Course+Overview

//** Course Outline **// Unit I:Review of Levels of Analysis Unit II: The Internal Assessment Unit III: Option I: Abnormal Unit III (HL): Option II: Human Relationships Unit IV: Preparing for the Exam
 * Instructor: ** John Brown
 * Texts: **
 * //** IB Psychology: A Course Companion **//, by John Crane & Jette Hannibal
 * **//Forty studies that changed psychology: Explorations into the history of psychological research //**, by Roger R Hock
 * (RECOMMENDED) IB Prepared: Approach your exams the IB way - Psychology SL and HL
 * Identifying weaknesses (Ask the Expert)
 * Socio-Cultural Level of Analysis
 * Cognitive Level of Analysis
 * Biological Level of Analysis
 * Review of research methods
 * What makes a quality study?
 * Study design & Resources
 * Background researcher
 * Performing the study
 * T he report


 * By the end of the year, you should be able to: **
 * Demonstrate knowledge & comprehension of:
 * Key terms & concepts in Psychology.
 * Psychological research methods.
 * A range of appropriately identified psychological theories & studies.
 * Socio-cultural, cognitive & biological levels of analysis.
 * Demonstrate the ability to
 * Utilize examples from psychological research and theory to formulate an argument in response to a specific question.
 * Evaluate psychological theories & empirical studies.
 * Discuss how socio-cultural, cognitive and biological levels of analysis can be used to explain behavior.
 * Evaluate research methods used to investigate behavior.
 * Aquire knowledge and skills (through research) required for experimental design, data collection, data analysis & interpretation, & presentation.
 * Write a well organized response.
 * Additionally, High-level students should be able to: **
 * Analyse qualitative research in terms of methodological, reflexive & ethical issues of research
 * Analyse data using an appropriate inferential statistical test

** Course Expectations ** This is the second year of the IB Psychology program. Success requires commitment and dedication. It is important that you understand and work hard to meet these expectations. The expectations listed below impact the grade, but more importantly, assure that you have the fundamental knowledge necessary for for success. Therefore: BRING YOUR COMPUTER TO CLASS WITH YOU EVERY LESSON
 * ** Attendance **
 * You should be present and on time for all class meetings.
 * If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to make up any assignments.
 * For excused absences, you will have one day for each excused day missed, to make up any classwork or homework. You will have one week to make up any missed exam.
 * For unexcused absences, no make up work will be available and you will receive a score of zero (0) for that assignment.
 * Rarely, if ever, will makeup work be available during the school day. Arrangements will need to be made for you to make up assignments either before or after school.
 * Failure to complete make up assignments within the timeframe required, will result in a grade of zero (0) for that assignment.
 * ** Assignments **
 * Any written assignment submitted must be received by the instructor at the time it is due. Late work will not be accepted, except as outlined above for absences.
 * It is your responsibility to assure that all assignments submitted by email or online were received by the instructor. If there is a discrepancy as to whether the assignment was received, it is your responsibility to provide documentation that it was. Therefore, if an assignment is submitted by email, request a “return receipt” from the instructor. If you need assistance with this, please discuss it with the instructor prior to the due date. For assignments submitted through Moodle, be sure to verify on your moodle login that the assignment was submitted. Although, rare, problems can occur with email and Moodle. As long as you have printed documentation that an assignment was submitted correctly and received, allowances will be made.
 * ** Participation **
 * Success in the class is dependent on active participation in class discussions
 * Be sure that you have completed any assigned reading and are prepared for discussion when you come to class.
 * ** OISPsych Wiki **
 * Frequently there will be supplemental resources, activities and discussion forums on the Wiki. You are expected to check the Psychology class on Wiki frequently.
 * ** Help available **
 * Each unit of study that we cover will provide a building block for the next, so it is imperative that you understand the material. If you are struggling or don´t understand a concept, discuss this with your instructor and classmates immediately. Ask questions in class.
 * ** Paperless (less paper) class **
 * In order to reduce the environmental impact of this class, most all handouts, reading selections, etc., will be provided in electronic format only, through the wiki.
 * Unless otherwise instructed--All written assignments will be done on computer

** Grading Scale ** Because of the intense nature of the program, it is imperative that studens not miss class unless it is an absolute necessity. In the event of an EXCUSED absence, the following policy will be followed. **//__Note that no make up work will be accepted for unexcused absences.__//** Alternately, you may submit it the next calendar day with a penalty of five (5) points. The paper / assignment will be accepted a maximum of three (3) calendar days late, with a penalty of five (5) points per calendar day. After three (3) days, the assignment will not be accepted.* (*This limit is subject to review in very extreme cases.) || It is YOUR responsibility to see the teacher OUTSIDE of class time to discuss missed work. Rarely if ever will there be time in class to do so. Failure to do this in a timely manner may result in you missing the deadline for submission of the makeup work.
 * Unit Assessment 25%
 * Major Presentations 30%
 * Classwork / Homework 10%
 * Quizzes 10%
 * Participation, Preparedness, Group Work 10%
 * IA Revisions 15%
 * Makeup Policy **
 * Daily assignments || For each day of EXCUSED absence, you will be allowed one calendar school day to complete and submit the assignment.** Note: ** this is calendar day, not the day the class meets next. ||
 * Major papers & Assignments || In the event that you are absent on the day a major assignment is due, an electronic copy may be submitted on the due date for full credit. (Make sure to get an email receipt showing that it was received by the teacher.)
 * Quizes and daily assignments || The purpose of these assignments is to check for understand of an assigned topic for the day. As such, if these are missed, they cannot be made up. ||
 * Exams || You will have a maximum of 5 school days to make up a written exam. Because it is important that additional class time not be lost for makeup work, these cannot be done during class time. You will need to arrange a time to do the makeup either before or after school, or during lunch. ||

** Guidelines for Written Work ** In keeping with IB exam guidelines, no work may be submitted in pencil. Unless otherwise instructed, all written work must comply with the following guidelines:
 * Written in standard shades of blue or black ink
 * Legible
 * Write on one side of the paper only
 * Leave 2.5-3.0 cm (1 inch) margins at top, bottom, left AND right
 * Title should be WITHIN the top margin
 * Do not write on the bottom line of a page and do not write to the edges of the paper
 * Complete heading is to be on the top right side of each page (within the top margin).
 * Name
 * Course-Level (HL or SL)
 * Date the assignment is submitted


 * For typed documents **
 * Use only 12 or 14 pt font
 * Times New Roman or Arial