Course Syllabus
Syllabus Psychology
Welcome
Welcome to Psychology! We’re so glad you’re here.
Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.
To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.
As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.
We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community!
Pacing
This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.
This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.
Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style.
We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong.
Course Description
This fully virtual, general education Psychology course introduces students to how psychologists study behavior and mental processes, from the field’s historical roots to modern research methods and ethics. Students explore how biology and the brain shape behavior, how people develop and think, and how learning, memory, sensation, perception, and consciousness influence everyday life. The course also examines personality, motivation and emotion, stress and health, social behavior, psychological disorders, and approaches to therapy, with an emphasis on real-world application and responsible decision-making. Students demonstrate understanding through short quizzes, creative and applied assignments (such as designing a psychologist’s “social media page,” a TikTok-style learning strategy, a pandemic impact article, and a persuasion campaign), plus a midterm and final exam. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply psychological concepts to personal and societal scenarios, evaluate claims using research-based reasoning, and communicate about mental health with accuracy and empathy.
Course Essential Questions
- How do biological, cognitive, and environmental factors interact to shape behavior and mental processes?
- How do people learn, remember, perceive the world, and develop across the lifespan?
- How can psychological science help us understand mental health, reduce stigma, and make informed choices in daily life?
Course Overview
Psychology |
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Lesson |
Objectives |
Quiz |
Assignment |
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1: History of Psychology and Research Methods |
1.1: Discuss the historical purposes and goals of psychological science. 1.2: Recognize the multiple methods psychologists use to conduct research and gather data. 1.3: Apply psychological methods to real-life scenarios. 1.4: Describe the importance of maintaining ethical standards in psychological research. |
Lesson 1 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
N/A |
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2: Neuropsychology |
2.1: Describe the interaction between the brain, nervous system, and genetics. 2.2: Summarize how biological functions influence our behavior and mental processes. |
Lesson 2 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
Assignment: Develop a Social Media Page for a Psychologist - Imagine if a psychologist would have had a Facebook page in the past? That’s what you will create and design for this assignment. |
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3: Development and Cognition |
3.1: Explain how environmental and biological factors affect development. 3.2: Describe the purposes and benefits of intelligence testing. |
Lesson 3 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
N/A |
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4: Learning and Memory |
4.1: Apply the three different types of learning to personal experiences. 4.2: Compare how memory systems and processes are influenced by a person’s biology, attention, motivation, and environment. |
Lesson 4 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
Assignment: Teaching Life Hacks with TikTok - Create a TikTok-style video and script that is between 1-3 minutes long. If you cannot create a TikTok, you must include a comprehensive script as if you were creating one. You will be teaching the viewer about the relationships between social media, development, learning, and memory. Teach your followers a life hack about how to use social media for learning. |
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5: Sensation, Perception, and Consciousness |
5.1: Distinguish between sensation and perception. 5.2: Describe the basic anatomy and function of the senses. 5.3: Compare the theories surrounding consciousness. |
Lesson 5 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
N/A |
Midterm Exam |
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6: Personality |
6.1: Compare different personality types. 6.2: Discuss the role of human factors psychology in safety, productivity, and job satisfaction. 6.3: Compare the different types of personality disorders. |
Lesson 6 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
N/A |
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7: Motivation, Emotion, Stress and Health |
7.1: Evaluate how motivation, stress, and emotion work together to affect our daily lives. 7.2: Contrast intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. 7.3: Summarize strategies for alleviating stress. |
Lesson 7 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
Assignment: The Effect of the Global Pandemic on Society - Students will write a magazine article on Covid-19 and how it affected schools and teenagers. |
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8: Social Psychology |
8.1: Analyze how social environments influence our thought processes and behavior. 8.2: Compare different types of behaviors. |
Lesson 8 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
Assignment: Design Your Own Persuasion Campaign - Imagine that you work for your school’s administration and you have been asked to develop a campaign to promote health and rights on your school campus. |
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9: Psychological Disorders |
9.1: Discuss the different types of psychological disorders. |
Lesson 9 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
N/A |
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10: Therapies |
10.1: Describe the various types of treatments for disorders. 10.2: Discuss how to de-stigmatize the attitude towards treatment. |
Lesson 10 Quiz - 10 multiple choice questions |
N/A |
Final Exam |
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Grades
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:
| Source | Available Points |
|---|---|
| Lesson Assignments | 120 |
| Lesson Quizzes | 100 |
| Midterm Exam | 130 |
| Final Exam | 130 |
| Total | 480 |
Textbook & Technology Requirements
To fully participate, make sure you have:
- A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
- A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
- Any other required textbooks or materials for the course
Accessibility
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.Canvas Technical Support
Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.
- Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
- For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
- For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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