SCHOOL: SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL COURSE TITLE: AP PSYCHOLOGY
INSTRUCTOR: CALBI (P-1) SEMESTER/YEAR: FALL 15/SPRING 16
THIS SYLLABUS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Our AP Psychology (APPSYCH) Course is a college level course designed to facilitate the acquirement of analytical skills, factual knowledge, and writing abilities necessary to effectively comprehend and integrate the scientific study of human and animal behavior and mental processes to include all relevant theories, principles, phenomena, and psychologists which shaped the field of psychology as it exists today. (See COURSE OUTLINE)
II. COURSE MATERIALS:
· TEXTBOOK: PSYCHOLOGY : Second Edition: David G. Myers
· SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS: Cliffs QUICK Review
· INTERNET RESOURCES: See LINKS on TUSD
III. EVALUATION:
The following are required exam dates; there are NO make-ups
The APPSYCH Final: Tentatively scheduled for: Saturday, April 16, 2016 (TBA)
The APPSYCH Exam: Monday, May 2, 2016
· EXAMS:
1) We will have difficult, cumulative 1 ½ -2 hour exams approximately every six weeks. These exams will be similar in content and appearance to the actual APPSYCH exam. Course standards and exam evaluation will be maintained at the college level.
2) Focus on the growth of your essay writing abilities. Concentrate on your progress more than your grade!
· ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION
Short /Weekly (5-10 minutes) quizzes will be given. NO make up quizzes will be permitted.
Attendance and participation are crucial to your success in APPSYCH. A maximum of three absences will be permitted the fall 2015 semester and two absences (before the AP Exam) the spring 2016 semester. This includes activities. After the maximum absences are reached, grades will be lowered by ten points per absence.
· CLASS PRESENTATIONS
Each student will be responsible for developing and teaching a 45-50 minute PowerPoint lesson plan on a particular aspect of psychology to be determined by a lottery in the first week of class.
IV. GRADES
1) Grade Construction:
Summer Assignments: = 20 points
APPSYCH Monthly Exams: = 500 points
APPSYCH Final Exam: = 150 points
AP National Exam = 30 points
Individual Presentation = 100 points
Homework/Classwork/Quizzes = 150 points
Attendance = 40 points
Absences 1stSem 3=0 – n(10))
2ndSem 2=0 –n(10) = -(n(10))points
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TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: = 1000 points
2) Grade Scale: 90-100% = A
80-89.9% = B
70-79.9% = C
60-69.9% = D
0-59.9% = F No Rounding
3) Grades will directly correlate with the amount of points earned. No grades will be given; do not ask for a grade you did not earn. However, I do make mistakes from time to time, so if you have questions or need clarification regarding a grade, feel free to come and talk to me during, before or after class/school.
4) Cheating is extremely hazardous to your APPSYCH existence, and is likely to be fatal.
Ø Presenting work that you did not do with you name on it is cheating.
Ø Using another person’s words or thoughts without giving them credit is called PLAGIARISM. Plagiarism is cheating. (and it is illegal)
Ø When in a partnership or group, not doing your share of the work is cheating…
yourself and others.
Ø Lying to me or to your classmates, or allowing others to lie for you, is cheating.
Ø Not reporting cheating is cheating
Ø Possessing or using another student’s work is cheating.
Cheating is unacceptable; cheating is wrong; cheating will result in a non-recoverable “0” grade and automatic “U”. DON’T DO IT.
V. EXPECTATIONS / REQUIREMENTS
q Check out textbook and attend meeting to receive summer assignments.
q Complete 2 -part summer assignment and turn in on eTUSD on or before due dates.
· Assignment 1: Read and complete work for chapter 1.
