Advanced Placement Psychology, 2010-2011

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste and it’s an awesome thing to study”

Instructor: Tanya Lancee

Email:

Blog:

(see the AP Psych tab)

Our class motto/mantra: “13 units (condensed from 18), 14 weeks”

(This means we have to get through a unit in about a week…sometimes less…with dedication and hard work, all things are possible)

OVERVIEW

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. The AP Psychology course content is defined in the booklet, “College Board AP: Psychology: Course Description, May 2008, May 2009,” which is posted on my teacher blog. The primary objective of this semester course is to prepare you for the Advanced Placement Psychology Exam which takes place onMONDAY MAY 2nd. This is done by providing you a broad overview of some theories and applications in this evolving field, as would be covered in a college introductory psychology course. The content and discussion will reflect the topics typically addressed in a college course. In addition to the course material, Cobb County School District's system-wide goals and Sprayberry High School’s(SHS) mission statement are reflected in the course. Specifically, in line with the SHS Student Expectations, along with learning psychology, you should work to…

1.Apply critical thinking and creative literacy skills to formulate and express opinions in a variety of ways.

2.Demonstrate mathematical and scientific literacy while using problem solving and reasoning skills.

3.Exhibit effective speaking, writing and reading skills.

4.Demonstrate appropriate and varied use information literacy and technology skills.

5.Develop and maintain positive health and fitness habits.

7. Participate in collaborative and cooperative learning.

  1. Demonstrate self-discipline and personal responsibility for learning.
  2. Show respect for individual abilities and diverse cultures.

Content Coverage

The elements covered by the AP Psychology course and exams are:

I. History and Approaches

II. Research Methods

III. Biological Basis for Behavior

IV. Sensation and Perception

V. States of Consciousness

VI. Learning

VII. Cognition

VIII. Motivation and Emotion

IX. Developmental Psychology

X. Personality

XI. Testing and Individual Differences

XII. Abnormal Psychology

XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders

XIV. Social Psychology

(The College Board: “Advanced Placement Course Description: Psychology” May 2008, May 2009.)

Notebook

You are encouraged to have a binder for the notes, handouts, and returned homework organized by content as listed above. You should take daily notes on class discussions and assigned readings. Handouts should be marked up in a prescribed manner and complete. These are for you… write out complete answers for your own sake.

In-Class Performance

What you do in class on a day-to day-basis is the foundation for the learning that should occur in this course. This includes your participation in discussions and group activities, you sharing your perceptions and questions and criticisms, and your attentiveness to the task at hand and to what others are saying. Come to class ready to participate. Involvement and initiative are critical elements for success in an advanced placement course.

Homework Assignments

Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. It is due at the beginning of class. All written assignments should be typed, with 12-point font, spell checked, and documented. Assignments and some handouts will be posted on my teacher blog.

Tests & Quizzes

All tests and most quizzes will be announced ahead of time. You will always have the opportunity for test corrections. You just need to make an appointment with me afterschool. I highly recommend you take advantage of it. We will have midunit quizzes in which you are allowed to use your textbook notes only, so I advise you take them.

Semester & AP Exam

Everyone is expected to take the two-hour AP Psychology exam on MONDAY MAY 2nd. If you do not take the national exam, you will have a final. It is approximately two-hours long and includes both a 70-minute multiple-choice section and a 50-minute free-response section. The test is scored on a 5-point scale:

5-Extremely well qualified

4-Well qualified

3-Qualified

2-Possibly qualified

1-No recommendation

Most, but not allcolleges grant credit for a score of 3 or higher. Some require at least a 4 and a few do not accept AP scores. Look at the AP Central website or contact your choice schools to confirm what credit will be granted.

The multiple-choice section contains 100 questions and accounts for 2/3 of the overall score. The free-response section (2 questions) accounts for the remaining 1/3. Candidates are asked to answer 2 essay questions which require them to interrelate different content areas and to analyze and evaluate psychological constructs and, more generally, theoretical perspectives. Candidates are expected to use their analytical and organizational skills to formulate coherent answers in their essays.

Grading Policy

The weighting of the grades will be as follows:

Homework/Assignments/Reading Packets/Misc. in class work15%

Formal Research Papers/Formal Presentations10%

Labs/Case Study Analysis10%

Quizzes (Midunit, Almost There, and text “pop” quizzes)10%

Unit Tests Multiple Choice20%

Unit Tests FRQ’s (Essay)15%

Final Review Project10%

Final (exempted for those who take the National AP Exam)10%

Absences

Clearly, the conversations and productive discussion that take place when a student is absent cannot be “made up.” When you have been absent you have the responsibility to find out what was done in class, including the handouts distributed, and homework and tests announced.

Texts & Materials

  • Myers, David, Psychology, (7h ed.), New York, Worth, 2004, Website:
  • AP Released Exam in Psychology and other support materials provided by the College Board. (see their website)
  • Articles from video clips from the series "The Brain," "The Mind," and "Scientific American Frontiers," and PBS, etc., are used to integrate learning and will be provided. Be sure you have access to my blog.
  • Index cards are highly recommended for the amount of vocabulary in this course.
  • AP Psych review guide (Kaplan, Barron’s etc) is HIGHLY recommended.

What Can You Do To Help Yourself Be Successful?

  1. Don't miss class. Period.
  2. Remember, this is in essence a college level course. It requires much work and a lot of focus, but in the end the reward will be great. Read because it will help you improve your score, do NOT read because you “have to”.
  3. Your number one goal should be to learn psych. If you are determined to learn, everything else will fall into place.
  4. Don't be afraid to get help if you do not understand something.
  5. Keep up! Don't let yourself fall behind. Set a schedule and be disciplined enough to stick to it. Complete assignments and finish reading on time. Be prepared for class everyday. Review each week.
  6. Take complete class notes. Put them in your own words. Leave space on your reading notes to take class notes. Review your class notes each day while they are fresh in your mind.
  7. Learn to read more effectively.It is impossible to cover all the material in class; therefore, it is imperative that you keep up with your reading and assignments in order to be prepared for each test and the AP Exam.
  8. Read actively. Effectively reading a college-level text requires a great deal more effort and concentration than leisure novels do.
  9. Preview a chapter before you begin to read. Review frequently as you read. Pause at the end of each paragraph and summarize mentally in your own words.
  10. Do not try to read an entire chapter at once. It is divided for a reason!
  11. Do not ignore pictures, diagrams, tables, and sidebars in your book.
  12. READ TO LEARN… NOT TO GET IT OVER WITH!!!!!
  13. Form a study group. This is an excellent way to help one another and have a good time as well.
  14. Vocabulary is half the battle. Vocabulary. Vocabulary. Vocabulary. Index cards are EXCELLENT in terms of mastering vocab.
  15. I will give you a list of AP Standards at the beginning of every unit. This is what the College Board expects you to know. Use it!!! Cross off the concepts as you master them… make sure you “know it all”. Keep these all semester… this is your study guide for the AP test in May.
  16. USE MY BLOG AND THE WEBSITES THAT ARE UNDER THE PSYCHOLOGY TAB!!!!!!!!

Availability of Help

I am available for help almost every day. Come see me and I will schedule a time to meet. I look forward to a productive and insightful semester with you.  Ms. Lancee

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Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date

*** Use the Course Plan and check off each bullet point as we learn it and you MASTER it***

Remember… the mind is a terrible thing to waste and an awesome thing to study.