evised 120524

Psychology – 723AP

David La Shomb-

2012-2013

Course Expectations

I. Course Scope

A. Course Description – AP Psychology is a college freshman year long survey course that provides students a systematic and scientific study of the behavior and essential processes of human beings and other animals. Students will study the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields within psychology. Psychological methods and statistical analysis will also be reviewed. This course will fulfill one of the elective credits required for graduation. AP Psychology will culminate with the College Board’s final examination May 6, 2013. Prerequisites: None; recommended for juniors and seniors.

B. Course Goals:

1. To apply the methods of psychological research using ethical guidelines and differentiate between inferential and descriptive studies.

2. To investigate the history of psychology.

3. To explore the neurobiological basis of behavior.

4. To understand and apply the processes of sensation and perception.

5. To explain the states of consciousness.

6. To explain learning theories and their applications.

7. To explore the processes involved in memory.

8. To discuss thinking and language concepts.

9. To explore the construct intelligence and identify principles of test construction.

10. To differentiate and apply theories of motivation and emotion.

11. To identify stressors and stress-management techniques.

12. To differentiate among the theories of human development.

13. To identify specific psychological disorders and their characteristics.

14. To analyze the major theories.

15. To assess personality theories.

16. To understand dynamics of social psychological.

17. To differentiate between the six psychological approaches.

18. Advanced Placement provides high school students the rigors of a post-secondary education. Interested students will find a vast array of challenges throughout the year-long course, including analytical study, research, and the development of fundamental processes inherent at the collegiate level

C. Textbooks:

1. Bernstein, Douglas, Psychology, 7th Edition, Houghton, Mifflin, 2006..

2. Hock, Roger, Forty Studies That Changed Psychology, Pearson, N.J., 2009

3. Applicable supplementary readings as necessitated by course scope and sequence.

4. Notebook and three ring binder is strongly recommended.

II. Course Outline + Tentative Calendar:

A.I. School Begins – August 27 – Intro

History of Psychology, Research, Human Development, Aug 28– Sept 19/20; Chapter 1 – 2, 12.

II. Biology, Sensation, Perception: September 21 – October 24/25 – Chapter 3-4-5.

First Quarter Ends October 27

III. Learning, Memory, + Cognition + Language; Chapters 6-8; October 29– November 19/20.

IV. Cognitive Abilities, Motivation + Emotion, Health; Chapters 10-11-12; Nov. 26- Jan. 9/10

Semester Exams – January 14-18

Second Semester Begins Jan. 22

V. Personality, Psychological Disorders, Psychological Treatments; Chapters 14-16; January 22- Feb. 20/21

VI. Consciousness, Social Cognition, Social Influence; Chapters 9, 17-18. Feb. 22-- March 21/22.

Third Quarter Ends- March 22

VII. Psychological Frameworks + review -- March 26–May 3.

Spring Break March -27

VIII. College Board Exam – May 6 – 100 MC, 2 Essay Questions.

IX. Psychology Book Publishing: May 7– May 31.

X. Final Exam Week – June 3-7

B. Technology Applications:

1. Technology will be used for the research of applicable psychological issues and government structures. It will also be used to enhance the development of the psychological process through simulations, demonstrations and power point presentations.

III. Grading Policy

  1. Grading Scale: 90-100% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69%-60 = D; 59% or less = F

NOTE: Grades will be weighted by .5 following completion of the course.

. College Credit can also be earned based on your College Board exam score:

5 = extremely well qualified 4 = well qualified 3 = qualified 2 = possibly qualified 1 = not qualified

The college of your choice will dictate how that College Board examination score will be credited in your program. The $86 examination fee will be paid by each student. Most colleges provide credit for “3, 4, or 5.”

  1. Grade Procedures:
  2. A total point system will be used with unit examinations, chapter quizzes, research papers, demonstrations and worksheet applications scored respectively per nine week grading period.

2. Citizenship grades (O,S,N,U) will be allocated with the “O” being awarded for leadership for

classroom applications that revolve around the following criteria:

  • Student punctuality
  • Classroom participation is appropriate to the desired activity
  • Respect for students and all attending faculty
  • Academic effort

Occasional lapses in behavior notated above will result in a “S”. Frequent lapses in behavior will result in a “N” designation. A grade of “U” will be designated if misbehavior is constant and parents are contacted and a referral is sent to the dean of students describing the behavior.

3. Notebooks are strongly recommended for student’s use but they are not evaluated.

4. Homework: All assigned reading will be accomplished outside of class. On average, a minimum of one hour of homework is assigned daily.

5. Written assignments always will be evaluated based on presentation: spelling, grammar, syntax and parenthetical end noting with appropriate work cited sections.

6. Unit workbooks will be evaluated on the day of unit exams. Any student achieving a “B or higher grade is exempt from turning in the workbook assignment as long as the student maintains a “B” average.

6. Plagiarism + Cheating: Students will complete their OWN work at all times. Failure to abide by that policy will result in the following consequences.Penalty: zero score, no credit for assignment, parents will be notified. Offenders will ALSO lose all extra credit privileges for the entire year, and no recommendations will be provided.

7. Extra Credit: Students may turn in TWO, one page reviews of an applicable psychologist and/ or follow the extra credit procedures Follow the extra credit checklist for the proper format.

8. Scoring:

Quarter scores will be allocated based on the following approximate percentages:

Exams =30%; Applications + Demonstrations = 50%; Quizzes= 10%;

Thesis development = 10%

Semester Finals = 20% of total grade

9. Make-Up procedure: After any absence, the student is required to initiate contact with the instructor either in person or via email at o obtain appropriate make-up work WITHIN three school days following the students return. The student will then have three days,or an agreed upon period of time, to turn in assignments. .

10. Late requirements. Material turned in past the required deadline will be docked 25% the first day late; 50% the second day late; and will receive no credit after the third day.

11. ALL QUIZZES ARE OPEN NOTE. All Exams are CLOSED NOTE. Any student receiving a perfect score on a chapter quiz will receive immunity on the unit exam multiple choice portion. Only one student per hour may receive immunity. Quizzes and exams are timed activities.

IV. Classroom Behavior:

A. Classroom Environment

  1. Be nice, be kind and have an open mind. Think before one responds. Participation is strongly encouraged and there will be ample opportunity to express oneself during lecture, small group and enrichment activities.
  2. No electronic devices (i.e. I-pods) are allowed in the classroom. Cell phones are placed on vibrate only.
  3. Computers are a necessary tool in our classroom environment. They will be used properly and for academic purposes only. Printing is allowed on the classroom printer but be wise when deciding on what and what not to print.
  4. Misbehavior will not be tolerated. First offense, student will be relocated in the classroom. Second offense, student will be sent to the Dean of Students office and parent will be notified.

Third offense: student will be removed from the class and a student, parent-student dean- and -instructor conference will be initiated before a student will return to the classroom.

  1. No food or drink allowed in the classroom except for instructor-initiated activity. Water is allowed as long as the container has a lid.
  2. Attendance requirements will follow procedures outlined in the student handbook.

V. Misc. Feel free to contact me via email at ; or 702-799-7870 and leave a message.