Course Objectives
By the end of the course, all students should:
1. Know and understand the primary goals of psychology;
2.
Understand psychology as a scientific, research-based endeavor, particularly
the goals and procedures of correlation and experimental research methods at an
introductory level;
3. Demonstrate knowledge of important terms, concepts, and names of key researchers and theorists in a variety of research areas;
4. Demonstrate the ability to apply, at an introductory level, course information in examination of their own and others’ behavior;
5. Demonstrate independence and accuracy in reading and reporting information from psychology sources;
6. Develop memory, analytic, and reasoning skills within the subject of psychology.
Course topic outline:
¥ Goals of psychology: to describe, explain, predict, & modify human behavior
¥ Research Methods: experiment, correlation, and other methods
¥ Psychobiology: brain and behavior
¥ Sensation and Perception topics
¥ Learning and Cognition topics
¥ Emotion and Motivation topics
¥ Personality topics
¥ Abnormal Behavior topics
¥ Human Development topics
¥ Social Psychology topics
Textbook and Supplies
Textbook: Psychology and You, 3rd ed.
Supplies you must provide:
- Three ring binder (not a folder)
- Loose leaf paper (not a spiral notebook)
- Tab dividers for 3-ring binder
- Pens and pencils (blue or black pens)
Tardy Policy
Come to class and be ready to start on time. This means you are in your seat with class materials out when the bell rings. If you are late because a faculty member has detained you, bring a note with you signed by that person. Otherwise, your tardy will be considered unexcused. If you are more than 5 minutes late to class, you will receive an automatic lunch detention for twice the amount of class time missed in addition to the consequence listed below.
Consequences for Unexcused Tardies (each quarter):
1st Tardy: warning
2nd Tardy: letter to be signed, plus 20 minute lunch detention, with consequences described in student handbook.
3rd Tardy: office referral with consequences described in student handbook
Attendance and Make –Up Work
Regular attendance is very important because much of the class-work will be laboratory or activity-oriented. If you miss class, find out what you have missed by asking another student and your teacher.
You are
responsible for
v
Completing, or arranging to
complete all assignments missed during an absence.
v
Arranging for make-up work prior
to your absence when you know ahead of time that you will be gone.
Prearranged Absences
v All work assigned prior to the absence, but due during the absence,
needs to be submitted before leaving unless special arrangements have been made
in advance.
v Discuss arrangements for making up work with your teacher. If possible,
assignments may be e-mailed to your teacher during your absence.
Excused Absences (other than prearranges
absences)
v Must be designated as “excused” by the main office.
v You will have 3 school days upon your return to make up work. Arrange a
time with your teacher to make up activities and tests.
v Work assigned prior to the absence and due during the absence will be
due the day you return to class.
v Pop quizzes missed due to an absence cannot be made up. However, they
will not count against you.
v Some adjustment to expected make-up completion times may be made due to
extenuating circumstances.
Unexcused Absences
v Includes any absence for which a satisfactory note has not been
provided to the office within the specified time, as stated in the student
handbook. Also includes absences designated as “unexcused” by the
school attendance clerk.
v Work due on the day of an unexcused absence will be considered late and
dealt with as described in the grading policy.
v Work assigned during your absence will be expected to be handed in as
scheduled as if you had not been absent.
v Unexcused tardies will be treated the same as an unexcused absence.
All assignments not
made-up will receive a grade of zero.
*Substitutes for original assignments may be provided if it
is unfair to provide credit for original assignments (for example—an alternate
test may be given if graded original tests have been passed back).
Grading Policy
Grades will be assigned on a numerical point system. Tests will be worth 100 points, quarterly notebook check will be worth 100 points, and all other assignments will be given point values based on the complexity of the work. Quarter grades can be calculated by dividing points earned by total points.
Semester grade = 45% first quarter average + 45% second quarter average + 10% final.
§ All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified unless otherwise noted. Any assignments turned in after the beginning of class will be considered late.
§ Late daily homework is not accepted. Projects and assignments worth more than 5 points will be accepted late with a 10% deduction for each class day late. Therefore, assignments turned in 20 days late will be worth zero points.
§ Computerized grade reports will be passed out to each student approximately every two weeks. Computerized grade reports will also be passed out at the mid-points and the end of each quarter. Printed versions of these reports will not be given on request at additional times.
§ Participation will be graded (not necessarily daily). Students will receive up to 5 points participation each class day. Participation for long-term assignments and group participation will be graded separately and will be worth more points.
§ Assignments may be graded for accuracy, for completion, for correct formatting, or for any combination of the above characteristics.
