AP Psychology



AP Psychology Course Syllabus

Ms. Clark

Edna Karr High School

Spring 2015

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 the 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.

Course Materials:

1. Textbook: AP Psychology 9th Edition 2010, Worth Publishers New York, NY by David G. Myers with accompanying instructor’s resources.

2. Various articles, diagrams, & pictures from newspapers, magazines, and websites.

Websites Information:

The following website(s) will be very helpful to you throughout the year.

-- examples of tests, essays, and answers

karrappsych. --Our class site with links and current assignments

– Your practice test resource. You will use this weekly to take tests that correspond to the material we are working on. You should take them until you earn an 85% or above.

Content Outline Evaluation Breakdown:

These are the major areas covered by the AP Psychology Exam, as well as the approximate percentages of the multiple-choice section that are devoted to each area.

I. History & Approaches 2-4%

II. Research Methods 8-10%

III. Biological Bases of Behavior 8-10%

IV. Sensation and Perception 6-8%

V. Developmental Psychology 7-9%

VI. States of Consciousness 2-4%

VI. Learning 7-9%

VII. Memory, Cognition, & Language 8-10%

VIII. Motivation and Emotion 6-8%

IX. Personality 5-7%

X. Intelligence, Testing, & Individual Differences 5-7%

XI. Abnormal Psychology 7-9%

XII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders 5-7%

XIII. Social Psychology 8-10%

AP Psychology Course Unit Outline:

Date: Chapters and Corresponding AP Category

1/4 1: The Science of Psychology (History and Approaches of Psychology)

1/11 2: Research Methodology (Research Methods)

1/18 3: Biology and Behavior (Neuroscience and Biological Processes)

1/25 4: Sensation and Perception (Sensation and Perception)

2/1 5: Consciousness (States of Consciousness)

2/5-2/12 Mardi Gras Break – you will complete a project and reading assignments

2/15 6: Learning (Learning)

2/22 7: Attention and Memory (Cognition)

2/29 8: Thinking and Intelligence (Cognition/ Testing and Individual Differences)

3/7 9: Human Development (Developmental Psychology)

3/14 10: Emotion and Motivation (Motivation and Emotion)

3/21 – 3/28 Spring Break- you will complete a project, online diagnostic tests, and reading assignments

3/29 11: Health and Well-Being (Motivation and Emotion)

4/4 12: Social Psychology (Social Psychology)

4/11 13: Personality (Personality)

4/18 14: Psychological Disorders (Abnormal Psychology)

You will also take an AP test diagnostic in class during this week.

4/25 15: Treatment of Psychological Disorders (Treatment of Psychological Disorders)

5/2 AP TEST!

Course Expectations:

Online:

You are expected to USE THE WEBSITES. This is how I will communicate your expectations for the week – including things you are to do independently such as reading and online tests.

Materials:

You will have a 3 ring binder for notes and handouts. These should be brought to class every day.

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 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 given a grade for class participation.

All assignments should be done independently unless otherwise directed. The sharing of work will not be tolerated unless otherwise directed.

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 to learn how to write effective analytical and document-based essays. You will complete an essay every 1 to 2 weeks and are expected to assess your essays as well as the essays of others using the College Board’s grading rubrics.

Projects:

You will be expected to complete approximately 4 projects throughout the semester. You will be required to budget your time wisely and use your resources.

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, and projects, and essays. 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, including 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.

Assessment Practices:

Each unit will consist of approximately:

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

o Defining Terminology – Use Quizlet to test yourself

o 2-5 Journal Assignments

o Class Participation

o 1-2 Projects

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

Tests (100 Points)

Tests will closely resemble the AP exam. These tests will include multiple-choice questions and/or an essay in either free response or document-based format. 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, consistently checking for understanding, and take copious notes that are thorough and well-organized.

Daily Reading & Writing Assignments (Points Vary)

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 keep up with a daily reading schedule. The knowledge you gain from your daily reading will be used in class discussions, activities, & projects.

Defining Terminology (Points Vary)

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 may use a notebook or index cards for this. Quizlet is an excellent resource for practice.

Class Participation (Varies)

Class participation will vary from discussions, debates, 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 (30-100 Points)

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. If you must call me, you may call 504-302-7135 and leave me a message.

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

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Signature page attached.

I agree to the expectations in this syllabus and the policies that it outlines:

Student’s name (print)__________________________________________________________________

Student Signature________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian name (print)__________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature________________________________________________________________

Parent/ Guardian Phone Number ________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Email___________________________________________________________________

Textbook Number ______________

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