AP Psychology – Syllabus
Course Description
AP Psychology is a 36-week course with 7 units. Each unit takes about
4-5 weeks to complete and includes textbook readings, online
resources, interactive activities, peer-to-peer learning, virtual class,
and a quiz or assessment.
During the course students study the history, definition, and different
fields of psychology. They learn how biology, environment, and other
factors influence psychology, learning, and personality throughout the
different stages of life. Students also learn about different theories
concerning learning, cognition, personality, behavior, gender studies
and issues, and to identify the impact of theorists throughout the
history of psychology. They also learn about different psychological
disorders, methods of treatment, and theories concerning
treatment. Students then apply their learning to everyday issues and
social psychology on a more global level. Course content is aligned to
the recommendations of the College Board for AP Psychology and
provides an end-of-course exam in preparation for the AP exam each
Spring.
Throughout the course, students use case studies and online
information as much as possible. They discuss case studies, personal
reflections, and role play in the virtual classroom with their peers and
the instructor. Students are also encouraged to participate in group
research projects and activities throughout the course so that they
may collaborate with other students and instructors.
Instructors provide Chapter Outlines (available within the course
“Resources” area) for students to enable better note taking, and
discuss chapter concepts in the virtual classroom. Virtual class is a
requirement for all AP courses and students meet in the virtual
classroom 2 times each week, for 1 hour each time. Instructors utilize
power point presentations, pre-loaded quizzes, 2-way voice audio, and
share their desktop to make virtual class more interactive and
informative.
Middle-of-course and end-of-course surveys are conducted online, so
that students may make suggestions and critique the progress of the
course, curriculum content, technology, and teaching methodologies.
These suggestions are reviewed and implemented by 1WS staff for
continual improvement of course content and delivery.
1WS course content is built by a variety of methods. Throughout the
course, Gagne's Events of Instruction are emphasized as well as
integrating all 6 levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and 3 different learning
styles, so that students are encouraged to learn on all levels. Gagne's
events are clearly delineated within the lesson and Bloom's words are
bolded throughout the course. Instructors are encouraged to adapt,
add, and include assignments that utilize recommended readings and
activities for remediation or advancement of students in course
content. Courses are Section 508 compliant and adhere to ISTE, ADA,
SCORM, and IDEA standards.
Prerequisites
Before taking Psychology, students must have successfully completed
high school Biology. Students should also complete the Orientation
Course that is linked to their student home page for assistance in
navigating and completing their 1WS course. Students should
complete the SORT (Student Online Readiness Tool) at
http://www.alt.usg.edu/sort/ before beginning the course.
Goal
Students will master the elements of psychology on an advanced high
school or college freshman level.
Objectives
Students will:
Define the field of Psychology and discuss what psychologists
do, different fields of psychology, and the history of
psychology.
 Discover how biology and environment play a part in
psychology.
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Explain the different stages of psychological development
throughout the life span.
Differentiate between sensation and perception and
controversial subjects such as ESP and virtual reality.
Outline the many meanings of consciousness, the importance of
dreams, sleep disorders, and ways of altering consciousness.
Define learning and discuss, compare and contrast the different
theories of learning.
Define Memory and examine how it works and different ways
of improving our memory.
Talk about cognition and language and their relationship to each
other.
Discuss theories of learning and different theorists’ viewpoints.
Analyze the definitions and theories of intelligence and its
relationship to creativity.
Examine ways to measure intelligence and the different scale
used and their meaning in socio and economic context.
Discuss genetic influences on intelligence and research personal
backgrounds to discover intelligence factors.
Examine the psychology of motivation and the different
theorists and theories.
Talk about the different explanation for aggression, achievement
motivation, emotions and the expressions of emotions, theories
of emotions and weight control influence of emotions.
Define personality and examine the different theories, traits,
and approaches to personality development.
Explore the concepts of gender and sexuality including gender
differences in cognitive skills, personality, social behavior, and
mate selection
Examine controversial topics in psychology that deal with
sexuality and discuss sexual motivation and dysfunctions.
Explore the relationship of stress to health and adjustment,
determine the factors that lead to stress, ways to relieve stress,
and ways of preventing and coping with health problems caused
by stress.
Discuss a variety of different psychological disorders, their
diagnosis, symptoms and treatment and ways in which they are
classified. Discuss ways of suicide prevention.
Describe and explain different methods of therapy, the history
of therapies, and compare and contrast different ways of
treatment and their outcomes.
Analyze the concept of social psychology, the origins of
attitudes, social behavior, group behavior, and environmental
psychology.
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Relate concepts of psychology to everyday and personal life,
develop critical thinking skills, and expand upon research and
observation skills.
Course objectives and goals have been aligned with the National
Curriculum Guidelines and College Board Recommendations for AP
Psychology and either meet or exceed these guidelines.
Learning Outcomes
Students will master the elements of psychology on an advanced high
school or college freshman level and be prepared to participate in the
AP Psychology Exam.
