Advanced Placement Psychology
Ms. DesRosiers 2015-16
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:
Last 20 minutes 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 8th hours
I will usually be available after school in North Campus room 195, before
school by appointment
E-mail: DesRosiers@arrowheadschools.org
Phone: 369-3612, voice mailbox 3661
Website: www.arrowheadschools.org /departments/socialstudies/desrosiers
Benefits of course
1) I hope you will gain deeper understanding of yourself and of others through the
study of psychology.
2) This course emphasizes critical thinking, an important skill in life and in any further
education you pursue.
3) Finally, a primary benefit of this course is the opportunity to earn college credit by
taking the advanced placement test given in May.
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 ($94) is due in March.
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.
Moodle : 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.
Google Documents and Google Classroom: I will share all powerpoints and some
assignments through Google classroom. When you submit an assignment as a Google doc,
you must submit it through Google classroom. To do this, open your Arrowhead google
email, go to your drive and create a document. Go to Google classroom, add and turn in. In
other words, don’t just share it with me. This will help me keep my drive organized.
Electronic Devices: Bring your Arrowhead approved device daily. If you do not have a
device for any reason, laptops are available to check out from the library. Devices will be
used to enhance the classroom learning environment and must be used respectfully,
responsibly, and appropriately. You are responsible for maintaining your device including
making sure it is charged. Use the charging stations in the library instead of classroom
outlets.
Some examples of acceptable use behaviors include: recording notes on the device, looking
up the definition of a word, completing work for this class, research etc. If you aren’t sure, ask
me first.
Some examples of behaviors that would be unacceptable include: texting, game playing,
personal chats, work for another class, anything that does not enhance the classroom
learning environment, etc.
Cell phones are not Arrowhead approved devices. While I recognize that many of you may
use them as an assignment notebook/calendar, studying device, or for other appropriate
educational purposes, they should definitely be put away during instructional time. If it
becomes a problem, they will be confiscated.
Participation
Many of the topics covered in Psychology class involve interpretation and application
to real life experiences. It is important to actively process information in order to retain it.
Points may be earned in several ways: by participating in class discussion and activities, or by
responding to Moodle forums. Students from all of my sections of AP psych will be able to
read forums, so keep this in mind when you post. Do not name people --confidentiality must
be maintained. Be sure it also meets the criteria of school appropriateness. A general
guideline for evaluation of class participation follows:
A+ Student participates fully in all classroom activities (partner work, videos, etc) and
frequently contributes appropriately and thoughtfully to class discussions (in person
or electronically)
A- Student participates fully in classroom activities and occasionally contributes to class
discussion
B- Student participates fully in class activities and rarely contributes to class discussion
C- Student participates in most class activities and rarely contributes to class discussions or
participates in all activities and never contributes to class discussions.
D- Student sometimes participates in class activities and rarely or never contributes to
class discussions
If you are absent, you may earn participation points by submitting written work. Class
participation may be as much as 10% of your grade.
Homework
You will be given a reading and assignment chart for each unit. This will also be posted on
Google classroom. 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 may be as much as 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 or see my school web page for additional review sites. 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
The Arrowhead Way
1. Be Respectful to the teacher and to your fellow students
2. Be Responsible: Be in your seat, quiet, and prepared with all materials when the bell
rings.
3. Be Appropriate: Use of Devices must follow the guidelines listed above. Food and drink
other than water are not allowed in class. Restroom trips should be taken only when
necessary and not while the teacher or another student is presenting material.
Those who have difficulty following the Arrowhead Way (including tardies and appropriate
cell phone use) will receive the following consequences:
1st and 2nd time: verbal warning
3rd time: after class or after school conference/parent email
4th time: Office referral