Syllabus – AP Psychology



Syllabus – AP Psychology

adam.lazarewicz@

I. Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings, as well as other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields of psychology. They will also learn about the research methods and ethics that psychologists use in their research and practice. AP Psychology is designed to be equivalent to an introductory college course in psychology.

II. Textbook, Website, and Class Materials

Textbook: Myers, David G. Psychology. New York, NY: Worth, 8th ed. 2007.

Website:

The course website has resources such as class announcements, due dates, lecture note outlines, class handouts, a copy of this syllabus, and much more. Please bookmark this site on your computer and check in regularly.

Class Materials: Each student should have a notebook dedicated exclusively to Psychology notes (or a binder if you choose to use the lecture notes). It would be helpful to have a pocket in the notebook (or a separate folder) for handouts, returned papers, etc. You are welcome to use a laptop or tablet for notes if you prefer, as long as those technologies are being used exclusively for class purposes during class time.

Students are also strongly encouraged to purchase an AP review book (I have a number of such books for you to look at). This is not mandatory for class, but it will be helpful to you in preparing for the AP Exam. Such books are available both at bookstores and online for about $20. If you choose to buy one of these review books, I would recommend doing so early in the course, and using it as we progress through the class material.

III. Grading Procedure

Your grade in this class will depend on your performance in 6 areas: exams, quizzes, Connections assignments, quarterly projects, in-class/homework assignments, and class participation. Each assessment will be worth a specified number of points (see below). At the end of each quarter, the number of points you earn will be divided by the total number of possible points to calculate your grade percentage. Letter grades will be determined according to the traditional scale below.

A: 90-100%

B: 80-89%

C: 70-79%

D: 60-69%

F: below 60

e.g. If you earn 285 out of 300 possible points, you will receive an A (285/300 = .95). If you earn 210 of the 300 points, you will receive a C (210/300 = .76).

***Extra credit may be given at the teacher’s discretion and will be offered to the entire class. Absolutely no individual extra credit will be assigned or accepted.***

III. Grading Procedure, cont.

Exams. There will be an exam after every two units we cover in class, covering only those two units. The precise exam dates will be announced at least 3 days in advance, and will include material from the textbook, lectures, assignments, films, and class discussions. Exams will consist primarily of multiple-choice and essay questions (mirroring the AP exam), but some exams will have other sections. Every exam will have at least one question from the textbook that was not covered in class.

There will be cumulative final exams at the end of each semester.

Exams (except the semester and final exams) are worth 100 points each.

Quizzes. There will be at least one quiz on each unit, and some of the longer units will have two quizzes. Quizzes will be on material covered in class and the textbook, and will primarily consist of multiple-choice questions. Every quiz will have at least one question from the textbook that was not covered in class.

Quizzes are worth 20 points each.

Connections Assignments. Please see Connections Assignments handout, distributed in class and online.

Connections Assignments are worth 15 points each.

Quarterly Projects. These projects will vary, and will be announced as the class progresses.

Quarterly Projects are worth 75 points each.

In-Class/Homework Assignments. We will do a variety of in-class assignments this year, several of which will be graded. If you miss one, please look it up online and turn it in during the next class period. There will also be assignments that you will complete at home.

Point values for in-class/homework assignments will depend on the type of assignment.

Class Participation. Student participation is critical to the success of this class. Being a good participant means not only engaging in class discussions, but also being an attentive and respectful member of the class. Keeping up with the reading is a key element of participation. It will be impossible for me to cover every possible AP test topic in class, so you will need to read to supplement your knowledge. Attendance and tardiness are also considered when assigning Class Participation grades.

At the end of each quarter, each student will be assigned up to 20 points for class participation.

