PSY 101H: Introduction to Psychology - Honors

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2024
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Prerequisite: Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

The course is an introduction to psychology as an empirical science involving a synthesis of theory and research within the domains of behavior, cognition and affect. Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level which includes demonstrating strong critical thinking skills through analysis of social scientific literature and original research in a seminar style class format. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Assess the the scope, research findings, and major societal, professional and theoretical issues found in the field of psychology.
  • Measure the import of the scientific values of research methodologies and objective analyses applied during the process of investigating behavior, cognition and affect.
  • Value the personal empowerment derived through an understanding of our individual beliefs and actions as well as the beliefs and actions of others in an extremely diverse world.
  • Consider the crucial importance of preparation and involvement in further study of the multifaceted discipline of psychology.
  • Recognize and appraise the significance of perceiving and judging others by virtue of race, ethnicity, religion and culture.

Major Course Content

  1. Psychology as a Science
  2. Biology and Behavior, Nature 
  3. Sensation and Perception
  4. Learning, Nurture
  5. Memory
  6. Intelligence
  7. Development over Lifetime
  8. States of Consciousness
  9. Motivation, Emotion, Human Sexuality and Gender
  10. Personality Theories
  11. Social Psychology
  12. Psychological Disorders
  13. Therapies for Psychological Disorders
  14. Stress to Health and Well-Being

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

American Psychological Association Journals Recommended Books from famous Psychology Authors

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Group PowerPoints on psychology topics Short essays on various topics in psychology Case study evaluations from lecture
RESEARCH PAPER: An eight-page, double-spaced typewritten research paper on a topic relevant to PSY 101 is required. It is about "researching" original peer-reviewed scientific research found ONLY in professional journal articles; you then distill the information, in your OWN words, following the American Psychological Association's (APA) format for writing a scientific, as opposed to a literary paper. The research paper is due no later than one week before the final exam.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Independent Field trips to: Psychiatric Hospitals Community Lectures from Psychology Experts Psychological Court Visits such as Department 95 Museum of Tolerance

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4I. Psychology