§ Homework: answers to homework questions do not always need to be in complete sentences as long as they completely answer the question. For example, some questions may ask for lists or definitions. Answers to “Yes and No” type questions must be justified with an explanation. Throughout the course, periodic homework assignments will be given in addition to the readings. There will not be regular daily or weekly homework except to read the textbook and write in your reactions journal. Many times, there will be question prompts suggested from your reading in addition to your “reaction.”
§ Projects: There will be one long-term assignment this semester: the “psychology in the world” portfolio. There will be limited time available in class to work on this project. You are expected to work on these projects at home. There will also be short-term projects to be completed during class.
§ Quizzes: Both “pop” and pre-announced quizzes will be given. Some quizzes will be strictly informational quizzes, while others will be journal quizzes. Journal quizzes are designed to check the completeness and organization of your reactions journal. An example of a journal quiz question is: What was the answer of the 3rd question from September 10? Quizzes will be assigned point values based on their complexity.
§
Tests: There will be at
least one test per unit. Tests are typically 100 points. Extra credit
opportunities are available on each test. If you are unhappy with your original
test grade, you may take a retest (which is a different version of the test) up
to two weeks after the original test date. The tests will be a combination of
multiple choice, matching, short answer and essay. Review sheets will be
provided for each exam about one week before the exam. Each exam will cover
several chapters, with the final including a comprehensive section. You will be
allowed to use notes for the final exam.
§
Extra Credit: There will be several
opportunities for extra credit throughout the semester. Each exam will have several
extra credit points included in the exam. You will also have the opportunity to
earn extra credit points during class activities (such as review games). The
total possible extra credit will not be more than 30 points maximum, so do not
count on extra credit to take the place of any major assignments!
Psychology Assignments
“Psychology in the World” Portfolio
Psychology is everywhere; in the movies we watch, the newspaper articles we read, and people we meet. This assignment will involve assembling a portfolio of items relating to psychology from various media sources. Through completing this assignment, you should gain a more complete picture of how psychology class can relate to your life, and gain some experience in evaluating sources of information.
Your portfolio should contain, at a minimum, the following (include copies of all articles, tests, and complete internet site address + at least one page from the site--exception: #6):
1. Newspaper article: explain how the article relates to psychology, and evaluate the information compared to what you have learned in class or through reading your textbook.
2. Magazine article: same as newspaper article
3. Research journal article: article from a scholarly psychology journal that describes a research study. A selection of articles to choose from will be available in the class. You may also choose an article of your own. Visit the library and search for articles on Ebsco. Please ask the librarian or your teacher for help with Ebsco if you have not used it before.
4. Examples of one reliable and one unreliable internet site: explain how each site relates to psychology, and why you feel this site does or does not have reliable information. If you have any trouble finding unreliable web pages, ask me for hints.
5. Personality test: this could be from a counseling center, an internet site, magazine (yes, even Cosmo), journal, etc. Explain the purpose of the test (what aspect of personality is it supposed to measure and for what purpose) and why you believe this would or would not be a good test. Good web sites to try: www.davideck.com, http://www.2h.com, www.keirsey.com. These websites may help you with #4.
6. TV, movie, or book character: describe a fictional character who illustrates some aspect of psychology. Explain how this character relates to this aspect of psychology. ( I do not need a copy of the movie, book or TV show J )
7. Current Event: Describe some current event and how it relates to psychology
Your grade on this assignment will be based primarily on the
completeness of the portfolio and the quality of your explanations. Presentation
and grammar/spelling will also factor into the grade (10%). If you work on the
assignment one piece at a time it should not be hard to complete (It averages
out to about one part per week). Partial credit will be given--it would
definitely be better to turn in some items than nothing at all. This assignment
will be due Friday, January 16. Late portfolios will be accepted, but 5% will
be taken off per class day. NO papers will be accepted after the last day of
class!
Point Breakdown: 30 pts spelling, grammar, presentation
36 points per portfolio entry (the seven listed above)
18 points for copies of articles, internet addresses, etc. for the six items that require it
Total: 300 points
Need Help?
Visit the library and
search through their magazines and newspapers for ideas. Go online and search
for resources. Try a search with Ebsco. Ask the librarian for help finding
material. If you still need help, or if you are not sure something is
appropriate for the assignment, see your teacher.
Psychology
Assignments (cont)
“Reactions” Journal
A reaction journal is just what it sounds like: your reaction to some idea or issue. After you have read the assignment for the next class period, write about what you have read in your journal. You do not have to take notes, or react to every section of the reading, but write about something in the reading that interested you. Write at least half a page for every reading assignment, and date or put the writing assignment at the top. You may type this, or hand-write it. It does not have to be in a bound journal; just make sure you do not lose the papers. If you are keeping a three-ring notebook for class, you could devote a section for the journal. The journal is due Wednesday January 21.
