APSI Course Syllabus
Kent Korek kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us
AP Psychology
Course Description
The workshop will address the primary content areas of psychology through both the review of classic findings as well as coverage of recent advances in the various areas. In pursuit of our goal to enhance the teaching of psychology at the AP level we will examine ways to supplement lecture through demonstration, selection of discussion topics and exercises, and other interactive research components of an introductory psychology course. Time will be spent examining the AP Psychology Exam, including a discussion of strategies for preparing students for the exam. Special attention will be given to materials participants can take home to use in class and to applications of educational technologies (e.g., power point, video, and computing) supporting the teaching of psychology.
Learning Objectives
The fundamental goal of an institute is to provide an overview of a college-level introductory course in psychology with an emphasis on demonstrations, labs, activities, resources, etc. that the classroom teacher can use in their classroom. Steps to accomplish this include:
1.
providing a basic overview of a typical AP Psychology course as described in the
College Board Course Description (Acorn Book), with an emphasis on developing a scope and sequence for the participant's individual school
2.
sharing a large number of tools, techniques, tips and other resources to address the
"how-to" aspect of teaching AP Psychology.
3.
discussing various aspects of the AP Psychology exam and how to prepare students to be as successful as they can be.
4.
detailing the many additional resources (websites, blogs, discussing groups, etc.) available to psychology teachers.
The hope is that the institute’s participants will leave excited about the prospect of teaching psychology, fairly knowledgeable about the discipline and its subfields, and armed with some specific ideas and practical information for lectures, demonstrations, discussions, and other activities.

Summer Institute – AP Psychology
Course Outline
Kent Korek kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us
Course Outline
Below is a brief overview of an institute's agenda. Please be aware, this is NOT meant to be a detailed agenda, but a random sample of activities and subject to change depending on the needs of a given institute's participants.
 Introduction and Overview of AP Psychology o o o o
Introductions
AP Psychology Course Description (Acorn Book)
Course Syllabus
Course Scope and Sequence o AP Audit o Opening Activities
 History and Approaches o o o o
Unit Overview
Divisions of Psychology
Perspectives in Psychology
Know Your Psychologist Activity
 Research Methods o Unit Overview
School Observation Lab o o o o o
Experimental Design
M&M Lab
Ethical Considerations
Psychological Statistics
 Biological Bases of Behavior o Unit Overview
Which Baby is Which Activity o o o o
The Neuron
The Brain Project
Brain Imaging Techniques
 Sensation and Perception o Unit Overview o The Eye o Subliminal Messages o Sound Localization Demonstration o Depth Perception Lab
 States of Consciousness o o o
Unit Overview
Remedies for Jet Lag
ESP Cards




 o Sleep Analysis
Learning o Unit Overview
Line Maze o o o o o
Terms for Classical Conditioning
Sniffy: The Virtual Rat
Positive Versus Negative Reinforcement
What Kind of Conditioning?
Cognition o Unit Overview
Mnemonic Devices o o o o
Interference Lab (Stroop Effect)
Baseball Team Problem
Finish the Picture Activity
Testing and Individual Differences o Unit Overview o o
IQ Testing
Classifications of Mental Retardation
Developmental Psychology o Unit Overview o Activities for Developmental Psychology Unit o A Special Preprimer o Mosquito ringtone
 Personality
 o o o
Unit Overview
Personality Masks
The Blind Men and the Elephant o Defense Mechanisms o Inkblot Activity
Motivation and Emotion
 o o o o
Unit Overview
Motivation Lab
List of Emotions
Biodots
Abnormal Psychology o Unit Overview o DSM-IV o National Institute of Mental Health Publications o Phobias o Psychiatric Hotline
 Treatment of Psychological Disorders
 o o o
Unit Overview
Types of Therapies
Desensitization Hierarchies
Social Psychology o Unit Overview

o "I'm Glad I'm a Boy! I'm Glad I'm a Girl!" o NASA Problem o Musk Lifesavers
 AP Psychology Exam o Multiple choice strategies
 o FRQ Strategies
 Textbooks
Throughout the course of the week, examination copies of textbooks will be distributed and discussed. Typically, a participant will review five to six textbooks. Textbook supplements, teacher's resource manuals, test banks, etc.
 will be available for inspection.
Electronic Resources