Child Psychology Syllabus for 2014-2015
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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

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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

​

,TEXTBOOKS AND STUDY GUIDES

TEXTBOOK (required!) AND STUDY GUIDE and ACCESS CODE: Required and available at Amarillo College Bookstore.  You may also be able to find used copies at Amzon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.  There are also websites where you can RENT textbooks (www.chegg.com is one of those sites, but there are many!)

• Feldman, R. S. (2009). Child Development (6th Edition). Prentice Hall. Required
• I make up STUDY GUIDES FOR EACH TEST along with PRACTICE QUIZZES, so you DO NOT NEED TO PURCHASE THE PUBLISHER STUDY GUIDE OR ACCESS CODE.  TO SAVE YOU MONEY, YOU MAY PURCHASE THE FELDMAN TEXT BY ITSELF and/or AS A USED TEXT.  HOWEVER, if you have the money and want to purchase the publisher resources, YOU MAY PURCHASE A NEW TEXTBOOK WITH THE 'ACCESS CODE' THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO ACCESS THE MY DEVELOPMENT LAB resources.  MY DEVELOPMENT LAB includes practice quizzes and other study aids.  HOWEVER, AGAIN, to save you money, THE ACCESS CODE IS NOT REQUIRED BY THIS INSTRUCTOR!  YOU CAN FIND YOUR STUDY GUIDES FOR THE EXAMS IN THE 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.

FINAL Project Reading: As well, you need to purchase and read the following text. It is available, along with your textbook, at the Amarillo College Bookstore OR ONLINE.  You can find used copies of this book at the bookstore OR on AMAZON and/or BARNES AND NOBLE's BOOKS.  You may buy an older edition or the newer edition, if you like.    :

• Cline, F., & Fay, J. (1990). Parenting with love and logic: Teaching children responsibility. Colorado Springs: Pinon Press. The ISBN NUMBER IS ISBN-13: 9781576839546

• OR   Fay, J. & Funk, D. (1995 )  Teaching with love and logic: Taking control of the classroom.    THE ISBN NUMBER: 9780944634295    

***They have used copies of Parenting with Love and Logic  for $5.00 to 9.00 at Amazon and Barnes and Nobles, as well!   The same with the Teaching with Love and Logic which can be found at Amazon or Barnes and Nobles.  As well, you can find this  book for $5.00 at
http://www.textbookx.com/detail.php?utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=price_comp&affiliate=froogle&action=buy&upc=9780944634295&cond=exchange&price=5.66&kw={keyword}&gclid=COSGkOP_pLcCFYJi7AodUykAag

Supplies

​

,STUDENT RESOURCES AND SUPPLIES

HELP WITH YOUR WRITING:

• <

  Student Performance

  ​

  ,WHAT YOU SHOULD LEARN IN THIS COURSE

  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

  Student Rights and Responsibilities

  Log 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

  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!

  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! 

  If you have a complaint about this course, please contact me first.  If you are uncomfortable doing that, you may contact my supervisor, Dr. Alan Kee at DUTTON HALL 202N or call him at 371-5183 or email him at jakee@actx.edu. He will be happy to address your concerns if you are not comfortable talking with me about it.

  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 expression of ideas and exchanges! Remember, you are an adult and differences of opinion and beliefs, and ideas is a critical part of adult education!   Thanks! Dr. Harding  

  Grading Criteria

  ​

  ,YOUR GRADES FOR THIS COURSE

   

  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:

   UNIT EXAMS: YOU WILL HAVE 6 UNIT EXAMS based on the textbook readings, extra readings and films.   YOUR GRADE WILL BE BASED ON THE HIGHEST FIVE SCORES.  YOU MUST TAKE EXAM 6, but you can drop your lowest exam from Units 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 so that if you miss an exam or do poorly on a exam, you may still be able to do well in this course.   Again, EXAM 6 is the final and is required.  EXAMS are worth 100 points each for a total of 500 points and 71% of your total grade.

  SYLLABUS QUIZ:  You must go over your syllabus and take a 10 point quiz over the material which is worth 2% of your grade.

  DISCUSSIONS: You will have several films, extra reading and text materials followed by 2 discussions (both are required) and are worth 20 points each for a total of 40 points and 6% of your total grade. 

  FINAL PAPER:  You will be required to write a paper over the supplemental reading.  You will choose either PARENTING WITH LOVE AND LOGIC or TEACHING WITH LOVE AND LOGIC as your book and write a five to 8 page paper, with examples of ineffective and effective interactions with children based on the books principles. See the syllabus for required textbooks for this course.  Your paper is worth 150 points total and 21% of your final grade.

  EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY:  NOTE: All students will have the opportunity to participate in the EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY for this course for up to 30 extra credit points.  This will be announced about midway in the class. You may participate but are not required!  It's up to you.  

  YOUR TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS FOR THIS COURSE IS 700 points (plus you can earn up to 30 extra credit points). 

