Psychology | Wiley | Course Syllabus Name:Important Teacher Information:Ms. Wiley’s email address – kwiley@cbsd.org | Room D218See Ms. Wiley’s Schoolwires site for pertinent course information and documents

Course Description:This course is designed to introduce students to psychology, which is the study of human/animal behavior and mental processes. The word psychology comes from the Greek word psyche, meaning “mind” or “soul,” and the Latin word logia, meaning “study of.” We study psychology in response to a fundamental curiosity about ourselves and our world. To learn to think like psychologists and appreciate their findings and goals, the course will provide an opportunity to explore topics such as: various approaches in psychology, such as behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, clinical, psychiatry, evolutionary psychology, etc.; research methods, such as surveys, naturalistic observations, case studies, and experiments; learning, cognition, and memory; consciousness; motivation and emotion; personality; intelligence; psychological disorders; and social psychology.

As psychologist David Myers explains, to think like a psychologist one must “restrain intuition with critical thinking, judgmentalism with compassion, and illusion with understanding.” Whether you choose to pursue a career in psychology or in some entirely different field, the habits of mind discussed in the class will be of great value, as they can enrich your life and your understanding of others. In short, the concepts we will study in this class shape our very existence, and are therefore applicable to each and every one of you, despite your differences.

This course is not one in which you will play a passive role. Instead, you are expected to take an active part in your learning and that of the class as well. Discussion and demonstrations will dominate over lectures so that we can think and learn as real psychologists do—by interacting, observing, analyzing, deliberating, and testing hypotheses.

Course Expectations and Goals: Engage in lively discussion daily (see participation rubric on page 2) Read and analyze psychological research/commentary Apply psychological methodology and mindset to current events and personal life Complete several projects to aid in the understanding of Psychology as an academic field

Course Materials: Pencils, pens, highlighters, post-its One labeled folder solely for Psychology use (include full name and course title) Dream Journal Headphones that can be plugged into laptops

Grading Breakdown: Summative Assessments (major assignments or assessments: projects, presentations, etc.)—90% of final grade Formative Assessments (learning process: participation, folder documents, open-note quizzes, etc.)—10% of final grade

Class Rules:1) [General Guidelines] Arrive to class on time. Strive to be fully present in each class session: engaged, participatory, respectful,

and inquisitive. 2) [Absences] When absent, it is your responsibility to catch up on missed work, including videos analyzed in class. 3) [Restroom] When possible, students should try to use the restroom between classes or before lunch. If necessary, and at

appropriate times during the lesson, students may ask permission to use the restroom. Students must sign in and out legibly. 4) [Food and Drink] Both are permitted in the classroom so long as students dispose of their trash appropriately and thoroughly

clean any spills that they are responsible for. Please advise Ms. Wiley of any food allergy as soon as possible.5) [Classroom Etiquette] This classroom space has been carefully decorated and designed to be a comfortable learning space.

Please respect that space by cleaning up when you see things left behind, straightening desks, pushing in chairs before you leave, etc.

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6) [Electronic Devices ] Laptops will often be used in class. See laptop guidelines on page 3. Cell phones/iPods may be used for listening to music during independent projects but should otherwise be out of sight.

PARTICIPATION RUBRICLarge-Group Discussion: Partner or Small-Group Work:

A Range

18-20 points

Regularity across classes (consistent participation throughout the week)

Responds to and interacts with teacher and students during discussions and class activities by building on responses of teacher/peers, making connections between comments, and/or posing questions

Comments/questions are insightful and constructive Listens carefully to all comments made in class Is respectful and courteous while participating and

while others are participating

Consistently contributes ideas and/or questions to the group

Listens attentively to all group members

Helps group members when needed Encourages all members to share their

points of view Is focused on the task at hand

B Range

16-17.5 points

In general, student frequently participates, but participation may be inconsistent at times (ex: highly active in one class and entirely quiet for the next three classes)

Responds to and interacts with teacher and students, but not consistently

In general, student collaborates well with peers (see “A” range above), but their participation/contributions may be inconsistent

C Range

14-15.5 points

Student occasionally participates (ex: once a week) Student is, at times, inattentive while other

classmates participate

Collaboration is inconsistent Collaboration is, at times, superficial

(ex: just reading responses rather than discussing responses and questions)

Is, at times, inattentive to group members

May occasionally bring a lack of focus to the group

D Range

12-13.5 points

Student rarely participates (ex: once every other week)

Student is often inattentive while other classmates participate

Collaboration is minimal Collaboration is often superficial (ex:

just reading responses rather than discussing responses and questions)

Is often inattentive to group members Contributions often bring a lack of

focus to the group

F Range

Below 12 points

Student did not make any attempt to participate Student is inattentive while other classmates

participate

Student does not contribute to group Student is off-task during group work

Your score will be determined by averaging the two categories outlined above. If, for example, you scored a “B” in the large-group category but an “A” in partner/small-group category, you would receive an “A-” for your total participation score.

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Laptop Guidelines You will be using laptops as valuable educational tools in our classroom. This entails adhering to some guidelines. If you cannot follow the guidelines provided, there will be academic and behavioral consequences. Thank you for your cooperation.

1. You will use the same laptop whenever we use them in class. Your assigned laptop number should be recorded to the right.

2. Place your laptop in the right section and with the right charger each time you return the laptop.

3. The laptops are to be used for classwork. If you are using the laptops for any other purpose when you should be working on an assignment or project, you will lose points for said assignment/project. If you finish an assignment/project earlier than your peers and would like to browse the internet or play games, you may do so, but distracting peers is never acceptable. Distraction due to games (etc.) will result in a loss of points, and if done repeatedly, will result in behavioral consequences.

4. If discussion or teaching is going on while laptops are out, it is expected that you are looking at the speaker/teacher and listening—not looking at your laptop—while they are trying to communicate something. Respectful and effective listening entails eye contact. Participation points will be deducted from your score if this guideline is not followed.

5. Do not place food or drink anywhere near the laptops.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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Laptop #:

__________________

CB

Psychology Partner FormDuring most class sessions you will be asked to meet with at least one of your partners from this form to discuss homework, complete a task, etc. Note: No repeats in Round 2! The objective is to get to know and learn from new voices…

Round 1Classmate Partners when ____ is called:

Villanova UniversityLehigh University

Penn StateGettysburg CollegeTemple University

William & MaryDrexel University

Round 2Classmate Partners when ____ is called:

Bucknell UniversityDelaware Valley College

Dickinson CollegeLafayette College

West Virginia UniversityHarvard University

University of Virginia

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