AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 AP Psychology 2014-15 Email [email protected] @shhsrios www.myhaikuclass.com/paige.rios/appsychology https://sites.google.com/site/riosshhs/ Twitter LMS website Content This course is designed to introduce you to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. You will be exposed to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. You will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists used in their scientific practice. The course is intended to expose students to the rigor and content of a college introductory/survey psychology course. The content of the course is determined by the College Board program and will adhere to a pacing schedule that will allow us to cover all topics on the AP Psychology exam. Purpose Instruction will serve three purposes: I. To expose students to the field of psychology from both scientific and social scientific angles. II. To assist students in the transition from high-school level coursework to postsecondary academics. III. To facilitate preparation for the AP Psychology exam. Materials • Myers’ Psychology for AP, 1st edition, David Myers and accompanying website • 50 Psychology Classics • Optional: Study Guide to Accompany Myers’ Psychology for AP Overall Course Expectations Reading Online Assessment Attendance Students are responsible for reading textbook before topics are addressed in class. Students should take notes in an organized fashion (by unit) and learn all of the vocabulary for the chapter/unit. In addition, each chapter/ unit will have several open-ended questions to be addressed in notes as well. Each unit will have relevant videos posted on the class website for student viewing. In addition students are expected to assess their knowledge of material using online quizzes provided by textbook publisher. The Haiku LMS will house discussion boards, class wikis, files and online test banks to aid in learning the material Assessment will occur in a variety of ways. Clear communication of conceptual understanding is essential. Each unit exam will be designed similar to the AP Exam w/ both multiple choice (2/3) and free response questions (1/3). Various projects and written assignments both in and out of class will also be employed as assessment Daily attendance is essential as the inclass activities will build upon the foundational knowledge gained from textbook readings. Quizzes based on required readings (notes permitted). The class meets for approximately 50 minutes 3 x per week and 88 min 1 x per week. AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Contacting Your Teacher The easiest way to discuss questions or concerns is to talk to me at lunch, after school, or during access period. I will keep information regarding assignments both on the Haiku LMS and on Aeries .I can also be contacted via email: [email protected] . In addition, I will keep students informed with updates and reminders on Twitter @shhsrios. Parents are welcome to use any of the above avenues to keep informed of assignments and student progress. The Exam - May 4, 2015 Taking the exam is strongly encouraged; students electing not to take the AP Exam will complete an equivalent assessment that will count as part of the semester grade. Format: The AP Psychology Exam is made up of two parts: a 70-minute, multiple-choice section that includes 100 questions (increasing in difficulty) and a 50-minute, written section made up of two free response questions (covering a wide range of material). The multiple choice section accounts for two-thirds of your exam grade and the freeresponse section for the remaining one-third. Scoring/College Credit: You can check the policies of the colleges you are applying to by searching each school’s website for “ap credit”. In general, time and effort put into the course throughout the year will result in a higher AP score on exam day. Preparation for high-stakes exams is crucial. Grading Exams: Multiple Choice and Free Response Questions 55% Classwork, Reading Quizzes, Writing, and Projects 45% Tests The bulk of your grade is determined by exams, because I want you to become used to the format of the AP Exam and the reality of post-secondary courses in general. When you take the AP Exam, one day - one exam determines whether or not your receive college credit for all of your hard work. The exams will mimic the format of the AP Exam scaled back to fit within our class period. Given an hour during a block period there will be 45-50 multiple choice questions and one free-response question. If an exam is given on a 45-minute period day, there will be 25-30 multiple-choice questions and one free-response question. AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Classwork and Quizzes Class meetings will be active and lively where discussions and explorations will take place. It is essential that you prepare for class. In order to fully participate, you must COMPLETE the reading prior to class meetings in which the readings will be built upon. In order to encourage everyone to complete this preparation, quizzes on the assigned material will be a regular part of class. You will be advised of reading expectations well in advance. There will be opportunities for you to use your own notes on quizzes, so it is in your best interest to take notes during class and while reading. Projects/Writing Assignments: People can demonstrate knowledge in a variety of ways, so you will have an opportunity to engage in several projects each semester. Some of these will be in class and will require working with a group, while other may be individual projects/writing assignments to be done outside of class. In addition, you will complete two major writing assignments (one each semester) using APA formatting. Late Work and Absences As this is an AP course and designed to mimic