Mr. Kushner
Sociology/Psychology
2014-2015 Syllabus
Contact Information
Email:
skushner@bhsd228.com
Website:
www.schoology.com (class homepage)
Course Goals and Description
1st Semester
Sociology is a study of people and their interactions with groups and institutions. It focuses on roles within
groups and institutions and the interpersonal relationships of these roles. This course also contains sociological
theory and the topics of social disorganization, cultural variations, and social problems.
The student will understand that:
Sociology is comprised of key terms, core concepts, and major theories.
Sociological concepts and implications in this field of study apply to his/her own life.
There are basic principles of sociological research and experimentation.
Sociologists place importance and significance on high ethical and professional standards.
2nd Semester
Psychology is a study of the human mind and behavior. This course presents psychology as the science and
profession concerned with the behavior of humans. It focuses on learning theories, intelligence, human growth
and development, mental illness, motivation and emotion, psychological testing and therapeutic approaches.
This course also enables students to better understand themselves and others.
The student will understand that:
Psychology is comprised of key terms, core concepts, and major theories
Psychological concepts and implications in this area of study can be applied to his/her own life.
Understand the importance and significance that psychologists place on high ethical and professional
standards.
There are basic principles of psychological research and experimentation.
Psychologists place importance and significance on high ethical and professional standards.
Course Expectations:
1. We learn from each other: This course is not one in which you will play a passive role. Instead,
you are expected to take an active part in your own learning and that of the class as well. In the
Sociology/Psychology classroom, discussion and demonstrations will dominate over lectures so that
we can learn from each other. Each of you brings something special to the course, something special
that our team needs if we are to be successful. Come each day ready to contribute.
2. Knowledge for application’s sake: In Sociology/Psychology there is a considerable amount of
content you must master. However, you must do more than memorize information provided by
myself or other sources. You will be asked to apply this information to real life situations via class
discussions or through concisely written free response questions.
Mr. Kushner
3. Sociologists/Psychologists read: You will be expected to do a considerable amount of daily reading
in the text. You must show evidence of daily preparation by participating in class discussions,
asking critical questions, making text-to-world connections, and bringing a rough draft of your
concept map to each class.
4. Active note taking: The amount of material distributed in this course is substantially higher than in
a regular class. Each period you are expected to take notes on our class activities and discussions. As
you will need access to this material in order to study for the unit exams, you must have a 1)
notebook and 2) folder to stay organized.
Core Goals: Change how you view the world and make you a better student
1. Mastery of core concepts. – Through elaborative rehearsal and the development of hierarchical
schemas, you will master the most important concepts.
2. The ability to apply Sociology/Psychology to your life – Application does not stop once you leave
the classroom. The concepts we study shape our existence. This class will make you constantly look
for sociological/psychological applications in your life.
3. The ability to think like a sociologist/psychologist - to “restrain intuition with critical thinking,
judgmentalism with compassion, and illusion with understanding.” (Sternberg, 1997).
4. Literacy in the 21st century skills you need for success in today’s world. – At Hillcrest High
School we don’t just teach you content, we teach you how to use that content. At the end of this
course you’ll be able to
a. Read real sociological/psychological research
b. Write about sociology/psychology for your peers and for the general public
c. Use databases and the internet to research new sociological/psychological studies
d. Use problem solving techniques to solve your real world problems
e. Use technology to create websites and leverage the power of social media
f. Orally present and debate a complex argument based on sociological/psychological research
Course Materials:
Texts:
1st semester
Sociology and You, Shepard and Greene, National Textbook Company, 2001
2nd semester
Understanding Psychology, Kasschaw, McGraw-Hill, 2001
Assessments:
1. Unit Exams - At the end of each unit you will take a unit exam consisting of multiple choice and
free response questions.
2. Unit Projects – For the majority of the units, you will be asked to apply the content area to your life.
3. Daily assignments – Actor/director Woody Allen once said, “80% of success is just showing up.”
Excessive absences will undoubtedly hurt your final grade and will just leave you feeling lost.
4. Argumentative discourse – Questions asked in sociology are not like one’s posed in mathematics –
i.e., there are often multiple answers to sociologies/psychologists most compelling questions (e.g.
