AP Psychology



Advanced Placemennt Psychology

Ms. Clark

Edna Karr High School

Website: karrappsych.

Email: maureen.clark@

Phone: 504-517-2241

Course Purpose:

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce you to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. You will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. You will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

This course is taught at a college level. The major difference between a high school and college course is the amount of reading and depth of focus. You will be required to cover material on your own and take practice tests on your own. The AP curriculum stresses higher order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context. Students will be required frequently to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary sources in addition to memorizing, comprehending, and applying facts.

This course covers the following topics and includes a percentage range of each topic’s weight in the course and on the exam:

History and Approaches (2%–4%)

Research Methods (8%–10%)

Biological Bases of Behavior (8%–10%)

Sensation and Perception (6%–8%)

States of Consciousness (2%–4%)

Learning (7%–9%)

Cognition (8%–10%)

Motivation and Emotion (6%–8%)

Developmental Psychology (7%–9%)

Personality (5%–7%)

Testing and Individual Differences (5%–7%)

Abnormal Psychology (7%–9%)

Treatment of Psychological Disorders (5%–7%)

Social Psychology (8%–10%)

Course Materials:

1. Textbook: Myers’ Psychology for AP, 2nd Edition by David G, Myers

2. Various articles, diagrams, and pictures.

Website Information:

The following website(s) are integral to your success in this class.

-- examples of tests, essays, and answers

karrappsych. --Our class site with links and current assignments. Password: 3332

Please download the free app AP Psychology Varsity Tutors for practice on your own time.

Course Expectations:

Online:

You are expected to USE THE WEBSITE. This is how I will communicate your assignments for the week. You should download AP Psychology Varsity Tutors to do practice tests on your own throughout the year.

Materials:

You should have a 3 ring binder for notes and handouts, paper, black pens and pencils. These should be brought to class every day.

You will need approximately 500 index cards and a ring to put them on. Note cards will be checked per module, so this is required.

Classroom and You:

You are expected to take notes on class discussion and material presented in class as well as the text. Your notes will also be a part of your grade.

Students are ultimately responsible for their own learning and are expected to read assignments on time and come to class prepared to take part in discussions.

You will be expected to contribute to class discussions and will be graded on our Friday Socratic Seminars.

There is a strong writing component on the AP Exam that requires frequent exercise and rehearsal that demonstrates analysis and application of scientific concepts. You will be expected write effective analytical responses. You will complete a free response questions every 1 to 2 weeks and are expected to assess your own frqs as well as the frqs of others using the College Board’s grading rubrics. We will work on this in class.

Projects:

You will be expected to complete approximately 10 projects throughout the year. You will be required to budget your time wisely and use your resources. All projects and project reflections will be posted on your very own website that you will create!

Textbooks:

You are expected to take reasonable care of your textbook and return it in good condition by the date requested.

Grading Policy

You will be graded on a total point system, which will consist of scores from tests, notes, projects, and vocabulary. You will also have a midterm and a final exam. (They will be modeled on the AP Test)

Work must be completed on a daily basis to keep up with the workload. Do not expect to do well if you are not vigilant about your work. There will be homework every night, and reading on weekends. You should dedicate at least 1 hour per night to this class – every night.

You are responsible for finding out what was missed if you are absent. The website is a good guide – classmates are even better. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up exams or other work missed. All make-up tests must be made up before or after school. The more class time you miss, the harder it will be for you to succeed.

Late work will not be accepted except in circumstances approved by Ms. Clark.

Grade category percentages:

- Daily Assignments (15%)

- Quizzes (15%)

- Tests/Projects (40%)

- Final Exam (20%)

Assessment Practices:

Each unit will consist of approximately:

o 14 daily reading & writing assignments – in and outside of the classroom.

o Defining Terminology – Making notecards and creating Quizlet sets (Quizlet is extra credit)

o Class Participation

o 2-5 Projects

o Assessments- Tests modeled on the AP test questions and format. You will also be expected to take practice tests online until you earn an 85% or higher on each assigned test. You will do this on your own time as homework.

Tests: Tests will closely resemble the AP exam. These tests will include multiple-choice questions and free response questions. Tests will be rigorous as they are intended to challenge the student at the Advanced Placement Level. Tests will be frequent to insure that students read the textbook and supplementary readings, and take copious notes that are thorough and well-organized.

Daily Reading & Writing Assignments:

Writing is a major component of the AP exam and you will be expected to write frequently. There is a certain format that you must follow, and once the procedure is discussed you will be expected to improve within that format. Reading also is vital to your success in this course. You will be expected to have read the upcoming chapter before we begin lectures in class, so that you can identify areas of confusion. The knowledge you gain from your daily reading will be used in class discussions, activities, and projects.

Defining Terminology:

Each unit will present you with a list of terms. Knowing these terms is paramount to your success in this course and on the AP Exam. You will be required to follow the WEE model for definitions and will need index cards for this task.

Class Participation:

Class participation will vary from Friday Socratic Seminars, activities, projects, presentations, simulations, and more. Students are not only expected to participate but also be prepared to participate by completing readings and other work on their own.

Projects:

Projects will vary from experiments to the creation of learning modules and will have a strong emphasis on the use of technology.

Contact Information

I can be contacted through the Contact Me page on the class website. This is my preferred mode of contact and goes to my school email address or you can email me at maureen.clark@. You may call or text me at 504-517-2241. Please identify yourself in the message/text.

The days I am available afterschool are Tuesday and Thursday from 4 until 6 pm.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Saturday tutoring is available by appointment.

The attached Syllabus signoff form is due on Friday, August 11. Students will not receive a textbook until the signature page is signed and returned to Ms. Clark.

Syllabus Signoff Forms

Student Name: ______________________________

Student Contract

I have read the syllabus for AP Psychology. I will do my best to fulfill the requirements of the course and the expectations of my teacher.

Signed: _________________________________________Date:___________________

Class Period _________

E-mail address: ______________________________

Parent Contract of Support

I have read the syllabus for AP Psychology and have discussed the course requirements and class expectations with my student. I pledge to support my student to fulfill these requirements and expectations.

Signed: _____________________________________________ Date: ____________

Parent/Guardian Name: ___________________________________________________

Home Phone: (______)______________________

Work Phone: (______)______________________

Mobile Phone: (______)_____________________

E-mail address: ______________________________

Video Permission Form

We will be viewing several films or clips of films over the course of the school year that may contain adult material and subject matter as this is a college level course. Most movies will be rated PG or PG-13 but some films may have an R-Rating or no rating. These movies have been selected to illustrate key issues of the content of the course and the students will receive adult supervision and guidance during the films.

If your child has permission to view the video, please check an option and sign below.

_____ My child has permission to watch all videos.

_____ My child has permission to watch ONLY G and PG videos

_______________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

Photography Permission Form

To create a classroom atmosphere of cooperation, pride, and understanding as well as engaging parents and the community in the discussion and movement of our class, I would like to post pictures of students engaged in assignments, receiving praise, and participating in various classroom activities.

_____ My child HAS permission to be photographed for use.

_____ My child DOES NOT HAVE permission to be photographed for use.

PLEASE RETURN THIS SIGNED FORM TO MS. CLARK ASAP

The following is For In-Class Use Only:

Textbook #____________ Condition (for teacher use)_________________________________

Student Signature__________________________________________________(OUT)

__________________________________________________(IN)

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