Course+Outline


 * Intro to Psychology **

**Course Content:** Intro to Psych is designed to give students an introductory understanding of human behavior and interaction. Topics of study include the history and science of psychology, the brain, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, (altered) states of consciousness, learning, memory and intelligence, human lifespan development, personality, and abnormal psychology. A student interest inventory will determine our course of study.

**Essential Questions:**
 * 1) What is the scientific nature of the study of psychology?
 * 2) What are the major approaches to and perspectives of the study of psychology?
 * 3) How do human personality, behavior, and cognition develop in an individual's lifetime?
 * 4) How does the world around us affect our personality and behavior?

**Textbook:** We will use Rod Plotnik’s __Introduction to Psychology__ as our primary text. These books are college-level texts, and therefore expensive to replace, so students will be expected to handle them with care. Covers required!

**Materials:** Students will need a three-ring binder, loose leaf paper, and a writing utensil for daily activities. I expect unit outlines, notes, handouts, etc to be neatly organized within the notebook. It will be to your benefit to maintain the binder throughout the semester. Students also need to have an open mind and a certain degree of maturity to cover some of the course content.

**Learning Activities:** This class is different than your required social studies courses. You elected to be here, so I expect that you will be willing to participate in hands on and group activities relating to material we cover. Content will be presented through PowerPoint instruction, discussion, projects and presentations, video clips, and readings. You will be tested on all unit material. If you are unable to finish class activities or have longer term assignments, you are expected to work outside of class. All handouts will be kept in folders in the clear “Yaffa” crate by the windows (as well as on this wiki). It is your responsibility to go to your class folder and find the assignment or handouts you missed. Tests must be made up within three school days from the date of absence, students are responsible for arranging testing time with the teacher. Extended, excused illnesses are the only reason not to have all work turned in to me in a timely manner.

**Classroom Expectations:** I expect you to be in class and ready to learn each day. STHS policy states that course credit can be suspended if a student misses more than 4 class periods…make sure this doesn’t happen to you! If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed and make it up. I expect you to treat your teacher and classmates with respect, if not, you will be removed from the course. We will be allowed to freely express our opinions in this classroom, and everyone has the right to be heard, so long as we are respectful of one another and foster a safe learning environment.

**Hall Pass Policy:** It is a very simple policy. If you are not physically in class, you are not getting your money's worth! As we meet every other day, our time together is very precious. Students can have one "out" a week, be it locker, bathroom, drink, nurse, etc. You are required to sign out and in on the classroom clipboard and take your agenda with you. This is a school-wide policy. Only one person is allowed out of the room at a time, and you must have my permission to leave. If the privilege is abused, it will be revoked.

**Grading Policy:** You may access student grades online. I accept late homework from a unit for half credit up until the unit test. Projects are 10% daily deductions. Materials will be graded in a timely manner. I grade on a total points basis, with tests and projects being worth more points. I fully expect students to demonstrate academic integrity in all assignments. Extra credit will show up as 0% because any number divided by 0 is 0, but if you check your total points extra credit will be there.

**Contact Information:** I encourage you to seek the assistance of your classmates, your parents and your teacher when you encounter a problem (the sooner the better)! I firmly believe in open communication and can be reached by phone or email. Email is the best method to reach me.

ashley_ <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">fusarelli@sdst.org <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;"><span class="skype_pnh_print_container">215-233-6030 <span class="skype_pnh_container"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> x2679 <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">< <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">http://fuspsych.wikispaces.com/ <span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">>

__<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Turnitin.com __<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;"> information: Intro Psych Fall 14, Course # 8436225, Password "psych"