Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

General Psychology (Online)

PSY 1010-300

Course: PSY 1010-300
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 13605

Course Description

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior. This course provides a broad overview of this field of science. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Required Texts

Psychology In Modules 13th edition; David G. Myers, C. Nathan Dewall

Learning Outcomes

There are five broad learning objectives for this course. All class activities (e.g. readings, class discussions, mental journals, quizzes, exams, and papers) are designed to help students meet, and/or assess their progress on these objectives. While there are content specific learning objectives available on Canvas (see the “Course Goals and Objectives”), the course-level objectives are included here. By the end of the course, successful students will: 

  • Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in the field of psychology. 
  • Understand and apply basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior and be able to apply research methods in concluding psychological phenomena. 
  • Develop ethical and socially responsible behaviors and become familiar with professional ethics and values that are the foundations of psychology as a science. 
  • Demonstrate competence in writing and oral interpersonal communication skills. 
  • Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. 

Course Requirements

Weekly Discussions:  Essay questions will need to be answered with 150 words or more each week. There may be multiple questions you can answer, but you are only requiredtoanswer one of them. You will also need to reply to two other class members' responses. You will earn 3 points when you respond to my questions and an additional point for responses to your classmates. Total points for these assignments will be 5 points each. 
 
Quiz: Students are required to complete quizzes about the units or content provided in the assigned week. Quizzes are available at the beginning of every unit and are due on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. unless otherwise stated. These are tools for you to learn so you can retake them, and the computer will count your highest score toward your grade. 
 
In-Class Activities: Throughout the semester, Students will be assigned In-Class Activities. This can include activities such as personal assessments, group activities/games, or video reflections. Attendance is required for these activities. As these are not “planned”, students who are excused from class for school activities will be allowed to make them up. 
 
5-Page Final Paper: Students will, by the end of the trimester, complete and submit a 5-page paper in APA format, considering the topics that they have covered in this class. This paper is meant to be an analysis of the content as it applies to the student's life. As the assignment is submitted (Drafts), Students will learn the method of the APA writing style. You may choose the topic for this paper, and you will need to have at least 3 references. A rough draft will be submitted in week 6 for me to review and help you stay on track for this complete paper. Then the final paper will be due in week 11. 
 
Tests: Students will take two tests for the trimester (midterm and final).  The format will be multiple-choice questions. Tests cover the chapters that precede the Tests and are not cumulative. Note Systems can be used on the Test. If you are absent on the day of a test, makeup will only be allowed if you have communicated ahead of time. 

Course Outline




Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Points will be deducted for all late work unless there is a reasonable reason for something being late. It is always better to turn things in late than not at all. Points will be evaluated according to how late the assignment is. If you have further questions feel free to reach out to me.

Attendance Policy

Attendance has always been linked to how well students do in this class so I would suggest being online as much as possible. 

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.