Course: AP Psychology Teacher: Christopher
Johnston
Year: 2024-2025 E-mail:
cjohnston@[Link]
The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and
mental processes. While considering the studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply
psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with major units of study, including biological
bases of behavior, cognition, development, learning, social psychology, personality, and mental and physical
health. Throughout the course, students apply psychological concepts and employ psychological research
methods and data interpretation to evaluate claims, consider evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.
Course Goals:
The objective of the course is to engage students on a collegiate level through writing,
research, and discussion. By the end of the year, students will have mastered specific
skills and topics which can be found below.
1- Students will gain a strong foundation in Psychology
2- Students will be able to apply psychological perspectives, theories, concepts, and
research findings
3- Students will be able to evaluate qualitative and quantitative research methods
and study designs
4- Students will be able to evaluate representations of psychological concepts in
quantitative and qualitative research, including tables, graphs, charts, figures,
and diagrams
5- Students will be able to develop and justify psychological arguments using
evidence
6- Students will be able to identify psychology-related concepts in descriptions or
representations of data
7- Students will be able to determine the type of research design(s) used in a given
study
Required Course Materials
Textbook:
Myers' Psychology for the AP® Course 4th Edition
- This will be an online textbook provided by the school
Grading & Academic Policies
The various assessments that contribute to your grade will be weighted by type. Your
grade will be calculated as a weighted average of the following types of assessments:
Grade - Weights Holy Cross Grading
Tests – 30% Scale:
Classwork – 40% 90%-100%
Exam – 20% A
Homework – 10% 83%-89%
B
Tests:
There will be approximately four tests each semester. Tests will consist of multiple
choice, short answers, and essay questions.
Exam:
Each semester Exam will be cumulative and designed around the information from that
semester.
Homework:
Students should be reading every night. Written homework is usually in the form of
vocabulary assignments with at least a one-week head start. All assignments will be
posted on TigerNet, as well as discussed in class.
Classwork/Projects:
Throughout the year students will be given a variety of in-class assignments, projects,
and quizzes. Some in-class assignments will be Team assignments, all Team
assignment grades will have an individual component. Any paper that is assigned will
be required to be submitted to [Link] through TigerNet.
TigerNet:
Tigernet is a resource and will be used in this course to communicate daily homework
assignments, project due dates, and test dates, as well as distribute documents and
links used in class. While Tigernet is a convenient tool, each student is responsible
for keeping track of his assignments & important dates.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (ie, cheating) on any assignment or
assessment is NOT tolerated and will result in a failing grade on the assignment.;
dishonesty may also result in serious disciplinary action, such as suspension or, in the
case of extreme or repeated offenses, expulsion. Behaviors considered dishonest by
Holy Cross include, not are not limited to:
o Entering an academic testing situation with an unfair advantage, such as stealing
materials or receiving stolen materials from another.
o Giving/receiving answers to quizzes, tests, and examinations (either during,
before, or after the exam).
o Lending or copying a written assignment, in or out of class (this includes HW,
review guides, etc).
o Violating testing procedures as defined by a teacher in an individual classroom.
o Using artificial intelligence (AI) to complete work that should be original.
o Plagiarism & forgery (Holy Cross Handbook).
Behavior & Classroom Expectations
Day-to-day expectations:
Students are to be on time and ready for class when the bell rings. Students should be
prepared to take notes every day and discuss the night’s readings. If a student does not
have his notebook paper will be provided and available on the counter.
Discussion is a part of this course. For it to function properly student engagement and
participation will be needed. Students will be required to speak in each class. While
most of the lecture will consist of themes in the textbook some of it will not be found in
the book.
Discipline:
Students are to adhere to the behavior standard of the handbook and Holy Cross Man.
While engaging in discussion students should be respectful of one another. Any
violation of this will not be tolerated.
Laptop Policy:
Laptops will not be allowed to take daily notes in class. We will use computers for
research throughout the year, so it is important for students to have the device in class
each day.
Absence Policy:
It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to make up any and all tests missed within an
agreed-upon time frame. Failure to make up a test/quiz will result in a ZERO. If a
student does not contact the teacher when he misses a test, it will be assumed that he
is taking the test the day he returns to class. Students who miss class MUST contact
other students to make copies of lecture notes. It is up to the student to do this.
Makeup Policy:
Students are allowed to make up work. To do so, the student must contact me to set up
a time for the work to be submitted. Students who miss a test are expected to take the
test the next class period that they are at school.
Course Syllabus
The following are topics to be covered throughout the school year. They do not
represent everything, merely most major topics. The pacing is subject to change:
First Semester Topics Second Semester
• Science Practices & Research • Development & Learning
Methods o Developmental Themes
o Critical Thinking o Cognitive Development
o Correlations & Experimentation o Classical Conditioning
o Research Design & Ethics o Operant Conditioning
o Factors in Learning
• Biological Basis of Behavior
o Nervous & Endocrine System • Social Psychology & Personality
o Psychoactive Drugs o Attitude Formation
o Humanistic Theories
o Motivational Concepts
o Theories of Emotion
o Brain Regions & Structures
o Consciousness & Sleep
o Sensation
• Cognition
o Perception
o Decision Making
o Memory
o Theories of Intelligence
Tutoring Hours & Contact Information
Tutoring:
Tutoring will be made available upon appointment. Generally, tutoring will be held after
school. If a student needs tutoring it is extremely important that he have notes and
knowledge of the previous reading.
Contact Information:
E-mail is the best contact for me. You can expect a reply within 24 hours.
Course Expectations for
AP Psychology - Johnston
Student/Parent Agreement to Course Expectations
The above course expectations & syllabus is intended to present an overview of course
goals and expectations, and the methods used for successful completion of them.
For each student to reach his potential, it is important that all components in his
educational experience work collaboratively together, i.e., the student, teacher, parent,
and administrator. To indicate your support of this philosophy, please sign this form
and return it to the appropriate teacher.
As is the case in every progressive academic course, and, indeed, in every such school,
our curricula and methods of instruction undergo constant scrutiny and evaluation by
teachers and administrators. Suggestions and recommendations from parents and
students are also welcome as we continue to strive to fulfill the mission of Holy Cross
School.
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Student Name (please print) Parent Name (please print)
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature Parent Signature
_____________________ _____________________
Date Date