AP PSYCHOLOGY

2017-2018

Like all science, psychology is knowledge; and like science again, it is knowledge of
a definite thing, the mind. - James M. Bald

Instructor: Miss Eckerle

Room: 205
E-mail: meckerle@jpiichs.org
Website: www.missesappsych.weebly.com

Textbook: Myers, D. G. (n.d.). Myers' Psychology for AP (2nd ed.).

Accompanying Instructors Resource Manual, Study Guide,
Psychology Video Tool Kit and Test Banks.

It is my goal that you learn something in this class that will help enrich your lives and the lives of
others. This is an AP course and you are expected to work extremely hard and follow along at all
times, regardless of other obligations.

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 1

 Welcome Letter

Dear Student:

Welcome to AP Psychology. It is my pleasure to start this year with you and help you in
your journey to obtain Advanced Placement Credit for Psychology. Since I want
everyone to get started in the right direction, I thought I would share a few hints to help
you be successful in taking this course. This course is designed to introduce students to
the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings
and other animals. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and
phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. In this course,
students will be expected to understand objective, empirical methods of collecting and
interpreting data, make meaningful interconnection between disparate concepts and
analyze, evaluate and critique thematic perspectives. A goal of this course is to provide
students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in a college introductory
psychology course.

We will be covering a lot of material this year, so a consistent schedule will be

particularly helpful. This way you will stay on top of the deadlines and have plenty of
time to complete assignments and readings. This is a college level course that uses a
college level textbook. You will be treated as responsible intellectuals and I will expect
you to be serious about learning the ins and outs of what psychology is all about.
Students will be expected to come to class prepared for the days lesson or exam,
participate in class activities and discussions, and turn in all work on time. Organization,
respect, and responsibility are crucial for success in this class. You must follow the
reading schedule and be sure to stay with the class. I expect you to outline each chapter as
you read and complete assignments accordingly. Make-up work is your responsibility. If
you were in class the day an assignment was given, you will be expected to turn it in the
day you return. You must come to class prepared.

Classes are aimed at complementing the readings and assignments, so careful and timely
reading is the foundation to your success. Please ask for clarification on something you
do not understand. I am looking forward to working and learning with you. Because I am
committed to your success, I am available if you need assistance. Have a great year!

The Best of Luck!

Miss Eckerle

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 2

Course Description

AP Psychology will provide students an opportunity to acquire a comprehensive

understanding of the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of
human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to psychological facts, principles
and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology. Students
will learn about the methods that psychologists use in their science and practice. Content
will include, but not be limited to, methods, biological basis of behavior, sensation and
perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion,
developmental psychology, personality, testing for intelligence and personality, abnormal
psychology, treatment of disorders, and social psychology. Course outline will adhere to
the guidelines of the College Board.

In this yearlong course, students will be expected to understand objective, empirical

methods of collecting and interpreting data, make meaningful interconnection between
disparate concepts and analyze, evaluate and critique thematic perspectives. A goal of
this course is to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in
most college introductory psychology courses, in addition to preparing students for the
AP Exam.

This college level course will expand your knowledge, challenge your mind and, at times,
actually be entertaining! It will help you to better understand yourself and those around
you. All students will be prepared and expected to take the Advanced Placement
Psychology Exam.

Course Objectives

The central question addressed in AP Psychology is How do psychologists think? The

psychologist David Myers wrote that to think as a psychologist, one must learn to
restrain intuition with critical thinking, judgmentalism with compassion, and illusion
with understanding (Sternberg, 1997). Whether students choose to pursue a career
related to psychology or a career in some entirely different field, this habit of mind will
be of great value.

All students will be able to:

Distinguish between the major core concepts and theories of psychology.

Utilize key terms and use them in their everyday vocabulary.
Demonstrate mastery of the explorations and discoveries made by psychologists
over the past century.
Assess diverse approaches to psychology that are adopted by psychologists,
including biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and
socio-cultural perspectives.
Show basic skills of psychological research and be able to apply psychological
concepts to their own lives through critical thinking skills. Most important,
students will come to an appreciation of how psychologists think, as well as an
appreciation of the kind of critical analysis that psychologists espouse in practice.

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 3

Assessment Practices

Traditional exam assessments will include tests, quizzes, collective midterm and final
exams. Exams model the format of the AP Psychology Exam, with a combination of
multiple-choice and free-response essays at the end of each unit. Quizzes can emphasize
multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, free- response essays, or labeling
diagrams/fill-in-the-blank questions. Pop quizzes do occur; these are generally based on
notes and readings presented in class. All essays are to be written in APA style based on
methods discussed in class.

Each unit will require a different amount of work that will adequately cover the chapter.
Assigned readings are scheduled each week with vocabulary completion for each chapter,
covering chapter material and vocabulary. Other assignments given to students are Psych
Simulation activities, experiments, class presentations, collaborative projects, individual
projects, online activities and papers. These assignments vary with each unit being
covered.

