Advanced Placement Psychology

Mr. Stark

AP Psychology is an elective college-level course designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.  This course is not one in which you will play a passive role, simply absorbing information presented by the teacher. Instead, students are expected to take an active part in your own learning and that of the class as well. You will be asked to take an active part in forming your own questions and analysis. In our classroom, discussion and demonstrations will dominate over lectures so that we can learn from each other. Each of you brings something special to the course - something special that our class needs if we are to be successful.  Come each day ready to contribute.  This course is designed to prepare students for the national exam in May, in which students may earn college credit.

 

Knowledge for application’s sake: In AP Psychology there is a considerable amount of content you must master. However, you must do more than memorize information provided by your teacher or other sources. You will be asked to apply this information to real life situations via class discussions or through concisely written free response questions (FRQs). The amount of material distributed in this course is substantially higher than in a regular class. Each period you are expected to take notes on your reading and take notes on our class activities.

 

Psychologists read, observe and study: As AP students, you will be expected to do some nightly reading in the text, watch a video or study/review for assessments. You must show evidence of daily preparation by participating in class discussions, asking critical questions, making text-to-world connections, taking hand-written notes, and occasional quizzes.  This will be done with the use of equity cards.

 

Textbook: Myers, David G. Myers’ Psychology for AP, 2nd Edition, New York, Worth, 2014.  This is on of the most used AP level textbooks on the market. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

College-Level effort: This course is designed to replace an introductory college Psychology course. Therefore, we expect college-level study and work habits form all students.  We expect that student work is completed and submitted on time. A lack of time and effort given outside the classroom will make it difficult for you to be successful in this course. The expectations for this class are consistent with those of any Advanced Placement course. Students should expect a workload similar to that of a college level course. This will involve reading most nights, active participation in class discussions and activities, taking notes, etc.

 

Makeup Work Policy:.  making up any late work is your responsibility!

Late Work Policy: This is an AP College level course. This means that I expect you to turn in assignments on time! It is a disservice to your learning and education when you turn in work late. Students will have three days to make up all/any quizzes/tests/homework.  Make up exams take place in the office with office personal.  Full credit will be given to assignments that are made up within the 3-day grace period and only with an excused absence.  Assignments after the 3 days will not be accepted and will result in a 0 being entered into Aeries.  So, please plan ahead and if you are absent ask me what you missed.  If you are absent, you are welcome (encouraged) to email me (and your other teachers) to inquire.   

 

Class Participation

It is expected that you attend class and are prepared to take part in the activities and discussions of the day. Some days will be devoted to discussion and many of the topics are controversial and can get heated. Please give respect to those you do not agree with or with those whose experiences may be different than yours. Remember the 1^st Amendment protects everybody.  Participation will weigh heavily on your grade- 10%.  Participation will be calculated by the use of equity cards and the responses you give from the homework/discussion.  Participation will be calculated at the end of each quarter/semester grade cycle- so it may not appear on Aeries until a day or two before grades are turned in.  Student/parent may inquire their participation grade anytime (just not during class). Most days I will be calling on students to respond to questions about the assignments the night before.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheating/Plagiarism:

NO CHEATING or PLAGIARISM! There are NO EXCUSES and I have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for these offenses. Students will be doing a substantial amount of writing both in class and at home. Work is expected to be original, which means students are not to copy answers directly from a book, the internet or another student. Typed assignments/homework are not accepted. I do encourage students to help each other studying and learning however, the final product (homework) must be yours alone. 

 Note that plagiarism may result in the removal of a student from the AP class and/or a failing grade for the assignment, marking period or course.

Grading:

Since our objective will be to prepare you for the national AP exam that is administered in May, your grade for each grading period will consist of college-level multiple-choice exams, vocabulary quizzes, essays and participation. Grades will be determined by your performance on the tests/FRQs, assignments and other classroom activities. Whatever grade you earn at the end of the term is the grade you earn in the class. There is no negotiating. However, citizenship, participation leadership, effort will weigh highly and may not be reflected in Aeries.

Grading Policy: Grades are based on the following scale. + and – are given for grades in the upper and lower 3% of each category.

: A = 100 - 90% B = 89 – 80% C = 79 - 70% D = 69 - 60% E = 59% and below

Materials (highly recommended) for Class

 

1. Textbook- will not be required to  bring it to class, a phone or Chromebook will be used daily.

2. Plenty of blue and black pens

3. Plenty of paper

4. A good quality three-ringed notebook

5. A review book (Princeton, Barrons, Kaplan etc.)