COURSE TITLE:  Psychology

 

TEACHER:  Ms. M. Cadwalader

 

ROOM:  B1.23

 

E-MAIL:    michelle_cadwalader@eu.odedodea.edu

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  

                Psychology is a semester course exploring the behavior of living beings.  It is a study of the individual: how he thinks, feels, behaves, and relates to others in society.  Students will examine the areas of learning and cognitive processes, sensation and perception, personality, abnormal behavior, and human relations.  Students should acquire an understanding of psychological change and an appreciation of individual differences.

                Lectures, discussion, projects, experiments, role play/simulations, and research are just a few of the ways we will investigate the field of psychology.  Participation is an absolutely essential ingredient for the success of this class.

 

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES/STANDARDS:

                The standards of psychology engage students in an exploration of human behavior and the personal characteristics of individuals.  Students examine methods used by professional psychologists to study human behavior.  Students focus on human growth and development, learning, the effects of emotions on behavior, and adaptation to and interaction in a variety of environments.  Students study theory, theories of personality and mental wellness, and illness.

 

SKILLS

·         Acquire information from a variety of sources including written, graphic, and experimental sources.

·         Use rational decision-making strategies for planning and problem-solving.

·         Conduct interviews and participate in self-awareness and group dynamic activities.

·         Complete research through oral and written reports, interviews with resource people, visits to institutions.

·         Access and use complex electronic databases and communication networks of all types.

 

SSI                 Citizenship:  Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic, so that the learner can:

a.        Evaluate the degree to which public policy and citizen behaviors exemplify the stated ideals of democratic government.

b.        Identify, analyze, and propose solutions to local, state, and national issues.

c.        Define and demonstrate the attributes, rights, and responsibilities of a democratic citizen to include voting procedures and the election process.

 

SS2         Culture:  Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity, so that the learner can:

a.        Analyze and explain how groups, societies, and culture address human needs and concerns.

b.        Show how cultural expression is reflected in political ideologies, movements, or events in history.

c.        Analyze the concept of cultural diversity and its impact on United States government.

 

SS3         Time, continuity, and change:  Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the way human beings view themselves in and over time, so that the learner can:

a.        Describe how governments and their institutions change.

b.        Evaluate Supreme Court decisions within their historical contexts.

c.        Trace the development of political parties in the United States.

  1. Analyze reoccurring themes and issues in United States government (e.g., universal suffrage and health care).

 

SS4         Space and place:  Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of space and place, so that the learner can:

a.        Use geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret political data.

b.        Describe the relationship between a nation’s economic and historical development and its geographical features.

 

SS5                Individual development and identity:  Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of individual development and identity, so that the learner can:

a.        Explain how political beliefs are influenced by family, ethnicity, gender, group, and culture.

b.        Identify how individual behaviors are sanctioned and rewarded in society.

c.        Describe the influences of various historical and contemporary cultures on an individual’s life.

 

SS6                Individuals, groups, and institutions:  Social studies programs should provide for the study of the interaction among individuals, groups, and institutions so that the learner can:

a.        Analyze the evolution of social and political institutions (e.g., political parties, expansion of federal regulatory groups).

b.        Explain how groups and institutions perpetuate values, beliefs, and attitudes.

c.        Analyze examples of tensions between expressions of individuality and efforts used to promote social conformity.

d.        Evaluate ways in which technological, political, economic, and environmental changes affect the social system.

 

SS7                Production, distribution, and consumption:  Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, so that the learner can:

a.        Investigate and explain how abundance and scarcity of goods and services require economic system intervention.

b.        Explain the major economic functions of government.

c.        Define the principles and analyze the development of fiscal and monetary policy in the United States (e.g., Federal Reserve, Nation Bank, debt).

d.        Recognize and analyze the inherent conflict between environmental and developmental interests.

 

SS8         Power, authority, and governance:  Social studies programs should include the experiences that provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power, authority, and governance, so that the learner can:

a.        Compare and contrast governments at all levels (e.g., Constitutional development, checks and balances, political parties).

b.        Analyze the development and role of international and multinational organizations and agencies.

c.        Investigate the concept and development of basic human rights (e.g., universal human rights, civil rights, basic US rights as outlined in the Bill of Rights).

d.        Assess the roles and responsibilities of elected officials.

e.        Develop and maintain an awareness and understanding of national and international political issues.

 

SS9         Science, technology, and society:  Social studies programs should include the experiences that provide for the study of the relationships among science, technology, and society, so that the learner can:

a.        Evaluate the impact of technology (e.g., media) on government institutions.

b.        Examine how laws and policies affect scientific and technological applications.

c.        Analyze how science and technology influence core values, beliefs, and attitudes of society.

 

SS10       Global connections:  Social studies programs should include the experiences that provide for the study of global connections and interdependence, so that the leaner can:

a.        Analyze policies that address current concerns and issues related to human rights, environmental quality, and territorial disputes.

b.        Discuss the concept of national sovereignty in relation to political developments.

c.        Analyze formal and informal means of interaction with governments of other nations.

 

CSP GOAL

AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP (Continuous School Progress) goal is, All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.” The 6 + 1 trait is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6+1 Trait writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6+1 Trait model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. Success of all students requires that the 6 + 1 Trait become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International Middle/High School.

In psychology, students will be taught the 6 + 1 method of writing.  They will have the opportunity to practice their writing using the rubrics in their homework, journals, assignments, and quizzes.  Formal assessment, using the rubrics, will take place on major exams and/or projects.

