Intro to Psychology 5273
Course Description
This course introduces high school students to the study of psychology and helps them master fundamental
concepts in research, theory, and human behavior. Students analyze human growth, learning, personality, and
behavior from the perspective of major theories within psychology, including the biological, psychosocial, and
cognitive perspectives. From a psychological point of view, students investigate the nature of being human as they
build a comprehensive understanding of traditional psychological concepts and contemporary perspectives in the
field. Course components include an introduction to the history, perspectives, and research of psychology; an
understanding of topics such as the biological aspects of psychology, learning, and cognitive development; the
stages of human development; aspects of personality and intelligence; the classification and treatment of
psychological disorders; and psychological aspects of social interactions.
Course Objectives
Throughout the course, you will meet these goals:
 Compare and contrast the field of psychology with other social and physical sciences
 List and explain the goals of psychological research
 Describe social learning and discuss factors that influence socially learned behavior
 Define sensation and describe the study of psychophysics
 Identify brain structures and various factors influencing memory formation
 Summarize the nature versus nurture debate
 Define personality and discuss environmental and biological influences on personality
 Compare and contrast the medical and biopsychosocial perspectives of psychological disorders
 Identify important factors in the formation and maintenance of close relationships
Communication
Your teacher will communicate with you regularly through discussions, e-mail, chat, and system announcements.
Through this communication with your teacher, you will monitor your progress through the course and improve your
learning by reviewing material that was challenging for you.
Scope and Sequence
When you log into the Virtual Classroom, you can view the entire course map, which provides a scope and sequence
of all topics you will study. Clicking a lesson’s link in the course map leads to a page listing instructional activities,
assignments, and learning objectives specific to that lesson. The units of study are summarized below:
Unit 1: Psychology: History, Perspectives, and Research
Unit 2: Psychology and the Body: Biology, Sensation, Perception, and Consciousness
Unit 3: Being Human: The Nature of Human Experience
Unit 4: Becoming Human: Motivation, Emotion, Development, and Personality
Unit 5: Disorders: Classification and Treatment
Unit 6: Social Psychology: The Science of Human Interaction
Grading Policy
You will be graded on the work you do online and the work you submit electronically to your teacher. The weighting
for each category of graded activity is listed below.
5274 Human Geography Part I
25
25
Quiz
Test
Exam
Essay
Assignment 50
5274 Human Geography Part II
25
25
Yes
50
Student Expectations / Course Structure
This course requires the same level of commitment from you as a traditional classroom course would. Throughout
the course, you are expected to spend approximately 5–7 hours per week online on the following activities:
 Warm Up- You will be introduced to a new lesson. This is a great opportunity to take eNotes by clicking the +
button in the top right corner of the screen. This section will include video as well as questions which you
must answer. You are able to use eNotes to answer these questions. If you do not answer correctly you will
be given a second attempt with help from the virtual teacher. I will review your answers and look for effort.
If you are consistently getting most of the questions wrong you will lose participation points which will affect
your grade. The Warm-Up will end with the lesson objectives.
 Instruction- You will be given a “Lesson Question” followed by instructional information. Once again this is a
great opportunity to take eNotes. After some instruction you will be given questions which you must
answer. You are able to use eNotes to answer these questions. If you do not answer correctly you will be
given a second attempt with help from the virtual teacher. I will review your answers and look for effort. If
you are consistently getting most of the questions wrong you will lose participation points which will affect
your grade.
 Summary- You will review the information presented in the lesson. Once again you can take eNotes in this
section. You will also revisit the lesson objectives.
 Assignment- You will be given text, video, or photographs as resources to answer questions. If you do not
answer correctly you will be given a second attempt with help from the virtual teacher. YOU MUST ANSWER
THESE QUESTIONS IN COMPLETE SENTENCES WITH CAPITAL LETTERS AND PUNCTUATION WHEN
APPROPRIATE. THIS SECTION WILL BE GRADED BY ME FOR ACCURACY!!! Please allow me 48 hours
to review any assignment and change a grade. If you disagree with a score that has not changed
in 48 hours feel free to contact me with questions. Students will receive a 0% if the online content
response is just cut and pasted from the online source.
 Teacher feedback- In the Assignment section you should look for feedback from me where you
missed points. This will most often be the case when you miss points on short answer questions.
You will know if there is teacher feedback by selecting
for this symbol
from the lobby and looking
for the assignment in question OR by choosing
then
then
and looking for
next to an assignment.

Quiz- You will have two attempts to take the quiz. The quiz is graded for accuracy! When you are finished with the
quiz you must click

. If you take the quiz twice the higher score will be accepted.
Unit Test Review- You will have a Test Review before each Unit Test. You have one chance to take the Review. You
are able to
if necessary. When you are finished you must click
accuracy and is part of your Assignment grade!
. The Review is graded for

Unit Test- You will have a test at the end of each Unit. You will have two chances to take the test and you are able
to use your eNotes.

Essay- You may come across Essay questions in “Writing Workshop” Lessons. The Essay process will consist of a
Pre-Writing, Drafting, and Revising step (along with instruction and assignments along the way). I will be reviewing
all parts of the process. You will receive an immediate grade from the Edgenuity system after your Final Draft is
entered. THIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL GRADE ON THE ASSIGNMENT. I will grade your answer and provide my own
score along with commentary. Any essay that is required needs to have the use of at least 3 outside resources,
citing them within your writing, and a works cited page.