Advanced Placement Psychology Course Syllabus Social Studies Department

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1 Advanced Placement Psychology Course Syllabus Social Studies Department Instructor: Mrs. Michelle Roche M.Ed. Room Number: Office Hours: By Appointment Course Description: AP Psychology will provide students an opportunity to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students will be exposed to psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology. Students will learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Content will include, but not be limited to, methods, biological basis of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, developmental psychology, personality, testing for intelligence and personality, abnormal psychology, treatment of disorders, and social psychology. The course outline will adhere to the guidelines of the College Board. In this year long course, students will be expected to understand objective, empirical methods of collecting and interpreting data, make meaningful interconnection between disparate concepts and analyze, evaluate and critique thematic perspectives. A goal of this course is to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses, in addition to preparing the students for the AP exam that will take place on May 10, Course Objectives: The central question addressed in AP Psychology is How do psychologists think? The psychologist David Meyer wrote that to think like a psychologist, one must learn to restrain intuition with critical thinking, judgmentalism with compassion, and illusion with understanding (Stenberg, 1997). With that in mind, all students will be able to: Distinguish between the major core concepts and theories of psychology. Utilize key terms and use them in their everyday vocabulary. Demonstrate mastery of the explorations and discoveries made by psychologists over the past century. Assess diverse approaches to psychology that are adopted by psychologists, (including biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and socio-cultural perspectives). Show basic skills of psychological research and be able to apply psychological concepts to their own lives. Following the topical guideline from the College Board, the course will address the fourteen major topics of Psychology, taught over a full school year with 90 class sessions of 90 minutes each. The duration of the material covered will generally follow the percentage of that topic on the AP Exam in May.

2 TOPIC % on Test # of Class Sessions I. History and Approaches 5-15% 4 II. Research Methods 8-10% 5 III. Biological Bases of Behavior 8-10% 7 IV. Sensation and Perception 6-8% 6 V. States of Consciousness 2-4% 3 VI. Learning 7-9% 7 VII. Cognition 8-10% 6 VIII. Motivation and Emotion 6-8% 5 IX. Developmental Psychology 7-9% 6 X. Personality 5-7% 4 XI. Testing and Individual Differences 5-7% 4 XII. Abnormal Behavior 7-9% 5 XIII. Treatment of Abnormal Behavior 5-7% 2 XIV. Social Psychology 8-10% 5 Remaining days include: 8 class periods of review for the AP Exam Communication & Class Website: The class website is available by searching under faculty on the school website. It will be imperative for communication, confirmation of assignments and due dates, and access to supplemental resources. **Students are required to use their individual school-issued address and sign-up for the school website, homework reminder , and class REMIND. It is the student s responsibility to check for the homework and stay connected with Remind messages. Course Texts: Meyers, David G., et al. Psychology for the AP Course. 3 rd Edition. New York, NY: BFW/Worth Publishers, Supplemental Resources: Students will be responsible for purchasing Psychology: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination published by AMSCO. The purchase of the text is mandatory and must be at the beginning of the school year as assigned readings will be from this text. The book can be purchased from perfectionlearning.com/social-studies/advanced-placement/psychology-ap-exam-prep.html. Maitland, Laura., (2010). 5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology. New York: McGraw Hill McEntarffer, R. & Weseley, A. J. (2004). Baron s how to Prepare for the AP Psychology Advanced Placement Exam, second edition. Hauppauge, NY: Baron s Educational Series. Course Outline: This outline, and all plans, are tentative and subject to adjustments required as student learning needs emerge. There are fourteen units of study and each is worth a corresponding amount on the May exam. The class time is divided in those proportions. Tests also mirror the AP Test format to include multiple choice questions and Free-Response Questions.

