Child Psychology Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

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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.

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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

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Course

PSYC-2308-002 Child Psychology

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Child Development by Robert Feldman, 6th Edition, ISB # 978-0-205-25354-8

Supplies

Notebook for note-taking, computer/internet access for completing assignments.

Student Performance

BY THE END OF THIS COURSE, STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

• 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

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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

Things to know and remember:

·         Your participation in class helps you learn more, and makes the class more interesting.

·         Feel free to ask questions. I am here to help you.  If you get off-course or severely behind, please contact the instructor to make a plan of action for saving the semester.

·          Check out Amarillo College’s Students Rights and Responsibilities.

·         Respect and honesty will guide this course.

·         There is peer tutoring available to you at no cost. Let the instructor know if you need assistance.

·         If for some reason you are unable to complete this course, be sure to notify the instructor and the Registrar’s office.

·         Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangement in order to meet course requirements, should contact disAbility services at 371-5436 as soon as possible.

***Make up exams are up to the instructor's discretion. Please make a strong effort to complete all exams by the deadline date and time. Late assignments will NOT be accepted. Time management is an important skill. You will have two weeks to complete each module.  Complete assignments early and late work will not be an issue. ***

Please know that I am a reasonable person. I realize that life's circumstances are beyond our control sometimes, and I will listen to any concerns or issues you may have. Good communication between instructor and student is vital for your success.

Grading Criteria

Discussion Assignments= 100 points = 10% Students will post and respond weekly to the question of the week in the discussion areas within Modules found under the Lesson Tab. In addition, each student will respond to two other student’s response per two week. Please respond to different people each two week, so everyone will have someone respond to their response.

Attendance/Participation= 100 points = 10% Students are expected to attend class at least 80% of the semester to receive full credit.

Abstracts= 100 points = 20% [2 abstracts per Unit: 2 x 5 = 10 Total]  Write 2 abstracts over topics from the 5 Units. Topic choice is up to the student and may come from any topic discussed in any of the Unit studies. More explanation on writing Abstracts is posted under Lessons/Content (tab) in your online course.

Case Study= 100 points = 30% You will write a paper using a theorists child development stages to reflect on their own childhood.  

Unit Exams= 600 points maximum (100 points each) = 30% There will be six exams covering the text material and weekly assignments on developmental stages. Exams will be comprehensive in nature possibly consisting of multiple choice, true false, matching, short answer, and/or essay questions. All exams will be administered on-line. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam and generally you will view questions one at a time and you will not be able to go back to previous questions. Please be sure you have prepared and have allowed yourself time and privacy when you start the test. You will be more successful with planning and preparation. Please know that your preparation for each exam will help you make the most of your time in the midst of the test.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes.  Attendance will be taken at all classes.  You must attend 80% of all classes to receive an A on your attendance grade.

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Additional Information

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