Psychology

Los Fresnos High School

Course Syllabus: 2016-2017(Semester 1)

Teacher: Mr. Garcia

E-mail: Voicemail:956-254-5300 (ext. 1082)

Conference Period: 1stConference Location:317

General Description:

Psychology is a half semester, intellectual, survey course designed for students who would like to explore human nature from a combined cultural-biological viewpoint. Basic terms, concepts, and principles of psychology are introduced as well as contradicting viewpoints as to how these basic factors can be interpreted. Topics such as emotion, experience, meaning, perception, learning, behavior, personality, and self-concept are reviewed through discussion, lecture, introspection, journal writing, observation, case studies, handouts, a basic text, movies, and field projects. It is expected that students electing this course would be willing to make a strong individual preparation in order to share their ideas and, on occasion, engage in group learning tasks. A major goal of the course is to expand our basic curiosity to a point where we can make legitimate evaluative statements about socially significant behavior and the psychological implications for issues now confronting society.

Text:

Kasschau, R. (2003). Understanding Psychology. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill.

Units of Study:

Unit 1:Approaches to Psychology

  • Chapter 1:Introducing Psychology
  • Chapter 2:Psychological Research Methods

Unit 2: Development Theories of Personality

  • Chapter 3:Infancy & Childhood
  • Chapter 4:Adolescence
  • Chapter 5:Adulthood & Old Age
  • Chapter 14:Theories of Personality

InterimUnit:Optimism Positive Thinking

Unit 3:Consciousness & Perception

  • Chapter 7: Altered States of Consciousness
  • Chapter 8: Sensation & Perception

Unit 4:Learning & Memory

  • Chapter 9: Learning: Principles & Applications
  • Chapter 10:Memory & Thought

Unit 5: Psychological Disorders

  • Chapter 16: Psychological Disorders

*Units may not necessarily correspond entirely with textbook chapters, although textbook will be used as a reference

Class Work/Homework:

Students will receive various class work and homework assignments throughout the course of the semester. Such assignments will include, but are not limited to, textbook readings/questions, note-taking, hand-outs, participation ininternet discussion forums, and case studies.

Tests:

Following each unit of study, students will be formally assessed through unit tests. Unit tests will consist of matching, multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay questions. Students will be responsible for all unit material discussed in class and assigned for homework, as such are subject to inclusion on unit tests.

Papers/Projects/Presentations:

Throughout the course of the semester, students will be assigned papers, projects, and presentations (group and/or individual). Such assignments will be assessed through content, as well as grammar, organization, structure, and neatness.

Participation:

Students are also responsible for participating in class. Class participation includes, but is not limited to, arriving to class on time, being prepared (having their textbook, notebook, folder, assignments, pens, pencils), partaking in classroom activities and assignments, asking and answering questions, and being actively involved in class discussions.

Materials:

  • Two-Subject Notebook:
  • Class Notes
  • Journal
  • Psychology Folder
  • Pens/Pencils
  • Textbook: Understanding Psychology
  • Course Syllabus

Handing In and Taking Back Assignments:

Students are responsible for handing in all assignments, unless otherwise announced by teacher, via the “Student Mailbox” located in the classroom. Students must place assignments requiring submission in the “In-Going” folder for their class/period, at the beginning of the class period (before the bell rings or within one minute after the bell rings). Any assignments not submitted at the beginning of the class period on the due date are considered late.

Students are also responsible for taking back graded assignments, unless otherwise announced by teacher, via the “Student Mailbox.” Students may find their graded assignments in the “Out-Going” folder for their class/period. Students may collect graded work at any point before class, after class, during lunch, etc. However, tests, papers, and other large-scale assignments will be handed back personally to students.

Absence/Tardiness:

Students who are missing work due to absence or tardiness are responsible for acquiring all work that they have missed. Students may contact their teacher via e-mail, or may meet during the conference session.

All work must be submitted within two days following students’ return.

Late Work:

In order to receive full credit, students are expected and required to submit all assignments when they are due.

If assignments are not submitted when due, students will receive partial credit. For one day late, the assignment grade will drop 50%. After more than one day late, students will not receive credit for their assignment.

Final Exam:

At the conclusion of the course, students will be required to take a cumulative Final Exam. The Final Exam will consist of Matching, Multiple Choice, and Short Answer questions, and will account for 25% students’ final grade. Seniors who have a cumulative grade of A- (90) or higher, and have no outstanding cuts for this class may be eligible for exemption.