SYLLABUS
AP
PSYCHOLOGY 2014-15
Mrs. J. Gillingham – jemartinsalv@cps.edu, Room 308,
Periods 1, 7, 8
Mrs. J. Parks – jparks9@cps.edu, Room
308, Periods 2, 3, 6
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of
Advanced Placement Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and
scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings
and other animals. Students will be exposed to the
empirically-supported scientific facts, research findings, terminology,
principles, and phenomena associated with each major subfield within
psychology, as well as the perspectives and major figures related to each
subfield. This course offers students a
learning experience similar to that of an introductory college psychology
course.
SUBFIELDS, IN ORDER OF STUDY
- History
& Approaches (2 - 4%)
- Research
Methods (6 - 8%)
- Biological
Bases of Behavior (8 - 10%)
- Sensation
& Perception 6 - 8%)
- States
of Consciousness (2 - 4%)
- Learning
(7 - 9%)
- Cognition (8 - 10%)
- Motivation
& Emotion (6 - 8%)
- Developmental
Psychology (7 - 9%)
- Personality
(5 - 7%)
- Testing
and Individual Differences (5 - 7%)
- Abnormal
Behavior (7 - 9%)
- Treatment
of Abnormal Behavior (5 - 7%)
- Social Psychology (8 – 10%)
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Honesty, compassion, self-control, responsibility, courtesy,
and leadership are character traits that are valued and expected in an AP
class. Demonstration of these traits creates the atmosphere necessary to
support academic excellence and discussions of mature subject matter. As
in any course, students are also responsible for completing all assigned work
and assessments, maintaining an organized binder, taking notes, and actively
participating in class activities.
COURSE FEE
See Ms. Williams in room 100A to pay all class and senior
fees.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
1. Textbook: Myers, David G. Psychology, 5th ed.
New York: Worth Publishers, 1997.
2. 2-
or 3-inch binder
3. Loose-leaf
notebook paper
4. Index
cards
5. Writing
utensils
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
An AP review book of your choice (approximately $15,
available via amazon.com or the library)
GRADING POLICY
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
60% Evaluation (unit tests—each
modeled after the AP exam, mid-term and final exams, major projects)
20% Preparation (reading quizzes,
homework, classwork)
20% Participation (e.g. attitude, initiative,
leadership; See attached rubric.)
HOMEWORK POLICY
- There will be daily homework, including but not limited to reading assignments, outlines, and flashcards.
- Homework completion may be directly checked; however, it will often be assessed via random in-class quizzes based on homework content.
- Assignments turned in one day late may earn half credit at most.
- Flashcards will only earn credit when turned in on the due date; no late credit will be given for flashcards.
HOMEWORK MAKE-UP POLICY:
- It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all class notes and assignments if absent. Check your unit calendar and/or our class page on the LP website.
- Students will be given the same number of days they were absent to complete missing work.
- If an absence is unexcused, missed work will NOT be accepted.
TEST/QUIZ MAKE-UP POLICY
- In the case of an excused absence ONLY, a student will be allowed to take a make-up exam on the day s/he returns, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. If s/he has missed the in-class grading of the FRQ, s/he must attend the weekly before- or after-school makeup time (1st or 9th period) in order to grade the test.
- In the case of an anticipated excused absence, a student may be allowed to take the exam prior to the absence, and is responsible for initiate scheduling of the exam.
- It is the student's responsibility to initiate taking the make-up exam on the day s/he returns. This may be done during your lunch period, during your AP Psychology class period, or during 1st or 9th period.
CLASS PARTICIPATION RUBRIC - to be used formally twice per quarter
