Child Psychology Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Deborah Harding (Curriculum Vitae)Office Location
Dutton Hall 202-J
Office Hours
TO SET UP A MEETING: CONTACT ME BY PHONE: The VERY BEST WAY TO REACH ME IS AT MY CELL PHONE AT 
(806) 584-7569 between 9 AM and 9 PM, any day of the week.
PLEASE...NO TEXTING: Please note that I DO NOT TEXT MY STUDENTS and I DO NOT ACCEPT TEXT MESSAGES. If you can text me, then you can call me! AGAIN, my cell phone is 806 584-7569! If there is an occasion where I am traveling or cannot respond to you in a timely manner by phone, I will let you know that you can text me for that period of time. However, outside of that, PLEASE CALL! I enjoy talking to my students! If you text me, I will not respond to you! Sorry...I want to handle all student business over the phone or in an email!
If I'm not available when you call, I will call you back so please tell me your name, the best time to call you AND WHAT CLASS YOU ARE IN! That way, I can better answer your questions! Thanks! Also, we can set up a face to face conference if you want to!
EMAIL ME: You can also email me through the BLACKBOARD COURSE EMAIL feature! Again, if you email me outside the CLASSROOM ONLINE EMAIL SYSTEM, your email may not get to me. It may be treated as spam. SO, USE THE EMAIL FUNCTION IN THE ONLINE CLASS! It's in the MENU to the left of the screen and it says Send an EMAIL! Click on that and then select SEND AN EMAIL TO THE INSTRUCTORS in the CLASS!
OFFICE HOURS and APPOINTMENT TIMES:
FOR ONLINE CLASSES or ON-CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED CLASSES: THE BEST WAY TO SET UP AN INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT is to CALL ME ON MY CELLPHONE at 806 584-7569.
FOLKS: Please, I give you my cell phone number so you can call me between 9 am and 9 pm, 7 days a week! Feel free to CALL me OR EMAIL ME SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE AND WHEN we can either visit by phone or in person! Please do not abuse your privilege of having my cell number. Again, please call me or email me. ....please DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE ME! I want to communicate with you directly!
Course Information
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:
Administrative Drop Policy
N/A
Student Withdrawal Procedures
N/A
Privacy Statement
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
Course
PSYC-2308-002 Child Psychology
Prerequisites
RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills
Course Description
This course will address psychological development from conception through middle childhood with references to physical, cognitive, social and personality changes. Students will examine the interplay of biological factors, human interaction, social structures and cultural forces in development.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
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Occupational License Disclaimer
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Class Type
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
TEXTBOOKS AND ADDITIONAL READING:
TEXTBOOK AND STUDY GUIDE: Required and available at Amarillo College Bookstore.
- Feldman, R. S. (2009). Child Development (6th Edition). Prentice Hall. Required ISBN# 13: 978-0-205-25354-8
- YOU DO NOT NEED TO BUY THE STUDY GUIDE as I make up STUDY GUIDES FOR EACH TEST.
YOU MAY PURCHASE THE FELDMAN TEXT BY ITSELF and/or AS A USED TEXT, OR YOU MAY PURCHASE A NEW TEXTBOOK WITH THE ONLINE RESOURCES PACKET THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO ACCESS THE MY DEVELOPMENT LAB resources that include practice quizzes and other study aids. HOWEVER, THE ONE KEY ACCESS CODE IS NOT REQUIRED BY THIS INSTRUCTOR because of the added expense! In order to save you that expense, this instructor makes up study guides and practice quizzes for the exams that will be available to students in the AC ONLINE classroom for this course. You may print these study guides off and use them to prepare for your exams. All exams are given online.
