AP® Psychology A & B

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings.

Students learn about some of the explorations and discoveries made by psychologists over the past century.
Students assess some of the differing approaches adopted by psychologists, including the biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural perspectives.
Most important, students come to an appreciation of how psychologists think (or at least an appreciation of the kind of critical analysis that psychologists embrace and hope to model in their words and actions).

Access the site link below to view the PDF of the course description from the College Board:
http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-psychology-course-description-2014-15.pdf

Prerequisites:

This class has adopted a higher-level textbook; students should be comfortable with a high school reading level at minimum.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

AP Psychology Public Syllabus link

Required Materials:

None

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available
Summer: Not available

Lead Teacher:

Brian Greenwell, C.M. Russel High School, brian.greenwell@montanadigitalacademy.org