Francis T. Maloney High School

Avritch, Matthew

Social Studies Department
203.238.2334 ext 203  |  email ↓

Human Behavior 453

Human Behavior 453 is a semester course which serves as an introduction to the field of psychology. Students will learn:

  • about themselves and their behavior
  • about human motivation
  • to increase their capacity to relate to others
  • about many scientists, practitioners, and theories related to the field of psychology
  • to incorporate psychology theories and vocabulary in their daily lives
  • to critically analyze psychological theories and experiments

Topics of Study: (corresponding chapter/s)

  • Field of psychology (1)
  • Methods of psychological research (2)
  • The brain, body, and behavior (3)
  • Sensation and perception (4)
  • Motivation and emotion (5)
  • Consciousness (6)
  • Learning, information processing, intelligence and creativity (7, 8, 9)
  • Infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, aging (10, 11, 12)
  • Gender differences (13)
  • Conflict, stress and coping (16)
  • Psychological disorders (17)
  • Socio-cultural influences and relationships, and, attitudes and beliefs (19, 20)

Sociology

Sociology Syllabus—a tentative schedule

(S1) September—(S2) January

  • Chapter 1: An Invitation to Sociology
  • Chapter 3: Culture
  • Chapter 4: Socialization

(S1) October—(S2) February and March

  • Chapter 5: Social Structure and Society
  • Chapter 6: Groups and Formal Organizations
  • Chapter 7: Deviance and Social Control
  • Chapter 8: Social Stratification

(S1) November—(S2) April

  • Chapter 11: The Family
  • Chapter 12: Education
  • Chapter 13: Political and Economic Institutions

(S1) December—(S2) May

  • Chapter 14: Religion
  • Chapter 15: Sport

Final Exam— (S1) January—(S2) June

World Geography Part 1

Geography and You: an Introduction to Geography

This one semester course is designed as an introductory course to the basic principles of Geography with a specific focus on the local Geography of Meriden, Connecticut, the United States, and North America, as well as our place in the Global Community.

  1. Basic Principles of Geography (3 weeks)
  2. The Geography of Meriden (3 weeks)
  3. The Geography of Connecticut (3 weeks)
  4. The Geography of the United Sates of America (3 weeks)
  5. The Geography of Canada, Mexico and Central America (3 weeks)
  6. Our Place in the Global Community (3 weeks)

World Geography Part 2

This one semester course is designed as a basic introduction to the Geography of the major regions of our world. After completing a review of the fundamental principals of Geography, students will be tasked with learning the major Geographic concepts associated with the major regions of our world. Students will also investigate issues related to the interdependency of our world and consider solutions to Global Issues they will be confronting during the 21st Century.

  1. Review of Basic Geographic Principles (2 weeks)
  2. Latin America (2 weeks)
  3. Africa South of the Sahara (2 weeks)
  4. The Middle East (North Africa and Southwest Asia) (2 weeks)
  5. Asia (3 weeks)
  6. Australia, Antarctica, and Oceania (2 weeks)
  7. Europe and Russia (2 weeks)
  8. Interdependency and Global Issues in the 21st Century (3 weeks)