AP PSYCHOLOGY



AP PSYCHOLOGY

2014-2015

Mrs. Bennett

mbennett@hoover.k12.al.us

Course Purpose: The AP Psychology course is intended to provide the scope and level of academic accomplishment expected in a college introductory course. In addition, the course aims to instill knowledge, skills, and attitudes to apply to our own lives. We will also plan to enjoy this experience.

Please understand from the onset a fact of paramount importance: the least important person in this classroom is me- the teacher. Acting as a “college student” you are expected to charge ahead on your own, to seek, find and internalize knowledge on your own. In short, you must be the main agent in your educational process.

As the teacher, it is my job to facilitate your drive and accomplishment by structuring your learning situations and selecting learning tools to help you attain your goals: a successful score on the AP exam, an enrichment of your life through the acquisition of psychological knowledge and the enjoyment of the course.

Course Sequence

I. History , approaches and methods & Statistics (7-9%)

II. Personality (7-9%) – You’re getting Defensive Again! & The One, The Many…(p. 234, 217)

III. Neuroscience and Behavior (8-10%) – One Brain or Two? & More Experience = Bigger Brain? (p.1, 11)

IV. Consciousness and Its Variations (2-4%)– To Sleep, No Doubt to Dream…& Unromancing the Dream…(p. 41, 48)

V. Sensation and Perception ( 7-9%)

VI. Stress,Health and Coping – Life, Change, and Stress (p. 175)

VII. Lifespan development (7-9%) – Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind & How Moral are You? (p. 134, 142)

VIII. Social Psychology (7-9%)– The Power of Conformity & To Help or Not to Help (p. 295, 300)

IX. Motivation and Emotion (7-9%)– I Can See it all Over your Face! & Are you the Master of Your Fate? (p. 168, 192)

X. Learning (7-9%)

XI. Memory (7-9%) – Thanks for the Memories (p. 116) & What You Expect is What You Get (p. 93)

XII. Thinking, Language,Intelligence (5-7%) – Just How are You Intelligent? & Maps in Your Mind (p.100, 109)

XIII. Psychological Disorders (7-9%)– Who’s Crazy Here, Anyway? & Learning to be Depressed (p. 226, 242)

XIV. Therapy (6-8%) – Relaxing your Fears Away & Picture This! (p.264, 279)

AP Psychology Exam- May 2015

100 Multiple Choice- 70 minutes

2 Free Responses-50 Minutes

Policies, Requirements, Grading, Etc.

1. Binder – You will need a 1 inch binder used for this class only. Binder will include all notes, activities and homework. *Notes should have all headings underlined and a minimum of three sentences under each. Self Stick Write-On Tab Dividers are required. You should have a section for each chapter. Notes will be checked on the day BEFORE each test, and may be checked at random times throughout each chapter.

2. Flash cards- Students will be required to make flash cards for every vocabulary word in each chapter. Cards will include the definition, example, page number and chapter, and your initials. Also you MUST number each flashcard. Flashcards are due the day BEFORE each test.

3. Free Response – Students will be required to complete FR questions for various chapter tests and are timed. Questions will be regarding material that has been covered, but not necessarily from just one chapter. These are designed to resemble and help prepare the students for the AP Exam in May, which includes 2 free response questions.

4.Tests- Tests are multiple choice & free response (FR-on various chapter tests, not all). Test questions are formatted to resemble AP test questions. Each chapter test will include 5 to 10 questions from any previous chapters. It will be to your advantage not to cram, but to start studying early to ensure encoding and retaining of the information. Also after everyone has completed each chapter test, students have the option to make test corrections. Completing test corrections will add 5 bonus points to the original test grade. This is designed to encourage students to discover what they missed, ask questions, and to learn the correct answer so that question would not be missed again in the future (semester exam, AP exam). All notes, flashcards and Hockenbury textbook may be used to make test corrections. Test corrections may be completed once every student has completed the test and the due date will be announced at that time. TEST CORRECTIONS MUST BE MADE AT SCHOOL DURING DESIGNATED CLASS TIME, AO PERIOD OR BEFORE SCHOOL BY APPOINTMENT.

