Course Description

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. As part of this course, you will be exposed to the psychological theories, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. You will also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

Course Units, Goals, and/or Essential Questions

Classroom Experience

Culture and community are foundational to the AP Psych experience. Active listening and thoughtful conversations require trust and an openness to other perspectives and experiences. This is especially important in this class because we might be having conversations that affect people differently. Cell phones, laptops, and earbuds distract from the culture and community experience. There will be exceptions, but for the most part, these devices should not be visible on a desk.

Materials

Each student is required to have their document book in class each day. Chromebooks will be used as part of classwork and for assessments as needed.

Homework

• The expectation is to complete homework on time, meaning it is ready to be turned in at the end of the day on the posted due date. Late homework will be accepted for partial credit until we take the unit assessment for the material. Once we have taken a quiz on the unit material, we will not accept work for credit. Some assignments may be due at the beginning of your assigned block when explicitly noted.

• Late assignments due to an excused absence will be accepted up to the number of days the student was absent for full credit.

• If absent, check with a peer or Google Classroom for missed classwork.

Assessments and Grades

60% - Tests, Quizzes, and Free Response Questions

A student who earns a C- or below may request a quiz retake. The new quiz score will be an average of the two scores earned. Requests for a retake should be made and scheduled within 2 weeks of the original quiz date during I block or before school.

20% - Homework

20 % - Classwork, Projects, and investigations

Reminder about Flexible Assessment Policy

Assessment Policy [*from LHS student handbook]

The Assessment Policy aims to assist in managing student stress resulting from multiple major assessments and to foster and to promote self-advocacy skills amongst the student population.

Definition:

• This policy requires that teachers be flexible with students who have 3 or more major assessments in a single day. (Teachers need to reschedule for the student but not the whole class.)

• This policy applies, but is not limited to quizzes, tests, essays, presentations and/or projects: assessments of significant weight to a student’s grade and mastery of the subject.

• This policy does not apply to nightly homework.

Policy: There will be no formal testing/assessment schedule, but students with an overload may approach the teacher who has assigned the third assessment as soon as possible. The approached teacher must make arrangements for that student to complete the assessment on an alternative date (within 2 days of the original scheduled date- I Block should be strongly considered).

Students will:

• Make the teacher aware of the situation as soon as possible, not on the day before (or day of) the assessment.

• Arrange with their teacher a time to make up the major assessment.

• Go to their counselor or dean for advice if they are not comfortable approaching their teacher individually.

Educators will:

• Forecast major upcoming assessments (in class and on their respective websites).

• Demonstrate flexibility when students have multiple major assessments on the same day.

• Assign only one major assessment during each of the last two weeks of the quarter.

Extra-Help/Support Available

Extra help is available during I block and by appointment before school.

Teacher Information

If you have questions, you can email me (this is the best way to reach me) or see me in room 229. I also encourage you to have one or two fellow students with whom you can check in.

Additional Information

Final Exam Policy: Most students demonstrate their cumulative learning by taking the College Board AP Psychology Exam. For students who do not participate in this exam, a final test is administered in-class and counts as a Q4 test grade.