Advanced Placement Psychology
Ms. DesRosiers 2010-11
Welcome to A.P. Psych! I am excited about the year ahead and hope you are too! I think you
will find the material we will be studying interesting and applicable to your life. Please feel
free to see me any time you have questions or concerns.
Teacher contact information
Free hours:
1st, 5th, 7th periods
I will usually be available after school at North Campus room 195, before
school by appointment
E-mail: DesRosiers@ahs.k12.wi.us
Phone: 369-3612, voice mailbox 3661
Website: www.arrowheadschools.org /departments/socialstudies/desrosiers
Benefits of course
1) Obviously, a primary benefit of this course is the opportunity to earn college
credit by taking the advanced placement test given in May.
2) Another benefit of this course is that it will emphasize critical thinking, an important
skill in life and in any further education you pursue.
3) Finally, I hope you will gain deeper understanding of yourself and of others
through the study of psychology.
Course Description and Power Standards
Advanced Placement Psychology is a college level class that involves the scientific
study of behavior and mental processes. The following Power Standards and
corresponding state standards in parentheses outline what students should be able to
do by the end of the course.
1. Summarize and explain the mechanisms of the brain and nervous system and their
influence on behavior.
(E.12.1, E.12.2, E.12.16)
2. Analyze the variety of methods for interpreting behavior and be able to compare and
contrast the major theoretical perspectives in psychology.
(E.12.2)
3. Fully outline and apply the learning process and how rewards and punishments, memory,
and motivation influence it. (E.12.2)
4. Be able to describe the influence of the environment on behavior e.g parenting, cultural
influences, etc.(E.12.2, E12.3, E12.4, E12.6, E12.16)
5. Be able to write a well organized essay that completely and accurately demonstrates
knowledge in given areas. This includes, but is not limited to the ability to compare and
contrast, identify supportive and non-supportive arguments, and critically evaluate the
validity of various points of view.
(E.12.9, E.12.14)
Course material
The title of each unit, corresponding textbook chapters, approximate class time to
complete, and percentage of AP exam is listed below.
I. Foundations of Psychology
(14 days)
8-12% of exam
(13 days)
8-10%
(5 days)
2-4%
(11 days)
7-9%
(11 days)
7-9%
(11 days)
8-10%
(11 days)
7-9%
(11 days)
7-9%
(11 days)
6-8%
(8 days)
5-7%
(11 days)
7-9%
Myers, Introduction and chapter 1
II. Biological Roots of Behavior
Myers, chapter 2
III. States of Consciousness
Myers, chapters 7
IV. Sensation and Perception
Myers, chapters 5 and 6
V. Learning
Myers, chapter 8
VI. Cognition and Memory
Myers, chapters 9 and 10
VII. Motivation and Emotion
Myers, chapters 12 and 13
**End of first semester
VIII. Developmental Psychology
Myers, chapters 3 and 4
IX. Personality
Myers, chapter 14
X. Testing, and Individual Differences
Myers, chapter 11
XI. Abnormal Psychology
Myers, chapter 15
XII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders
(9 days)
5-7%
(11 days)
7-9%
Myers, chapter 16
XIII. Social Psychology and Stress
Myers, chapters 17, 18, and 19
XIV. Review for AP exam and take
(12 days)
final exam
The AP Test
1) The date for this year's AP Psychology test is Monday, May 2nd in the
afternoon. The fee for the exam is $86 plus and additional $4 for the APEX
review program.
2) The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions which count for two thirds of
the exam score and two essay questions which count for one third of the exam
score.
3) Students earn a grade based on a 5 point scale as follows:
5 = extremely well qualified
4 = well qualified
3 = qualified
2 = possibly qualified
1 = no recommendation
Most colleges will give college credit for a 3 or higher, although some have higher
standards.
Materials
Textbook: Meyers, David G. (2007). Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers.
A three ring binder is highly recommended with loose-leaf paper or a spiral
notebook for notes. Some assignments, handouts, and class notes will be posted on
Moodle. Go to http://moodle.arrowheadschools.org to view. Your login name is the
same as for server access BUT the password is your student ID #. The course is
listed under social studies and the enrollment key is AP Psych.
Participation
Many of the topics covered in Psychology class involve interpretation and application
to real life experiences. Students need to actively process information in order to retain it.
Class participation will be worth 10% of your grade. Points may be earned in several ways:
by participating in class discussion and activities, by responding to Moodle forums online, or
by writing the answers to the forum questions. Responses to Moodle forums must be
school appropriate. Students from all 4 of my sections of AP psych will be able to read
forums on Moodle, so keep this in mind when you post. Do not name people --confidentiality
must be maintained. If you find an interesting website or article that you would like to link in
your forum post, you can do that also. Be sure it also meets the criteria of school
appropriateness.
Homework
You will be given a reading and assignment chart for each unit. This will also be
posted on Moodle. You will be expected to take notes on your reading or to
complete a reading guide. Assignments will be checked for completion and
occasionally for accuracy. In some instances you will be permitted to use your notes
on quizzes, so it is to your advantage to have complete notes. Homework will be worth
10% of your grade.
Vocabulary
It is very important to learn the vocabulary. Each unit will include a term list. These
terms will be taken mainly from the textbook, but additional terms will be taken from
other sources. Flash cards are not required, but are highly recommended. I
recommend that you add to this list any unknown words you encounter in the text.
Quizzes and tests
A test similar in format to the AP test (multiple choice/essay) will be given for each
unit. In addition there may be one to two quizzes per unit. The tests are difficult!
The best way to prepare is to overprepare! Begin several days in advance.
Memorize all vocabulary definitions AND be able to apply them. Read through all
assignments and notes from the unit. Do the practice test. Additional review help is
available at the textbook website: www.worthpublishers.com/myers Test correction
points will be available in some cases. Notes and vocabulary definitions must be
complete in order to be eligible for this.
Grading policy: Point system (individual total points scored/total points possible)
Grading scale:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
59 and below
All assignments and daily work must be turned in on time to receive full credit; late work
(including assignments forgotten in the locker or at home) is counted half off.
Attendance and make-up work
Students can not expect to do well if they do not attend class. Students who miss
more than 10 days in a semester will find it very difficult to keep up. It is the student's
responsibility to get materials, notes, worksheets, etc. missed due to absence. Many
assignments and class notes will be available on Moodle. Students will have a limited
amount of time to make up work due to absence. After the time limit, the work will be
counted late and only receive half credit. Late work will not be accepted after the test
has been taken on that unit. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that
unexcused absences reported in error are cleared up.
Time limit
Excused absence 1-3 days
3 days, after 3 days half credit
Excused absence 4-10 days
5 days, after 5 days half credit
Unexcused absence 1-3 days
3 days at half credit, after 3 days, no credit
Unexcused absence over 3 days
5 days at half credit, after 5 days, no credit
Excused absences over 10 days
Teacher/student plan
Discipline policy
Classroom rules:
1. Be respectful to the teacher and to your fellow students
2. Be in your seat, quiet, and prepared with all materials when the bell rings.
3. Food and drink other than water are not allowed in class.
Consequences for rule violations including tardies:
1st and 2nd time: verbal warning
3rd time: after class or after school conference
4th time: Office referral