Course Description AP PSYCHOLOGY (Hybrid) Mrs. Laura Gibb Room 212 laura.gibb@qacps.org 410-758-0500 Ex: 237 Course URL: http://www.qacps.k12.md.us/qhs/teachers/stanleyl/web/ap%20psychology.htm This course is designed as a college-level Psychology program. Students study in preparation for the AP Exam in May. Psychology, the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes, stands between the social and biological sciences; therefore, unique to many of the courses that students experience in high school. The course not only gives insight to how and why our bodies and minds work the way they do, but also exposes students to research methods, theoretical frameworks for development, and debates going on in the modern word. Textbook and Additional Resources Zimbardo, P.G. (2010). Psychology *AP edition. New York, NY: Pearson. Sources supporting learning include excerpts from psychology research journals, current research articles from popular press, and newspaper articles. Additionally, audiovisual materials include video clips, podcasts, as well as various reference materials viewed through internet resources and apps. Course Objectives Prepare for the AP Psychology exam Describe and apply the core frameworks of psychology Understand and utilize key vocabulary and studies in psychology to explain everyday occurrences Evaluate behaviors from various perspectives Write clearly, concisely, and completely to convey information AP Exam Description- May 7 th 70 minutes 100 multiple choice questions 55 minutes 2 essay questions The test is scored on a 5-point scale: 5-Extremely well qualified 4-Well qualified 3-Qualified 2-Possibly qualified 1-No recommendation 1
Course Expectations Assessments and Assignments Grading Assessments Test will be given for every unit. The test will include both a multiple choice and essay section. However, both unannounced and announced quizzes will be given throughout all units. Quizzes and tests are summative grades. Recurring Assignments Chapter Questions: Each week/topic beginning you will receive an assignment sheet. You will be responsible for the assigned readings on associated days. In addition, at the end of each unit you will submit your questions for a grade. These assignments are to be completed alone. Working together is not permitted and will be considered cheating. 1. Tests and Projects (Summative) 45% 2. Classwork (Formative) 40% 3. Final Exam 15% Students can expect formative (classwork and homework) as well as summative assignments (projects, quizzes, and Chapter and/or Unit Tests) throughout the year. Students have the opportunity to make up any test that they have scored less than 70% on. The student has 10 days from the time they received the test back to make it up. The highest grade that may go into the grade book for a retake is 70%. Late Work Work not submitted on time will be dropped 1 letter grade for each day it is late. After 4 days the work will not be accepted. Absences Students must have a lawful absence in order to make up work from the day(s) they missed. The student is responsible for picking up their work from the make-up binder. If there are questions about what was missed students may ask me for clarification. For each day that the student was absent they have 3 days to make up the missed assignments. Cheating and Plagiarism Each student is responsible for his/her own work. That means each assignment should not be a copy or reflection of any other person s ideas or works. Plagiarism includes 1) Copying others ideas and claiming them as your own 2) Directly using someone else s words without quotations and/or credit 3) Not using correct bibliographic format to cite sources. 2
Coursework Suggestions Passing the AP exam at the end of this class with a 3, 4, or 5 may result in college credit. Therefore, this course is designed to equal the rigor of a college course, meaning that coursework and high marks will require diligence and thorough understand to achieve. Students will be expected to take more responsibility for their own learning. 1. Reading Read actively. Mark important passages in your book with post-its or sticky tabs. Make notes in your notes of important concepts and ideas. Read consistently. Keep up with the time frame for suggested readings. Don t leave it all until the last night before your chapter questions are due. The material is broken down into smaller chunks for a reason! Additionally, you never know when there could be a pop quiz! Read consciously. I read it doesn t actually mean that you absorbed the material. After reading a paragraph, passage, or section, stop and process the material. You can also go to my teacher website through the QACHS homepage to look at the HYBRID PSYCH blog for reading help. 2. Studying Review your class notes in conjunction with the reading. Learning is all about making those neural knowledge connections! Take several days before a test to study in little chunks. If you ve been reviewing all along this will up your level of preparedness and lessen your anxiety before a test. 3. Classroom Participation If you don t understand, read, review, and ask questions. Lecture is not always exciting, however; actively engaging and asking questions in the material will help you stay on task. Additionally, while using the computer is tempting, taking notes by hand is researchproven to help you remember. Psychology is an active subject with many opportunities of discussion. Sharing examples may not only help you pay attention, but might help others remember the concept as well! Notebook Expectations You will not have notebook checks for this course; however, it is strongly advised that you keep a three-ring binder. The suggested format of organization is as follows: Syllabus in the front, followed by your Unit Assignments Sheet Dividers organized by Unit Assignments kept in the order that they are given Identifications for each unit placed in the back of the applicable unit section after they are graded. 3