“Does listening to violent music cause aggression?”). Consequently, you will be improving your
argumentative discourse skills (writing and debate) throughout the year. Remember, “debate is
combat, but you weapons are words” – The Great Debaters
Mr. Kushner
Classroom Policy
Students must:
 follow all rules and procedures in the student/parent handbook
 not cause distractions to either the instructor or to other students; these include the following: passing
notes, sleeping, eating, packing up books before the bell rings, screaming across the room, talking without
being called upon, throwing paper, feet or head resting on the tables…etc.
 turn off and put away cell phones and iPods or they will be taken away and given to your dean
 be respectful of other students and their opinions
 come to class ON TIME with ALL required student materials
 come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn
***ALL students are expected to attend each class and to be on time. Absenteeism is a prominent
cause of failure and dropout.
***Tardiness by a student interferes with the learning process of the entire class far more than an
absence because the entire class is distracted and interrupted by a late arrival. Tardiness is defined
as not being in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
Students that do not adhere to the classroom policies will face the following measures:
1st issued a warning which will be documented
2nd conference with me and a phone call home to a parent/guardian
3rd detention, parent phone call, and a meeting with the school counselor
4th dean’s referral
5th Severe clause: immediate referral to the dean’s office and a possible suspension, or even a
removal from the class
Make-up Work/ Late Work Policy
 All work must be turned in on time. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE RESONSIBLE FOR
GETTING THE ASSIGNMENTS THAT YOU MISSED. Two school days for each day of excused
absence will be allowed for the completion of make-up work.
***Students are responsible for contacting me ahead of time if they know that they will be absent on the
day a project is due or an exam has been scheduled. If you are in a group project, make sure everyone in
the group has the assignment in case you are absent on the day of presenting. NOTE: If you are absent
the day of an exam, I may give you a different test than the one given in class that day. If you are absent
the day you are presenting a project, you will lose significant points unless you spoke with me in
advance.
**Each semester you will receive two late passes. If
you happen to forget or lose an assignment on the day
it’s due, one can be turned in the next day and you
will still receive full credit. If, however, you still have
them at the end of the semester, they can be turned in
for 10 pts extra credit each. ***Note: Late passes are
intended for daily assignments or homework, NOT for
projects or exams.
Academic Integrity
 The very nature of education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity;
these may be found in the Student Handbook. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and
defined are: cheating, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, and academic dishonesty.
 Academic dishonesty will result in a zero for the assignment, and possibly a suspension or removal from
the class
Mr. Kushner
Sociology Content Outline (1
st
semester)
Unit I -
Sociological Perspectives: Covers the introduction to sociology, the origins
of sociology, and the careers in sociology.
Unit II -
Culture: Covers the basis of culture including language, norms, values,
material and non-material culture, and cultural diversity.
Unit III -
Socialization: Covers theoretical perspectives of socialization, agents of
socialization, and the processes of socialization.
Unit IV -
Social Structures: Covers social statuses, roles, groups, social network, and
formal organizations
Unit V -
Deviance and Social Control: Covers deviance, social control, social
sanctions, the criminal justice system, and rehabilitation
Unit VI -
Social Inequalities: Covers the social inequalities of race gender, and socioeconomic status.
Psychology Content Outline (2
nd
semester)
Unit I -
Introduction to Psychology and Research: Covers the introduction to
psychology, the origins of psychology, and the steps of the scientific
method.
Unit II -
Workings of the Mind and Body: Covers the structure and function of the
brain and nervous system
Unit III -
Learning, Memory, & Intelligence: Covers the theories of learning, the
processes of memory, and multiple intelligences
Unit IV -
Personality: Covers the theories of personality and designing personality
tests
Unit V -
Psychological Disorders & Therapies: Covers mental illnesses and
treatment methods
Mr. Kushner
Teacher-Student Classroom Contract
*****PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN*****
I, __________________________________, have read the Sociology/Psychology 20142015 Syllabus for Mr. Kushner’s Classroom. I understand what is expected of me and I
will abide by the guidelines. I understand that failure to follow these rules will obstruct
in my learning and could result in a detention, phone call to a parent/guardian, referral, or
class failure.
_______________________________________________
__________________
(Student Signature)
(Date)
_______________________________________________
__________________
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
(Date)
Parent/Guardian Phone Number:______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email Address:______________________________________
This year I am using an online service called REMIND-101 that allows me to stay in
touch with parents. If you would like notifications sent to you via text message about
your child’s upcoming assignments (e.g. exams, homework, projects…etc.), please
enter the confirmation code:
Send a text to: 224-301-2260
In the message box, type: @parentss
Please list any comments or questions you may have:
***Bringing this contract back is your first assignment (10 points). You need to
have it signed and returned by Wednesday, August 20th. ***