Course+Expectations

Burlington High School

123 Cambridge Street Burlington, MA 01803 (781) 238 - 5333 Social Studies Department  Course Expectations Handout   2017-2018

Teacher Name: Dr. Rachel Gould Course Number and Level: Social Studies Course Title: Advanced Placement Psychology Course Text:

Teacher Contact information Email: gould@bpsk12.org Phone: __ 781.270.2942 __ Room Number: 401 Digital presence: http://burlingtonappsychology.wikispaces.com

According to the College Board: The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce you to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. You will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within Psychology.
 * I. Course Overview **

In order to find success in this class you will have excellent attendance and bring: -Something to write with every day. -A three ring binder with plenty of notebook paper. Please don't use a spiral, especially a spiral that holds several classes. You will be doing a lot of writing and getting a lot of paper, a spiral will not function organizationally well enough to even try. -Your iPad (or other internet accessing device) fully charged at home each night as we have four electrical outlets in room 401 plus the ones near the ceiling that even I don't use. -A desire to learn and curiosity. This course is not a requirement by the state or the school. You chose to be here.
 * II Successful Learning **

By the end of this course, students will be able to: - Identify the structure and functions of the parts of the brain. - Cite sources in APA format. - Debate effectively with well reasoned evidence for or against Nature or Nurture... - Identify the major theorists in developmental psychology and their importance. - Explain the major perspectives within the field of psych and how they fit within the DSM5.
 * III. Expected Outcomes/Mastery Objectives **

The College Board outlines 14 units of study that will be on the exam: History and Approaches, Developmental Psychology, Research Methods, Personality, Biological Bases of Behavior, Testing and Individual Differences, Sensation and Perception, Abnormal Behavior, States of Consciousness, Treatment of Abnormal Behavior, Learning, Social Psychology, Cognition, Motivation and Emotion.
 * IV. Topics/Course Content **

Course requirements for completing the course and receiving a grade: -Excellent attendance. -Class participation. -Sit for the AP test.
 * V. Assessing Progress **
 * __Course Requirements__ **

There will be writings assignments, reading or viewing responses, in class or homework assignments, tests, projects, and class participation. Note that your notes will not be collected. It is assumed that you will do them. If you need help in how to organize notes, please see me. There is no homework grade, but without doing the readings, writing, reflection, and/or viewing, etc. there is little chance of success in this class or on the AP test.
 * __Class Requirements__ **

In class assignments and homework: you should expect one chapter/unit in the text every two weeks. Reading the text and watching videos (Crash Course of course) are required. A chapter cannot be read and digested in one sitting. Take your time, spread it out. **Participation:** AP classes are offered to provide you the opportunity to work at a higher level while in high school. You have chosen this elective, in doing so you made a clear choice to work harder. Daily verbal participation is mandatory. Ask yourself at the end of the class as you are leaving, "what did I contribute out-loud today that was meaningful?" If you go a few days without a strong positive response, up your game.
 * __Formative Assessments__ **
 * Quizzes: ** Occasional as long as students are all keeping up in their reading.
 * Writing: ** All writing assignments will vary in their point value depending on difficulty, but all you have to do to know your grade is add up all of the points you earned and divide by the possible points. This is a total points course.

**Tests:** Expect a test at the end of each unit. These are designed to prepare you for the 100 questions on the multiple choice section of the AP exam. Practice essays will take place within each section in order to prepare you for the specific organization and requirements of the AP exam. As we get closer to the exam, more frq (free response question) based exams will be administered. You are expected to sign up for the AP exam in the spring, information will be provided in a timely fashion to help you do this.
 * __Summative Assessments__ **
 * Projects: ** P rojects range in value from 10 to 100 points All projects will have detailed instructions . Every unit has projects and activities associated with it. These vary in complexity and degree of difficulty. Projects will include debates, simulations, writing exercises, dissection, and other critical thinking activities. You will be presenting a 100pt TED talk to your class, this is not a typical presentation. You watched many TED talks this summer, topics will be selected the first week of school. It is your responsibility to schedule your 100 point talk with me within its unit. No other project is close to 100pts. Many projects are group projects, it is possible for members of groups to earn very different scores.
 * Mid-Term Assessment: ** There will be a mid-term assessment taken in class during Mid-Terms. Mid-term exams will focus on the first semester and will include a portion to be completed outside of class prior to the exam. Grades for the Mid-Term exams are worth 10% of the Final Grade for the year.
 * Final Assessment ** **:** The final assessment in this course is the AP exam on May 2nd. You will get your scores early in July. May the force be with you.

A point is a point is a point is a point, it all goes in the same big pot and the computer spits out a grade. Follow along in Aspen and you will know exactly where you stand. When you have questions, email or come see me. The earlier the better.
 * __Grading Policy/How a final mark is derived:__ **

Students are expected to follow the rules in the BHS Student Handbook and the following classroom rule:
 * VI. Classroom Expectations **
 * 1) “Do right. Do your best. Treat others the way you wish to be treated.” Lou Holtz

Please see me after school, the start of second lunch or during my study hall or planning period (my schedule is on the door for you to see when you can visit) to ask any questions that directly relate to your own absences or grade. Other than that please ask questions in class; it will help your grade! Extra credit opportunities will arise. Don't beg or wait for the last minute.
 * VII. Extra Help and Extra Credit **

I hope that you have a wonderful year, I'm counting on once again learning as much from my students as you do from me. Rachel Gould