AP Psychology Course Guidelines
Course Description:
In this course, students will increase their understanding of the systematic and scientific study
of human and animal behavior. Students will be exposed to the various psychological theories,
facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within the
discipline. The increased knowledge gained through psychological inquiry will assist students in
developing their perceptions about the world around them, gaining insights into their own and
others’ behavior, and increase their appreciation of the complexity of human behavior.
Students will gain a greater understanding of the research methods psychologists use in their
science and practice through hands-on activities and projects. AP Psychology will provide
students with a learning experience equivalent to that of most introductory college psychology
courses. This course is taught at the college level and student study habits, motivation, and
participation should reflect this. Upon successfully completing the full year course, students will
be prepared to take the AP Psychology exam and begin their college psychology studies at an
advanced level. To view the course outline, view my school website.
Supplies:
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3-ring binder
Optional (multi-colored pen, colored pencils or markers, dividers)
If you would like to purchase a supplemental study guide for the course, the Barron’s AP
Psychology study guide is a good one. This is completely optional.
Assessments:
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The point system will be used for grading purposes.
Quizzes – There will sometimes be open-note quizzes given over the reading. You will be
able to use your homework or other preparatory notes on unannounced quizzes; so,
always be prepared. If you do poorly on a quiz, there will be a chance to improve the
grade by doing well on the unit test. I will explain further in class.
Homework – Students will receive five to ten hours of homework per week. Homework
will usually consist of outlining and completing a vocabulary assignment. Late
assignments will not be accepted. However, you will get a chance to improve the grade
by doing well on the unit test. I will explain further in class.
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Make-up assignments are due on the day you return to school. You will receive a
calendar at the beginning of each new unit with scheduled assignments and tests. If you
miss a test due to an absence, it must be made up the day you return. Test make up
opportunities are before and after school in room 305.
E-mail me as soon as you know that you will be absent so arrangements for making up
missed class time can be made.
Tests – There will be a 100 question multiple-choice test at the end of each unit studied.
Some of the tests will be cumulative.
AP Exam:
The AP Psychology Examination is administered in May. The exam lasts two hours and has two
sections. They are multiple-choice and free-response. Seventy minutes is allotted for the 100
multiple-choice questions, with the remaining 50 minutes reserved for two free-response
questions.