Resource Requirements
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Required text: Psychology, 8th Edition in Modules by
David C. Myers, 8th Edition, available through Cengage
Learning or CourseSmart.com
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Recommended text: All recommended reading lists are
linked appropriately within each scheduled lesson.
The recommended text can also be purchased in audiocassette format
through the publisher if needed for accommodation and accreditation
purposes.
Technology Requirements
Students should have access to the following technology at least 3
hours per week, per class, so that they have adequate access to their
online course and materials:
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an IBM or MAC computer with at least a 486 processor (a
Pentium is recommended).
a graphics compatible color monitor.
at least a 56.6 modem connection to the Internet.
Internet Explorer 10.0, Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.
a computer with audio and video capability.
MS Word (MS Works is not acceptable and is no longer used) in
order to submit homework.
the ability to download required free plugins from the Internet:
Real Audio, Adobe Acrobat Reader 10.0, and/or MS Media
Player.
an email account at that to receive mail. (Free email accounts
can be gotten through YAHOO, Hotmail, or gmail.com)
 a microphone and speaker for 2-way voice audio in the virtual
classroom.
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Students with questions about required technology should contact
Technical Support for assistance. Tech support is available 24 hours a
day and can be reached at techsupport@1worldschool.com.
Virtual Classroom
Virtual class is facilitated through an online, browser-enabled, interface
and allows students to interact and collaborate with other students and
the instructor in a scheduled, real-time environment. Students and
instructors are able to text-chat, utilize an interactive white-board with
mathematical and scientific symbol capabilities, communicate through
two-way audio, utilize slides, online content, and multi-media.
Instructors are also able to use online polling, instant quizzes, and
third-party applications; i.e. foreign language word processing
programs. All online interaction is archived for future use and staff and
instructors may refer back to it at any time for reference.
Attendance Policy
Research and experience have shown that students are more
successful in completing online courses when attendance is required
and adequate supervision from an instructor and a mentor is available.
Therefore, students must understand that 1WS courses require a
commitment of at least two hours per week (1 scheduled hour on 2
separate days of the week) for virtual class, and another 3-4 hours
outside of the classroom to complete assignments, activities,
discussion questions, and assessments. Students are required to
attend virtual chat to receive instruction from teachers, discuss
questions and course material, and to work with others on
collaborative group projects. Virtual attendance is 15% of the total
grade.
Students should also know that this course is as rigorous as a
traditional class and requires as much preparation and attention.
Students with an already full schedule in their traditional school should
not attempt to take an online course on top of a full schedule. Virtual
attendance is strictly enforced, and students are required to submit
assignments according to an assignment schedule, as posted in each
class, so that they may complete all of the material by the end of each
semester.
Students should note that time online is monitored by the
infrastructure, and instructors are able to determine how much time
has been spent online, what lessons and pages a student has
accessed, and what material has been submitted. Weekly reports are
sent to mentors in order to monitor students' online progress and
attendance.
Acceptable Use Policy
The 1WS infrastructure and courses are to be used for educational
purposes only and not for personal reasons. Students should not:
Use the email, online tools, or the chat room function for noneducational purposes or in an inappropriate manner.
 Forward SPAM emails, requests to join their mailing lists,
pictures, jokes, personal matter, or birthday group invitations
to other students or instructors.
 Allow others to use their userids and passwords to access the
infrastructure.
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Students should maintain anti-virus protection on their own machine
to protect themselves and others from computer damage. Misuse of
the 1WS infrastructure could result in disciplinary action, as described
below.
Honor Code and Disciplinary Action:
Students should appreciate their educational opportunities and are
encouraged to make the most of their online experience by being
honest and ethical in their behavior. 1WS, Inc. maintains a “No
Tolerance” policy for cheating, plagiarism, hacking, threatening
behavior, and misuse of the infrastructure. Students are expected to
do their own work without collaborating with other students, to turn
homework in on time in accordance with the instructor’s instructions,
and to use the appropriate technology and in an appropriate manner.
Students who are caught plagiarizing, turning in others work,
participating in collaborative work (when it is specifically prohibited),
hacking, or other questionable activities such as using other’s names,
userIDs, and passwords will be reported to their mentors and the
appropriate authorities for disciplinary action. During this process,
students will be forbidden access to 1WS course materials and
instructors until the problem is resolved. Disciplinary action may result
in suspension, forfeiture of grades, dismissal - and in severe
infractions – legal action.
In conclusion, students are requested to be honest and ethical in their
actions in order to fully benefit from their online experience.
Homework and Written Assignments
Homework should be submitted online through the drop boxes in the
grade book area, or by email attachment, to the instructor for
evaluation and grading. Homework without names (an email is not
sufficient) will not be graded and responsibility lies with the student,
not the instructor, for identifying homework assignments. On each
submitted assignment, whether in email form or through the drop
basket, please include the following:
Name: (put your name on the actual paper that is attached also,
not just on the email!)