college-level work, all work has a firm due date. In addition, you have the exam dates planned out for the entire year. If you have an excused absence (illness, field-trip, sports), my expectation is that your work will still be turned in that day. If an absence falls on an exam day, you need to make prior arrangements to take the exam. I expect that each of you will keep in touch with me via email when you are absent. Reading assignments are due before the unit begins in class. Class time will be spent going over material and numerous examples of concepts that will help the student comprehend and review material. Class time will also be used to analyze video clips that cannot be checked out for individual viewing. Group work and discussions that will aid in comprehension cannot be reenacted. Therefore, it is imperative that you are in class. Make up exams and quizzes will not be the same as the initial exam/quiz. Tips for Success Be present and prepared in class. Review the material often. Luckily, the material will be of high interest to most of you. However, there is much to be covered in this survey course, therefore, I suggest you spend some time reviewing the material each day. Proper use of vocabulary is essential so use flashcards to improve your fluency with psychological vocabulary. Finally, challenge yourself to delve deeper into concepts by forming a discussion group that meets regularly. If you are absent…contact me via email, check Haiku for materials, check Aeries for assignments due, study the material that was covered in class, contact a classmate for a summary of what was completed in class. Most importantly, realize that with the quick pace of the class it is imperative that you keep up with material even when absent. AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Pacing Unit Topic (% of AP Exam) Reading/ Major Activity College Board AP Topic Outline Exam date 1 History & Approaches (2-4%) pages 1-8 and 9-15 The Case of Andrea Yates -Logic, Philosophy and History of Science -Approaches Monday 9/8/14 2 Research Methods and Statistics (8-10%) p. 19 - 24 p. 25 -36 p. 37 - 46 Analyzing a Case Study -Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research -Statistics Ethics in Research Monday 9/8/14 3 Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%) Unit 3A: p 51 - 63 Unit 3B: p 66 - 91 Brain Models Unit 3C: p 94 - 110 Nature vs Nurture Debate -Functional Organization of Nervous System -Neural Transmission -Endocrine System -Physiological Techniques -Neuroanatomy -Genetics -Evolutionary Psychology Friday 9/26/14 4 Sensation & Perception (6-8%) p. 115-134 p.134 -150 p.151-169 Sensation and Perception Group Project -Attention Thursday -Thresholds and Signal Detection 10/23/14 Theory -Sensory Mechanisms -Perceptual Processes AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Unit Topic (% of AP Exam) Reading/ Major Activity College Board AP Topic Outline Exam date 5 States of Consciousness (2 - 4%) p. 175-191 p. 192-210 Mouse Party; Project: “Vision Quest” or Dream Journal -Sleep and Dreaming -Hypnosis -Psychoactive Drug Effects Thursday 10/23/14 6 Learning (7-9%) p. 215-227 p. 228-242 p. 242-249 -Cognitive Processes -Classical Conditioning -Biological Factors -Operant Conditioning -Social Learning Thursday 12/4/14 Thursday 12/4/14 Classical vs Operant Conditioning Activity 7 Cognition (8 - 10%) Unit 7A: p.255-278 p. 278-294 Eyewitness Field Trip Unit 7B: p.298-312 p.313- 322 Barnga -Memory -Thinking -Problem Solving and Creativity -Language 8 Motivation & Emotion (6 - 8%) Unit 8A: p. 327-348 p. 349-362 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Project Unit 8B: p. 366-384 p. 385-406 Theories of Emotion Project -Biological Bases -Theories of Motivation -Hunger, Thirst, Sex and Pain -Social Motives -Theories of Emotion -Stress and Health 1-8 1st Semester Final Units 1-8A 8A To be included on final exam third week of December as well as Unit 8/9 Exam Friday 1/30/15 Third week of December AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Unit Topic (% of AP Exam) Reading/ Major Activity College Board AP Topic Outline Exam date 9 Developmental Psychology (7-9%) p.411- 435 p. 435-454 p. 455-473 Child Observation Project; Media Portrayal of Adolescents: Fact or Fiction? -Life Span Approach -Research Methods -Heredity-Environment Issues -Developmental Theories -Dimensions of Development -Sex Roles and Gender Roles Friday 1/30/15 10 Personality (5-7%) p. 479-503 p. 503-518 Personality Portfolio -Personality Theories and Approaches -Assessment Techniques -Growth and Adjustment Thursday 2/26/15 11 Testing and Individual Differences (5-7%) p. 523-539 p. 539-556 -Standardization and Norms -Reliability and Validity -Types of Tests -Ethics and Standards in Testing -Intelligence Thursday 2/26/15 12 Abnormal Behavior (7-9%) p. 561-579 p.580-600 Abnormal Psychology Group -Definitions of Abnormality -Theories of Psychopathology -Diagnosis of Psychopathology -Types of Disorders Thursday 3/26/15 Presentations 13 Treatment of Abnormal Behavior (5-7%) p. 605-618 p. 619-638 -Treatment Approaches -Modes of Therapy -Community and Preventive Approaches Thursday 3/26/15 14 Social Psychology (8-10%) p. 643-664 p. 664-677 p. 678-692 -Group Dynamics -Attribution Processes -Interpersonal Perception -Conformity, Compliance, Obedience -Attitudes and Attitude Change -Organizational Behavior -Aggression/Antisocial Behavior -Cultural Influences Friday 4/17/14 Social Psychology Experiments Movie Posters AP Psychology Mrs Rios @ SHHS Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Unit Topic (% of AP Exam) Review All topics AP Exam All topics PostAP Various activities and projects Reading/ Major Activity Two weeks of Various Activities College Board AP Topic Outline Exam date Full length practice Exam 4/23/15 and 4/24/15 Monday May 4, 2015 Five Weeks of Various Activities