It is possible to get used textbooks for this course ONLINE at AMAZON.com or at Barnes and Nobles website. You can also rent textbooks at many sites. Check www.textbooks.com/Rental or www.chegg.com/, for a few sources. This instructor does not ENDORSE any of these sites...this is meant only as a suggested resource for those of you who have funding challenges!~
Final Project Reading: As well, you will be required to purchase and read an additional book, depending upon your selection for the final project. These texts can be ordered online at Amazon in used copies OR some will be available at the AC bookstore. They range in price from a couple of dollars to about $15.00 AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN ALL INFORMATION ON THEM IN CLASS DURING YOUR FIRST GROUP MEETING that will be held in class.
Supplies
SUPPLIES AND STUDENT RESOURCES:
In order to print off your study guides, assignments and powerpoint lecture notes, AND IN ORDER TO TAKE THE EXAMS FOR THI
Student Performance
\ Understand and explain the major theories and themes related to the physical, cognitive and social development of children and adolescents.
\\ • Understand, compare and contrast the methods used in child psychology research.
\\ • Understand, describe and explain the sequence of prenatal development from conception to birth, including basic genetic transmission of traits.
\\ • Understand and explain the importance of neurological and brain development in children, and analyze, integrate and apply that knowledge to methods of enhancing a child's physical, cognitive and social development.
\\ • Understand the maturation process and the sequencing of events in children's and adolescents' physical, cognitive and social/personality development.
\\ • Describe the major social influences on the developing child, and integrate the knowledge from the research in the field as to how parents, caregivers, teachers, and others who interact with children can apply this knowledge to enhance children's social and personality development.
\\ • Apply this information in critical and creative ways to virtual and actual interactions with children and adolescents that might include (but are not limited to) the students own children, younger siblings or relatives, care giving opportunities such as babysitting, as well as training and professional contact in the fields of teaching, nursing, childcare, criminal justice, counseling, social work, and even business.
\Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog in using the AC Connect Portal
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Expected Student Behavior
STUDENT BEHAVIOR:
Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" within the ONLINE PORTION OF THIS CLASS, and to engage in civil behaviors in the classroom portion of this course. Inappropriate behaviors, such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the courseroom material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine! YOU ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND CLASS AND BE ON TIME. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INSTRUCTOR TAKES ATTENDANCE 10 TIMES DURING THE SEMESTER, AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF CLASS. IF YOU ARE NOT IN CLASS AT THAT TIME, YOU ARE CONSIDERED ABSENT. PLEASE BE THERE AND BE PUNCTUAL!
Now, having said that, please remember that this is an COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER! You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to sociology! Diversity is a GREAT THING and to be APPRECIATED in this instructors opinion. If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me. However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about sociology, society, and people in a bigger way than you may have already been exposed to. IN THAT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! This is a part of what it means to get an education! Obviously, learning to see the world in a different light is the goal of this course! Again, it is not our goal, nor do we want you to feel offended. I'm always happy to dialogue with you about your experience of the course, and look forward to your feedback! Feel free to share with me. I want to hear your concerns so that we can BOTH GROW! I'm still learning too!
If you have a complaint about this course, please contact me first. If you are uncomfortable doing that, you may contact my supervisor, Mr. Jerry Moller at DURR 212A, 371-5297
If you have a concern that something you want to write would offend others in the courseroom, run it by me first. Simply contact me via the courseroom email. As well, if you are aware of any student being mistreated or harrassed in this course (including yourself), please bring it to my immediate attention. We have zero tolerance for any student being mistreated here at Amarillo College. This will be a SAFE place for the ex
Grading Criteria
Your final grade for this course will be based on the standard grading percentages:
89.45-100% = A 79.45-89.44% = B 69.45-79.44% = C
49.45-69.44% = D Below 49.45% = F
Your final grade is based on the following items:
- FIVE out of SIX exams over the lectures, class discussions, films and sixteen chapters in the text and over the BRAIN TRAINER MANUAL. (100 points each = 500 pts). You will be allowed to drop your lowest exam score FROM THE FIRST FIVE EXAMS, BUT YOU MUST TAKE THE LAST EXAM (the "final) WHICH WILL HAVE A FEW GENERAL "BIG CONCEPT" QUESTIONS FROM EACH OF THE CHAPTERS. Please, do not MISS THE lan EXAM or your 0 will count against you in your exam average!
