me too, of course) about psychology and human behavior.
- visit websites and watch a lot of clips online and via you tube (could be fun...)
- chapter quizzes online (open book, open notes, how bad could that be?)
- take 4 proctored unit exams using a webcam (built into the device or external webcam).
What you need in terms of technology
- A Webcam for Proctored exams.
- Access to Canvas. Canvas is the Learning Management System COC uses. You will have access to Canvas as a registered student. There are no additional fees to access and use Canvas.
- A reliable working computer and reliable internet access. There is a canvas app, however, students report to me that the desktop versoon may be easier to navigate.
- Microsoft Word (free to COC students - click here)
- PDF reader (free to COC Students - click here)
- YouTube
Types of Assessments
Proctored Examinations* using a webcam & Honorlock browser extension, Chapter Assignments, Chapter Quizzes, Discussions and Reflective Writing Assignments, Video Assessments, Exams.
*Honorlock will proctor the 4-unit exams in the course. Honorlock is an online proctoring service that allows you to take your exam from the comfort of your home. Honorlock is available 24/7, and all that is required is a computer, a working webcam, microphone, your ID, and a stable internet connection. The camera may be a built-in part of the computer or an external device. There is no fee to use Honorlock or the chrome extension. Note that the video recording is viewable only by the instructor.
Directions on installing the Chrome browser and the Honorlock extension will be made available in the course. Note that other requirements (quizzes, assignments, discussions) of the class will not require the proctoring software. You can view information about Honorlock and how it works on the Honorlock website.
If you do not wish to install the Honorlock software or you do not have access to a web cam, or you feel uncomfortable that you are recorded during the exam, you are welcome to take your exam with a human proctor in person in the College of the Canyons Valencia campus TLC lab.
Textbook Information
Open Stax College, (2020). Psychology 2e, Open Educational Resources Text, Retrieved from https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e
Other Relevant Course Information
Course Availability
The course will be available on COC's Canvas system the first day of the term. On that date, you must login to Canvas to enter our classroom. On that date, please login to Canvas to enter our classroom. You may access Canvas from the College of the Canyons homepage, click on Canvas and follow the log in username and password instructions.
Confirm your presence in the online classroom:
In order to confirm your enrollment in the online course, student must complete 2 modules of Pre-course material inside the canvas course.
- First, student must read and "Mark as done" the Orientation to the Online Course and post to the Roll Call discussion within 24 hours of the term start date. Please consult the schedule of classes/registration system for the exact start date of the course.
- Second, the student must read and "Mark as done" all of the pages contained in the the module "Academic Integrity, Plagiarism & accurately Citing your Sources" including passing the end of module quiz with a score of 80% or better. Completion of those 2 items within 48 hours of the course start date will prevent a student from being dropped as a no show.
Please note: these deadline are firm in order to accommodate students on the waiting list; thus, you may be dropped from the class if you do not complete all requirements in the first 2 modules. A student from the waiting list will then be added in your place. Please note: it is the student’s responsibility to drop and withdraw from the course after this point.
If the class is closed and you would like to add...
If you are on the official waiting list, the COC web registration system automatically adds students from the waiting list into the course until the first day of class. All wait-listed students will receive priority over those not wait-listed. If there is room in the course, I will add students based on their number on the waiting list. If you are interested in adding the course, please send me an email indicating your interest in adding the course and your COC student ID number in order to "add authorize you" through the COC online registration system, “My Canyons.”
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 02/09/2025 Sub#: 1274