Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

General Psychology (Online)

PSY 1010-30I

Course: PSY 1010-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Psychology
CRN: 32658

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


Good news: Your textbook for this class is available for free online! However, students are now required to pay for OpenStax Assignable. The assigned readings are integrated into Canvas via Assignable and will count for points including a Graded Practice component at the end of each Reading Assignment. Read about payment for OpenStax Assignable here
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Learning Outcomes


1. Knowledge of Human Cultures & the Physical and Natural World:

  • Explain and differentiate between the basic subfields of psychology
  • Identify, describe, and apply the research methods used to collect information in psychology
  • Practice using psychological terminology and jargon
  • Identify, describe, and explain key ideas and studies in psychology

2. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence:

  • Identify how psychological findings may differ depending upon one’s cultural background and environment
  • Identify challenges faced by ethnic and cultural minority groups
  • Identify assumptions often held by non-minority group members

3. Lifelong Learning:

  • Connect theoretical findings with applied situations in life
  • Identify subfields of psychology that are of interest to you personally
  • Assess how information covered in the scope of this course has altered your beliefs on human psychology and behavior

Social and Behavioral Sciences Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to: (1) Demonstrate understanding of relevant social and behavioral science methodologies and how they are used to understand or explain human relations or interactions; (2) Identify general principles of behavioral and social functioning; (3) Connect those questions and issues to the students’ own experiences; and (4) Demonstrate a critically reasoned understanding of social patterns and individual variation congruent with and divergent from those patterns.

Course Requirements

Assignment Outline

Reading 


You will be assigned readings from your textbook throughout the semester. These assigned readings are integrated into Canvas. Since there are no long, recorded lectures as part of this online, asynchronous course, it will be VERY important that you complete the assigned reading. 

Reading Assignments


One of the best things you can do to succeed in this course is complete the assigned textbook readings. There will be a reading assignment for each assigned reading posted on Canvas. These assignments include questions related to the assigned reading and a Graded Practice component designed to help you check your understanding of key concepts. 

Content Application/Response Assignments


There will be seven Content Application Assignments (individual submissions) and seven Content Response Assignments (discussion boards) throughout the semester. More details about each assignment can be found in Canvas.

Unit Exams


This course is split into 4 Units. Unit Exams are noncumulative, entirely multiple-choice, and completed in Canvas. You may use your notes and textbook as references. An exam review sheet and Quizlet will be provided to help you prepare. Due dates can be found on the course schedule. Exams are timed and may only be taken once. Questions will lock after you answer them. More details can be found in the Canvas assignment.

TED Talk Papers


Over the course of the semester, you will complete two assignments to watch a TED Talk video and write a brief paper including a summary, what you learned, and applications of the information.

Research Participation


Given that the topics we will be covering in psychology often stem directly from research studies, it is important to see how this information is collected first-hand. To meet this objective, this course requires that you participate in research occurring here in our department by signing-up through the online research system called SONA. A total of  6 credits will be required. There are both online and in-person options worth variable credit.


If you choose to not participate in the research studies, an alternative assignment will be provided. **If you choose this option, you must request an alternative assignment within the FIRST 4 WEEKS of the semester.

Final Reflection Assignment


In order to sum up your learning for the semester, you will be asked to reflect on the semester and apply what you learned to your life. More details can be found on the canvas assignment.

Course Outline

  • This is an asynchronous online course, which means there are no required meeting dates, times, or locations. Course content will be delivered through textbook readings and supplementary videos posted in Canvas.
  • The course is divided into 4 Units and 14 total Modules. Units will be released one at a time. Due dates are paced throughout the semester, but you are welcome to work ahead within any unit that has been released.

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

LATE AND MAKEUP WORK: Late assignments will be accepted for up to 24 hours after the due date for a 50% point deduction. Makeup assignments are typically not accepted. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require supporting documentation. Additional instructions for each assignment will be posted in Canvas.

Attendance Policy

This is an asynchronous online course, which means there are no required meeting dates, times, or locations. 

Course Fees

https://www.suu.edu/policies/06/42.html

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.