Advanced Placement Psychology

Central High School 2013-2014 Mr. Scott McCann

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-fields within
psychology. Students will also learn about the methods and ethical considerations
that psychologists 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 the
starting point of that 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? Why 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; among them, a successful score on the AP exam
(your exam is on Monday, May 5
th
, 2014).


Course Materials:

A 2 to 3 inch three ring binder, with pockets (and I recommend dividers)
A Lot of index cards (about 30-50 per chapter/module; there are 18 chapters)
Loose leaf paper
Blue and/or black pens
Several highlighters


Texts
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology (8
th
edition). New York, NY: Worth Publishers

Hock, R. (2004). Forty Studies That Changed Psychology. New York, NY: Prentice
Hall

Barron AP Psychology Review Guide.

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 natinal
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
cost of the exam last year was $86.00.

Classroom Expectations:

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

Students will have assigned reading each night from the text and will be quizzed
over vocabulary and reading. Keep in mind: failure to read the assigned readings
usually results in a failing grade on the AP exam.

Raise your hand if you have a question

Have all work and projects ready to turn in at the beginning of class. Late work
will not be accepted unless you have an excused absence.

Make good choices, which include:
Showing respect to all staff, students, and visitors
Paying attention to what goes on in the classroom.
Obeying all rules and policies.
Speaking at appropriate times using appropriate language.
*Individual issues will not be discussed in an open forum, please hold
those questions until after class
Being on time
Coming to class prepared.
Obeying the Code of Conduct
*Plagiarism and cheating will result in a zero on any and all
assignments. No exceptions!

Grading Policy:

Grades in the class will be figured as follows:

Homework 10%
Participation 20%
Classwork 20%
Assessments.. 50%

Homework may include readings (and notes from the readings), vocabulary cards,
writing assignments, etc.
Participation may include bell work, classroom discussions, etc.
Classwork may include writing assignments, projects, presentations, etc.
Assessments may include tests, pop quizzes, take-home essays, etc.

Practice Exams:

There will be two practice AP exams given during the spring semester. Each
practice exam will be given as if you are taking the real AP Psychology exam. YOUR
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.

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

The practice exam sessions last about 2.5 hours. One practice exam will be given
after school in March or April. The second practice exam will be given in April on a
Saturday.

Classroom Procedures:

- All work must be turned in to me in blue or black ink. You may take
notes in pencil, however I will not accept any turned-in work that has been
written in pencil.
- Please do not make unnecessary interruptions while during class
- All work is to be turned in must be placed in the submissions box. If it is
not put in the proper place, it has not been turned in.

Assignments & Absenteeism:

All assignments are due on the due date at the beginning of class (unless otherwise
specified). If you have an excused absence, then you have an amount of time
equivalent to days absent to make up any missed assignments 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. All make-up work is to be done after
school during tutoring. Tutoring is on Tuesdays from 2pm to 3pm.

Please note: If a test, quiz, project, or written assignment was announced and given
before our absence and you return on the day of the activity, you are responsible for
that assignment. However, I will take into consideration any extenuating
circumstances if you talk to me.

Course Content:

The course outline, from the AP Psychology Course Description, shows the major
content areas 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 & Ethics 6-8%
III. Biological Bases of Behavior 8-10%
IV. States of Consciousness 2-4%
V. Sensation & Perception 7-9%
VI. Learning 7-9%
VII. Cognition 8-10%
VIII. Motivation & Emotion 7-9%
IX. Developmental Psychology 7-9%
X. Personality 6-8%
XI. Testing & Individual Differences 5-7%
XII. Abnormal Psychology 7-9%
XIII. Therapy & Treatment 5-7%
XIV. Social Psychology 7-9%

The AP Central Psychology web page address is:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2265.html

Correspondence:

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

Parents/Guardians: Please call and schedule a conference with me if you have any
questions or concerns. I will not be able to meet with you during class time. My
planning period is 4
th
period. 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.

Tips for Students:

1. Take notes and date them. Put them in your own words. Leave some blank
space on each page to make some additions and clarifications. 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 to help you remember.
2. Learn to read more effectively. You can read more effectively by doing the
following:
a. Read actively; dont just look at each word. If you spend half an hour
reading but are unable to recall anything, you have wasted your time.
b. Preview each module or chapter quickly before you begin and review
material frequently. Pause at the end of each paragraph and try to
summarize mentally, in your own words, what you just read.
c. Dont 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.
d. Dont 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.
e. You should spend about 15 to 20 minutes each day reading/reviewing
3. Half the battle is vocabulary. You will make vocabulary cards on index cards
for each 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. (Hint: Do not wait until the night before the
exam to complete these)
4. Form a study group. Your group will ensure that each member will be able to
master the material covered in class and in the text. Each groups ultimate
goal is for each member to earn a successful score on the AP exam.
5. Attend tutoring if you are struggling. Do not wait until the day before a
test/quiz.
6. Use the Barrons book to review- both for the class and the AP exam. Its the
best guide available.


Tutoring

Tutoring will be after school on Tuesdays, from 2:15 to 3:15.


Thanks, and lets have a great year!







Mr. Scott McCann