AP PSYCHOLOGY

COURSE SYLLABUS     (Download: PDF Format)
Instructor:     Ms. Jan Strubbe
                        Email: jsstrubbe@gccisd.net

Materials:         Text – Psychology, sixth edition, David Myers.
                        Supplemental Text:  Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of Psychological Research.

• Textbook Website:  http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers6e
• Class website: http://www.sterlingap.com
• This site contains valuable study tools to assist you in your reading.  Included are flashcards, quizzes, crosswords and simulations that will help you learn the material.  We will be using this site for some assignments and I strongly recommend you use this site to help yourself study.
• Various films, research articles, and supplementary materials will be used
• Outside reading, including research articles, fiction, and nonfiction will be required. A reading list and/or handouts will be provided.

Supplies:         a 2 ”, 3 ring binder; sections with 14 dividers: History, Personality, Research, Biological, Sensation/Perception, States of Consciousness, Learning, Cognition, Motivation/Emotion, Developmental, Testing, Abnormal, Social.  Also, paper, pens and pencils.
                        Later – colored pencils, poster boards, markers, and Play-Doh.

AP Test:           The AP Psychology test is in the afternoon on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at noon .  Students are expected to take the exam.
The most important concept to understand is that this course is a college level course. It is designed to replace Introduction to Psychology in a student’s freshman year of college. Students who chose this course should do so with the understanding that only self-motivated, dedicated, serious students will be successful. Unlike an AP course in literature, which deals mainly with skills the students must master to discuss an unknown piece of literature (difficult for other reasons), this class deals with content, content, content. In order to master that content, students must be self-directed and intrinsically motivated to succeed.  While it will vary for some students, you can expect to spend an average of 4 hours outside of class per week preparing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
In addition to the course objectives listed below by the APA, my main objective in teaching this course is to prepare students to score at least a 3 on the AP Exam offered by the College Board in May.
As listed in the APA High School Program:  Statement on the Curriculum for the High School Psychology Course, the course objectives are listed below.

1. Students should [read will for should] study the major core concepts and theories of psychology. They should be able to define key terms and to use these terms in their everyday vocabulary. Students should be able to compare and contrast major theories in psychology.  It is impossible to cover all the material in class, therefore it is imperative that you keep up with your reading and assignments in order to be prepared for each test.
2. Students should learn the basic skills of psychological research. They should be able to devise simple research projects, interpret and generalize from results, and evaluate the general validity of research reports.
3. Students should be able to apply psychological concepts to their own lives. They should be able to recognize psychological principles when they are encountered in everyday situations.
4. Students should develop critical thinking skills. They should become aware of the danger of blindly accepting or rejecting any psychological theory without careful, objective evaluation.
5. Students should build their reading, writing, and discussion skills.
6. Students should learn about the ethical standards governing the work of psychologists. They should maintain high ethical standards and sensitivity in applying the principles of psychology to themselves, other peoples, and other organisms.
    

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• read each chapter of the text
• a word bank is due for each chapter (defined key terms)
• take notes in class
• do outside readings
• conduct simple experiments and analyze the data
• write essays, create projects, utilize the internet 
• participate in class discussions and group work
• take practice tests, score essays, and learn strategies for test-taking
• attend class every day
• take the AP Psychology exam in May.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME:

I will be organized
I will treat everyone fairly–this does not always mean the same.
I will attempt to create interesting assignments and experiments.
I will expect at least the same level of commitment and effort of you as I do myself.
I will be demanding in terms of quality of work and work being turned in on time.
I will treat you as an adult.
I will hold you personally accountable for any and all absenteeism and make-up work. 

We will discuss these just to clarify.

WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU:

• To assume responsibility for all of your behavior. There are no excuses.
• Ask appropriate questions
• Wait to talk during whole class discussions until you are called on –everyone needs a chance to think and formulate ideas
• Know and follow procedures for this class.
• Be prepared for every class period.
• Go to the bathroom and take care of personal matters prior to getting to class.
• Bring all class materials every day without returning to your locker.
• You are responsible for all work, including getting notes and assignments from days you are absent and submitting that work on time according to the policy in your student handbook.
• Have a positive attitude about the course and your ability to do well.
  
• Treat this as a college level course as it is designed.

GRADING:
Your  grade will be calculated as follows: 60% = major grades, 40% = word bank (handwritten), daily grades, and class participation.

SOME POLICY ISSUES:

• All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the date announced, unless otherwise stated.  Late work is worth ½ credit and will only be accepted the next day after the assignment was due.
  
• All class work will be completed if an absence occurs.
• Students are responsible for informing me ahead of time for anticipated absences (e.g. extracurricular responsibilities, field trips, sporting events, appointments, etc.) and making arrangements in advance for completing missed work. Late work that was pre-arranged will not be penalized.
• Work missed as a result of a student not making prior arrangements for pre-arranged absences will be penalized.
• Work missed due to an unexcused absence must be completed, but zero credit will be given for that day's class and any assignment that was due (including exams).
• You have two days for each day you are absent to turn in make up work.
• Work not submitted on time will be penalized.  Example: if you have a pre-excused absence for an athletic event, which means you’ll miss my class and we have an assignment due that day, you are responsible for turning in that assignment before you leave.
• Submit work directly to me. If you need to turn in work and you can’t find me, please give it to the secretary in the main office and have her date, time, and sign it. Late work will be worth ½ credit and must be turned in by the next day.
• All written work must be word-processed, unless otherwise specified (word banks and class notes are the exceptions). Work not word-processed will not be accepted, and thus will receive a late grade. Problems with computers, printers, disks, or related issues, are student issues. Plan ahead.  Be sure to keep both hard copy and disk back-ups of all work turned in. In the event your printer fails, have a backup plan.
• All work should be proofread thoroughly before being turned in. Organization of material is essential for clarity and persuasiveness. It is therefore critical that you organize your writing clearly. Grammar counts. Spell-checkers are nice, but do not let them do the job alone.
• Extra credit may be given to the entire class, never on an individual basis.
• All work is expected to be completed by the student. Plagiarism is prohibited. Students who are caught copying work, lending work to be copied, or submitting work not authored by said student, will receive a double 0 on that assignment and be required to re-do the assignment also for 0 credit. You may also be asked to drop the class.
• There will be no exemptions for the second semester final exam if you do not take the AP Exam in May.

Circumstances during the year may require changing the terms of this syllabus. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the changes and follow them accordingly.

Disclaimer: Over the years numerous seminars and online research sites have contributed to my library for AP Psychology. Thank you to all resources and my apology if you are not individually mentioned or given credit.