Psyc B1A General Psychology
Welcome to Bakersfield College Psyc B1A!!!
This is my liquid syllabus, a place where you can learn a little about me and a lot about the class! You can find more about me at the home page, but for a quick summary, I love people and have spent my adult life serving others, first as a social worker and now as a teacher and always as a wife and mom (though my kids are all grown now). I like to think I'm pretty laid back, but my family would say I'm Type A, so I guess what I really am is more informal, so feel free to call me Becky, but if you are more comfortable with Mrs. Colaw or Professor, I'm okay with that also.
I love teaching psychology, and one of my favorite things about general psychology is that every single one of you will learn something that you can apply to your life immediately, and hopefully you will learn a lot of things. I learn something new as I teach it every semester! I also find that students are very interested in it and find it fascinating, so be ready for some fun. It was my first general psychology class that led me down the road that I have been on since I graduated from college. I absolutely loved what I was learning, and changed my major. I have the same passion when I'm teaching, I hope (and I have been told that)! I'm looking forward to an amazing semester together!!!
Communication Essentials
The best way to reach me is by email or at my office/Zoom during office hours, but I am including my phone number here as well. I try to respond to email within 24 hours during the week, but it is usually much faster. I respond on the weekend if I am available, but please respect that sometimes I need downtime also, so try to think ahead about questions you might have in case I am not available to answer during the weekend.
Office: BC Southwest Room 206
Email: rebecca.colaw@bakersfieldcollege.com
Phone: (661) 541-1532
Question and Answer Discussion Board
If you have questions that might pertain to all students, we have a question and answer board in Canvas that I encourage you to use.
About This Class
Login to Canvas: Introduction post (online classes only) due by Wednesday night of the first week of class.
Textbook: Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology (2nd Ed.). OpenStax.
Other Materials: Paper and pen/pencil for notes or a laptop
Materials Needed When Class Starts: I will show you how to access the book in my in person classes during the first class. For those of you online, follow the link and download the pdf version of the book.
Week 1 "Success Kit"
To help you get a strong start in this course, here is a recommended schedule for the first week.
Monday: Read syllabus and complete syllabus quiz (syllabus quiz due on Wednesday).
Tuesday: Complete Introduction post (if in an online class).
Wednesday: Syllabus quiz is due. Watch APA videos.
Thursday: Respond to classmates in the introduction discussion.
Friday: Complete the APA Assignment and start reading chapters for next week.
Saturday and Sunday: If you have not done so already, make sure to submit everything that is due this week by Sunday night at 11:59. Remember quizzes will not be accepted late. I will accept homework late, but I don't recommend getting behind as it will make it more difficult throughout the semester.
My Advice for Students
Course Goals
All of your courses have specific goals called Student Learning Outcomes. These are goals that as instructors we must be helping you to achieve. In other words, it is my job to teach the material in a way that leads to your understanding and achievement of these learning goals. There are three learning goals for this course, and they include the following:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate an understanding and application of the scientific process and research methods employed in psychology .
Upon completion, the student will be able to differentiate and apply various biological, developmental, cognitive, and sociocultural theories used to explain psychological phenomena .
Upon completion, the student will be able to identify, classify, and differentiate psychological disorders and the evolving corresponding treatment protocols as they are applied to a diversity of individuals and groups.