ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY SYLLABUS



ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY SYLLABUS

Instructor: Mrs. Lauren Bayersdorfer

(336) 370-8200 - ext. 4803

Email: bayersl@

 

Background: Last year was my first year teaching at Page High School; however, since I graduated from Page, I’ve been a Page Pirate for many years. I have a BA in psychology from Colby College and a Masters of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While attending Page High School, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of my AP classes and I am excited to have this opportunity to expose my students to the ever changing world of psychology

AP Psychology Overview:

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.  Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.  Emphasis will be placed on learning the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Case studies are the primary method used throughout the year to illustrate and enhance psychological principles.

This course is designed to mirror an entry-level college course.  A student successfully receiving a score of 3 or better on the AP exam will generally receive college credit for Introduction to Psychology.

 

Content Outline:

1. Methods, History & Approaches

2. Biological Basis of Behavior

3. Developmental Psychology

4. Sensation & Perception

5. Social Psychology

6. Learning

7. States of Consciousness

8. Memory

9. Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

10. Personality

11. Motivation & Emotion

12. Abnormal Psychology and Therapy

Course Goals:

  This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the different fields of psychology, what psychologists do, and how they answer questions about thinking, emotion, and human behavior.  Students are encouraged to take the AP exam in May as a means of earning college credit (see attached information from AP coordinator). This exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and two essays. The course will require a clear understanding of research methods and psychological experimentation as well as an understanding of basic psychological concepts, terminology, principles and applications of psychology. Psychology deals with many topics of concern to all people in their daily lives. An important goal of this course is to help students make personal connections to psychological research.

 

To accomplish the goals above, the following methods and procedures will be used in this course:

 

Reading the textbook: Your textbook is an excellent source of psychological terms, concepts, principles and applications. It is my assumption that all students are willing and capable of reading the text on their own. A semester list of reading assignments will be provided and you are expected to have completed each assignment prior to the topic being covered in class. This does not mean that you will fully understand each concept read about. You are expected to bring up points of confusion that you have during class discussions.  I will not cover all important text material in class. Therefore, it is essential that you read each chapter carefully.

Class sessions: Class sessions will not simply review topics that are in the text. Class sessions will be divided between coverage of difficult text material and extensions of the text (e.g. adding depth, covering related materials, and personalizing the concepts). There will also be a variety of class activities, which will allow you to become actively engaged in psychology.

 

Homework: Any assigned homework is due at the beginning of the class session. You should expect to receive objectives and psychology terms with each reading assignment.  It is essential to explain terms in your own words, rather than copy a definition from the book.  Homework grades are also given for writing assignments and projects. Terms that are included and explained in the objectives need not be repeated.

Tests: Tests will be multiple-choice, similar to the AP exam.  Every test will require a # 2 pencil.  I will not provide pencils. As the year progresses tests will include both multiple choice and free response questions.

It is important that all students are present for tests. As an incentive when the entire class is present for the test an additional 3 points will be added to the each class members’ test grade.  If a student arranges to take a test early they will be considered as present for the extra credit.  Other types of extra credit are rarely offered.

 

Free Response Questions: You should expect essays (FRQ) interspersed throughout the course.  Essays will generally be geared toward helping you prepare to answer similar questions on the AP exam.  Psychological essays are written in a style referred to as technical writing. Most students will have to make adjustments in their present writing style to become proficient technical writers.  Experiments, seminars and case studies often serve as resources for these essays.

Essays will be completed either as a home assignment (which can be typed – double spaced, 12 point font) or as a class opportunity.  If hand written the essay must be in blue or black ink on good loose-leaf paper or on a provided paper. 

 

Class Participation: Class participation is essential for this course. This includes participating in class discussions, seminars, experiments and activities.  Note-taking is also considered an important part of participation.

 

Attendance:. If you are not in the room you can’t participate. Therefore, it is essential that you are in class every day. If you have no choice and must miss a class then you need to make up the work immediately. If you are aware that you will be missing a class because of a school activity or a family trip, it is your responsibility to inform me before not after you miss the class.  My syllabus is based on a yearly plan and it is possible to keep up with assignments, even if you’re out of class for an extended period due to illness.

 

Review Text: D&S Marketing produces an excellent supplement/review text.  Every student is expected to purchase one at the price of approximately $20.  This text is the best tool available for clarifying complex theories and terminology.  Texts must be ordered through the teacher.

 

Please have your parents read the above guidelines for the course and sign below.    

_______________________            ____________________________

Parent signature                                  Student signature                                        

Please keep these guidelines in the front of your notebook followed by your reading schedule.

Revised AP Testing Requirement Information for 2009-2010

Students enrolled in AP courses are encouraged, though not required, to take the AP exam. Success on the AP exam is the only way to earn college credit. All students enrolled in AP classes will receive the higher quality points for being in an AP (A = 6.0 GPA; B = 5.0; etc.). The score a student receives on the national exam does not affect the final grade in the class. Students in courses with lab waivers should consult with their teachers as to the specifics for those classes.

Students will be presented with a form letter, which must be filled out and returned indicating their intention to take the exam or not no later than the dates below. In establishing these dates, all AP students will have an equal exposure to the classes before deciding on their course of action. Those dates for 2009-10 are:

▪ Block, Fall semester class Sept. 25

▪ Block, Spring semester class Feb. 22

▪ Traditional schedule Oct. 28

▪ A/B class meeting Oct. 28

▪ Schools operating on special calendars to be determined on site

Students will, on the date listed above, bring the AP Information and Testing Choice form indicating their intentions in to their teachers. A bill will be generated and their check (if needed) will be collected by the school treasurer. Students who qualify for FRL status need to bring the form in to state their intentions regarding the exam. Students who qualify for FRL take the exams free of charge. Students will be given a receipt, and a record of commitment will be on file for the purposes of accurately ordering the exams at the appropriate date. This decision is not reversible, and no refund (except for special circumstances, such as transferring out of the district or the school) will be given. Decisions whether or not to take the exam should be based on a variety of factors, not just the current grade in the course.

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