Grading

Grades are determined on the following basis.

Major Grades (i.e. tests, quizzes, papers, etc.) 60%

Minor Grades (i.e. home learning, in class assignments, etc.) 40%

Make-up Policy

Students may make up work only if they have an excused absence or tardy. It is the
students responsibility to make up any work missed. If a student is absent the day an
assignment is due, they must turn it in the day they return. Pop-quizzes may not be made
up, but an alternate assignment may be given. Tests and quizzes must be made up in a
timely manner and may not be made up during class time.

Projects

Throughout the year, a variety of projects will be given, including individual and team
projects, some mini-projects, others more complex projects, some researched-based
posters and others more creativity-based. Some projects will have required presentations
to show student knowledge of the topic and/or will be viewed by the class.

Extra Credit Policy

Students may have opportunities for extra credit throughout the year. However, in
order to receive extra credit, students must have all work turned in. If a student has
any work missing they will not qualify for extra credit.

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 4

Supply List

Composition book
Notebook or binder for taking notes in class
Pencils/Pens/Highlighter
An open mind

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAM: Monday, May 7st, 2018 at noon

Course Units:
The following schedule includes the order in which we will be studying that particular unit and
the corresponding chapter in the Myers (2014) text.
** Material in this syllabus is subject to modification by instructor at instructors discretion.
*** There will be a series of review sessions prior to Chapter Tests and the AP Exam TBA.

First Quarter:
Story of Psychology Unit 1
Research Methods Unit 2
Nature vs. Nurture Unit 3
Neuroscience and Behavior Unit 3
Development and the Life Span Unit 9

Second Quarter:
Memory Unit 7
Sensation Unit 4
Perception Unit 4
States of Consciousness Unit 5
Learning Unit 6

Third Quarter:
Thinking and Language Unit 7
Intelligence Unit 11
Motivation and Work Unit 8
Emotion Unit 8
Stress and Health Unit 8
Abnormal Behavior Unit 12

Fourth Quarter:
Treatment for Abnormal Behavior Unit 13
Social Psychology Unit 14

Midterm exam will cover all of the content covered in the first semester and the final exams
will cover everything from the entire year. It will consist of multiple choice and free-response
essays in AP Psychology Format.

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 5

 AP PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET

I, ___________________ agree to follow the rules and regulations of this class as listed
in the syllabus.

Code of Conduct

Students are to adhere to all rules and the John Paul II Catholic High School Student
Handbook.

Name: ____________________________________________ Date of Birth: ________

(Last, First, Middle)
Address:
City, Zip:
Mother/Father/Guardian:
Parent/Guardian Mobile:
Home Phone(s):
Mother/Father/Guardian Email:

Do you have any health concerns or conditions, which could affect him/her in the
classroom, which I should know about? Yes _____ No _____

If yes, please list the condition(s) ____________________________________________

Favorite subject:
Random skill you have:
Favorite music genre:
Favorite sport/activity:

Please list campus involvement activities (i.e. SGA) and volunteer activities:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Please list any AP courses you are taking or have taken and list the year:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 6

 Advanced Placement Parent/Student Contract
The purpose of the AP Parent/Student Contract is to provide information to parents and students
and to facilitate students success in an academically challenging course. Please read the list of
expectations below and sign the form at the bottom confirming your commitment to the AP
course.

1. I recognize that participation in an AP course requires me to:

a. Demonstrate increased student independence.
b. Take on a high degree of responsibility.
c. Meet higher standards than other high school classes.
2. I understand an AP course is the equivalent of a college level course; therefore, it requires
the same amount of work as a college course.
3. I understand, in order to cover everything that may appear on the AP College Board
Exam, the course must proceed at a rapid pace. Therefore, if I am unclear about any topic
that has been covered, it is my responsibility to seek help outside of class in order to keep
pace.
4. I understand, that due to the nature of AP courses, extra time may be required to review
material with the teacher of the course.
5. I recognize the material covered in an AP class is extremely challenging. I also recognize
that while my grade in this course and the score I receive on the AP exam matter, the
amount and quality of knowledge I take from this class to college is most important.
6. I understand there are no modifications or accommodations made by College Board when
taking the AP exam. Please circle one of the following options:
a. I have documentation requiring accommodations and I wish to have these
accommodations met throughout the course. By checking this I understand I may
not fully be prepared for the AP Exam in May.
b. I have documentation requiring accommodations and I do not wish to have these
accommodations met throughout the course. By checking this I understand I will
not receive all of the listed accommodations in order to fully prepare for the AP
Exam.
c. I do not have documentation requiring accommodations.
7. I have read all policies and the course syllabus and I agree to follow all rules and policies
of John Paul II Catholic High School for the 2017-2018 School Year.

Student Name: _______________________________

Student Signature: _________________________________

Parent Name: ______________________________

Parent Phone Number: ______________________

Parent Email: ______________________________________

Parent Signature: ____________________________________

Material in this syllabus is subject to modification at instructors discretion. 7