IV. Content Outline

|Unit |Topics |Myers Reading |% goal for AP Exam |

|1. |History and Approaches |Prologue |2-4% |

|2. |Research Methods |Ch. 1 |6-8% |

|3. |Biological Bases of Behavior |Ch. 2 |8-10% |

|4. |Sensation and Perception |Ch. 5 & 6 |7-9% |

|5. |States of Consciousness |Ch. 7 |2-4% |

|6. |Learning |Ch. 8 |7-9% |

|7. |Cognition |Ch. 9 & 10 |8-10% |

|8. |Motivation and Emotion |Ch. 12 & 13 |7-9% |

|9. |Developmental Psychology |Ch. 4 |7-9% |

|10. |Personality |Ch. 15 |6-8% |

|11. |Testing and Individual Differences |Ch. 11 |5-7% |

|12. |Abnormal Psychology |Ch. 16 |7-9% |

|13. |Treatment of Psychological Disorders |Ch. 17 |5-7% |

|14. |Social Psychology |Ch. 18 |7-9% |

V. Class Policies

Attendance

• Students are expected to be present and on time for class. The TUSD Absence and Tardy Policies will both be enforced in this class.

• In the event of excessive absences or excessive tardies, the student’s participation grade will drop. Attending class and being on time are critical aspects of Class Participation.

• Students arriving late to class will be required to turn in a pass from another teacher, or a Tardy Slip from the UHS office.

Classroom Behavior

• A student caught cheating/plagiarizing will receive a zero for that exam/quiz/assignment/project, and will be reported to UHS Administration for disciplinary purposes.

• No electronic devices (cell phones, portable music players, video games, etc.) are allowed in class, unless I specifically tell you otherwise. Any such devices being used during class will be confiscated until the end of the class period.

o Laptops and tablets are acceptable for note-taking purposes. However, I reserve the right to change this policy if the technology is being used for other purposes or if it is distracting to other students.

• Please be respectful of your classmates by keeping talk during class to a minimum. There will not be assigned seats to begin the year, but this policy will change if students abuse the privilege.

• Sleeping in class is unacceptable. Any student who sleeps in class will be referred for disciplinary action and/or examination by the school nurse. Sleeping in class is also an excellent way to lower your Class Participation grade.

• The UHS Honor Code will be followed in this classroom. Please be familiar with it.

AP Exam & Grade Changes

• I will not change any grades as a result of your score on the AP Psychology exam. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

Missed Work

• Keep up with class. It is YOUR responsibility to be up-to-date with course material, whether you are here or not. If you miss a class, please:

o get notes from a classmate

o promptly schedule a make-up for any quizzes or exams that you missed (see next bullet)

• If you miss a quiz or exam, I will give you a make-up pass when you return to school. You will need to turn in this pass to take a make-up. The pass will have an expiration date, and must be used by that date. The date will be determined by providing a two (2) day window for each day of class that was missed.

o Once the expiration date for the make-up has passed, you will be given a 0 for that assignment and no make-up will be given.

• You may not schedule a make-up on the day of a quiz or exam. If you are in class on a quiz or exam date and we have not made alternate arrangements, you are taking the quiz/exam that day.

Extra Help

• This class covers a lot of material, some of it quite technical and specific. I am available throughout the school year to address any questions or concerns that you may have. Please do not ever hesitate to talk to me before or after class. I’m here to help you!

This syllabus is subject to change!

Acknowledgement of Agreement to AP Psychology Syllabus

Students and Parents/Guardians: Please read the AP Psychology syllabus carefully, and return this contract with signatures by Thursday, August 7. Turning in this signed contract is your first homework assignment of the year; don’t be late! Please contact me with any questions or concerns (adam.lazarewicz@).

By signing below, I (the student) agree that I have received a copy of the AP Psychology syllabus. I also agree that I understand the class policies described in the syllabus, and will abide by them for the entire school year.

_________________________________ __________________________________ ____________

Student’s name (printed) Student’s signature Date

By signing below, I (the parent/guardian) agree that I have reviewed the AP Psychology syllabus, and understand that my student is expected to abide by the expectations and policies outlined within.

_________________________________ __________________________________ ____________

Parent’s/Guardian’s name (printed) Parent’s/Guardian’s signature Date

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