- ONE study guide (FOR Exam 1) filled out, turned in the day the online exam closes! Worth 15 pts. THIS IS A REQUIRED HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!
- A final class project covering an assigned reading. (135 points total)
- Classroom attendance worth 50 points. (I will take roll 12 times during the semester worth 5 pts and 10 of those will count towards your grade. If you are are always there, its like getting 10 extra points). Some attendance points will be related to film labs, in class labs, or just being in class!
5 out of 6 EXAMS : 500 POINTS and 70% of final grade (YOU MUST TAKE THE LAST EXAM! You can drop one of the first five exams, or, if you miss an exam that will be your dropped grade. HOWEVER, the final exam has comprehensive questions on it and is required!)
1 STUDY GUIDE = 15 PTS and 2% of your final grade
FINAL CLASS PROJECT: 135 POINTS 20% of your final grade
CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE, PARTICIPATION, IN CLASS FILMS AND LABS at 5 pts each = 50 POINTS and 8% of final grade
TOTAL POINTS FOR COURSE = 700 PTS.
NOTE: All exams for this class are online. They are open for one week. Please be sure that you find the time to take the exam as, once it is closed, you will only be allowed to make up an exam in the MOST EXCEPTIONAL OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Also, if you wait to the last minute to take the exam and something happens, you may NOT make up the exam! So, please, do not procrastinate!
Attendance
\
\ "90% of Success comes from SHOWING UP" ~ Due to the freedom that college courses offer you, it may be tempting to not show up to class. It is my experience that almost NONE of the students with poor attendance do well in this course or are able to finish the course. Obviously the choice is up to you. This instructor will take attendance 10 times during the semester. For some of these times, there will be an in-class lab. EAch attendance date is worth 5 points. You are responsible for contacting the instructor about missed work or assignments, and if an exam has been missed. Regular attendance is the best way to maximize your grade! Since attendance is taken at the beginning of class, being late will also hurt your attendance grade! Be on time, show up and be ready to work!
Calendar
CHILD PSYCHOLOGY COURSE CALENDAR ~ SPRING 2013
NOTE: WARNING: BE SURE YOU CONSTANTLY CHECK THE CALENDAR TAB (located at the top of the ONLINE PORTAL NEXT TO THE LESSONS TAB) FOR ACTUAL DUE DATES! As well, I will send out a variety of announcements (on the course homepage) and emails as to DUE DATES! Be sure you check your EMAIL and cOURSE HOMEPAGE FREQUENTLY!
This calendar is meant ONLY as a general outline of our course and course dates. System outages and other unforseen circumstances may influence due dates for our course. Again, be sure you check your CALENDAR TAB frequently, and look at all ANNOUNCEMENTS and EMAILS sent out regularly as reminders from your instruct
THIS CLASS MEETS MONDAY AND WEDNESDAYS, 12:00 TO 1:30 PM. ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED!
WEEKS 1- 3: JANUARY 14th to FEBRUARY 3rd: CHAPTERS 1 AND 2: INTRODUCTION, THEORIES, THE SCIENCE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT EXAM 1
FEBRUARY 4th to FEBRUARY 24th: WEEKS 4, 5, 6: CHAPTERS 3, 4 AND BRAIN TRAINER MANUAL: PARENTING IN THE AGE OF NEUROSCIENCE. Creating healthy brains for health kids! PRE-NATAL DEVELOPMENT AND BIRTH EXAM 2
FEBRUARY 25th to MARCH 24th: WEEKS 7, (8 IS SPRING BREAK: NO WORK ASSIGNED) & 9: CHAPTERS 5, 6, & 7 ~ INFANTS ~ Physical, cognitive and social/emotional development and highlights during the infant years Exam 3
MARCH 25th to APRIL 7th: WEEKS 10 & 11: CHAPTERS 8, 9 & 10 ~ TODDLERS ~ Physical, cognitive and social/emotional development and highlights during the toddler years. We will also be talking about discipline and child abuse. Exam 4
APRIL 8th to APRIL 21st: WEEKS 12 & 13: CHAPTERS 11, 12 & 13 ~ SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN : Physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development and highlights during the school-years (what we call "middle childhood")! We will also e watching an important film on learning prejudice. Exam 5
APRIL 22nd to MAY 5th: WEEKS 14 & 15: CHAPTERS 14, 15 & 16 ~ ADOLESCENCE: Physical, cognitive, and social/emotional development and highlights during the TEEN years. We will also be talking about career choices. EXAM 6 is the FINAL AND IS THE REQUIRED TEST FOR ALL STUDENTS.
