Understanding Psychology

Instructor: Keith Hatcher Length of course: 36 weeks (two semesters) Room: 144 *****Please Note: This syllabus is a guide to the schedule and procedures for this class. It is subject to change, and all changes will be announced IN CLASS. Students are responsible for knowing any announcements made in class, whether they were present or not. Course Description: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Such study can involve both animal and human behaviors. This course will explore the various approaches to psychology, the workings of the mind, learning and cognitive processes, personality and social psychology. Course Objectives: I have several objectives for this course. One is to introduce you to the field of psychology, and to demonstrate the range of topics included within this field. Relatedly, I hope to provide enough of a sense of these topics that you will be in a good position to know which areas of psychology may interest you enough to take further classes. Most of the topics covered within this course are themselves topics of full-semester courses. I also hope to demonstrate the science of psychology, and how it may be similar and different to the “pop psychology” that is often more familiar to students initially. Finally, I hope to encourage critical thinking about these issues and to increase your awareness of how topics in psychology permeate our lives. TEXT: Understanding Psychology, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2008 Class Expectations: High academic expectations will be upheld for all students in the course. It is the expectation that all students will learn and perform at a Proficient level. Class Rules: The following class rules are necessary to provide and maintain an orderly efficient educational atmosphere for this class. 1. All students will bring their text and class materials with them each class day. 2. Please, no talking while instruction is being given. 3. All students will be in class ready for instruction when the bell rings. 4. Each student is responsible for attending class with a learning attitude, and conducts themselves in such a manner that will not jeopardize the teaching and learning process. * The dress code will be enforced. No Cell Phones or Ipods allowed in class! Grading: Students in this course will be assessed in the following formats: one chapter test per week, homework, group work, independent work, research projects, presentations, and journal. Positively no test retakes. Scale: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 59% or below Units of Study: 1. Approaches to Psychology 2. The Life Span 3. The Workings of Mind and Body 4. Learning and Cognitive Processes 5. Personality and Individuality 6. Adjustment and Breakdown 7. Social Psychology Class Policies & Procedures Everyone is expected to follow the classroom procedures listed below. Keep in mind that you receive a participation/behavior grade each quarter that is worth 100 points. That grade is based on your classroom participation and behavior, which includes following all classroom rules and procedures. In addition to my policies below, you should be familiar with all Ohio County High School policies (including the student handbook) regarding expectations, behavior, absences and tardiness, which I will follow and enforce. 1. Treat everyone in the classroom with respect. 2. Arrive to class on time and prepared. You are allowed to go to your locker once per quarter if you forget something for class 3. Always sit in your assigned seat. If you have a problem with your assigned seat, please see me. Seat assignments are changed once a quarter or whenever deemed necessary. 4. Do not bring food or drink (except water) into the classroom. 5. Use appropriate language at all time. Certain words and conversations belong in the locker room but not in the classroom 6. Do not touch or move any classroom materials or furniture unless given permission to do so. 7. Raise your hand if you have a question or wish to make a statement. 8. Do not leave the classroom unless given permission to do so. Please make every effort to use the restroom before or after class! You will be given 3 restroom passes. 9. If you bring a cell phone, iPod, or other electronic devices to class, make sure that it is not visible and that it is turned off. Cell phones that are exposed or ring during class will be taken away and/or a detention will be issued. 10. Stay at your table until the bell rings. 11. Don’t leave trash by at or around your table. The consequences for choosing to not follow a classroom rule will be decided by the teacher. Normally, I will give you a warning the first time. After that, you may be asked to leave the classroom, be given a detention after school and/or I will place a phone call to your parents. Problematic behavior and repeat offenses will be dealt with by a parent conference, meeting with your guidance counselor and/or referral to your assistant principal. I also reserve the right to deduct points from your quarterly participation/behavior grade.

Psych Blog Assignment The purpose of the Psych Blog is encourage an increasing awareness of how much we come into contact with the concepts in this class on a daily basis, by writing about everyday psychology encounters. These encounters may be of all sorts, including television shows and specials, movies, news stories and current events, magazine articles, songs, books, other classes, personal encounters, etc. Each Psych Blog should focus on a topic covered in the unit just completed.

Academic Dishonesty: As I’m sure you’re aware, cheating is prohibited. Cheating includes (but is not limited to) looking at study materials during an exam, allowing others to copy your exams, taking someone else’s exam or allowing someone else to take yours, obtaining exam materials in advance, and failing to report cheating by others. Plagiarism, even if unintentional, even if only one sentence, is also a form of cheating. Thus, it is very important to make sure that you do not copy from other sources, that you attribute your ideas as needed, and that you use quotation marks when indicated. If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please see me before the assignment is due. Cheating will result in automatic failure of the exam in question, as well as a report made to the administration. A second incident will result in failure of the course. Class Trip: Western State Hospital

Attendance/Make-Up Work: Attendance is of the utmost importance in order to perform well in this class. Missed work or tests must be made up within 3 days after the excused absents. Missed test will have to be taken before or after school.

Contact Info: 7th period planning. Email address: [email protected] School-274-3366

***********************************************************************

(Please read/sign and return this portion)

Dear Parent or Guardian, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to my class. I hope the information concerning this course will be helpful in understanding its intent and purpose. If at anytime you have questions or comments concerning your child’s progress, please feel free to contact me. We are looking forward to a rewarding educational year at OCHS.

Keith Hatcher Understanding Psychology Ohio County High School

I have read and understood the requirements for this course.

______(Student Name)

______(Parent/Guardian) Dear Parent/Guardians:

Throughout the school year, it may be beneficial for your child’s education and understanding of Psychology to show certain films or movies. Ohio County School Board policy requires parental permission for any movies rated above G. Below is a list of films/movies that may be viewed by your student in my class in order to enhance instruction. Many of these are rated PG or PG-13, some may be rated R. Certainly all of these films will not be viewed, as it is just a list of possible films that could be utilized in class. Scenes of nudity and profanity will be edited to the best of my ability.

A Beautiful Mind Thirteen Rain Man The Aviator # Se7en The Number 23 Identity Secret Window About Schmidt Inception Girl Interrupted Mean Girls Avatar Hannibal The Bucket List Forest Gump One Flew Over The Sybil Mr. Brooks Cuckoo’s Nest The Zodiac Silence of the Lambs My Girl Dying to be thin

In education,

Mr. G. Keith Hatcher

P.S.- Any movies that I find during the year that are not on this list that I feel may benefit the class, notification will be sent home via the student, reviewed by you, and then returned to me for documentation. Extra credit opportunities will be offered throughout the year in terms of watching films for a deeper understanding of Psychology. More information on that will be made available at a later date.

PLEASE SIGN & RETURN

______I give my permission for my child to view clips, or watch these movies in their entirety, to enhance daily class instruction

______I DO NOT give my permission for my child to view clips, or watch these movies in their entirety, to enhance daily class instruction and understand they will be sent to work on assignment of the teacher’s choice while other students are viewing the film.

______Student Name

______Parent Signature