· Assignment 2: Read and complete work for chapter 2.
q Immense amount of reading and writing throughout the year to build content, analytical skills and writing abilities.
q Each 5-6 weeks there will be 2-hour exams: multiple choice questions and free response essay questions.
q Individual Presentation: Teach assigned psychology topic complete with lecture, research, experiments, audio and/or video clips, graphics, psychologists’ profiles, illustrations, quiz, outline/study guide, sample free response essays, and applicable supplemental readings.
q Completion of Winter Break Individual Study Packet
q Completion of Spring Break Individual Study Packet
q Completion of Final Exam (3 hours, on a Saturday prior to AP Exam)
q Completion of APPSYCH Exam
q Completion of course assessment questionnaire (after AP Exam)
q Contribution to South High APPSYCH course update
VI. HOMEWORK / ASSIGNMENTS
All Assignments should be:
1) ON TIME. No late work will be accepted.
2) Ready to turn in when the bell rings. Papers turned in after the bell rings will be considered late.
3) Neatly and legibly typewritten on standard white paper.
4) 10-12 normal size font and single-spaced.
5) Labeled with the following on top right hand corner:
· Name
· AP Psych Number
· Date
· Class Period
· Paper clipped or stapled at the top left corner
VII. CLASS RULES
The following School Rules will be strictly enforced. “U” in Citizenship will be given to those who violate the dress code or electronic school policy.
1) Dress Code: Philosophy: Students are expected to dress in a manner that is conducive to a proper learning environment, and does not distract others from learning. If it is determined that a student’s attire is distracting or inappropriate, that student will be expected to remedy the situation by changing attire or putting on additional clothing if available (sweater, jacket, etc.).
The following are deemed inappropriate for school:
· Jewelry and personal items (backpacks, fanny packs, gym bags, water bottles etc.) shall be free from writing, pictures or any other insignia which are vulgar, profane or of a sexual nature, or bear drug, alcohol or tobacco company advertising, promotions and likenesses, or which advocate racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, or religious intolerance.
· Dress shall conceal underwear at all times. See-through or fish-net fabrics, halter tops, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops, undershirts, blatantly over or undersized clothing, spaghetti straps less than 3” wide, bare midriffs and skirts or shorts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited.
· Pajamas & nightgowns are not appropriate school wear
· Gym shorts may not be worn in classes other than physical education
2) Electronic Devices:
No student shall possess an electronic device on school grounds, including but not limited to the following: laser beam pointers (California Penal Code 4 17.27(a), (b), (c) and (d)), radios, CD players, cassette players, pagers and/or beepers, personal devices with message sending capabilities, or any other electronic device that would interfere with a student's learning process. Any such devices shall be immediately confiscated and student is subject to immediate disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion.
All cellular phones must be turned off and kept out of sight when in the classroom. If not, they will be confiscated and returned to the student's parent. There will be rare exceptions when students are allowed to use phones in the classroom.
3) No food, drinks, or gum will be permitted in the classroom at any time. Water is permitted.
Any of these items brought into class will be confiscated and thrown in the trash.
VIII. CLASS MATERIALS
Bring to class EVERY DAY:
· TWO #2 sharpened pencils and erasers
· TWO Black or Blue ink pens
· One RED PEN
· One Yellow highlighter
· Plenty of loose leaf notebook paper
· Your notebook, required assignments and current unit chapter outlines
IX. COMMUNICATION
TALK TO ME.
1) In person is best. By arrangement: 7:30am, at lunch, or after school (except Thursdays)
2) Email if person to person is not possible:
· Keep the lines of communication open. You may get frustrated or lost. Talk to me before you get angry.
· Procrastination will be your worst enemy.
· Self-control, motivation, organization, and discipline will be your best friends.
· Necessities will be: Study partners and the ability to contribute to and utilize study groups.
X. PARENTS
While I am happy to talk to your parents and/or guardians and welcome them to visit our class anytime (prior notice required), YOU and ONLY YOU are RESPONSIBLE for your assignments, attendance, timeliness, and grades. No notes/excuses from parents will be accepted. If you choose to give your responsibility to your parents, friends, or others; you alone, will be subject to the consequences of their actions. Again, this course is designed at the college level. YOU are completely responsible for meeting its requirements
XI. POTENTIAL
Each and every one of you has the potential to receive an “A” in AP Psychology and pass the APPSYCH Exam. More importantly, you each have the opportunity to experience the fascinating journey into the behavior and mental processes of humans and animals. Roll up your sleeves, open your mind, and let’s begin.