AP Psychology

Mrs. Aguilar Thurston High School 2018-2019

This syllabus can be signed electronically on our website: www.PsychologyWithAguilar.weebly.com
Course Description
“The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to Contact information
the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental Mrs. Aguilar
processes of human beings and other animals. Students are Room 506
exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena (313) 242-0600
associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. danielle.aguilar@southredford.org
They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologiss use www.PsychologyWithAguilar.weebly.com
in their science and practice.” –College Board Remind: @thsappsy to 81010
Google Classroom: 523pzy
This is a fascinating class that will give you the opportunity to
understand why humans think, feel and behave as we do. It it,
however, also a rigorous course, as is the case with all college- level AP courses. As a result, you will be
required to complete reading and writing assignments outside of class and take notes in class on lectures and
discussions. Failure to complete reading assignments and poor note- taking will have a negative impact on
your ability to be successful in this course. This AP course is demanding and you can expect exams in
traditional AP format, quizzes, in- class essays, research papers, projects, and presentations. You are expected
to maintain a 3 ring binder for notes, assignments, and returned exams. This will serve as an invaluable
resource in studying for your AP exam.

The AP Exam
The AP Psychology Exam will be in May. Every student enrolled in AP Psychology is expected to take the exam.
The exam is two hours long and consists of 100 multiple choice questions and two free- response essay
questions. There is a fee of approximately $90 to take the exam (financial assistance is available for students
who qualify for free/ reduced lunch). Students who pass the exam can earn college credit. Exam registration
and due dates will be announced in the fall.

Course Objectives
• You will study the major core concepts and theories of psychology.
• You will be able to define key terms and use them in your everyday vocabulary.
• You will learn the basic skills of psychological research and be able to apply psychological concepts
to your own life.
• You will develop critical thinking skills.
• You will prepare to pass the national AP Psychology Exam.

Course Content
AP Psychology course content reflects the content of a college Introductory Psychology course. The AP
Psychology Exam reflects these topics through multiple choice questions and free response essay questions.
AP Psychology Unit % of AP Exam Unit Test Date
(Subject to change)
Unit 1 History and Approaches 2-4% Friday 9/7/2018
Unit 2 Research and Methods 6-8% Friday 9/21/2018
Unit 3 Biological Bases of Behavior 8-10% Thursday 10/11/2018
Unit 4 Sensation and Perception 7-9% Thursday 10/25/2018
Unit 10 Personality 6-8% Wednesday 11/7/2018
Unit 6 Learning 7-9% Tuesday 11/20/2018
Unit 7 Cognition 8-10% Friday 12/7/2018
Unit 8 Motivation and Emotion 7-9% Friday 12/21/2018
Unit 9 Developmental Psychology 7-9% Thursday 1/17/2019
Unit 12 Abnormal Psychology 7-9%
Thursday 2/21/2019
Unit 13 Treatment of Psychological Disorders 5-7%
Unit 14 Social Psychology 7-9% Friday 3/15/2019
Unit 11 Testing and Individual Differences 5-7% Friday 4/12/2019
Unit 5 States of Consciousness 2-4% Friday 4/26/2019

àThursday May 9, 2019 @ 12pm: AP Psychology Exam!!
Course Textbook
You will receive an AP Psychology textbook on the first day of school.
• A BOOK COVER IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR TEXTBOOK.
• Please treat these books with great care- if the book is lost or severely damaged, the replacement cost
is $150.

Necessary supplies
All students must have:
ü A binder specific to AP Psychology
ü A notebook
ü A composition notebook or notecards (for flashcards)
ü A pen or pencil
…EVERY DAY!

Note: Students must bring all supplies to class daily.

Students will earn a tardy if they have to run to their locker for forgotten supplies.


Assignments and Grading
In AP Psychology you will complete a variety of assignments that will help you learn the content and prepare
for reading quizzes, unit tests, and projects. You should expect to have 1 hour of homework for each hour
spent in class.

The following grading scale is followed in this course. Please refer to your student handbook for
additional questions.


Psychological Practices (Unit packets, T&C) 20%


Projects and Quizzes 30%
Exams 50%

AP 4 POINT
SCORE SCALE
DESCRIPTION

5 4 I have a clear understanding of the concept and can explain my thinking

correctly in a variety of ways.

4 3 I have a good understanding of the concept.

I have demonstrated my understanding in at least one way.

3 2 I have an incomplete understanding of the concept but I am on the right track!

I need to ask questions, travel to Advisory, correct the test or redo the
assignment to better understand.

2 1 I am familiar with this concept, but I do not have a good understanding yet.
I need to ask questions, travel to Advisory, correct the test or redo the
assignment to better understand.

1 0 I do not understand this concept yet.

I need to ask questions, travel to Advisory, correct the test or redo the
assignment to better understand.


Academic Dishonesty
Any assignment on which a student cheated
or plagiarized will not receive a score. The
student will be subject to the disciplinary
consequences in the Student Handbook.


Missed Quizzes
You can miss up to 2 reading quizzes per semester due to absence without penalty.
Due to the rigorous pacing of this course, any additional reading quizzes must be made up within two days.

Missed Tests
It is your responsibility to reschedule any unit test with Mrs. Aguilar that was missed because of an absence.
Unit tests must be made up within three days of an absence.

If you are absent…
1. Check Google Classroom and our Class Website
2. Ask a friend what you missed
3. Text Mrs. Aguilar on Remind or send her an email to see what you missed
4. Remember… it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to complete the work that you missed!

Excused school absences

(sports, choir, band, field trips, etc)
You must ask for your work before leaving. The assignment(s) will be due at the same time as everyone else
(unless agreed upon with Mrs. Aguilar in advance).

Course Expectations and Guidelines
• Be present in class every day. Arrive on time.
• Be prepared with materials and homework.
• Work to your best potential every day.
• Ask questions and actively participate in class discussions.
• Practice academic honesty.
• Follow all policies in the student handbook



Get excited for a great year!!



















Parents!
1. Instead of a handwritten signature, please sign our syllabus electronically!
This is your student’s first grade.
• You can find the form in three different ways (if you need a paper copy, please let me know)
1. Visit our class website: www.PsychologyWithAguilar.weebly.com
2. Go to the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ybgkvtq6
3. Scan the code below:

2. Please sign up for text messages through Remind to stay updated on what’s happening in science!
• Go to: remind.com/join/aguilarths or see directions below