Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Email me: fkral
Call classroom: 415-339-9336
Get info: http://teach.kralsite.com
Course Description
This elective is a survey of the field of psychology. It focuses on topics that provide a foundational understanding of human psychology, in a way that is relevant to the lives of high school students. The course touches on the following topics: the history of psychology, research methods, the biology of psychology, consciousness, genetics and evolution, developmental psychology, gender and sexuality, sensation and perception, learning, memory, thinking, language, intelligence, motivation, emotion, stress, health, personality, psychological disorders, methods of therapy, social psychology, and positive psychology. Students develop both academic and social skills, and have opportunities to increase their awareness of themselves and others. Students conduct research, perform studies, give multimedia presentations, and apply the growing body of knowledge from the natural sciences to the understanding of psychology.
Required text and supplemental materials
- Myers, David G. Psychology in Everyday Life, Second Edition. New York: Worth, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-6394-8. Ordered by school. Required.
- Textbook companion website, http://www.macmillanlearning.com/Catalog/studentresources/pel2e. Recommended.
- Laptop computer. Required.
- 3 ring binder, or one section of a 3 ring binder.
- Pockets to organize paper that is not hole punched (in the binder).
- Pencils (mechanical recommended).
Assessment
| Homework: assignments, journal entries, and papers. | 5 points per assignment |
| Quizzes: correctness of written responses. | 20 points per quiz |
| End-Semester Assessments: Final examination or final project. | 20% of course grade. |
| In-Class work: positive energy and interest level during in-class work including contributing to discussion, doing activities, volunteering, and working on assignments. Assessed informally. | 20 points per week |
| Commitment to learning: Taking on what is challenging to you, getting help, communicating with the teacher, engaging with the material, and documenting work in the notebook. Assessed informally. | 100 points per semester |
| Projects and Presentations: quality and correctness of written and graphical information and quality of delivery. | 40 to 100 points depending on scope |
Safety policy: only use equipment when and as instructed
Late work policy and tardy policy
The teacher enters grades once per week on Fridays. Students get credit for late or partial work up to that weekly deadline. Students who are tardy to class or leave the classroom for an extended time during class receive a maximum of 60% of the day's in-class work credit.
Cell phone and device policy
Devices are not allowed in class, except by explicit permission to do class work. If you need a calculator, please go borrow a classroom calculator or ask the teacher as soon as possible.
Class computer use policy
Personal and school computers shall be used for this subject only. The Marin School supports the responsible use of technology on our campus. See the Parent and Student Handbook.
Collaboration policy
I encourage study groups. You may work with others (not just students) unless instructed otherwise as long as all of you contribute. It is wise to put the name of each contributing student on an assignment to avoid issues with plagiarism.
Come visit or email! – Fred