Sutton High School

Department of History and Social Sciences

 

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2007-08

 

Mr. Wandyes

Email: WandyesR@suttonschools.net (Preferred method of contact)

Phone Number: 1-508-581-1640   extension 3217

Office & Extra Help Hours:  Tues - Thurs 2pm - 3pm, or by appointment

 

 

Sutton High School Mission Statement:  At Sutton Memorial High School, we are committed to providing a foundation on which all students have the opportunity to pursue academic excellence and personal development in a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment.

 

 

Departmental Expectations for Learning:  It is the mission of the History and Social Sciences Department to provide a learning environment that is active, authentic, and academically challenging, where learners are engaged in critical thinking, knowledge building and skills development, and where all learners develop a sense of civic virtue, tolerance for people of all walks of life, and an appreciation for the contributions of all cultures and peoples.

 

 

Course Description:  "Students will explore the foundations of psychology, sociology, and anthropology, their connections to other social and natural sciences, learning, memory, emotion, developmental psychology, social institutions, abnormal and deviant behavior, the role of culture and socialization, and other topics." 

- Sutton Memorial High School Program of Studies 2006-2007

 

 

Course Goals and Objectives:

·                     Gain an awareness of self and others while clarifying their values

·                     Develop a sense of responsibility and consequences for actions in an environment that embraces divergent thinking and lifestyles

·                     Investigate how values and behaviors are viewed by society and how they may have changed in the present day

·                     Discuss and attempt to define "normal" and "abnormal" behaviors in relation to society

·                     Investigate causes and effects of psychological disorders.

 

 

Quarter Grades:                                                                    

 

35% -   Tests/Papers/Projects

20% -   Quizzes

20% -   Homework/Class work

15% -  Class Participation/Attendance

10% -   Journals

 

 

 

Homework Website:  There is a course website that lists assignments, upcoming tests/projects or important items.  Occasionally, there will be extra credit assignments posted.  Put this site in your Favorites and check it often:    http://my.homeworknow.com/teacher/wandyesr  

 

 

Tests and Quizzes:  Tests will be given following each chapter.  They will be varied in format, including, but not restricted to, multiple choice, true/false, completion, matching, short answer, identifications, and essays.  Material will come from the textbook, notes taken in class, any materials handed out, and class discussions.  Tests will be announced roughly one week prior to the test date.  Review sheets will usually be given out.  Quizzes can be announced or unannounced and will cover any material covered in the course.

 

 

Papers/Projects:  Papers and projects will usually count as one test grade.  Papers turned in late will have 10 points taken off for each day late, and will not be accepted after 3 days late, Papers/projects not turned in within three days of the due date will count as a grade of Zero.

 

 

Homework/Classwork:  Homework will be assigned on a regular basis and may or may not be collected.  Assignments may be completed in class on occasion, or started in class.  Students who work diligently in class to complete the assignment will not have homework.  All work assigned is expected to be completed to represent your best efforts.  Homework will be accepted for partial credit only one day after it is due, any work turned in later than one day will not be graded.

 

 

Homework/Class work will be graded in the following manner:

 

 

Class Participation/Attendance:  This grade will reflect your attitude about being enrolled in this course.  This class will be much more enjoyable if you participate and share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions.  Debates and group work will be frequent events during this course.  Your grade will be determined by the quality of your arguments and your willingness to also work cooperatively in groups.

 

 

Participation Grades:

 

o        100 – Student participates every day with thoughtful comments/questions that reflect higher-level critical thinking skills and an understanding of course content.

o        90 – Student participates most days with comments/questions that reflect an understanding of course content.

o        80 – Student participates some days; comments/questions may not reflect understanding of course content.

o       

SLEEPERS!

 
70 – Student rarely participates in class activities/discussions.

o        60 and lower – Student never participates in class activities/discussions.

 

 

Journals:  You will be required to purchase a small notebook to record your journal writings.  The journals will remain in the classroom for easy access for the students and the teacher.  You will often be asked to record your thoughts on various classroom topics.  The journals may be shared verbally at times (on a voluntary basis), or used to jump-start a particular topic.  The main idea is to get you thinking critically about psychological and sociological topics.  The journals will be graded on a 10-point scale.  Journal entries that are thoughtful, cohesive, and address more than one point of view or topic will earn a score of 10.

 

 

 

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

 

·                     You are expected to come to class prepared every day.  This includes an extra pen or pencil, a notebook, your textbook, any work that was assigned, and a positive attitude.

·                     Your textbook must be covered.  Discipline procedures listed below will be followed.

·                     All Sutton High School Rules and Regulations apply to the classroom

·                     Discipline problems will be dealt with in the following progression:

            *Verbal warning

            *20 minute detention

            *50 minute detention

            *Call home to parent/guardian

            *Referral to administration

·                     Tardiness will be dealt with in the following progression:

            *One tardy allowed per quarter

            *Second tardy will receive a 20 minute detention

            *Third tardy (and all subsequent) will receive a 50 minute detention

 

ü      When in doubt, refer to the Five P's for Classroom Success

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic Dishonesty Policy

 

Students are expected to:

 

“exercise the highest standard of academic integrity and understand that any act of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  Some examples of academic dishonesty behaviors include:

o        Cheating on tests, quizzes, or exams

o        Plagiarism from any source (copying someone else’s work and claiming it as your own work)

o        Fabrication of events or facts, and submitting it as factual

o        Copying of homework, class work, or any other work from another student

o        Submitting previously submitted work without substantial change or improvement; submitting a previously submitted paper of another student, sibling, or friend

 

“Any student found guilty of cheating or plagiarism will automatically receive a Zero for the assignment and will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action.”

            -Sutton Memorial High School Student/Parent Handbook 2006-2007

 

 

Parental Notification Relative to Sex Education

 

“Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 32A, requires that parents/guardians of students involved in our schools be notified in writing of the course and curriculum we offer that primarily involve human sexual education or human sexuality issues.”

                                    - Sutton Memorial High School Faculty Handbook 2006-2007

 

This Psychology/Sociology course is a college level course that will often times deal with “adult” issues, including puberty, sexual development, dating, pregnancy, rape and other crimes, and many other pertinent and topical issues pertaining to Psychology and Sociology.  Classroom discussions and debates are a tremendous aspect of this course.  Personal viewpoints are an excellent tool for discussions. 

 

I have read this statement and understand that varying opinions are welcome in class and all information shared by students and teachers will be viewed with an open mind and no student will be singled out for volunteering an opinion.  I also understand that course content may involve some “adult” issues mentioned above and acknowledge that students will be exposed to some of this material.  I also acknowledge the Academic Dishonesty Policy and the consequences of violating this policy.  If there are any problems, feel free to contact Mr. Wandyes.  Please sign and return.

 

 

 

 

___________________________                              _____________________________

Student signature and Date                                            Parent/guardian signature and Date