Fall 2026
General Psychology
Instructor: Vicki Melanson
Email: vmelanson@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 936-344-1550
Office Hours: By appointment; available by phone or virtually.
Additional Contact Information:
General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
OpenStax Psychology 2e
Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D.
OpenStax.
Available online at no cost.
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Additional course resources and supplemental materials are available in Blackboard.
ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
Learning outcomes
1. Identify various research methods and their characteristics used in the scientific study of psychology. (Core Skills 1,2) Measured by course assignments and activities.
2. Describe the historical influences and early schools of thought that shaped the field of psychology.(Core Skills 1,2) Measured by course assignments and activities.
3. Describe some of the prominent perspectives and approaches used in the study of psychology.(Core Skills 1,2) Measured by course assignments and activities.
4. Use terminology unique to the study of psychology.(Core Skills 1,2) Measured by course assignments and activities.
5. Describe accepted approaches and standards in psychological assessment and evaluation.(Core Skills 1,2) Measured by course assignments and activities.
6. Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.(Core Skills 1,2) Measured by course assignments and activities.
7. Calculate current course grade accurately, using information provided by instructor relating to individual scores from projects, assignments, quizzes and exams.(Core Skill 3) Measured by course assignments and activities.
8. Explain how personal ethnic heritage is similar to and different from other cultural perspectives in effects on social cognition. (Core Skills 1, 2, 5 ) Measured by course assignments and activities.
Communication Skills – Students will demonstrate effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
Critical Thinking Skills – Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills – Students will demonstrate the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions.
Social Responsibility – Students will demonstrate intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Introduction to Psychology; Psychological Research; Biopsychology; States of Consciousness; Sensation and Perception; Learning; Thinking and Intelligence; Memory; Lifespan Development; Emotion and Motivation; Personality; Social Psychology; Industrial-Organizational Psychology; Stress, Lifestyle, and Health; Psychological Disorders; Therapy and Treatment.
Critical Thinking Assignment 1 – September 20, 2026
Critical Thinking Assignment 2 – October 11, 2026
Psychological Study Analysis – November 1, 2026
Social Psychology Awareness Project – November 29, 2026
No final exam is administered in this course.
A = 900–1000 points
B = 800–899 points
C = 700–799 points
D = 600–699 points
F = 0–599 points
Final grades are based on a total of 1,000 possible points:
Total: 1,000 points
Students are expected to complete coursework by the posted deadlines and follow all LSCPA academic policies. Detailed assignment instructions, course expectations, and due dates are provided in Blackboard. Students are responsible for regularly checking Blackboard and their LSCPA email for course information and announcements.
Students are expected to participate regularly in the online course and complete assigned coursework by the posted deadlines
Detailed course information, assignment instructions, due dates, and course resources are available in Blackboard.
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.