I will
be grading mostly on completeness,
although 10% of the grade will be on writing quality (grammar and spelling).You
will receive up to 3 points per journal entry, 6 points overall for grammar,
and 4 points for neatness. Each entry receives few points, but it is very
important to keep up with your journal. Not only will you learn more about
yourself, but you will also remember the material better! No journals will
be accepted after the last class period.
Formatting Guidelines
Materials to be used:
- Standard loose-leaf
notebook paper (or spiral paper with “raggedy” edge cut off)
- Pencil, or pen (blue or
black)
Heading to be used:
On the right-hand-side of the paper, write the following:
First and Last Name
Period
Date
Cheating
Cheating includes:
- Copying someone else’s work
- Using unauthorized materials (for example: notes during a quiz or test, or the teacher’s answer sheet)
- Allowing someone else to copy your work
- Claiming credit for work done by someone else (plagiarizing)
- Exchanging any information during a test or a quiz
When answers for short or long-term questions are virtually the same for more than one person, it can be assumed that the answers were copied and cheating will be assumed. During group-work situations it will be expected that answers will be similar.
Penalties for cheating
may include one or more of the following:
- Reduced credit for work involved
- No credit for work involved
- Single grade divided among all participants
(ex: score of 80 divided by 4 participants =20 points for each)
- Detention
- Parent Notification
- Referral to office
- Alternate assignment required
Premeditated or habitual cheating will result in a larger number of interventions and more severe penalties.
Classroom Conduct Rules
- Observe school-wide rules:
ü Remove hats and all other head coverings upon entering the building.
ü Put away all electronic devices while in the building (They will be taken and sent to the office!). Do not lend your Walkman to a friend—it might be sent to the office!
Show
courtesy and respect to everyone:
ü Listen while others talk (including your teacher!)
ü Remain in seat while others talk (sharpen your pencils before class starts)
ü Do not call names or ridicule others.
ü Do not push or shove others.
- Treat others’ property with care and respect. (Your teacher’s Pet Peeve)
ü Borrow only with permission of owner.
-exceptions: class staplers, hole-punches, books, and magazines may be used without asking for permission, first.
ü Mark or write only on your own things (not desks!).
ü
If it does not belong to you,
leave it alone.
- Act in a responsible manner:
ü Use the bathroom before class. Tell your teacher you are going if it is only 1 minute before bell.
ü Finish all food and drinks before class begins. Place trash in trashcans and wipe up any spills.
-exception: Bottled water is allowed.
ü Bring all materials to class.
ü Keep all restricted materials safely stowed away. They will be picked up by your teacher and may require parental pickup. Restricted materials include games, toys, athletic equipment, work for a different class, personal letters, or notes (notes will be thrown away).
ü The trashcan is not a basketball net, so do not treat it as one!
ü Follow directions the first time they are given! If you are confused, ask your teacher for help!
- Act in a safe manner:
ü Hand materials to other students instead of throwing them!
ü Leave lab materials alone until you have received instructions.
ü Handle materials only according to instructions: do not perform unauthorized experiments with equipment.
ü Push your chairs in when you leave your seats.
- Respond appropriately to the bell:
ü Discontinue social activities and start lessons as soon as the bell rings.
ü Continue working on class assignments until the minute the bell rings unless you are told to clean up beforehand. Do not start loading your backpack!
ü The teacher, not the bell, dismisses you.
Consequences
If
you choose to break a rule:
1st time: warning
2nd time: 15-minute lunch detention
3rd time: 30-minute lunch detention
4th time: referral for after-school detention (parents called)
5th time: referral written, student sent to office (parents called)
Severe disruption: student immediately sent to office.
v
If your teacher observes any
pattern of negative behaviors, your parents will be contacted.
Reading Schedule
The following pages and
questions from your text are homework assignments for the date listed. Do not
forget to answer the questions and write a response in your reaction journals!
This reading schedule may change as the course progresses. At some times we
will be ahead of the reading in class, or have already finished the material.
Stay tuned to the class homework board for more information!
September-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/3 pages 27-29, 32-36
9/9 pages 71-74
9/11: pages 55-69
9/15: pages 91-96
9/19: pages 106-115
9/23: pages 191-195
9/29: pages 197-203
October----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/3: pages 223-226,
230-234
10/7: pages 235-243
10/9: pages 261-263,
266-267
10/16: pages 131-143,
144-151
10/20: pages 208-215
10/24: pages 406-410,
476-480
November-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/3: pages 302-307
11/7: pages 449,
461-469
11/12: pages 568-579
11/18: pages582-591
December--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/2: pages 503-517
12/4: pages 518-531
January-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/7: pages 375-383
1/9: pages 384-395
January 16-- Portfolios
Due
January 21--Reactions
Journal Due