AP® Psychology
Course Syllabus Instructor: Bryan FrazierEmail: bryanfrazier@cusd.com
Class Web Site: https://sites.google.com/a/clovisusd.k12.ca.us/frazier/home Text: Introduction to Psychology, 8th Edition. James W. Kalat.
Course Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. (Taken from Advanced Placement Course Description in Psychology)
Course Objectives: The student will:
1. gain an understanding of the nature of the psychological diversity of human beings with reference to biological, social, and cultural influences.
2. develop an appreciation of psychology as an academic discipline.
3. recognize the relevance of psychology and its practical applications in the student’s personal life. 4. demonstrate an understanding of the diverse methods of psychological inquiry.
5. gather and interpret data utilizing the empirical method of inquiry.
6. demonstrate an understanding and respect for the ethical standards of investigation which incorporates a sense of respect for the individual.
7. demonstrate an understanding of the different theoretical approaches to understanding behavior. 8. demonstrate a clear understanding of the four major psychological perspectives (psychodynamic,
behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic/phenomenological).
9. demonstrate a thorough understanding of one of the optional subject area perspectives as prescribed in our text: comparative psychology, cultural psychology, dysfunctional behavior, health psychology, life span psychology, psychodynamic psychology, social psychology.
10. undertake one research based experimental study in accordance with specific curriculum guidelines. 11. demonstrate mastery of critical thinking skills and demonstrate ability to communicate these ideas in
written and/or oral format. Course Expectations:
All students are expected to complete all assignments with a high degree of quality. Students are expected to engage in class discussions in an appropriate and academic way.
Cheating/Plagiarism Policy (from the Student Handbook):
1. Any student determined to be cheating or plagiarizing on any test or assignment will receive a zero for that test or assignment only and the student’s grade will be affected accordingly. Parent contact will be made by the teacher. Plagiarism also includes the use of internet materials without
appropriate citation.
2. A conduct referral will be issued immediately. Disciplinary action will be taken as deemed appropriate.
3. Habitual offenses (not necessarily in the same class) will result in suspension. Additional Note by Frazier on cheating and plagiarism:
Plagiarism is taking words that someone else wrote and claiming that they are your own. This includes, but is not limited to, copying words by another author from an article, journal, book or web site (or any other form of text) and not properly citing the work in order to give the appearance that the words are your own. A plagiarized assignment will earn a zero without the opportunity for make-up
I will not tolerate ANY cheating, copying or plagiarizing in my class. If a person allows a student to copy their work, the student who allowed their work to be copied will be given a referral and will receive a zero on the assignment. If a student knowingly allows a student to copy answers during a quiz or test, both students will be considered in violation of the cheating/plagiarism policy and will be handled according to the
aforementioned policy
Students will be given credit for taking the AP Psychology Exam in May. If a student is caught cheating on that exam, not only will they suffer any consequences the school administration deems appropriate, they will be given a zero in my grade book.
Homework
Students should anticipate that they will have homework or studying to do nearly every night and on weekends. Students who know that they are going to be absent before the fact should make sure that any work due on those days is turned in ahead of time. If an assignment is not turned in when it is called for in class, it is considered late. It is the student’s responsibility to keep tabs on his/her missing assignments, not the teacher’s. Homework missed due to carelessness or forgetfulness can be made up. However, late assignments must be turned in by the end of the trimester in which the work was assigned. The highest grade that can be received on late work is a 60% (depending on the quality of the work).
Make-up Work
Students who know that they are going to be absent before the fact should arrange to get required work, turn in work, and/or take a test ahead of time. Students can also make arrangements to come in during another period to get required work, turn in work, and/or take a test. “Retakes” on tests will not be given. However, when absent or tardy, students may make-up missed work. It is the students’ responsibility to find out what has been missed and complete the work that was missed. If the student misses a test, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up that test. Students will have as many days as they have been absent to make up assignments, tests and/or quizzes for full credit, provided that the absence is excused. Note: Independent Study forms must be obtained and completed if student will be absent for five or more days (refer to student/parent handbook for more details).
AP Exam:
All students are expected to take the AP Exam in mid-May. The fee for the test is about $84. Fee waivers are available in some instances. Review for the test will begin two to three weeks prior to the test. Extra review sessions will be provided outside of class time, and are completely voluntary.
The AP Psychology Exam includes a 70-minute multiple-choice section that accounts for two-thirds of the exam grade and a 50-minute free-response section made up of two questions that accounts for one-third of the exam grade.
Suggested Materials: 1. 3-ring binder
2. Spiral notebook for this class only
3. Pens. Work done in pencil will not be accepted. 4. Highlighters
Psychology in the News:
This a bi-monthly assignment that requires students to look in current newspapers, magazines or reliable web sites for articles that bring out some psychological concept in a current story or study. There will be a separate assignment sheet that provides greater details. Unless otherwise informed, Psychology in the News will be due every other Friday, with the first one due on the second Friday of school.
Course Outline (order subject to change): 1. What Is Psychology?
- The goals of psychologists - Psychology then and now 2. Scientific Methods in Psychology.
-Science and the evaluation of evidence -Conducting psychological research -Measuring and analyzing results 3. Biological Psychology.
-Genes and behavior -Neurons and behavior -Drugs and their effects 4. Sensation and Perception.
-Vision
-Non-visual Senses
5. Nature, Nurture, and Human Development. -Genetics and evolution of behavior -Cognitive development
-Social and emotional development -Diversity: Gender, culture and family 6. Learning.
-Behaviorism
-Classical conditioning -Operant conditioning -Other kinds of learning 7. Memory.
-Types of memory -Long-term memory
-Memory retrieval and error -Amnesia
8. Cognition and Language.
-Attention and categorization
-Problem solving, decision making and expertise -Language
9. Intelligence.
-Intelligence and intelligence tests -Evaluation of intelligence tests 10. States of Consciousness.
-Conscious and unconscious processes -Sleep and dreams
-Hypnosis
11. Motivated Behaviors.
-General principles of motivation -Hunger motivation
-Sexual Motivation -Work motivation
12. Emotional Behaviors, Stress, and Health. -The nature of emotion
-A survey of emotions -Stress, health and coping 13. Social Psychology.
-Cooperation and competition -Social perception and cognition -Attitudes and persuasion -Interpersonal attraction -Interpersonal influence
14. Personality.
-Personality theories -Personality traits -Personality assessment
15. Abnormality, Therapy, and Social Issues. -Abnormal behavior: An overview -Psychotherapy: An overview
-Social and legal aspects of treatment 16. Specific Disorders and Treatments.
-Anxiety disorders
-Substance-related disorders -Mood disorders
-Schizophrenia
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