Instructor: Mr. Kurt Waters Email Addresses: kwaters@fcps.edu Welcome to SEMESTER PSYCHOLOGY: Mind, Brain and Behavior Course Description: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. However, everything psychological is simultaneously biological. Every thought, emotion and body movement has biological underpinnings. Our brain, made up of neurons that function through chemical and electrical processes, controls these activities. And yet, we are more than just a collection of neural networks. Our brains have consciousness. The brain seeks to understand itself. The brain somehow gives birth to the mind. TJ s psychology semester elective seeks to explore the connection between the brain, the mind and behavior. Psychology: Mind, Brain and Behavior is meant to be a brief introduction to the field of psychology. It is not intended to be an introduction to neuropsychology nor the comprehensive overview a full year of Advanced Placement Psychology might offer. Students can expect the course to foster the following overarching themes: The development of scientific attitudes and skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, and an appreciation for scientific methodology A recognition of the diversity of individuals who advance the field A multicultural and global perspective that recognizes how diversity is important to understanding psychology An awareness that psychological knowledge, like all scientific knowledge, evolves rapidly as new discoveries are made An acknowledgement that psychology explores behavior and mental processes of both human and non human animals An appreciation for ethical standards that regulate scientific research and professional practice An awareness of the importance of drawing evidence based conclusions about psychological phenomena An understanding that different content areas within psychological science are interconnected A knowledge of the variety of careers available to those who study psychology An appreciation that psychological science and knowledge can be useful in addressing a wide array of issues, from individual to global levels An ability to relate psychological knowledge to everyday life The Thomas Jefferson HS semester psychology elective follows the recommendations of the Fairfax County Public Schools Psychology Program of Studies (POS). That POS document is grounded in standards developed by the American Psychological Association: National Standards: For High School Psychology Curricula. (2011) Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/education/k12/national standards.aspx
All of the standards we will study this semester are clustered into seven content domains. A domain is a grouping of subject units that have a common theme of study. I. Scientific Inquiry II. Biopsychology III. Development and Learning IV. Cognition V. Individual Variations VI. Sociocultural Context VII. Applications of Psychological Science Domain As we begin our semester, the plan is to investigate the following topics: Domain Scientific Inquiry Biopsychology Development and Learning Cognition Sociocultural Context Individual Variations Scientific Applications Topic Perspectives in Psychological Science Research Methods, Measurement and Statistics Biological Bases of Behavior Consciousness Learning Lifespan Development (if time) Memory Social Interactions Motivation & Emotion Psychological Disorders OR Personality Theory Treatment of Psychological Disorders Vocational Applications As an honors course, Psychology: Mind, Brain and Behavior goes beyond the standard FCPS semester psychology course in the following ways: The emphasis is on depth of coverage, not breadth Each instructional standard includes TJ specific Indicators which have been taken from the College Board AP Psychology course The basal textbook is an AP college level introduction to psychology text Students will be expected to read widely and deeply from a variety of sources Students will do independent research using TJ s databases Students will be asked to propose their own research studies to answer psychological questions Finally, students will be required to write longer analytical papers on topics covered in class
Assessments: Quarter grades in this class will be calculated by dividing the total number of points you have earned by the total number of points offered. The types of assessments that will be evaluated for points include: Classwork & homework Quizzes & tests Papers Projects (group, partner and individual) Journals Final semester grades will be the average of your two quarter grades. Assignments will be graded and grades will be posted within seven school days after the due date except major projects/papers, including assessments with a written component that may require additional time to ensure quality feedback. No one assignment or assessment will count for more than 30% of the total quarter grade. Homework for practice or preparation is limited to no more than 10% of the total quarter grade. Make up/late Work: You will be responsible for making up any work you miss when you are absent, this includes making up journal entries, getting any notes and papers you missed and being prepared for quizzes. Agendas, resources and assignments will be posted promptly on FCPS 24/7 Blackboard. Please use it! Students who have a prearranged absence are expected to submit an assignment on the due date. If you have an excused absence, work is due on the next day you are in class. A small assignment will be accepted after the due date for a 50% penalty (50% of what the assignment would have earned). A major assignment has a penalty of 10% per day per class (i.e., 10 points per day on an assignment valued at 100 points up to 50 points). Fully completed late work will be accepted up to Thursday (4 pm ET) of the penultimate week of the quarter in which it was assigned. Students will receive a zero if they do not turn in a fully completed assignment before the Thursday of the penultimate week of the quarter in which it was assigned. Retakes/Revisions: For one major unit assessment per quarter, one new opportunity to demonstrate proficiency shall be provided to any student who scores below an 80% and completes corrective action based on the needs of the student and the type of assessment. If not all students are afforded the second opportunity then the highest grade that can be earned on the reassessment is 80%. Students must notify their instructor of their intent to retake an assessment by the NEXT CLASS MEETING. Notifications should take place by email with a verbal verification. Students will have ONE WEEK from the day the assessments are returned to the class to complete the corrective action and to take the reassessment. If the student earns less than 80% on the retake, the original grade will be given. Materials needed: Three ring notebook or separate folder for psychology work Pens, pencils, paper and markers or colored pencils Journal (marble composition notebook, which will most often be kept in the classroom)
Expectations: 1. Please come to class before the bell rings and be prepared and ready: Be well rested, well hydrated and well nourished water bottles only! Be respectful of others opinions and property Participate (there are a variety of ways to do this) Come to class with an open mind 2. Electronic devices such as cell phones, ipods, Mp3 players, computers, or ipads may be used in class for psychology business only this includes before class begins. If you need your device for other school business (checking the grade in another class, texting a parent for a ride home, etc.) please ask for permission. Please do not use these precious devices for social networking, gaming or entertainment in the classroom. I will follow the same guidelines. 3. Your integrity and honesty is important. Keep your books, notebooks and school property in good condition I will make clear which work is individual work and which work involves collaboration If you are unclear whether collaboration is appropriate ASK When in doubt, work is to be done individually. Cite the work/contributions of others: o If you worked with a partner(s), include their names after yours o If you were assisted by classmates electronically (e.g. a Psychology Facebook page, common Google Doc, students from other schools, etc.) document the source you used o If you used Wikipedia as a substitute for an assigned source, cite it DO NOT BE A CHEATER. BE AN HONEST PERSON OF INTEGRITY!! If you make an electronic posting of what clearly was assigned as individual work for all to see thinking you are making a positive contribution to our academic community, you are mistaken. You are robbing others of their opportunity to learn for themselves. You are a cheater and you will be referred to your administrator for an academic integrity violation. This is your only warning. 4. Every single person in this room is IMPORTANT and deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect: We can learn from everyone be a good listener and give others a chance to speak It is OK to disagree with people's ideas but we should express our disagreement honestly, politely, and calmly Offer to lend a hand when you can If someone shares something personal or confidential in class, keep it to yourself When one person succeeds in this room, we all benefit Student Advocacy Guidelines Please remember that I wish to help you make good choices. See the Student Advocacy Guidelines, and speak to me if I can help you manage your workload.
I have reviewed the syllabus for PSYCHOLOGY: Mind, Brain and Behavior. Student s name (please print) Student s signature Student s BEST email Student s cell phone Student input What is one thing you can tell to help me better know you as a learner? Parent name (please print) Parent signature Parent email Parent cell phone Parent input What is one thing you can tell about your son/daughter to help me better know him/her as a learner? Please return this page only on Thursday, February 9.