MAY 8th: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm: FINAL PRESENTATIONS: SCHEDULE WILL BE GIVEN IN CLASS.
Other areas discussed during the semester will include: Prejudice and diversity, child-rearing and teaching practices, child abuse, spanking and "punishment" versus using love and logic and natural consequences, career choices. You will also have six 20 min. to 1 hr 15 min. class times when you will meet with your groups for your final presentation. You will be receiving a work schedule for the FINAL PRESENTATION for this course in class during the first two weeks of school.
Additional Information
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Students' performance in this course will be evaluated in the following ways:
- Three written examinations and one quiz over lectures, Brain Trainer manual, films, and textbook material
- Class attendance, discussion and participation
- Watching films and written labs related to the film
- Working in a group of other students in the course (class time is scheduled for this portion of the class) in a team project that includes reading a second book on parenting/teaching issues, creating a handout over major concepts in the book, presenting skits to the class that shows application of the concepts in ineffective versus effective ways of handling issues with children. Students will be evaluted on the quality of the handout, the presentation itself, as well as teamwork, personal and social responsibility.
STUDENT RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR THIS AND OTHER COURSES:
TO FIND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND USE THESE VALUABLE RESOURCES: GO TO THE LINKS BELOW:
-
AMARILLO COLLEGE LIBRARY: http://www.actx.edu/library/
- For help with your computer, or to use computers go to the second floor of the library.
- For information on how to do a research paper and search for references go to:
- http://www.actx.edu/library/index.php?module=article&id=8#Research
- FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAGIARISM AND HOW TO AVOID IT: GO TO:
http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=14
THE WRITER'S CORNER FOR ASSISTANCE WITH WRITING PAPERS!
AC WELCOMES YOU TO USE THE FABULOUS RESOURCE CALLED THE WRITER'S CORNER FOR HELP WITH YOUR PAPERS AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS!!!
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Folks, this is a GREAT RESOURCE if you are not the BEST WRITER! They will help you polish your paper and give you help with your final project for this class! USE THIS RESOURCE!!!
·For help with your papers: go to Writers' Corner
- Mission and Services:The Writers’ Corner staff firmly believe that good writing is an essential skill for being successful in college. Our main goal, therefore, is to help students become more confident and effective writers.Whether drafting research papers, preparing marketing proposals, or working on writing projects for any class at Amarillo College, students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring sessions with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors. Our tutors review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process.The Writers’ Corner is open to all students, regardless of academic discipline and skill level.
- We Offer:*One-on-one tutoring sessions with trained tutors, small workshops throughout the semester covering various aspects of academic writing, in-class presenations on the role of the Writers' Corner, a waiting area for walk-ins and early arrivals, coffee and donuts for students with appointments, EMAIL US AT: writerscorner@actx.edu
- OR stop by: LOCATION: Ordway Hall, Room 102
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Hours of Operation:
- Fall & Spring Semesters:Monday - Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and ClosedFriday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Summer Sessions: Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- NOTE FROM YOUR PROFESSOR: THE WRITER'S CORNER SENDS ME AN EMAIL THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED HELP WITH YOUR PAPER. I CONSIDER THIS IN GRADING YOUR WORK!!!!!
Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM