The Eagle on Reading

Course Description    

This course is designed for students who wish to experience a college level introductory course in psychology, and prepare for the rigorous AP Psychology exam.  It is designed to replace Introduction to Psychology in a student’s freshmen year in college, and student’s study habits should reflect this fact.  Students who chose this course should do so with the understanding that only self-motivated, dedicated, serious students will be successful.  The 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. 

The course will consist of a systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings, as well as animals.  Students will be exposed to many fields of interest within psychology.  Topics covered will be the History of Psychology, Personality Development, Altered States of Consciousness (sleep, dreams, and hypnosis), Learning, Memory, and Abnormal Behavior.  Students will also study Biological Basis of Behavior, Motivation, Sensation, Perception, Health Psychology and Social Psychology.  Students will also learn about the ethics and research methods used in psychological science and practice.   In addition, students are expected to develop their critical thinking, while building their reading, writing and discussion skills.

Resources

Myers, D. (2007). Psychology (8th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

Princeton Review.  (2009) Cracking the AP Psychology Exam (2009 ed.).  New York: Princeton Review, Inc.

 Supplies

3 ring binder (2”)                                                       14 dividers

Notebook paper (200 sheets)                              Writing Utensils

Highlighter                                                                   3×5 index cards (200)

Flash Drive

 Grading Policy             

Projects             15%               Homework                                       10%

Exam(s)             20%             Quizzes                                                15%

Vocabulary      20%              Employability/Participation    20% 

Course Requirements

 The following requirements constitute the majority of the AP Psychology course. It is your responsibility to continually track these assignments and turn them in according to the proposed timeline. Failing to do so will have a negative impact on your grade.

Exams

Exams will be given following each unit of study.  The exams will mimic the AP exam in the sense that there will be a multiple choice section that constitutes 2/3 of your total score and a free response section that constitutes 1/3 of your total score. The exam is in the same format as the AP Exam but the number of mul­tiple-choice questions is reduced proportionately to the time available in the exam period to maintain a similar time pressure.

Quizzes

These are randomly scheduled (or unannounced) at least once each unit and use the multiple-choice format.

Midterm Exam

Students take a midterm exam covering the first six units. The exam is in the same format as the AP Exam (multiple-choice and short essays), but the number of mul­tiple-choice questions is reduced proportionately to the time available in the exam period to maintain a similar time pressure.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms are also given for each unit.  3×5 index cards must be maintained for all vocabulary words.  Vocabulary will be a primary determinant of your success in this course.  Vocabulary will be included in each quiz and test.

Projects

There will be two major research projects for this course.

First Semester – There is an Orientation to Psychology paper due the first day of the semester.  Please see instructions contained on the project assignment and the web site referenced above.

Second Semester – select any topic relating to psychology based on the subjects covered in the text. As above the format will be the same. 

Homework

Web Research – each student is responsible to find one article from each chapter in the book that reflects the topic of that chapter. A printout of the article can be submitted for credit.

AP Psychology Notebook – this is a collection of handouts, notes, quizzes, papers, and reflections. The notebook will be graded as part of your homework grade.  Notebooks should be organized and contain a section for each unit of study (as contained in the course outline provided with this syllabus).  The course outline should be used as the Table of Contents for your notebook.  Each section should contain handouts, quizzes, tests, web articles (referenced above) and notes (both class and notes taken while reading the unit).

This class is highly interactive. There will be various written assignments and in-class activities. Come prepared to discuss and interact with classmates on the topic at hand. Points will be deducted for lack of response or engagement in the activity. Please come prepared to challenge your own thinking and self-discovery.

Also included in the course will be: class presentations, group projects, and papers. These assignments vary with the unit being covered

 **Ample notice will be given for any assignment, quiz, or exam. The amount of work depends on the unit being covered in class.

 Course OBJECTIVES

In addition to the course objectives listed below by the APA (American Psychological Association), 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 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.

Other Helpful Hints to Succeed in AP Psychology

These are ideas to help you succeed in the course other than those already stated.

1. A large portion of psychology is learning various terms and concepts. One way to help learn the items is to create vocabulary flashcards on 3X5 index cards. On one side is the term, name or concept, on the other is a definition or an explanation. The flashcards will help you in the following ways:

a. Making the cards helps you learn the vocabulary.

b. You can easily separate the terms you know from those you need to work on. This makes for efficient studying.

c. You can look at the terms and practice the definitions, or you can look at the definitions and practice the terms.

d. The cards provide an excellent review which will be very useful for the cumulative tests and the AP Exam in May.

1. Form a study group with other students. This is an excellent way to help each other. Beware that working in groups does have some disadvantages. Before forming a group make sure each member is willing to put in their fair share of the work. I’d be happy to meet with any group that wants to discuss ways they can work together.
2. If you’re having trouble understanding the Myers textbook, you might want to borrow a different introductory psychology text (check with the media center). Sometimes students find reading a different author’s explanation of a concept helps them better understand our text. DO NOT substitute for reading the Myers textbook by reading a different text. Each author does not necessarily cover the same material. For the class tests you are responsible for the material in the Myers text.
3. If you have Internet access, there are various sites which are designed to help students who are learning psychology. Some sites include explanations of concepts and even practice tests you may take. I will be happy to give you URL’s for the sites I am aware of.  Check the website referenced on the top of the syllabus for links to helpful site.
4. In your reading, studying for tests, taking notes, etc. always remember you will be tested on the material not only in the test at the end of that particular unit, but the cumulative tests at the end of each quarter and the AP Exam in May. At the end of each unit look over the material and organize it for later review.

 Course Outline:

 Unit 1: Foundations & Principles & Prologue: 1/25

The Story of Psychology pp. 1-14

Ch. 1: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science pp. 15-46

 Unit 2: Psychobiology: 2/1

Ch. 2: The Biology of the Mind pp.47-84

Ch. 4 Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity 133-172

 Unit 3: Sensation & Perception: 2/8

Ch. 6: Sensation pp. 229-290

 Unit 4 & 5: Learning & Cognition: 2/16

Ch. 7: Learning pp. 291-326

Ch. 8: Memory pp. 327-368

 Unit 6: Motivation & Emotion: 2/22

Ch. 11: Motivation and work pp. 443-496

Ch. 12: Emotion, Stress and Health pp. 497-522

 Unit 7: States of Consciousness 3/1

Ch. 3: States of Consciousness pp. 85-132

 Unit 8: Developmental Psychology: 3/8 & 3/15

Ch. 5: Developing Through the Life-Span pp. 173-228

Ch. 9: Thinking and Language pp. 369-404

 Unit 9: Testing & Intelligence: 3/22

Ch. 10: Intelligence pp. 405-442

 Unit 10: Personality Development: 4/5

Ch. 13: Personality pp. 553-592

 Unit 11: Abnormal Psychology: 4/12

Ch. 14: Psychological Disorders pp. 593-636

 Unit 12: Treatment of Psychological Disorders: 4/19

Ch. 15: Therapy pp. 637672

 Unit 13: Social Psychology: 4/26

Ch. 16: Social Psychology pp. 673-716

REVIEW FOR AP EXAM: 5/3