3 I. History and Approaches.. 2-4% A. Logic, Philosophy and History of Psychology B. Approaches/Perspectives 1. Biological 2. Behavioral/Learning 3. Cognitive 4. Humanistic 5. Psychodynamic 6. Socio-cultural 7. Evolutionary/Sociobiological II. III. IV. Research Methods 8-10% A. Experimental, Correlational and Clinical Research 1. Correlational (e.g. observational, survey, clinical) 2. Experimental B. Statistics 1. Descriptive 2. Inferential C. Ethics in Research Biological Bases of Behavior..8-10% A. Physiological Techniques D. Neural Transmission (e.g. imaging, surgical) E. Endocrine System B. Neuroanatomy F. Genetics C. Functional Organization of Nervous System Sensation and Perception 6-8% A. Thresholds D. Attention B. Sensory Mechanisms E. Perceptual Processes C. Sensory Adaptation V. States of Consciousness 2-4% A. Sleep and Dreaming B. Hypnosis C. Psychoactive Drug Effects VI. VII. VIII. Learning..7-9% A. Classical Conditioning D. Biological Factors B. Operant Conditioning E. Social/Observational Learning C. Cognitive Processes in Learning Cognition.8-10% A. Memory C. Thinking B. Language D. Problem Solving and Creativity Motivation and Emotion..6-8% A. Biological Bases D. Social Motives B. Theories of Motivation E. Theories of Emotion C. Hunger, Thirst, Sex and Pain F. Stress

4 IX. Developmental Psychology..7-9% A. Life-Span Approach E. Dimensions of Development B. Research Methods (e.g. 1. Physical longitudinal, cross-sectional) 2. Cognitive C. Heredity-Environmental Issues 3. Social D. Developmental Theories (Piaget, 4. Moral Kohlberg, Erikson, Freud) F. Sex Roles, Sex Differences X. Personality..5-7% A. Personality Theories and Approaches B. Assessment Techniques C. Self-concept; Self-esteem D. Growth and Adjustment XI. Testing and Individual Differences...5-7% A. Standardization and Norms E. Intelligence B. Reliability and Validity F. Heredity/Environment and C. Types of Tests Intelligence D. Ethics and Standards in Testing G. Human Diversity XII. Abnormal Psychology...7-9% A. Definitions of Abnormality F. Mood Disorders B. Theories of Psychopathology G. Schizophrenic Disorders C. Diagnosis of Psychopathology H. Organic Disorders D. Anxiety Disorders I. Personality Disorders E. Somatoform Disorders J. Dissociative Disorders XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders 5-7% A. Treatment Approaches 1. Insight Therapies: Psychodynamic/Humanistic approaches 2. Behavioral Approaches 3. Cognitive Approaches 4. Biological Approaches (psychopharmacology/psychosurgery) B. Modes of Therapy (e.g. Individual, group) C. Community and Preventive Approaches XIV. Social Psychology.8-10% A. Group Dynamics B. Attribution Processes C. Interpersonal Perception D. Conformity, Compliance, Obedience E. Attitudes and Attitude Change F. Organizational Behavior G. Aggression/Antisocial Behavior

5 Testing The AP Psychology Exam is 2 hours long broken down into two sections as follows: minutes for 100 multiple-choice questions that account for two-thirds of the exam grade minutes for 2 required free-response questions that account for one-third of the exam grade. Tests in this class will follow a similar format in preparation for the AP Exam. Each test will have a combination of multiple choice questions, and 1 Free-Response question. **A mid-year full-length Practice AP Exam will be administered on a designated Saturday under the same testing conditions and time requirements of the actual exam in May. It will be required and weighted into two quarter grades. Work Submission Policy Screen shots are not acceptable as proof of completing an assignment. Scores will only be entered based on the reports provided by online programs used by PPMH. Make-Ups: Student must make up all assignments within 3 school days. Only excused absences receive full academic credit. Make-up quizzes and exams may only be done after-school. The assignment will remain with a letter grade of a Z until absence is excused. Late Work: Late assignments will be lowered one letter grade per calendar day late and not accepted more than 3 calendar days late. Grading: Grading Scale % A (4 for GPA) 80-89% B (3 for GPA) 70-79% C (2 for GPA) 60-69% D (1 for GPA) 0-59% F (0 for GPA) Categories & Weighting Summative Assessments (Tests) 50% Formative Assessments (Quizzes) 30% Classwork/Home Learning 20% (See Portal) *As per the MDCPS Student Progression Plan, students must earn 10 points to pass an annual course, five of which must be earned in the second semester.

