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SENIOR INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to introduce the students to psychology as a scientific discipline, and familiarize them with various elements of the discipline. Students will receive instruction on the history of psych, basic statistics, theories of learning and personality, abnormal psych, theories of human development, and experience in the seminar style of instruction, which is common at the university level.

TEXT

Understanding Psychology

Glencoe, 2001

GOALS

1. Achieve a basic understanding of psychology as a scientific discipline
2. Consider various careers that focus on psych
3. Achieve a basic understanding of learning, personality and pathology theories within psychology
4. Students will conduct at least one human studies subject experiment before the end of the year. (Hypothesize, gather data, analyze data, determine if data supports or does not support hypothesis)
5. Student will reflect upon own experiences as they relate to the theories covered.
6. It is anticipated that there will be numerous labs the students will be expected to complete

EXPECTATIONS

1. Be prepared for class
2. Actively participate
3. Maintain at all time Christian respect for self and others
4. Maintain at all times personal responsibility

HOMEWORK

This class meets five days a week. Students are expected to have finished assigned reading before each class in anticipation of participating in a seminar-style discussion the day of class. There is no substitute for being prepared for class. The readings and daily assignment should take no longer than 45 minutes a night. Projects (particularly the culminating project) will require additional time during nights and weekends to complete. Labs will require work time above and beyond normal daily homework.

Policy on Late Assignments: (read this carefully – “Crash and Burn” possibility here)

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Being seniors preparing for college entrance, unexcused late work will not be accepted. If you foresee a problem, come and discuss it with me before the due date. This includes retreats, sports dismissals, etc. In case of illness, please see me upon your return. Computer/printer problems do not constitute a crisis or excuse. (Do not wait until the last minute to do the assignment.)

A cute smile, tears, a winning personality, a “Mother Teresa” level of Christian behavior, being related to the teacher, etc., will not help you get a late paper accepted. A grade can very quickly disappear down the drain with a few missed assignments. Be VERY careful here.

• If the student is absent the day the work is assigned, it is the student’s responsibility to get the assignment from the teacher as well as arrange time for instruction and modification of the due date.
• In the event of an emergency, which must be verified by a signed parent note, the date will be delayed appropriately.

PARENT/STUDENT CONTACT:

All are encouraged to contact me at the school in the event a question arises or clarification is needed. I may also be reached by e-mail at powersb2@hotmail.com.

Additional details:

You are responsible for arriving to class on time and prepared. This means:

Anyone not in their seat engaged in the entry task by the five minute bell will be marked tardy. Photo finishes are not acceptable

You must have all material you need to participate in class. Texts, notebook(s), study guides, pens, pencils. If class has started and you are not prepared, you will be sent to your locker to get prepared, but will be marked tardy

If the instructor has to tell you more than once to tune in, you may be marked tardy and are subject to after-school detention. If such behavior persists, you will be ejected from the class room and marked Unexcused Absent, with all attendant consequences (see Handbook for specifics)

All papers are to be headed as described on the board during the first class period

Grad @ Grad references: 6,7,16,20,28,31,36,37,52,57