Psychology Syllabus
Psychology Syllabus
Mrs. Johnson
Overview
Welcome to Psychology! I’m so happy you’ve chosen to take this class as
an elective and I hope that you will end this semester having learned many
things and having had fun! The study of Psychology is important because it
is the attempt to explain, through studying the brain, why people are the way
they are.
In this course, we will be focusing on how people develop throughout their
lives, how people develop personalities, and finally how we can apply
psychological theories to our everyday lives. Psychology will hopefully
open the door to our brains to that we might better understand ourselves as
well as those around us! Happy learning!
Methods
In order for students to grasp the information they will need to know for this
course, students will be required to do outside reading (textbook, newspaper,
and other selected works), and individual and group projects. Students will
be expected to reason, observe, listen and evaluate as well as identify bias
and identify cause and effect.
Class Expectations
1. Be in class! (you learn more when you’re actually in class)
2. Be on time! (four tardies and I write you up )
3. Be prepared to learn!
Please see website for specific classroom policies.
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Grading
Grades are important, they measure how much a student is improving and
understanding the material. Students will be given official grades for the
following:
1. Homework
a. Homework is always due at the beginning of the period.
b. Any work turned in after class is done is considered late.
c. Late work is accepted up to two days after the assigned date
for less points (1 day late = -25 points, 2 days late = -50
points)
d. Each student will have one late pass a semester (they may
turn the assignment in within two days with no point
penalty)
2. Class work
a. All work assigned in class is due at the end of the period
unless otherwise stated.
b. If students do not turn the assignment in at the end of the
period, the assignment will be counted as a 0.
3. Notebook
a. Students will be required to have a binder in order to support
organization. The binder may be combined with another
subject, but it must be separated from the other subject. The
binder should be organized as follows:
i. Calendar (I will copy calendars for each student)
ii. Syllabus
iii. Divider: Anchors
iv. Divider: Notes
v. Divider: Returned Assignments
b. We will have periodic graded binder checks to ensure
everyone is keeping up with their individual work.
4. Projects
Students will be assigned two major projects for the semester-
information to follow
5. Unit Anchors
a. For each unit of study, students will have the opportunity to
choose three of nine activities that compliment our unit.
b. Students will have the entire unit time to complete the tasks
independently.
c. Students will be given some in class time to work on the
tasks but will also be expected to do some work outside of
class.
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6. Assessments
a. Students will be measured in several different manners
throughout the semester- some formal, other informal.
b. Students will have one large assessment for each unit as well
as a final exam.
c. Seniors may qualify to be exempt for exams. (see page 21 in
planner)
Scale
Grade GPA OPA
A 93-100 4.0
B 85-92 3.0
C 75-84 2.0
D 70-74 1.0
F 0-69 0.0
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Tentative Semester Syllabus
August 17-21 Introduction to Psychology
Psychological Research Methods and Statistics, U1
August 24-28 Assessment & U1 Anchors Due
August 31-September 4 Infancy and Childhood & Adolescence
September 7th Labor Day Holiday
September 9-11 Adulthood and Old Age & U2 Anchors Due
September 14-18 U2 Assessment & Body and Behavior
September 21-25 Altered States of Consciousness
Sensation and Perception, U3 Assessment & U3
September 28-October 2 Anchors Due
Learning: Principles and Applications, Memory and
October 5-9 Thought & Thinking and Language
Motivation and Emotion, U4 Assessment & U4
October 12-14 Anchors Due
October 16-23 Fall Break
October 26- 30 Psychological Testing
Theories of Personality, U5 Assessment & U5
November 2-6 Anchors Due
November 9-13 Stress and Health
November 16-20 Psychological Disorders & Therapy and Change
November 23-27 U6 Assessment
November 25-27 Thanksgiving Break
November 30-December 4 Individual Interaction
December 7-11 Group Interaction & Attitudes and Social Influence
December 14th Review
December 16th Exam (half-day)