Hermantown High School CIS Psychology
Course Syllabus
This course is in conjunction with Lake Superior College
Course Title: General Psychology
Course Number: Psychology 1120
Credits: 3
Instructor: Ms. Jodi Griffin
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor/Must pass the Accuplacer Exam
Book Required:
David G. Myers, Psychology Ninth Edition, 2010. Each student will receive a textbook to use
during the semester. The student is responsible to care for the textbook and return it in the
same condition as which it was issued. Students will be fined for lost or damaged textbooks.
Catalog Description:
This is an introduction to the science of human behavior. It encompasses a broad area of
research about human behavior--information that should be available to all high school
students who want to understand themselves and others better. Important topics of study
include: the history and development of the discipline of Psychology,research methods and
psychological experiments, the brain and nervous system, human development, learning and
memory, analysis of one’s individual personality, theories of personality development, and
major psychological disorders and therapy techniques.
Course Outcomes:
By the conclusion of the class, students will be able to:
 Define psychology; explain the historical and present day approaches to understanding
human behavior
 Describe the different types of research methods used in psychology
 Identify and explain the major parts of the human brain and endocrine systems and
explain how these affect human behavior and emotions
 Understand and explain the concept of intelligence and the different types of learning;
including associative learning (classical and operant conditioning) and observational
learning
 Examine multiple intelligences, emotional quotient, motivation, and creativity and be
able to apply them to oneself
 Examine the role that both nature and nurture play in shaping our personalities
 Explain and be able to describe the major theories of personality development
 Identify and explain the various types of psychological disorders
 Examine and judge the effectiveness of various psychological and biological therapies
 Examine and explain the causes and effects of stress, conflict, and humor on mental
health and personal relationships
 Design, review college-level research and write at the college level a paper reporting
your results
Grading Scale
A
B
C
D
Fail
& Criteria:
=
90% to 100%
=
80% to 89%
=
70% to 79%
=
60% to 69%
=
less than 60%
This class is based on total points earned. The level of importance and rigor of each
assignment, project, quiz, and test will be reflected in the amount of points each is worth.
More importance and rigor required = more points. Semester grade will be determined by
adding total points earned from 1st and 2nd quarter.
LSC expects the rigor and quality of work to be at the Freshmen College level in order to earn
college credit.
ATTENDANCE:
This is a college course. You get high school credit simultaneously with three college credits.
As a college course, there are expectations for attendance and participation that are higher
than typical high school expectations.
 Many of the high school teachers that teach CIS courses have established an
attendance system that is fair to students and still holds you accountable for being
in class.
 Your grade will be lowered one level (“B” to “C”) for each absence beyond six per
quarter.
 If absences are due to school-related activities (sports, performing arts, etc), you
may complete extra-credit assignments in order to avoid a deduction in grade.
 You must now take responsibility for your choices. Any personal obligations, such
as medical appointments, talks with college reps, etc., should never be scheduled
during this time.
 Remember, this is not a high school course, rather a college course in the high
school. If you are frequently absent from school, this is not the class for you.
MAKE UP WORK – EXCUSED ABSENCES
It is your responsibility to find out what you missed due to absence. Please first consult a
friend or classmate to find out what we did in the class the day(s) you missed.

Upon return to class, you must turn in any work due the day you were absent if it
pertains

Assignments missed due to an EXCUSED absence can be made up without penalty. You
will have ONE additional day for each day excused. Work turned in after the extension
will be considered late.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
 Assignments missed due to an UNEXCUSED absence CANNOT be made up or turned in
for credit. NO EXCEPTIONS.
LATE WORK POLICY
 Late means it is not turned at the beginning of the class hour on the day it is due.
Having to run to the lab to print off an assignment, having to run back to your locker to
get your assignment, turning your assignment in after-class or after-school are NOT
acceptable excuses. Late is late!

Required work that is turned in late, will only be accepted for half-credit for one day
past the due date. Work turned in after that will not be accepted.
ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY:
All students are expected to maintain academic honesty and integrity as students by doing
their own work to the best of their ability. Academic dishonesty (cheating, fabrication,
plagiarism, etc.) will result in the student receiving a zero for that test, assignment, or paper.
CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
 If cell phones are brought to class, they must be turned off and placed in the bin
dedicated to housing cell phones during the class hour.
 If I see or hear a cell phone in a student’s possession during the class hour, I will
confiscate it and turn it into the office.
 No other electronic devices are allowed during class. Do not bring headphones to class
either, as they cannot be used during the class hour
COURSE OUTLINE:
Introduction to Psychology & the Historical Foundations of Psychology
Research Methods of Psychology
Personality
Brain, Body, and Awareness
Intelligence, Learning, and Memory
Personal Systems
Modern-Day Personality Theories
Stress, Conflict, and Mental Well-Being
Psychological Disorders and Therapy Techniques
Please read each of the following expectations and initial that you have been informed of the
class policies for CIS Psychology class.
I understand that LSC expects the rigor and quality of work to be at the
Freshmen College level in order to earn college credit.
I understand that if I am absent from class more than 6 times per quarter, my
grade will be lowered. I understand that I may complete extra-credit
assignments to make up to compensate for excessive absences if they are
school-related absences.
I understand that if I am absent from class, I have one additional day per
absence to complete missed work. After the day extension, my work will be
considered late.
I understand that late work will only be accepted one day after the original
due date, for half credit only. I also am aware that anything besides having
an assignment ready at the beginning of the class hour will be considered
“late.”
I understand that if I bring my cell phone to class, and do not turn it off and
place it in the cell phone container during the class hour, that it can be
confiscated and turned into the office.
Student Name
Date
A message for Parents/Guardians
We acknowledge that we have read the enclosed information packet, which highlights the CIS
Psychology course offered by Lake Superior College and Hermantown High School.
_______________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian