Psychology

Ms. Emily Broyles

Email: Emily_Broyles@dpsk12.org (preferred method of contact)

Phone: 720-424-1801

Office Hours: Wednesday 7:30am-7:55am in room 215

Meetings by appointment (please no drop-ins)

 

Course Overview:

This course will introduce juniors and seniors at the Denver School of the Arts to the scientific study of human behavior, the process of thinking and feeling, the role of environment on human development, and how our brains react to different stimuli.  We will explore the history and foundations of modern psychology, and well as focusing on the role of the scientific method and research in psychology.  Topics covered will include, but are not limited to: psychological perspectives, research methods, brain anatomy, learning, memory, language, intelligence, motivation, personality, gender, psychological disorders, social interaction and therapy.  Students will obtain a foundation of knowledge, content-based writing skills and research strategies which can be applied to all fields of psychology, along with a deeper understanding of the complexities and diversity of human thought and behavior.

The content of this course is based on the National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula developed by the American Psychological Association. These standards can be viewed by visiting: http://www.apa.org/education/k12/national-standards.aspx

 

Course Goals:

• Understand how the history of psychology and its founding fathers impact the area of study today

• Describe and analyze important research in areas of human behavior, cognitive processes, human development, personality, psychological disorders and social psychology

• Support conclusions with relevant data and research

• Develop a understanding of the parts and function of the brain as they pertain to human behavior

• Create an appreciation that psychological science and knowledge can be useful in addressing a wide array of issues, from individual to global levels.

• Develop scientific attitudes and skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, and an appreciation for scientific methodology

 

IMPORTANT: I sincerely encourage all students to reach out to me immediately if they are feeling uncomfortable or triggered by information we cover in psychology.  Some topics can be personal to students.  I will try my hardest to work with students who need support, but being triggered by content should not be used after the fact as an excuse for missing or late work.

 

 

Rules and Expectations:

• Students will act with respect and use respectful language towards the teacher, their fellow students, and all staff and visitors in our classroom.  In return, I will always treat you and your family with respect.

• Students will check my website daily and will self-advocate and ask for help/come to office hours when they need more support.

• No food or drink is allowed in the classroom, with the exception of water in a sealed container.

• Cameras and over recording devices are allowed only with prior approval.

• Students who ditch class on the day of a major assignment, test or presentation will NOT be allowed to make up what they missed.

• Cheating and sharing of work without explicit permission to do so will result in a zero for both the cheater and the student who allowed their work to be copied.

• Student will assume everyone’s positive intentions and will bring their materials and good attitude to class each day.

• CELL PHONE POLICY: If I see a cell phone out during class I will take it.  The first time this happens, I will lock it up and give it back to the student at the end of the school day.  Any additional instances, I will lock it up until a parent comes to get it from me.  Please do not call or text your student during class, call the front office and they will send a note to your student.  By signing this syllabus, parents and students are acknowledging this classroom policy.

 

 

Materials: 

• One 3-ring binder (to be dedicated only to psychology).  All handouts need to be kept and organized into this notebook in addition to your notes and warm ups.

• Dividers for your 3-ring binder

• Filler paper in each section of 3-ring binder

• Access to the online textbook (no hardcopy textbooks will be taken out of the classroom)

• Pencils (highlighters and colored pencils are optional)

 

Textbook: Holt McDougal Psychology: Principles in Practice

Online textbook: my.hrw.com

Grading:

Grades will be made available to students and parents through Infinite Campus.  A student’s grade will consist of 40% for process assignments (homework, academic participation) and 60% for product assignments (tests, quizzes and projects) per quarter.  In accordance with district policy each quarter will be entered as a stand-alone grading period. Each quarter will count as 45% of the semester grade with the remaining 10% coming from the final semester assessment.

 

**Emailed assignments will not be accepted in previously arranged with Ms. Broyles.  Please turn in all late and missing assignments to the late work folder in class.

 

DPS District Grading Rubric:

93-100% =A,90-92% = A-,87-89% = B+, 83-86% = B,80-82% = B- 77-79% = C+,73-76% = C,70-72% = C-, 60-69% = D,0-59%= F  

 

Absences and Make-Up Work:

DSA policy states that students will not be academically penalized for their first 5 excused and/or unexcused absences for the whole school year.  After these first 5 absences, students must present appropriate documentation in order for additional absences to be excused and to have the ability to complete make up work.  Students with unexcused absences after the first 5 absences will not have the ability to complete make up work and will receive a “0” for any missed work.  Students have 48 hours to turn in any make-up work (see page 20 of the DSA Student Handbook).  If a student misses this 48 hour window, but turns the assignment in within one week of their original absence, they will receive half credit for the assignment. 

 

Important: If students are considered present at DSA, but are not in class (particularly for pull-outs, midday rehearsal/performances and/or field trips) it is their responsibility to contact me in reference to work and tests they may miss as early as possible (at least 1 class period in advance). Unless previously discussed, all work for these days will be due on the original due date.
 

Late Work:
Homework and other “process” work will be accepted late for one calendar week for 50% credit.  After one week the student will receive a zero.  Major assignments, papers, and other “product” work will be docked 10% for each day it is late for one calendar week.  After one week the student will receive a zero.

 

Academic Integrity:

Academic honesty is a fundamental principal of learning; therefore, written or other work which students submit must be their own and must follow proper citation guidelines. Please become familiar with the citation formats that will be used in this class. Presenting someone else’s work as your own, no matter where it originated, is cheating. If you choose to cheat on an assignment you will earn no credit for the assignment and a referral will be sent the Dean’s Office. 

 

 

 Students and parents, please a take moment to become familiar with this syllabus and sign below before September 2nd.  Please note that I reserve the right to make modifications to the course outline as necessary to best meet the needs of our class.  I look forward to learning together this year!

 

***The best way to contact me is (circle one):                          phone                                     email

 

The phone number or email address Ms. Broyles should use is:­­­­­­­­­­______________________________________________________

 

 

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(student signature)                                                                  (date)

 

 

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(parent signature)                                                                    (date)