Psychology / Sociology Printable Version
	This class is not being offered for the academic year 2003-2004. Psychology/Sociology Description This course is designed to give the student a broad overview of the study of psychology and sociology. The student will be introduced to important concepts, principles, terms, and theories. In psychology, emphasis will be placed on the development, intelligence, personality, emotions, and motivations in an attempt to obtain a better understanding of the individual. In sociology, students will learn about the development and differences in societies and cultures and how/why societies function. Learning activities will include lectures, simulations, research, presentations, book reports, videos, experiments, and class discussions. Time Allocation One ninety-minute class period daily, for one smear. Texts/References Psychology: An Introduction, Prentice Hall, 1996 Sociology: An Everyday Life Approach, West Publishing Company, 1995 Themes/Topics: Psychology The Science of Psychology Personality Memory Physiology and Behavior States of Unconsciousness Sensation and Perception Learning Sociology Sociology and You Thinking Sociologically: Concepts, Perspectives, and Theories Conformity, Deviance, and Control Culture Statuses, Roles, Groups, and Networks Social Stratification and Mobility Projects/Speakers/Field Trips Visit by School Psychologist Personality Research Paper Dream Analysis Project Assessments Teacher Constructed Tests and Quizzes Projects with Rubrics Journal Writing Grades and Performance Levels Grades are based on completion of assignments and quality of work. Each student also receives a rating that shows the student's performance level in this course. The rating is based on the student's attainment of the course expectations. Sociology Expectations A. Compared American culture with others in the world relative to health, wealth, education and housing. B. Identified the meaning and components of culture. C. Examined the causes and consequences of cultural variation, conformity, and adaptation. D. Explained how societies are structured and have changed. E. Examined the leading sociological theories of personality development and socialization. F. Evaluated social problems among teenagers in the context of changing socialization patterns and systems. G. Identified the causes, and consequences of individual conformity to, and deviance from, cultural standards of norms. H. Evaluated current approaches to crime in a sociological context. I. Identified the causes, extent and consequences of individual conformity to, and deviance from, cultural standards or norms. J. Evaluated current approaches to crime in a sociological context. K. Described the history, reasons and consequences of prejudice and racial/ethnic/social diversity in America. L. Examined the ways that various social institutions like the family, school, church and other organizations have affected American culture and the socialization of its young people. M. Examined how the economic and political systems of a society affect the structure and operation of a society. N. Identified factors of social change and their affects (for example, population growth and urbanization). Psychology Expectations A. Identified and applied major psychological theories. B. Examined psychology as a profession. C. Identified the parts and functions of the brain, nervous system and endocrine system. D. Described the nature and functioning of the sense organs. E. Explained physical and psychological theories of motivation. F. Identified psychological theories of emotion. G. Defined altered states of consciousness and explained how they occur. H. Described the principles and techniques of classical and operant conditioning. I. Explained the factors involved in the process of learning and applied the principles of learning to human behavior. J. Identified the different types of memory systems and explained the different theories that account for memory. K. Described the processes of intellectual and moral development. L. Defined adolescence and described the physical, cognitive and ideological changes that characterize adolescence. M. Explained the physical, sexual, and intellectual changes that occur during adulthood. N. Compared and contrasted psychological theories of personality.