Mrs.

Ibs
sibs@keswickchristian.org
727-393-9100
I am available for conferences
or course assistance before
school, lunch, after school
and by appointment.

AP Psychology Syllabus (2014-2015)

Course Description and Goals
AP Psychology introduces students to the systematic and
scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human
beings and other animals. The goal of this course is to expose
students to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena
associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology
as well as introduce them to both the scientific and empirical
approaches to studying psychology.

Course Objectives
Students will prepare to do acceptable work on the AP Psychology Exam.
Students will study the major core concepts and theories of psychology. They will be able to
define key terms and apply them to real world scenarios.
Students will learn the basic skills of psychological research. They will be able to identify
and apply the various research methods to everyday situations.
Students will develop critical thinking skills.

Topics Covered
The course is divided into 14 units of study. While each unit focuses on a different psychological
concept, the information builds from one unit to the next.
1. History and Approaches
2. Research Methods
3. Biological Bases of Behavior
4. Sensation and Perception
5. States of Consciousness
6. Learning
7. Cognition
8. Motivation and Emotion
9. Developmental Psychology
10. Personality
11. Testing and Individual Differences
12. Abnormal Psychology
13. Treatment of Psychological Disorders
14. Social Psychology

Course Supplies
Required:
Hi-lighters, pens, pencils, and colored pencils
1 (2-inch) 3-ring binder dedicated exclusively to this course
Loose leaf paper
14 binder divider tabs (one for each unit)
3 X 5 file box with 14 dividers (one for each unit)
3 x 5 index cards (one for each vocabulary word)
* Index cards can be purchased on an as need basis; one pack required when class starts.
Recommended:
4G flash drive (can be shared with other classes)
AP Psychology test prep book (Barrons, Crash Course, 5 Steps to a 5, etc.)
Headphones

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Homework Expectations
Ample notice will be given for any assignment, reading quiz, essay or exam. The amount of work
depends on the unit being covered in class. There are assigned pages to read in the textbook
every night and quizzes are administered at least once a week to assess reading. The quizzes
will include fill-in-the-blank, short-answer, and multiple-choice questions.
Vocabulary terms are given for each unit. Each term must be written on a separate 3x5 index
card along with its definition, application to real life, and an image that represents the term.
Essays will be given at least once per unit. Essays will be representative of the Free Response
Questions on the AP Exam. Students will have 50 minutes to answer two questions.
Exams will be given at the end of each unit. Exams will include terms, short answer, and
multiple choice questions. 10-15% of questions on each exam will come from previous units.
Other assignments include class presentations, projects, papers and experiments.
Grading Proportions
Description Percentage of Grade
Tests and Essays 60%
Quizzes 20%
Homework/Classwork 20%

Class Rules
1. Respect others.
2. Be polite and helpful.
3. Listen and follow directions.
4. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Consequences:
First failure to follow a rule will result in a verbal reminder.
Second failure will result in either the assessment of discipline points or a logical
consequence such as a seat change, an apology, cleaning, etc.
Repeated or severe offenses will result in an immediate referral to the office.
Class Procedures
Entry Procedures
Bring textbook and required supplies to class each day.
Use the bathroom and water fountain between class periods; you will not be allowed to
leave during class unless it is an emergency. If it is an emergency, quietly hold up three
fingers and shake your fingers to notify the teacher.
Turn in your homework in homework tray.
Only your notebook, agenda and pen or pencil belong on your desk; everything else
should be in your backpack under your chair.
Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings; tardiness will be marked!
Read the daily objectives and homework on the whiteboard and record in your agenda.
Begin on your bell-work.
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Participation Procedures
Come to class prepared to actively participate in your learning; this may include whole-
group or small group discussions and activities or independent work.
Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking.
Make eye contact with teacher and peers when they are speaking.
Respect others thoughts and opinions even if they differ from your own.
Sleeping, class disruptions, and failure to complete bell work or in-class assignments
will result in disciplinary action.
Textbook Procedures
Write your first and last name inside the front cover of your textbook.
Keep handouts, homework and other papers in your binder or folder. Do not store them
in your textbook because it ruins the binding.
Per School Policy: Do not write or highlight in your textbook.
Per School Policy: All textbooks must be covered with a Keswick book cover at all times.
Book covers can be purchased in the high school office for 35.
Per School Policy: Students must reimburse the school for lost or stolen textbooks.

Homework Procedures
Turn your homework into the homework tray prior to class; work submitted after the
bell rings will be marked late.
Incomplete work will not be accepted; it will be returned to the student to complete and
resubmit. Credit will not be given for partially completed work.
Late or incomplete work will not receive a grade higher than a C.
Late or incomplete work will not be accepted after one week past the due date.

Absence Procedures
Students are responsible for communicating all absences with the teacher.
For known absences, students must make assignment, quiz and test arrangements with
the teacher prior to the absence.
For unexpected absences, students are expected to make arrangements to turn in
assignments and make-up tests and quizzes within two days of returning to school. If
they do not, they will receive a zero.
Per School Policy: If a student misses class for a school-related activity, they are must
turn in all assignments prior to leaving for the activity.

Going to Other Parts of the School
Permission is always needed to leave the classroom.
Only one person may go at a time.
Always bring the hall pass with you.
Per School Policy: Do not prop the door open.
Walk straight to permitted destination.
Come back immediately and enter quietly.
Place hall pass back for others to use and quietly take your seat.

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Students: Please read the course syllabus and share it with your parents. Then you and your
parents should sign this sheet. Please return this sheet by Friday, August 15.

I have read the policies and expectations for the AP Psychology class and understand them. If I
choose not to meet these expectations, I am willing to accept the consequences.
Student Printed Name:
________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Printed Name:
________________________________________________

Student Signature:
________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:
________________________________________________

Date: ____________________ Date: ____________________

Parent/Guardian: Please check the preferred method you would like the teacher to use to
communicate with you about your child's progress.

Email: ______________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________
No Preference