 Date:
 Course Title:
 Assignment or Lesson Number:
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Exams and activities that are not processed automatically through the
infrastructure are subject to being reviewed by “Turn It In” dot com.
Onsite mentors are required to ascertain correct student identification
during exams, so that the student receiving the grade is the actual
student who completed the exam. When using material found on the
Internet, students should always cite sources and give credit to the
original author in the appropriate manner.
Students should also understand that the instructor will not accept
“technology excuses,” and that students must use the appropriate
software applications programs (such as MS Word instead of Works)
for submitting assignments. If your computer is not working or an
internet connection is unavailable, it is the student’s responsibility to
find an alternative method for turning in homework. Suggestions for
turning in homework are:
By Regular mail (see instructor information for additional
information)
 By Fax 309-203-1600
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By putting on disk and going to the local library or a friend’s
house to send
 By visiting a local Internet Café or KINKOs where internet
connections are available.
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Assignments received in corrupt files that cannot be opened will be
returned ungraded and counted as late.
Online Office Hours
Instructor office hours are posted at the beginning of each semester
for the benefit of the students and mentors. Instructors can also be
reached by email, regular mail, fax, or phone. Please check the
'Instructor Information' above for the most current information.
Grading
This is a 36-week course with 7 units. Each unit approximately 4-5
weeks to complete and includes an assessment. There is a midterm
and a final exam (that must both be proctored onsite) during the
semester. Students are expected to complete 1 lesson per week.
Assessment schedules comply with accreditation standards and
curriculum guidelines.
Assessments are conducted and submitted online. These assessments
are created using all 6 levels of Bloom's Taxonomy and incorporate 3
different learning styles, so that students are challenged to learn at all
levels. Assessment questions appear in a variety of formats including:
True/False, Define and Identify, Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer, Fillin-the-blank, Short Answer, and Essay. Assessments are
comprehensive of the lesson content and are conducted in a timed,
online environment.
Instructors are required to review and post grades within 48 hours of
submissions. Students and mentors may review student progress by
checking the student grade book. Questions concerning grades should
be directed to the instructor. Instructors are provided with teacher
edition textbooks and answer keys for all assessments.
Course Grading Scale
Instructors may adapt the course grading scale according to their
class. This is intended only as an example of how the features of the
course may be utilized, as grading scales vary from state-to-state and
district-to-district
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30% Assessments
25% Required Activities
10% Midterm Exam
10% Final Exam
15% Chat (Classroom Participation)
10% Threaded Discussion
10% (Total not to exceed 100%) Extra Credit (Recommended
Activities)
Overall Grading Scale
The following grading scale is the suggested grading scale for 1WS
courses when 1WS is granting the academic credit. However, final
grades of virtual school students are submitted to their school as a
percentage, so that schools may assign their own letter grade
according to their own local criteria. Honors credit is only granted
when students take Honors/AP courses and complete all of the
required material in the designated manner.
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90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
69% and below - failing
Copyright and Fair Use Statement
Note: The format and material contained within this course are the
property of 1WS, Inc. and may not be reproduced, altered, deleted, or
changed in any way without the written permission from 1WS.
However, instructors may add material and content items which are
relevant to their course and the needs of their students. All
copyrighted material is linked appropriately within each scheduled
lesson in accordance with the TEACH Act.
Accessibility and No Child Left Behind
1WS, Inc. is committed to providing equal access to students with
disabilities and certifies that the infrastructure and source coding of
courses and course content is SCORM compliant and meets 508
Accessibility standards. It also meets or exceeds the accessibility,
accountability, and reporting requirements of ADA and IDEA. 1WS is
also fully committed to meeting the requirements of the No Child Left
Behind Act of 2001 and has programs in place to address the
following:
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Standards Based Curriculum
Highly Qualified Teachers
Adaptive Teaching Methods
Integration of Technology
Use of Community Resources
Parental Involvement
Curriculum Based Measurement
Pre/Diagnostic Testing
Alternate Assessments
Accessibility
Accommodation
Yearly School Progress Reports
Accountability
Acceptable Yearly Progress Planning (if required)
Professional Development
Annual Standards Based Assessments for Students
Special Programs; Summer, ESL, AP, etc.
Privacy Policy:
1WS, Inc. maintains student records and collects student information
for educational reporting and identification purposes only. Personal
information regarding students, grades, and attendance is password
protected and unavailable to the public. Information is never released
to 3rd parties without the knowledge and express permission of the
students and their legal guardians - except in numerical, cumulative
statistics for “No Child Left Behind” reporting requirements. 1WS, Inc.
complies with the “Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998
(COPPA)” and the “Privacy of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)” as
required by the U.S. Department of Education.
Course Outline:
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Unit 1: Introduction
Unit 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior
Unit 3: Human Development and Awareness
Midterm Exam
Unit 4: Human Cognition
Unit 5: Human Motivation and Emotion
Unit 6: Human Interactions
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Unit 7: Review and Final Exam