6 Classroom Expectations: All students must follow the Pinecrest Preparatory Middle High School Code of Conduct (link: To succeed in school and in life, we all need to make responsible choices. All choices have consequences: good choices have good consequences, bad choices have bad consequences. Beyond the school policies, the one RULE for this class is simple, but strictly enforced: Respect TIME = Respect TEACHERS = Respect PROPERTY = Use it wisely. Dress, speak, & sit properly. Keep things clean. Be on time. Make eye contact. Don t cheat. Use it fully. Use formal names. Don t steal. Respect your CLASSMATES = Respect YOURSELF = Be courteous. Take pride in your work, and your grooming. Wait your turn. Be honest. Be tolerant. Keep your word. Class time is learning time. You will not be permitted to interfere with your own learning nor that of your classmates. I expect that you will: FOLLOW the rules, directions, and school policies. RAISE your hand, your goals, and your confidence. RESPECT yourself, your peers, and your environment. Restroom Procedures Requests should not happen during lecture or while the instructor is giving instructions. Use of restroom will occur during independent study at the instructor s discretion. Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in one of the following areas. Academic dishonesty is an infraction of the MDCPS Code of Student Conduct and disciplinary action will ensue. Cheating the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids Fabrication falsification or invention of any information Assisting helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty Tampering altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents Plagiarism representing the words or ideas of another person as one s own **All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism**

7 CONSEQUENCES 1st Verbal Warning 2nd Call, Note or Home 3rd PPMH Behavior Modification Program 4th Referral to administration **Teacher reserves the right to bypass these levels for extreme cases. CONDUCT GRADE Conduct grades reflect mastery of behavior expectations just as academic grades reflect mastery of learning objectives: A/B= Outstanding/Very Good Behavior C= Satisfactory Behavior D/F= Conduct needs improvement/is unsatisfactory Repeated patterns of misbehavior will lower the conduct grade and consistent failure to follow the rules will result in failing conduct grades (D/F). Tardy Policy Students are required to be on time. Excessive tardiness will entail disciplinary consequences. First Time Verbal Warning Second Time Parent Contact Third Time Detention Fourth Time Administration Referral Required Materials 1. AMSCO AP Psychology (available at 50% off at perfectionlearning.com or ) 2. One 3-ring, minimum 1-inch thick binder, with pockets 3. Black or blue ink pens only no red or florescent 4. Number 2 pencils for quizzing and testing 5. Loose leaf COLLEGE-RULED paper, 3 hole punched for class notes 6. 2 YELLOW Highlighters 7. Coloring Pencils Dividers 9. Approximately x5 note cards w/ a ring or a note card container (ongoing supply) The Secret to Success Read, Pay Attention in Class, Read, Ask Questions, Read, Work Hard, Read. Ask for help as soon as you find something difficult or confusing. There is a significant correlation between class grades and AP test scores. If you earn an A or a B in this class, you are ALMOST CERTAIN to earn a 4 or a 5 on the AP Exam. FIFTEEN years of data gives this statement predictive power! Self-belief does not necessarily ensure success, but self-disbelief assuredly spawns failure. Albert Bandura, Behavioral Psychologist

8 VERIFICATION OF UNDERSTANDING AP Psychology Student: Period: It is my goal that all students be successful in my class. I will assist your child in any way that I can. However, I alone cannot assure success. As parents, we are the first and most important and influential teachers that our children will ever have. Please ensure that your child is prepared for class every day with the proper materials. I suggest that you continue to encourage your child throughout the school year to assume responsibility for his/her learning. Please urge your child to study every night and verify that his/her work is completed. Please refer to the course website and district gradebook regularly. Your role and cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and crucial to your child s success. I/we the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student have fully read, understood, and agree to abide by the expectations listed in the course syllabus. I/we understand the requirement for students to utilize their personal PPMH account to communicate with instructors. I/we understand and will fulfill the requirement for students to participate in the mid-year Saturday Mock AP Exam and the 4 end-of-year Saturday Crunch Reviews. STUDENT NAME: Signature Date / /2018 PARENT NAME: Signature Date / /2018 Cell- Work- - PARENT NAME: Signature Date / /2018 Cell- Work- - PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE ANY SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS THAT WOULD AID MY TEACHING OF YOUR CHILD. BE ASSURED ANY SUCH INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED PROFESSIONALLY.

9 Film Consent Form Dear parent/guardian, Mrs. Roche s students will be viewing a few award winning films throughout the course. All films will be relevant to the class material and offer additional insight. Some of these films may be rated PG- 13 for mature content. If you would prefer individual notification for any of the films viewed in class, please let me know. Otherwise, please sign the form below, indicating that the student has your permission to view the films associated with this class. The student needs to return this signed form before seeing these films. Only students who have a signed permission form will be permitted to view the films and participate in the lessons. Please feel free to me at mroche@ppmhcharterschool.org with any questions or concerns you may have regarding these screenings. Thank you, Mrs. Roche Period Print Student name Student s signature Date Print Parent/Guardian name Parent/Guardian s signature Date