Course Outline Time Location in Book Unit 1: Introduction to Psychology [CR 1] Chapter 1 Pgs. 1-25 Why is empiricism vital to the study of psychology? Why did psychology evolve throughout history? Why are there so many approaches to psychology? Percentage of Exam 2-4% Unit 1: Historical Roots the Greeks to Descartes Schools of Thought Levels of Analysis and the Biopsychosocial Method Nine Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Unit 2: September 12 th - September 30 th Unit 3: Unit 4: October 24 th -November 3 rd October 3 rd October 18 th September 9 th : Unit 1 Test Unit 2: Research Methods [CR 2] What types of research are used to study mental behavior? How do we know if research is valid and data is valuable? Where does the line fall between important research and unethical? Scientific Method and Empirical Study Types of Research Statistics, Measures of Central Tendency, Correlation Ethics September 30 th : Unit 2 Test Unit 3: Biological Bases [CR 3] Where do our mental traits come from? How does our body respond to stimuli from the environment? How do different areas of the brain respond and communicate within and with other structures of the body? Genetics and Inheritance Neural and Response Systems Brain Organization and Structure Brain Damage October 18 th : Unit 3 Test Unit 4: Sensation and Perception [CR 4] What is the difference between sensation and perception? How are environmental stimuli received and perceived by our body? How does our culture effect our perception? Sensation Structure of the 5 Senses Perception Visual Cues November 3 rd : Unit 4 Test Chapter 2 Pgs. 26-60 Chapter 3 Pgs. 61-108 Chapter 4 Pgs. 109-155 6-8% 8-10% 4
Unit 5 November 3 rd November 14 th Unit 6: Novem. 17 h December 2 nd Unit 5: Conditioning and Learning [CR 6] How does nature form structures in the brain and body that effect behavior? How does the environment cause changes in behavior? How can behavior be changed? What are the most effective ways to encourage learning? Nature vs. Nurture Behaviorism Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Reinforcement Schedules Types of Learning November 14 th : Unit 5 Test Unit 6: Emotion and Motivation [CR 8] Why do we have emotions? What function do they serve? How do we manage stress? Emotional Origin and Control Anger Primal Motivation Stress Chapter 6 Pgs. 195-231 Chapter 8 Pgs. 269-357 Unit 7: December 5 th December 22 nd Unit 8: January 2 nd -January 13 th Unit 7: Memory and Cognition [CR 7] How do memory structures connect? How can memory fail? How do we approach problems? December 2 nd : Unit 6 Test Types of Storage Retrieval Memory Failure Thought Problem Solving December 22 nd : Unit 7 Test Unit 8: Sleep and States of Consciousness [CR 5] Why do we sleep? How does good sleep happen? What qualifies as an altered state of consciousness? How does drug use effect sensation and perception? Sleep Cycles Altered States of Consciousness Drug Use January 13 th : Unit 8 Quiz/Test Chapter 7 Pgs. 233-291 Chapter 5 Pgs. 157-193 8-10% 2-4% 5
Unit 9 and 10: Dates to be announced Unit 9: Intelligence and Assessment [CR 11] What is intelligence? How does culture effect the way that intelligence is measured? Test Validity/Reliability Ethics Intelligence Testing Theories of Intelligence Unit 10: Personality [CR 10] How does personality develop? How can we measure personality? How much of our personality is intrinsic? Chapter 11 Pgs. 450-481 Chapter 10 Pgs. 408-449 5-7% 6-8% Personality Shaping Trait Theory Personality and Culture Units 11 and 12 Dates to be announced Unit 11: Developmental Psychology [CR 9] How are children pre-disposed to develop? What role do parents play in physical, emotional, and language development? How and why do teens responds to the changes during adolescence? What challenges do adults face and how do they adapt? Prenatal, Infant, and Child Development Adolescence Adulthood and Old Age Heritability Unit 12: Social Psychology [CR 14] How other people influence our behavior and judgment in social situations? What is love and how do meaningful relationships form and maintain? Why do some individuals and groups espouse aggression and fear as a method of conflict resolution? Chapter 9 Pgs. 358-407 Chapter 14 Pgs. 565-606 Group Behavior Love Influence on Judgment Violence and Terrorism 6
Unit 13 and 14 Dates to be announced Abnormal Psychology [CR 12] What makes someone abnormal? How does labeling impact the treatment and perception of psychological disorders? How are disorders categorized and treated? Definition of Abnormality Labeling and Cultural Implications DSM-IV Types of Disorders Therapy and Treatment [CR 13] How are disorders categorized and treated? How are goals of therapy determined? How is the quality of life balanced with the need for treatment? How should abnormal behavior be modified? Chapter 12 Pgs. 482-521 Chapter 13 Pgs. 522-563 5-7% Goals/Context of Therapy Types of Therapy Biomedical Therapy Review for AP Test May 1 st : AP TEST PARENT PORTION: Please fill out the portion below. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call or email. If you do not reach me by phone, be sure to leave a message with the main office as my voicemail does not work properly. I tend to be diligent with email response. My contact information can be found at the top of the syllabus. I am looking forward to a wonderful semester! Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name and Signature: Will the student have regular internet access at home? Yes No Other: Circle preferred method of contact (parent): Phone Email No Preference Phone: Email: Yes! I would like to receive a weekly email about completed and missing work through Google Classroom. 7
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