A.P.

Psychology
Social Studies Department
John F. Kennedy Memorial High School
Course Syllabus: Spring Semester 2015
Teacher: Mrs. Hugelmeyer
E-mail: casey.hugelmeyer@woodbridge.k12.nj.us
Website: www.mrshugelmeyer.com
Class Description:
The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and
scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While
considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field,
students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and
phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of
behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation,
developmental psychology, testing and individual differences,
treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the
course, students employ psychological research methods, including
ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias,
evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.
The Advanced Placement Program enables willing and academically
prepared students to pursue college-level studies with the
opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both
while still in high school. AP Exams are given each year in May.
Students who earn a qualifying score on an AP Exam are typically
eligible to receive college credit and/or placement into advanced
courses in college.
-College board Website:
https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-psychology
Course Expectations:
1. We learn from each other: This course is not one in which
you will play a passive role. Instead, you are expected to take
an ACTIVE part in your own learning and that of the class as
well. In the AP classroom, discussion and demonstrations will
dominate over lectures so that we can learn from each other.
Each of you brings something special to the course,
something special that our team needs if we are to be
successful. Come each day ready to contribute by joining in
on the conversation.

2. Knowledge for applications sake: In AP Psychology there

is a considerable amount of content you must master.
However, you must do more than memorize information
provided by myself or other sources. You will be asked to
apply this information to real life situations via class
discussions or through concisely written free response
questions.
3. Psychologists read: As AP students, you will be expected to
do a considerable amount of daily reading in the text. You
must show evidence of daily preparation by participating in
class discussions, asking critical questions, making text-toworld connections, and bringing your notes to class.
4. Active note taking: The amount of material distributed in
this course is substantially higher than in a regular class. For
each unit you are expected to listen to lectures in class and at
home and take notes on them.
Course Goals: Change how you view the world and make you a
better student
1. Mastery of Psychologys core concepts. Through
elaborative rehearsal and the development of hierarchical
schemas, you will master Psychologys most important
concepts.
2. The ability to graphically represent complex concepts.
Anyone can make an outline, but it requires true
understanding of a concept to be able to draw a diagram
showing the structure and relationship of its constituent parts.
You will leave this course with a new ability to quickly,
cogently, and graphically arrange your thoughts.
3. The ability to apply Psychology to your life Application
does not stop once you leave the classroom. The concepts we
study shape our existence. Through Psych Immersions, you
will constantly look for psychological applications in your life.
4. The ability to think like a psychologist
5. Literacy in the 21st century skills you need for success
in todays world. You will be able to use the content
learned in class. At the end of this course youll be able to:
a. Read real psychological research
b. Write about psychology for your peers and for the general
public
c. Use databases and the internet to research new
psychological studies
d. Use problem solving techniques to solve your real world
problems

e. Use technology to create websites and leverage the

power of social media
f. Collaborate in a professional learning community in your
Psych Labs.
g. Orally present and debate a complex argument based on
psychological research

Units of Study
The following topics will be covered in class based on the percentage
of the content found on the AP exam. We are limited with our time to
prepare for the exam; therefore students are responsible for learning
some of the information on their own.
2-4%
History and approaches
8-10%

Research methods

8-10%

Biological bases of behavior

6-8%

Sensation and perception

2-4%

States of consciousness

7-9%

Learning

8-10%

Cognition

6-8%

Motivation and emotion

7-9%

Developmental psychology

5-7%

Personality

5-7%

Testing and individual differences

7-9%

Abnormal behavior

5-7%

Treatment of abnormal behavior

8-10%

Social psychology

A.P. Exam:

The A.P. Psychology 2015 Exam will take place on 5/4/2015 at

12:00pm. See your guidance counselor to register for the exam.
Textbook/Resources:

Myers, D. G. (2011). Myers Psychology for AP (8th Ed.). New York:

Worth Publishers.
Access to the internet
Mrs. Hugelmeyers website- www.mrshugelmeyer.com

Grading:
Tests including Midterm and Final, Projects- 75%
Quizzes, Classwork, and Homework- 25%
Tests:
Because a major objective of A.P. Psychology is to fully prepare
students for the A.P. Psychology Exam, a strong emphasis will be
placed on tests. Following each unit of study students will be formally
assessed through unit tests, which will be formatted similar to the A.P.
exam.
Unit tests will consist of 33 multiple-choice questions (answer choices
A-E), as well as one Free-Response Question. Typically, 25 questions
will assess knowledge from the current unit, while 8 additional
questions will assess knowledge from previous units. Students will be
responsible for all unit material discussed in class and assigned for
homework, as such are subject to inclusion on unit tests.
Papers/Projects/Presentations:
Throughout the course of the semester, students will be assigned
papers, projects, and presentations (group and/or individual). Such
assignments will be assessed through content, as well as grammar,
organization, structure, and neatness. All papers are to be written in
American Psychological Association (APA) format. These will count as a
test grade.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be based on the textbook reading, lecture notes, and study
guides assigned each night. Quizzes will be announced and
unannounced.
Homework:
For each unit, students must:
Read the Unit

Complete a Study Guide on the Unit

Define all vocabulary and important people within the unit
Take Cornell Notes on lectures at home and in class

Student Materials:
Three-ring binder
(14) Three-ring binder dividers (to separate each unit of study)
Paper
Pens/highlighters
Textbook (provided by teacher)
Absences
Students who are missing work due to absence or tardiness are
responsible for acquiring all work that they have missed. You will
have 2 days to make up the work for every day you are absent.
Late Work:
In order to receive full credit, students are expected and required to
submit all assignments when they are due.
If assignments are not submitted when due, students will receive
partial credit. For one day late, the assignment grade will drop 50%.
After more than one day late, students will not receive credit for their
assignment. However, students are still expected and required to
submit such assignments.
Classroom Rules
1. All JFK High School rules, policies, and procedures apply.
2. All students are to respect their peers, teachers, the classroom
environment, as well as themselves.
3. Raise your hand to speak, and do not speak while others are
speaking.
4. Work hard and individually. Do not cheat or plagiarize!
5. Arrive on time and prepared to learn.
6. No food or drink, with the exception of water, is permitted in the
classroom.
7. Submit all assignments at the time that they are due.

8. Keep electronics off and away unless otherwise directed.

9. Think positively, and try your best at all times!
Good luck and have a great semester!