Advanced Placement Psychology s1

Advanced Placement Psychology South Mecklenburg High School 2014 – 2015 Dr. Sarah Smilowitz Class Webpage: http://appsychologysmilowitz.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/AP+Psychology Email: [email protected]

Course Description: Advanced Placement psychology is a one-year course taught over two semesters. It is intended to provide the scope and level of academic accomplishment expected in a college introductory course. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, theories, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-field within psychology. Students will also learn about the methods and ethical considerations that psychologist use in science and practice. The Advanced Placement program in psychology is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to think critically. This course prepares students for introductory and intermediate college courses by placing demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college survey courses. In this pursuit, the acquisition of factual knowledge is that starting point of the process, not the end.

Note to Students: Before you devote yourself to any task, particularly a demanding one as this course will be, you need to ask, “Why am I doing this? “Is this worth my time, effort, and commitment?”

In AP Psychology, the answers to those questions should be clear and powerful (and does not have anything to do with your GPA!) The answers should relate to the most interesting, exciting, and complex of all things worth knowing: the human being. You will be acting as a college student, forging ahead on your own, and seeking and internalizing knowledge. You MUST be the main agent in this educational process. My job is to facilitate your drive and accomplishment by structuring learning situations and selecting learning tools and opportunities that will help you attain your goals: a successful score on the AP exam (Your Exam is on May 4, 2015).

Course Materials: You will need a 1 to 3 inch three ring binder with pockets A LOT of 3 X 5 ruled index cards (about 20 – 50 per chapter/module). Loose leaf paper Blue or Black pens Textbook: Psychology by David Myers Textbook Web Site: http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers8e/default.asp? s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid=8520559&rau=8520559 *Supplemental Text: Barron’s AP Psychology 6th edition

AP Psychology National Exam The Advanced Placement Program of the College Board affords students the opportunity to receive college credit for AP classes by successfully passing a national examination (a passing score is a 3 or better). The exam is given in May. All students taking an AP course are required to take the AP National Exam. The AP Psychology exam is on May 4, 2015.

Assignments & Absenteeism: All assignments are due on the due date. It is YOUR responsibility to get any make-up work assignments due to an absence once you return to school. Failure to make-up work in the given amount of time will result in a zero on any and all assignments.

IF YOU are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to get the work that YOU missed. I WILL NOT discuss make-up work during class time. Make-up quizzes & tests can be completed during tutoring on Mondays.

My tutoring time is on Monday’s and Tuesdays from 2:30 -3:30. You must be in my classroom by 2:30 to attend tutoring. Note: If a test, quiz, project, or written assignments was announced (see calendar) and given to you before your absence and return on the day of the activity, you are responsible for that assignment. However, I am not a mean horrible person and I will take into consideration your special situation. Just talk to me!

Grading Policy: A 93 – 100 B 85 – 92 C 77 – 84 D 70 – 76 F 69 – Below

Formal grades make up 70% of your grade Formal grades: Tests, Free Response Questions/Essays & Projects

Tests: Tests will generally consist of identification, multiple-choice, and FRQ/Essay questions. Each test will cover a significant volume of material that many students have not previously experienced. These tests emphasize information from the text and lecture. They are likely to be no more than 15 major grades per nine weeks. This means each major test has a significant impact on the final grade.

*All papers must be typed, Using Times New roman font, double-spaced, and set in APA format. ** If you need assistance formatting your papers correctly, ASK. The following is a great website dedicated to APA style: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ ***Papers WILL NOT be accepted in any other format.

Informal grades make up are 30% of your grade Informal grades: Classwork, Participation, Homework, ID cards, & Quizzes

Grades WILL NOT be curved in this class. Extra credit WILL NOT be given in this class.