 

SCOPE & SEQUENCE:

                The course is divided into a number of different units, all of which will be tested at the end of each unit.

                Unit One:  The Foundation  (Ch 1, 2)                                               1-2 weeks

                       I.  Psychological Approaches

                       II.  Research

                                A.  Scientific Method

                                B.  Studies and Experiments and Tests

                                C.  Experimental Ethics

                       III.  Famous Psychologists

 

                Unit Two:  Processing  (Ch 3-6)                                                        6-8 weeks

I.  The Brain

        A.  Parts

        B.  Functions

        C.  Communication

                       II.  The Body

                                A. Nervous System

                                B. Endocrine System

                                C. Glands

                       III. Sensation and Perception

                                A. Vision

                                B.  Hearing

                                C.  Touch

                                D.  Smell

                                E.  Taste

                                F.  Triggers

                       IV.  Motivation and Emotion

                                A.  Needs

                                B.  Emotion Theory

                                C.  Eating Disorders

                       V.  Consciousness and Sleep

                                A.  Clocks and Rhythms

                                B.  REM vs. NREM

                                C. Dreams

 

                Unit Three:  Personality  (Ch 14-16, 19-20)                                                4-5 weeks

                       I.  Freud

                                A. Psychoanalysis

                                B.  Stages of Develpment

                                C.  Theories of Personality

                       II.  Erik Erikson

                       III.  Behaviorism

                                A.  John Watson

                                B.  B. F. Skinner

                                C.  Albert Bandura

IV.  Maslow

        A.  Humanism

        B.  Hierarchy of Needs

V.  Personality Testing

VI.  Conflict

VII.  Stress and Anxiety

        A.  Self-esteem

        B.  Defense Mechanisms

        C.  Healthy Coping

 

Unit Four:  Abnormal Psych  (Ch 17-18)                                       2-3 weeks

       I.  Mental Disorders

       II.  Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

       III.  Treatments and Therapy

       IV.  Seeking Professional Help

 

                Each unit will have at least one project and/or paper of some kind, and each will also be tested at the end.  Participation, small quizzes, and homework assignments will also be an important part of the grade.  This schedule is a general estimate, and allowances and changes will be made as we go along.  The chapters listed contain the information that is to be covered in each unit, and should serve as a reference for students.  Outside reading and supplementary resources will be used in addition to the textbook.

 

COURSE GRADING/ASSESSMENT

                The semester grade is a combination of the two quarter grades, with each quarter worth 40% of the semester grade and a semester exam, worth 20% of the final grade.  The quarter grades are figured as follows:

Tests/Projects/Papers:                   40%

Quizzes/Surprises:                25%

Homework/Classwork:                20%

Class Participation:                15%

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/CONSEQUENCES

                In a class such as this, it is important for students to feel safe to express themselves, their opinions, and their experiences in a safe, open, respectful environment.  For this reason, disciplinary problems, disrespectful behavior, and lack of participation cannot be tolerated. 

                Students are expected to be polite at all times and engage themselves in a mannerly fashion.  All students are required to actively participate in each and every class.  Cheating or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated; any test or assignment in which dishonesty is even suspected results in an automatic zero for the assignment, as well as some other potential disciplinary action.

                Students who have missed a class are responsible for arranging time with me before or after school or during seminar time to make up their work.

 

TEXTBOOK:

                McMahon, Judith W. and Tony Romano.  Psychology and You, 3rd Edition.  Chicago, IL: National Textbook

Company, 2000.

 

 

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SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL:   Novels, primary resources, videos/films, internet/computer/software, worksheets

 

SUPPLIES (REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED):

                Students must have a writing utensil, paper, and a 3-ring binder in class every day.  A small (one or two subject) spiral notebook will be used every day.  The textbook will often be used in class, so having it on hand is highly recommended.  An assignment book of some kind, in which to keep track of tests, projects, papers, homework, etc., is also highly recommended.  Students will be expected to do some word processing, and some work on the internet may also be required.

 

HOMEWORK POLICY:

                Because this a semester class, students should expect some form of work each night.  It may be reading a novel or textbook, studying for a test or quiz, looking for some vocabulary words, or simply reviewing concepts and notes from class.  Homework is designed to reinforce concepts and ideas that students have been studying as well as aid them in developing skills to become independent learners.

                Unless prior arrangements have been or special circumstances exist, late work will only be accepted for 50% of the points if it is no more than one class period late.  Anything more than one class period late will be accepted (for feedback and learning purposes), but will receive no points.

 

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY: 

If you know you are going to be away from school, please let me know so that we may work out a schedule so you do not fall too far behind.  For unexpected absences, students may have one class period to make up any missing work for full credit.  It is recommended that the students come see me during the seminar following their return to discuss what was missed and make a plan for turning in the work.

                Long-term projects and papers are still due on time.  If a student is absence on the day of the project, he or she must turn it in on the day he or she returns to school.  If a student is absent the day of the test, they must make it up during the following seminar, or see me for other arrangements.  If a student is absent the day before a test, he or she can see me to make arrangements for an alternative time to take the test, rather than coming back and facing it right after the absence.

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

                I am available to students before school, and some days after school, as well as during seminar.  It is recommended that a student double-check with me to be sure I am available to meet with him or her during lunch or before and after school, but generally I try to be available. 

                Parents may call the school to make an appointment with me during the last hour of the day on B days.