Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School
146 Forest Street Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 0B3
(902) 749-2810 (p) (902) 749-2811 (f) ycmhs@tcrsb.ca
www.ycmhs.com
Communication Plan 2012-13
Course Name: Psychology 12
Teacher Name: Brennan Goreham
Course Overview:
Psychology 12 designed to:
-
Provide an overview of the history of psychology, research methods used in psychological investigations,
and compare major perspectives of psychological thought
Link human physiology with psychology through the investigation of brain structure and function, methods
used to analyze the brain, and the processing of sensory information
Investigate human behaviour and its relationship to motivation, emotion, and social and cultural
phenomena
Introduce students to the processes of learning, memory, thought, and language acquisition
Provide an overview of normal, abnormal, and disordered psychological behaviour and the underlying
causes and types of treatments for abnormal and disordered behaviour
Units: The following units will be studied this year. This list is meant to only be an overview; additional topics
may be integrated where possible:
Unit 1: Introduction to Psychology: Historical Background, Research Methods, Research Ethics, Careers in
Psychology, Major Psychological Perspectives
Unit 2: Biological Processes: Brain Structure and Function, Senses, Nervous Systems, Brain Analyzing
Techniques, Inter-relatedness of Body Systems, Stress
Unit 3: Sensation, Perception, Consciousness: Thought processes, Interpretations of Sensory Information,
Perceptions of Reality, Expectations, States of Consciousness, Sleep
Unit 4: Learning, Memory, Intelligence: Creating and storing memories, Learned Behaviour, Classical and
Operant Conditioning, Motivation and Rewards, Language Acquisition, Types of Intelligence, Measurements of
Intelligence
Unit 5: Social Psychology and Personality: Persuasion and Influence, Judgment and Attitudes, Self-concept,
Group dynamics and Relationships, Types of Personality, Personality Disorders, Emotions, Personality
Assessments
Unit 6: Abnormal Psychology (Research Paper and Presentation): Normal, abnormal, and disordered behavior,
Characteristics and treatments of disorders
Resource: Students will require access to an internet capable device for research assignments. If this cannot be
done at home, students will need to make arrangements to use technology while at school.
Supplies Needed:

Binder with loose leaf, dividers, pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, calculator, colored pencils or markers.
Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School
146 Forest Street Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 0B3
(902) 749-2810 (p) (902) 749-2811 (f) ycmhs@tcrsb.ca
www.ycmhs.com
Expectations of the students for learning success:
In order for us to create a positive and safe environment to learn, students must have respect for themselves, others
and the classroom environment. Arriving to class on time and being prepared for class are critical. Responsibilities
for learning include participating in class, passing in work and asking for help when needed. Also, a positive attitude
can make a world of difference.
Please review our school behavior code for additional information that will guide your child’s success in learning.
This can be found on our website at www.ycmhs.com
Formal and informal communication methods
Student reports are issued 4 times during the school year: November, February, April and June with parent/teacher
meetings to follow the 1st and 3rd reports (November and April)- Please check www.ycmhs.com for exact dates.
Please feel free to e-mail me at brennan.goreham@tcrsb.ca or phone me at the school at 749-2810 if you have
any questions and/or concerns.
NOTE: If you have an email address by which the school can contact you, could you please send it to the main office
with your child. We also encourage all parents to sign up for Parent Portal, which will give you 24/7 access to your
child’s attendance and grades. You can sign up for Parent Portal by sending an email to dlesser@tcrsb.ca with your
child’s name, your name and your home phone number.
Assessment
Assessment for Psychology 12 will be varied. Much of the final student grade will be based on research. A large
research project, as well as many smaller assignments, will constitute 30% of the final grade. Class
observations/discussions/debates/presentations will constitute 20% of the final Grade. Unit Tests and Topical
Quizzes will comprise 20% of the final grade. A final exam is mandatory for all students and will comprise 30% of
the final grade.
Types of Assessment include:
 Project Work/Research
 Assignments
 Investigations in classroom
 Presentations
 Tests and Quizzes
 Journals
 Formal and Informal Conversations and Observations (this form of assessment requires that students be
present during class time. A portion of this this course is assessed through conversations and observations.
Should a student have unexcused absences these assessments cannot be recovered and those opportunities
for learning are lost, meaning that formal assessments will carry much more weight in the final grade. Most
conversation and observation assessment will occur through discussions and submissions related to the
Course Research Project.
Attendance:
Should students miss time for any reason they are responsible for getting any assignments and class work that is
missed. Missed assessments will be written the next day the student is in attendance at lunch or after school, unless
other arrangements are made with their teacher. Students who miss an assignment due date must have a discussion
with me so that supports can be determined and a final due date will be negotiated to complete the assignment. If it
is still not submitted by that date, the student will receive a mark of zero. We encourage all parents to keep in
contact with the school and to check parent portal to ensure your child is attending on a regular basis.
Extra help: Extra help is available on Thursdays from 12:20-12:55 or by alternate arrangements.
Teacher Webpage:
My webpage can be found here: http://sharepoint.tcrsb.ca/ycmhs/webpage/bgoreham/default.aspx
Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School
Signatures:
146 Forest Street Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 0B3
(902) 749-2810 (p) (902) 749-2811 (f) ycmhs@tcrsb.ca
www.ycmhs.com
Student Signature: _________________________________
Date: _______________
Parent Signature: __________________________________
Date: _______________
Teacher Signature: _________________________________
Date: _______________
Principal Signature: ________________________________
Date: _______________
**Refer to TCRSB Student Assessment and Evaluation Policy #722 for greater details around
Assessment