South Mecklenburg NEW Grading Policy

1. Assignments a. All teachers, in accordance with the procedures established by South Mecklenburg High School, must accept late work and make-up work (work missed due to an excused absence). These procedures align with CMS Board Regulation IKB-R. i. Make-Up Work: A student who misses homework or other assignments or due dates because of an absence, whether excused or unexcused, must be allowed to make up the work. The student must initiate contact with the teacher within five school days upon their return to school to make arrangements for completing the work. These arrangements should include a schedule for completion of the work. ii. Late Work: In all circumstances, homework and other assignments should be accepted, even when turned in after the designated due date. Credit for late work shall be awarded according to the following guidelines: 1. If the student is present in class on the due date: a. Students will receive a maximum 80% grade if turned in one (1) day late. b. Students will receive a maximum 70% grade if turned in two (2) days late. c. Students will receive a 50% grade if turned in three (3) or more days late and/or one week prior to the published exam schedule for each quarter. 2. If the student is not present in class on the due date because of an excused absence, full credit must be given for the completed work if turned in at the beginning of the next class meeting. 3. If the student is not present in class on the due date because of an unexcused absence, the work will receive less credit following the same guidelines listed above.

Late work will not be accepted after 5 days and will result in a zero. Classroom Rules: Be Honest Be Responsible Respect Yourself

Classroom Expectations: Keep in mind that you are expected to behave as if you are in a college class.

 Check the wiki daily http://appsychologysmilowitz.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/AP+Psychology

You will be directed to download or locate class material from this web site. Failure to download materials, complete handouts, or read the information posted will result in a zero on any and all assignments. These can not be made-up. Downloading and printing handouts may not be done during class time. All downloads and printing must be done at home, in the library, or in my class after school. NO EXCEPTIONS!

 Read daily

You will have assigned reading each night from the text and will be quizzed over vocabulary and reading. Keep in mind: Failure to read assigned readings usually results in a failing grade.

 Raise hand if you have a question.  Have all work and projects ready to turn in at the beginning of class.  Make good choices, which include: 1. Showing respect to all staff, students and visitors. 2. Paying attention to what is going on in the classroom. 3. Obeying all school rules and policies. 4. Speaking at appropriate times using appropriate language. * Individual issues will not be discussed in an open forum, please hold those questions until after class. 5. Being on time. 6. Coming to class prepared. 7. Obeying the Code of Conduct . Cheating  The student Code of Conduct outlines cheating as a behavioral infraction under “Misrepresentation - Honesty” – rule 6. As a result, a behavioral referral should be generated whenever documented or demonstrable instances of cheating have occurred. o I take cheating very seriously. . If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero on the assignment, you will be written up and you will be reported to the sponsor of the National Honors Society as well as any other Honors Societies you may be a member of. . What is considered cheating?  If you are helping someone cheat, you will receive the same form of punishment as listed in the previous sentence.  If you give your work to another student, that is considered cheating.  If you take work off of a student’s desk and copy it… that too is cheating.  If you copy someone else’s work, that is cheating.  Plagiarism & Cheating will result in a zero on any and all assignments. No exceptions!

 Food & Drink 1. You may eat a snack or drink a beverage in class, but DO NOT leave trash in the room. I reserve the right to change this policy if need be.  Restroom usage 1. There is a restroom hall pass . You may not leave the class during the first and last 15 minutes . You may not leave during any form of testing . If the privilege is being misused, I reserve the right to change the restroom policy  Cell Phones 1. Cell Phones are not to be used in this class at any time. If a student is found using a cell phone in class, the student will be asked to put it way immediately. If the cell phone is seen again, it will be collected until the end of the day. If the student refuses, the student will be sent to an administrator for insubordination. All cell phones must be places on silent during class time.

Practice exams: There will be two practice tests given during the spring semester. Each practice exam will be given as if you are taking the real AP Psychology exam.

The AP Psychology exam is made up of 100 multiple choice questions which you have a 70 minute time limit to complete and two FRQ Essays which you have a 50 minute time limit to answer. There is a 10 minute break in between each section.

Classroom Procedures: 1. All work turned into me must be in ink, I will not accept anything written or completed in pencil. 2. Please do not make unnecessary interruptions while I am lecturing. 3. All work is to be turned into the “red plastic coke box”. NEVER place anything on my desk and expect me to find it. I’m organized but my desk is its own monster. 4. All handouts, calendars, ID lists, assignments, PowerPoint’s, and other relevant information will be posted on the class wiki. You are responsible for checking the class wiki, downloading and printing material needed (as you would be in college).

