Welcome to psychology! I hope you are as excited as I am to start a new semester learning about psychology. Psychology is the systematic study of the human condition through a variety of approaches. You will explore psychological concepts, principles, and phenomena associated with general psychology.

    Course Objectives
    Course Curriculum
    Grading Policy
    Late Work Policy
    Classroom Rules
    Materials
 

In this course you will:

Develop an understanding of the major core concepts and theories of psychology.

Learn the basic skills of psychological research.

Analyze and solve problems effectively by identifying, clarifying and describing issues/problems.

Analyze and solve problems effectively by locating, organizing and processing information from various sources.

Apply psychological concepts to your own life.

Become aware of various community helping resources.

Maintain high ethical standards and sensitivity in applying the principles of psychology to you, other people, and other organisms.

Identify occupations in applied and experimental psychology.

Make interdisciplinary connections through observing and understanding connections within and between disciplines.

Make interdisciplinary connections through articulating and demonstrating these connections within and between disciplines.

Unit 1: Approaches to Psychology

Unit 2: Developmental Psychology (The Life Span)

Unit 3: The Workings of the Mind and Body

Unit 4: Learning and Cognitive Processes

Unit 5: Personality and Individuality

Unit 6: Adjustment and Breakdown

At the beginning of each unit, you will be provided with a schedule of activities, assignments, and due dates. We will be flexible with the schedule to ensure mastery of each unit by all and further exploration of topics of interest.

Assessment of knowledge and skills will be varied throughout the course to include class participation, assignments, projects, and quizzes/tests. Each unit will comprise of a variety of assignments culminating in a test and final project. In general, the points awarded for these assessments are as follows:

Assignments/Quizzes: 10-25 points

Tests: 50-100 points

Participation: 25-50 points per unit

Unit Projects: 100 points per unit

Extra credit is not a given but can be negotiated with the teacher during the course of the semester based on student interest.

Students with excused absences will be allowed the same number of days absent to complete all missing work. For example, if you are absent for 2 days, you will have 2 days once you return to complete all missing work including quizzes and tests. If you are absent, see your study group for your make-up work. It is your responsibility to get the information needed to complete all assignments if you were absent.

Late work is for unexcused absences or not completing your work on time after returning from an excused absence. All late work will be reduced one letter grade per day.

We will decide the classroom rules together during our first week. Additionally, we will decide as a class what the consequences will be for breaking the rules. It is the expectation that everyone, including me, adhere to these rules and consequences once created.

You will maintain an individual psychology notebook during the course. It is required that you purchase a 1.5 inch binder, 8 binder tabs, and loose leaf paper with three holes (lined or unlined based on personal preference) and bring it with you to class everyday beginning on September 2^nd. Your psychology notebook will contain class notes, book notes, handouts, worksheets, exercises, journal articles, homework, assessments, special projects and other material that will help you participate and learn.