General Psychology
Syllabus and Course Expectations
Ms. Jennifer Brennan
E-mail: jennifer.brennan@fcps.org
Phone: 240-236-7461 Room:
207
Materials
for course: Writing utensil, highlighters, notebook, binder
Textbook: Psychology and You (McMahon and Romano)-Provided by instructor
The
purpose of this Psychology course is to introduce students to the study of
behavior and mental processes. Students will also learn how psychologists study
people in order to better understand, predict, and explain behavior.
*Course
Content
To
examine psychology, students will cover several units. Each unit will last
about 2 weeks. The sequence for the units will be as follows:
1.
Introduction…
history, approaches, and methods
a.
Chapter 1
b.
Chapter 2
2.
Biological Bases of Behavior… studies of the brain, the nervous system,
the endocrine system, nature vs. nurture, and states of consciousness
a.
Chapter 3
b.
Chapter 6
3. Sensation and
Perception
a.
Chapter 4
4.
Cognition…
studies of memory, thinking, classical and operant conditioning, and
intelligence
a.
Chapter 7
b.
Chapter 8
c.
Chapter 9
5.
Motivation and Emotion… drives and instincts, incentives, social
learning, love, and stress
a.
Chapter 5
b.
Chapter 16
6.
Developmental Psychology… infancy and childhood through adolescence,
to adulthood and later life, as well as gender differences
a.
Chapter 10
b.
Chapter 11
c.
Chapter 12
d.
Chapter 13
7.
Personality…
psychoanalytic theory, trait theory, humanistic approaches, behavioral
theories, biological studies, and personality assessments
a.
Chapter 14
b.
Chapter 15
8.
Abnormal Psychology… history and definition, types of disorders,
treatments and therapy… students will be introduced to the Diagnostic
Statistical Manual (DSM)
a.
Chapter 17
b.
Chapter 18
9.
Social Psychology… studies on conformity, compliance and
obedience, group dynamics, aggression, and organization behavior
a.
Chapter 19
b.
Chapter 20
*Learning
Activities
Students
will be exposed to a variety of learning experiences in this course, including
multiple research projects, projects, readings, lectures and note-taking, video
clips, quizzes, and tests. Students will also have several mini writing
assignments, requiring them to read, analyze, and write about an article a
psychological journal article.
*Grading
All
assessments and assignments are worth 100 points. However, the work is weighted
differently. Students will spend a great deal of time in class working in
cooperative learning groups completing article summaries, lab and projects, and
analyzing psychological studies. As a result, please note classwork and
labs/projects make up 50% of the overall grade. It is crucial students work
diligently in class to earn full credit. Students’ grade will be compromised from the
following:
Classwork--------------------------------------------------------20%
Homework-------------------------------------------------------10%
Projects/Labs----------------------------------------------------30%
Quizzes------------------------------------------------------------15%
Tests---------------------------------------------------------------25%
*Tutoring
I am
available for tutoring after school Tuesday through Thursday from 2:15 to 3:00.
There will be a study session the day before every exam in the class. Students
are highly encouraged to attend. Parents and students are encouraged to call or
e-mail me with any concerns at any time. Students
are encouraged to study a minimum of ten minutes every night.
*Student Responsibilities
Students are
required to bring necessary utensils to class and participate in all
activities. Students are required to
respect one another, themselves, and any adult in the room. Violations will be
dealt with swiftly and firmly. This includes, but is not limited to, language,
tardiness, cheating, individual conduct, and bullying. Students are responsible
for making up any work they missed while absent. Work will be found in a
designated bin in the classroom. Students
are asked to refer to the MHS Honor Philosophy/Code and Honor Pledge. Cheating
on any exam will result in a zero on the exam in addition to standard
school/county disciplinary action.
*Discipline
The following is the discipline procedure for violations to FCPS’s code
of conduct or classroom rules.
1.
Verbal warning
2.
Verbal warning, phone call home
3.
Phone call home/teacher detention
4.
Phone call home/referral
**Severity Clause: A student will be sent to the office with a referral for
class disruptions or endangering self or others.
