The Stories of Heroes, Villains, and Those Who Did Nothing

  • Hello everyone!

    Welcome to AP Psychology! I am so excited to meet you and get to know you throughout our year together. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it is going to be great!  

  • Instructor Name and Email: Mrs. Ortega andreaortega@mvcs.org

    Office Hours: M-F 8:00-8:20 and M-F 3:20-3:45

  • Zoom Link for Introduction to Psychology Class:

"SS is an interdisciplinary group 3 and 4 course that is offered only at standard level (SL). As an interdisciplinary course, ESS is designed to combine the methodology, techniques and knowledge associated with group 4 (sciences) with those associated with group 3 (individuals and societies). Because it is an interdisciplinary course, students can study ESS and have it count as either a group 3 or a group 4 course, or as both. If students choose the latter option, this leaves the opportunity to study an additional subject from any other group, including an additional group 3 or group 4 subject.

ESS is a complex course, requiring a diverse set of skills from its students. It is firmly grounded in both a scientific exploration of environmental systems in their structure and function and in the exploration of cultural, economic, ethical, political, and social interactions of societies with the environment. As a result of studying this course, students will become equipped with the ability to recognize and evaluate the impact of our complex system of societies on the natural world. The interdisciplinary nature of the course requires a broad skill set from students and includes the ability to perform research and investigations and to participate in philosophical discussion. The course requires a systems approach to environmental understanding and problem-solving, and promotes holistic thinking about environmental issues. It is recognized that to understand the environmental issues of the 21st century and suggest suitable management solutions, both the human and environmental aspects must be understood. Students should be encouraged to develop solutions from a personal to a community and to a global scale.

Through the exploration of cause and effect, the course investigates how values interact with choices and actions, resulting in a range of environmental impacts. Students develop an understanding that the connections between environmental systems and societies are diverse, varied and dynamic. The complexity of these interactions challenges those working towards understanding the actions required for effective guardianship of the planet and sustainable and equitable use of shared resources."  

https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/ess/apps/dpapp/guide.html?doc=d_4_ecoso_gui_1505_1_e&part=1&chapter=3


The DP psychology course develops a greater understanding of the reasoning behind an individual's behavior and thought processes. The emphasis for this class will be placed on researching the interests of the students within the parameters of the IB framework, which focuses on three different approaches to understanding behavior: the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches. Students study and critically evaluate the knowledge, concepts, theories and research that have developed the understanding in these fields. The themes of all the topics and core approaches are discussed in relation to historical development of research and ethical considerations. In addition, we will systematically integrate Christian/biblical principles to our study of human behavior and cognition.

As believers, we can better understand and appreciate the amazing complexity of God’s creation. Studying the nature of our minds, perceptions, emotions, behaviors, and social development increases our wonder of God as our creator and God as our guide. Learning about the way we think and come to decisions enables us to be an active participant in God’s redemptive process as he helps us heal and grow in his grace. We are called “according to his purpose...to be conformed to the image of his Son,” (Romans 8:28-29)

The Stories of Heroes, Villains, and Those Who Did Nothing