Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Email me: fkral
Call or text me: 415-857-KRAL (5725)
Call classroom: 415-339-9336 x111
Get info on homework and more: http://teach.kralsite.com or google "Fred Kral"
Course Description
This full-year elective is a survey of the field of psychology that narrows in on topics that are considered indispensable to a most basic understanding of human psychology and/or pertinent to the lives of high school students and the time of life they currently inhabit. The course draws from the following topics but not all of them are studied in depth: the history of psychology, research methods, the biology of psychology, consciousness, genetics and evolution, developmental psychology, gender and sexuality, sensation and perception, learning, memory, thinking, language, intelligence, motivation, emotion, stress, health, personality, psychological disorders, methods of therapy, social psychology, and positive psychology. Students not only practice academic skills but they have opportunities to develop an immediately useful awareness of themselves and others. Students participate in many activities and studies.
Required text and supplemental materials
- Myers, David G. Psychology in Everyday Life, Second Edition. New York: Worth, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-6394-8. Ordered by school. Required.
- Textbook companion website, www.worthpublishers.com/pel2e. Recommended.
- Laptop computer. Strongly recommended.
- Organizer of paper: holes punched and not; Pencils (mechanical recommended).
- Journal, either separate or part of your binder.
Assessment
| Written Work and Reading: homework, journal entries, papers, quizzes, and tests. | 25% |
| End-Semester Assessments: Final examination or final project. | 20% |
| In-Class work: positive energy and interest level during in-class work including contributing to discussion, doing activities, volunteering, and working on assignments. Assessed informally. | 25% |
| Commitment to learning: Taking on what is challenging to you, getting help, communicating with the teacher, engaging with the material, and documenting work in the notebook. Assessed informally. | 5% |
| Projects and Presentations: quality and correctness of written and graphical results and quality of delivery. | 25% |
Late work policy and tardy policy
The teacher enters grades once per week on a weekday communicated to the students. Students get credit for late work up to that weekly deadline. Students who are late to class or leave the classroom for an extended time during class receive a maximum of 60% of the day's in-class work credit.
I encourage study groups. You may work with others (not just students) unless instructed otherwise as long as all of you contribute. It is wise to put the name of each contributing student on an assignment to avoid issues with plagiarism.
Come visit, text, or email as often as you like! – Fred
Please see the web site for other information.