Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

General Psychology (Online)

PSY 1010-33I

Course: PSY 1010-33I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 20939

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce many of the major topics and theories of psychology. Both historical perspectives and current research are included. Application of psychology to various aspects of everyday life, investigation of the impact of culture on psychological processes, and critical analysis of research will be emphasized. This course serves as a pre-requisite to most other Psychology courses offered through the department, which tend to offer a more in-depth analysis of specific topics introduced in this course. There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Required Texts

Good news: your textbook for this class is available for free online!
 
Visit https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e (Links to an external site) to access your book. Then choose your preferred format under “Get the book.”
 
If you prefer, you can also get a print version at a very low cost (campus bookstore or from OpenStax on Amazon.com). You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended - the responsive design works seamlessly on any device. If you buy on Amazon, make sure you use the link on your book page on openstax.org so you get the official OpenStax print version. (Simple printouts sold by third parties on Amazon are not verifiable and not as high quality.)

Learning Outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES
 
1.    Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World:
a.    Explain and differentiate between the basic subfields of psychology
b.    Identify, describe, and apply the research methods used to collect information in psychology
c.     Practice using psychological terminology
d.    Identify, describe, and explain key ideas and studies in psychology
2.    Intercultural Knowledge and Competence:
a.    Identify how psychological findings may differ depending upon one’s cultural background and environment
b.    Identify challenges faced by ethnic and cultural minority groups
c.     Identify assumptions often held by non-minority group members
3.    Lifelong Learning:
a.    Connect theoretical findings with applied situations in life
b.    Identify subfields of psychology that are of interest to you personally
c.     Assess how information covered in the scope of this course has altered your beliefs on human psychology and behavior

Course Requirements

 | 4/5 Exams  | 400 points (100 points per test)
 | 12/15 Quizzes | 240 points (20 points per quiz)
| 5 Assignments | 250 points (50 points each)
| 6 Credits Research Experience | 120 points (20 points per credit)

Course Outline

COURSE SCHEDULE | DATE | READING | ASSIGNMENT | DUE
| Mon. 5/11 | Syllabus, Course Policies, and Instructor Intro. |   | 
| Tue. 5/12 | Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology | Quiz #1  Must start on HW Assignment #1! | 11:59 PM
| Wed. 5/13 | Chapter 2: Psychological Research | Quiz #2 | 11:59 PM
| Thur. 5/14 | Chapter 3: Biopsychology | Quiz #3 | 11:59 PM
| Fri. 5/15 |   | Exam 1: Ch’s 1-3 | 11:59 PM
| Mon. 5/18 | Chapter 4: States of Consciousness | Quiz #4 | 11:59 PM
| Tue. 5/19 | Chapter 5: Sensation and Perception | Quiz #5 | 11:59 PM
| Wed. 5/20 |   |   | 
| Thur. 5/21 | Chapter 6: Learning | Quiz #6 | 11:59 PM
| Fri. 5/22 |   | Exam 2: Ch’s 4-6 | 11:59 PM
| Mon. 5/25 | MEMORIAL DAY |   | 
| Tue. 5/26 |   | HW Assignment #1: Sleep and Dream Log | 11:59 PM
| Wed. 5/27 | Chapter 7: Thinking and Intelligence | Quiz #7 | 11:59 PM
| Thurs. 5/28 |   |   | 
| Fri. 5/29 | Chapter 8: Memory | Quiz #8 | 11:59 PM
| Mon. 6/1 | Chapter 9: Lifespan Development | Quiz #9 | 11:59 PM
| Tue. 6/2 |   |   | 
| Wed. 6/3 |   | Exam 3: Ch’s 7-9 | 11:59 PM
| Thurs. 6/4 |   | HW Assignment #2: Psych in the Movies | 11:59 PM
| Fri. 6/5 | Chapter 10: Emotion and Motivation | Quiz #10 | 11:59 PM
| Mon. 6/8 |   |   | 
| Tue. 6/9 | Chapter 11: Personality | Quiz #11 | 11:59 PM
| Wed. 6/10 |   |   | 
| Thur. 6/11 | Chapter 12: Social  | Quiz #12 | 11:59 PM
| Fri. 6/12 |   | Exam 4: Ch’s 10-12 | 11:59 PM
| Mon. 6/15 |   | HW Assignment #3: Violate a Norm | 11:59 PM
| Tue. 6/16 |   |   | 
| Wed. 6/17 | Chapter 14: Stress, Lifestyle, and Health | Quiz #13 | 11:59 PM
| Thurs. 6/18 |   | HW Assignment #4: Taking Sides on ADHD | 11:59 PM
 | Fri. 6/19 | JUNETEENTH |   |  
| Mon. 6/22 | Chapter 15: Psychological Disorders | Quiz #14 | 11:59 PM
| Tue. 6/23 |   |   |  
| Wed. 6/24 | Chapter 16: Therapy and Treatment | Quiz #15 | 11:59 PM
| Thurs. 6/25 |   | Exam 5: Ch’s 14-16 | 11:59 PM
| Fri. 6/26 |   | HW Assignment #5: Taking Sides on Culture  Research Experience/Papers | 11:59 PM   11:59 PM

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

Missing exam policy: Exams will be available on Canvas from 7:00am-11:59pm on the scheduled exam days (see course schedule). Makeup exams will ONLY be allowed in cases of documented excuses (e.g., medical emergency). Please email me before the exam deadline (11:59 pm on the date of the scheduled exam) if an emergency should arise.

Missing quiz policy: Quizzes are to be taken by the specified time/day; therefore, missed quizzes cannot be made up for non-university excused absences. If you encounter any issues using Canvas, you should contact Technical Support. 

Missing assignment policy: Assignments are to be submitted by the specified time/day; therefore, missed assignments cannot be made up for non-university excused absences. For most students, it takes multiple drafts and revisions to earn a high grade, so students are recommended to begin these assignments early and not wait until the last day.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is not mandatory since the class is entirely online.

Course Fees

College of Humanities & Social Sciences Fees Per Credit Hour: $4.00

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.