Course Content/Evaluation Materials : The course outline, from the AP Psychology Course Description shows the major content area covered by the AP exam, as well as the approximate percentage of the exam that is devoted to each area. The outline is intended to be a basic guide and not to be an all-inclusive list of topics.

I. Methods, Approaches, & History 2 – 4 % II. Research Methods 8 – 10% III. Biological Bases of Behavior 8 – 10% IV. Sensation & Perception 6 – 8 % V. States of Consciousness 2 – 4 % VI. Learning 7 – 9 % VII. Cognition 8 – 10 % VIII. Motivation & Emotion 6 – 8 % IX. Developmental Psychology 7 – 9 % X. Personality 5 – 7 % XI. Testing & Individual Differences 5 – 7 % XII. Abnormal Psychology 7 – 9 % XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders 5 – 7 % XIV. Social Psychology 8 – 10 %

The AP Central Psychology Web page address is listed below: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/exam/exam_information/2088.html Correspondence:

Students: Please come by and talk to me before school or after school, or email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Parents/Guardians: Please email me or schedule a conference with me if you have any questions or concerns. I will not be able to meet with parents during class time. My planning period is during the fourth block. If you would like to schedule a conference with me during my planning period please send me an email or call me at school. Email is the best way to get in touch with me. I am unable to meet with parents without a scheduled conference date and time.

My email address is [email protected]

The school number is (980) 343-3600

South Mecklenburg High School web site: http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/southmecklenburgHS/Pages/Default.aspx

Thank you,

Dr. Sarah Smilowitz

Changes may be made to this syllabus at the discretion of the teacher Tips for Students:

1. Take notes & date them. Put them in your own words. Leave some blank space on each page to make some additions and clarification. It is very important to review your notes each day while they are fresh in your mind. Expand them, clarify them, and add examples so they will make sense when you go back to study from them later. Typing your notes is one of the BEST ways to organize the information and helps you remember.

2. Learn to read more effectively. You can read more effectively by doing the following:

o Read activity; don’t just look at each word. If you spend a half hour reading but are unable to recall anything you just read, you have wasted your time. o Preview each module quickly before you begin and review material frequently. Pause at the end of paragraph and try to summarize mentally, in your own words what you read. o Don’t try to read an entire module at once. Each module is divided into several sections. Sections are usually presented in bold print. Limit your reading to sections of each module. o Don’t ignore pictures, diagrams, tables, and sidebars in your textbook or handouts. These features serve to make material more interesting and may include some important information. o You should spend about 15 – 20 minutes each day reading/reviewing.

3. Half the battle is vocabulary. You will make ID note cards on 3 X 5 index cards for each chapter/module. As you make these cards, you are already learning the vocabulary. The note cards provide an excellent means of review. They must be hand written in ink. See the ID Rubric on the class wiki.

4. Form a study group & review study material posted on the class wiki. It is posted there to help you.

How be successful in AP Psychology

1. Read the assigned textbook pages prior to the class lecture (preferably the night before the lecture). You can find the assigned pages on the class calendar located on the class wiki.

2. Use the guided notes handout for each chapter to take notes during the lecture. You can find this on the class wiki.

3. Type daily notes using an outline format or rewrite your notes after class. This will help you organize your notes, help you rehearse the material and may help you identify concepts you are not familiar with.

4. Attend tutoring after school on Mondays or Tuesdays when material is not understood or if you are having difficulty understanding some of the concepts.

5. Utilize the extra study material posted on the wiki.

6. Review quizzes and tests citing missed items - understanding what you missed on a quiz or a test is a good way to review material. You can come by my room after school to do this. Again, identifying concepts you don’t know is a way to review material. Study smarter not harder. 7. Don't wait until the night before to write your ID's or to study.

8. Remember: Studying is an active behavior. Rereading your notes or scanning textbook material is not an effective study technique.