5. Quizzes- Daily quizzes will be given. Quizzes are based on nightly assigned reading. Students should take notes on assigned reading. Notes must be handwritten. All reading assignments are given on Monday of each week and may also be found on my faculty webpage

Format of quizzes may be a mix of True/ false, fill in the blank, multiple choice, short answer etc. You may use your notes & flashcards on quizzes. Also on various class days reading notes may be checked for a grade. Be prepared for either type.

6.Group projects/ Individual projects- Projects will be assigned during various units. Projects are designed to enrich the learning experience of the chapter. Some Projects include: T-shirt Design, A Child development project, a 3-D model of the brain, a Disorders/ therapy project, Class Skits, etc.

7.Resource bank- a resource bank with sample test banks, chapter reviews, and AP prep guides are provided to enhance student progress. Material in the resource bank cannot be copied but can be used during class study time, AO or before school by appointment only. This tool is very helpful!! Please take advantage of this opportunity.

8. Abstracts – Students will be required to read various studies from Roger Hock’s Forty Studies that Changed Psychology. Students will be put in groups and will read the assigned studies and write a brief abstract on each study. Abstracts must be numbered; I will show you an example.

9. Participation- Students are encouraged to participate and contribute to all class discussions. Be prepared EVERYDAY to DISCUSS. Class reflections may be assigned at the end of class on various occasions. These will count as Classwork (participation) points.

10. Grading Proportions –

| Description | |

| |% of Grade |

|Tests/Essays |50% |

|Quizzes/Projects |30% |

|Homework/Classwork |20% |

11. Make-up Policy – You must see me immediately for any assignments you missed while absent. You may also check my webpage for brief description of what you missed and any homework assigned. Make-up tests for students who are absent should take place during Academic Opportunities (AO) period. If you cannot make up a test during AO, you can arrange to take a test before or after school by appointment only. Remember that you have 3 days to make up work ONLY for excused absences.

12. Late Work - Late work can be turned in for 50% credit 1 day after it is due. After the 2nd day, no late work is accepted. Late work consists of any homework assignment that is not turned in when I collect it.

13. Projects & Papers - Projects and/or papers are due by 3p.m. on the due date regardless of attendance in class that day. Please note any project/paper that is turned in after 3p.m. on the due date (for any reason) cannot earn a grade higher than a D. This may seem harsh, but it is unfair to those who spend the adequate effort and time to complete their assignment on time.

14. Cheating - Cheating is very damaging to your integrity and your reputation. It is difficult, if not impossible, to repair. Do your own work and be very careful when researching and citing. Using other people’s materials without properly citing them is plagiarism and it will not be tolerated. Immediate action will be taken, including a zero on any work that is considered cheating. Parents, any sponsor or coach, and Principals will be notified as well.

15. School Rules - All SPHS rules will be followed and enforced.

Recommendations for Success:

Read your textbook

You should take your textbook home every evening and read/reread the information being studied. This text is well written and comprehensive.

• Take good notes

Don’t try to write down every word said in class, but note the important concepts we discuss and any memorable examples for each concept. Make up your own examples if the ones I present don’t work for you.

• Study 15 minutes every day

Research says that studying that is spaced out over time is more effective than cramming. Take 15 minutes at some point each day to review what we went over in class and what you’ve read. You’ll find the whole experience in this class easier if you do.

• Believe that every day you will learn something in class

If you expect to learn, you will. If you expect for all this to be a waste of your time, it will be.

• Don’t fret about the AP Exam

My goal is that you learn the scientific discipline of psychology. If you do that, then the exam will not be a problem.

• Believe that I will treat you fairly.

I do my best to work with you for a smooth, learning-filled year. If something comes up that you are worried about or that you feel might not work out, trust that I will be working to make sure the right outcome occurs. See me directly if you have a problem or concern.

Supplies:

• The Psychology of Harry Potter edited by Neil Mulholland

• Opening Skinner’s Box by Lauren Slater

• AP Psychology Prep Book

• 1 inch binder

• Self Stick Write-on Tabs

• Pens & Pencils

• Highlighters

Optional Supplies:

• Hand Sanitizer

• Box of Tissues

• Roll of paper towels

AP Psychology Signatures

Please sign below to indicate that you have read and understand the AP Psychology Syllabus:

Print Student Name:______________________________________________________

Student signature:_________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian signature:________________________________________________

Date:_____________________

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