The focus of the Advanced Placement course in Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals; a modern definition would probably be the scientific study of both experience and behavior in order to understand human beings. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major sub-fields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Such material, at times, will challenge the students and their view of the world and will require maturity from students beyond which is typically expected at the high school level. This is a college-level course and the pace and structure will be at a high level.
At the conclusion of the course in May, the students will be expected to take the AP Psychology Exam where a score of 3 or higher is preferred. The score of a 3 or higher could amount to earned college credit as the evidence suggests that the student has met the expectations of a college-level psychology course.
Course Pacing and Expectations
Please note that I do understand this is a college course being taken by high school students; despite this fact, it is still a college level course, ran at a college level pace, with college level expectations. It has been said that some AP courses are intelligence driven, while other AP courses are effort driven. If a student lacks either the aptitude or the motivation to complete this course at a college level, then it would be wise to not enroll in the course. Should the main focus of enrolling in this AP course be for the "GPA bump" to "look good on my transcripts," then past experiences dictate that the GPA will suffer due to the lack of preparation on the student's part. Grades entered into the grade book for this college level class will be held at the county-required minimum, so grades entered will count heavily to the overall success of the students; the grading period will not be filled with busy-work time-fillers to keep students busy and the grade inflated, but with academically rigorous AP exam preparing readings and activities. It will be the student's responsibility to ensure they complete required readings, participate in class discussions, and prepare for assessments.
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Attendance
If previously informed, all tests, quizzes, projects, and assignments missed will be made up and turned in on the day returned. If not previously informed or assignment was given on day of absence, one additional day will be added for each day absent to have the assignment complete. All make-up work is the student's responsibility and should be completed in a reasonable time frame. Students choosing to “miss" class to go to the Choice Room for the period a project or an assignment is due is still required to turn the assignment in that day. In essence, make-up work is only for students who miss the school day...not the period. This is posted both in class and on this website, so it is the student's and parents' responsibility to know to avoid awkward conversations later.
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"Late" / "Re-do" Assignments
If a student is in class and fails to complete an assignment or homework for any number of reasons, the grade entered will be a "0" and no late work will be accepted; work turned in due to an absence will follow the above policy. With quarterly reports, online grade books, and opportunities to communicate with me as the instructor, students and parents are responsible for their grade monitoring. It is important that when students are in class, they are attentive and complete all necessary assignments on time. I'll repeat this since some students have confusion in understanding this guideline...it does not mean that within the last two weeks before grades are due that a student comes to me asking to turn in "late" or "re-do" work from the 9-weeks grading period because now he or she wants a higher grade...there will be no freebies or bailouts at the last minute to inflate a grade. This is posted both in class and on this website, so it is the student's and parents' responsibility to know to avoid awkward conversations later.
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Supplies Needed
-- Notebook - 1" hardcover 3-ring binder
-- Dividers w/ plastic tabs for notebook
-- Paper - college ruled loose sheets (NO WIDE RULED)
-- Pens - blue or black; red for peer evaluation and editing
-- Flash drive or access to Cloud Storage
-- Phone / iPod with internet access (phones will be used as a valuable technological resource within class parameters; free use by students is not accepted)
-- One ream of paper (WHITE)
-- (Boxes of tissues are always appreciated)
** A note on supplies - I realize that not all students will have a phone or iPod with internet access; in these instances, I will ask students to work with others around them to make the most of the activity being conducted in class. I will attempt to incorporate cell phones as frequently as possible for hands-on discussion-based resources and activities. It is, though, the student's responsibility to only be on the phone when appropriated by me; should texting / streaming become a problem, then hopefully a quick contact with the parent will help change this behavior.
Provided Texts
Slater, Lauren. Opening Skinner's Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century. Norton, 2004. (ISBN # 978-0-393-32655-0)
Study Questions and Video Footage for Each Experiment
Weiten, Wayne. Psychology - Themes and Variations - 10th ed. (AP Edition). Wadsworth, 2017.
Lilienfeld, Scott, et. al. 50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
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Schoology Site
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AP Psychology Course and Exam Description
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Literacy Lesson Guide (50 Myths of Popular Psychology)
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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MUST KNOW AP PSYCH TERMS (Print and Highlight Words You Know...use PP Slides Above And Ask Questions In Class.)
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