Norcross High School

Norcross High School

Social Studies Department

Course Syllabus

IB Psychology for Standard Level Diploma Candidates

INSTRUCTOR

Name: Mike Findley, Ed.D.

E-mail:

Telephone: 770-448-3674

Office hours: 6:30-7:00 & 2:10-3:00; B106

PURPOSE

The aim of this syllabus is to prepare students for the three areas of assessment to be used in this course for the IB diploma candidates. The three areas of assessment are: 1) Paper 1 – short answer and extended response regarding perspectives in psychology, two hours, 50% of overall grade; 2) Paper 2 – extended response questions on an optional area of study in psychology, one hour, 30% of grade; 3) Internal assessment – a simple experimental study written up according to a specific format, 15-30 hours, 20% of grade.

Successful completion of syllabus requirements should leave students well prepared for the assessments. The course will require a great deal of independent study. Class time will be allotted for some of this study with the remainder being done outside the classroom/school.

Local grades will be based on the quality of work submitted by the student, meeting deadlines, scores on practice assessments, internal assessment grade and other criteria. Detailed guidelines for the internal assessment will be provided at the appropriate time.

GRADING SCHEMA

Grades will be calculated using the following breakdown:

45% Summative Assessments (may include but not limited to: teacher generated unit tests, major assignments, research papers, etc.)

20% Classwork & Homework

15% Minor Assessments (may include but not limited to: Internal assessment checks, quizzes, labs, etc.)

20% Comprehensive Final Exam (15% objective portion, 5% performance portion)

Students in Gwinnett County Public Schools who take Advanced Placement courses or International Baccalaureate courses that have a standardized national exam are to have 10 points added to their final grade in the course. These points are not associated with the student's performance on the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams.

High school seniors who have an overall “A” average, 90% or greater, will be exempt from taking local semester examinations for the second semester except when EOCT’s are required. High school seniors who have an “A” average, 90% or greater, in a specific course may be exempt from taking a local second semester examination on a course by course basis.

TEXTBOOK

Myers, D.G. (2007). Psychology (8th ed.) New York: Worth.