This course is under revision to address the College Board revisions for 24-25 school year. Additional details will be provided in late spring.
The AP® Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
This course is taught at the college level. The major difference between a high school and college course is the amount of reading and depth of focus. The AP® curriculum stresses higher order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context. Students will be required to frequently analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary sources in addition to memorizing, comprehending, and applying psychological concepts.
Students are engaged in content (through a variety of multimedia, using high quality online resources in addition to those offered with their text) case study work and regular discussions on controversial topics and applications of psychological concepts throughout the course.
Student will also research specific experiments on their own as well as reflect on their learning in regular journal entries. Students should expect weekly reading assignments in the ebook, Myers’ Psychology for AP® 2nd Edition. In addition to research, writing, group work, and participation in discussions. Tips for completing multiple choice questions and writing the essay part of the exam are part of the instruction for this course. Students will be given numerous opportunities to review and practice for the AP® exam through-out the course.
Students will be expected to enroll in My AP® Classroom through their VHS Learning AP® course and will be guided to complete review work in My AP® Classroom throughout the year. My AP Classroom resources include AP Daily Videos and unit-based Personal Progress Checks, which include AP-style multiple choice and free response questions.
Students enrolled in VHS Learning Advanced Placement courses with a passing grade are expected to take the AP® Exam. Students register for AP exams through their local school or testing site as “Exam Only” students. AP exam scores will be reported to VHS Learning through My AP® Classroom; exam results will not affect the student's VHS Learning grade or future enrollment in VHS Learning courses.
This AP® course has a required summer assignment. Students are expected to complete their summer assignment before the course begins and submit their work by the end of Week 1. Students who register on or after September 1st will receive an extension to complete the summer assignment by the end of Week 3. The summer assignment is intended to review crucial content associated with pre-requisite knowledge for the course, where applicable, as well as to allow students to better understand the rigor associated with the content.