  Attendance

  ​

  ,ATTENDANCE POLICIES

   
  "90% of success is just showing up."  ~ Woody Allen
   
  Due to the freedom that online courses offer you, it may be tempting to wait until the last minute to work on your course. It is my experience that almost NONE of the learners who take this approach are able to finish the course. It is my suggestion, having taught online courses for several years now, that you either work ahead or create a plan that allows you to be in the course working at least twice each week. What I've seen is that learners who have biweekly attendance (or more) complete the course in a timely manner and get the best scores on their exams. Obviously the choice is up to you.
   
   

  Calendar

  ,CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2308 Sec 1 ONLINE: SUMMER 2015

  WHAT'S DUE WHEN?

  Below is a dateline of ALL COURSE DUE DATES.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU PRINT THIS OFF AND KEEP IT BY YOUR CALENDAR. In this course, once an exam or discussion or the paper is closed, I do not take late work!  Be sure you check your announcements and emails frequently for updates in due dates. Sometimes it’s necessary to change due dates due to system outages and unforeseen circumstances!  

  For more detailed information about each unit, please see the syllabus calendar or print off the complete calendar in your CALENDAR FOLDER on the LESSONS AND CONTENT PAGE.

  NOTE: Your UNITS will be open from the beginning of the course so YOU CAN WORK AHEAD. However, EACH UNIT and each ASSIGNMENT has a CLOSING DATE. You must complete your work by the closing date or you will get a ZERO on that assignment.  You MUST complete UNIT 1 and UNIT 6 Exams.  However, you may drop (or miss) one Unit Exam from UNITS 2, 3, 4 or 5.

  •  SYLLABUS AND SYLLABUS QUIZ:: Course Opens ON JUNE 8^th and closes on SUNDAY, JUNE 21^st. 
    • Read through syllabus online and take the SYLLABUS QUIZ by THURSDAY, JUNE 11th 11:55 pm.

   

  •  UNIT 1 OPEN JUNE 8^th and CLOSES covers chapter 1, 2 Science Lab & Secrets of the WILD CHILD film
    • Read Ch 1, and 2
    • Watch SECRETS OF THE WILD CHILD FILM: Unit 1 DISCUSSION required, due SUNDAY, JUNE 14th by 11:55 pm. 
    • REQUIRED UNIT 1 EXAM: PREPARE using Unit 1 study guide and science lab for EXAM 1.  Exam 1 covers chapters 1, 2, and WILD CHILD film.  DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 21st by 11:55 pm.

   

  •  UNIT 2 covers chapters 3, 4 is open from JUNE 8^th (yes..you can work ahead if you like!) and CLOSES SUNDAY, JUNE 28^th by 11:55 pm .
    • Use the Unit 2 study guide to prepare for the exam.
    • There are no discussions or other assignments for this chapter.
    • Begin reading your LOVE AND LOGIC BOOK at this time for your final paper and to prepare for your UNIT 4 discussion.
    • UNIT 2 EXAM is due SUNDAY, JUNE 28th by 11:55 pm.

   

  •  UNIT 3 covers chapters 5, 6 and 7 over Infants and is open from JUNE 8^th and CLOSES MONDAY, JULY 6^th (one extra day for holiday) by 11:55 pm
    • Read chapters 5, 6 and 7. Use your Unit 3 study guide to prepare for your exam.
    • Read several chapters from your LOVE AND LOGIC BOOK at this time for your final paper and your UNIT 4 discussion.
    • UNIT 3 EXAM is due MONDAY, JULY 6th (you get one extra day for the holiday) by 11:55 pm.

   

  •   UNIT 4 covers chapters 8, 9 and 10 over TODDLERS and LOVE and LOGIC FILM & UNIT 4 DISCUSSION over Discipline vs. Spanking, film and reading: Open from June 8^th and closes MONDAY, JULY SUNDAY 13^th by 11:55 pm, 
    • Read chapters 8, 9 and 10, and watch the LOVE & LOGIC FILM.
    • UNIT 4 DISCUSSION over the film and SPANKING articles is due SUNDAY, JULY 12th by 11:55 pm. There will be exam questions over the film and articles.
    • Read several chapters from your LOVE AND LOGIC BOOK at this time for your final paper and your UNIT 4 discussion.
    • UNIT 4 EXAM is due MONDAY, JULY 13th by 11:55 pm, over chapters 8, 9 and 10 and film.

   

  •  UNIT 5 covers chapters 11, 12, 13 and CLASS DIVIDED film: Open from June 8^th and closes SUNDAY, JULY 19^th by 11:55 pm.
    • Read chapters 11, 12 and 13 and watch the CLASS DIVIDED  film over prejudice development in children.  There will be questions on EXAM 5 over the film.
    • FINISH UP your LOVE AND LOGIC BOOK at this time for your final paper.
    • UNIT 5 EXAM is due SUNDAY, JULY 19th by 11:55 pm over chapters 11, 12 13 and film.

   

  • LOVE AND LOGIC PAPER:  Please read carefully:
    • Your EDITED PAPER is due in the DROP BOX by SUNDAY, JULY 26th by 11:55 pm.
    • WRITER's CORNER SERVICES: If you are a poor writer, SEND YOUR PAPER to the WRITER's CORNER.  They are located at ROOM 100A ORDWAY Hall. You may contact them to get help with your paper by stopping by or emailing Charlie Clark the COORDINATOR at clclark34@actx.edu
    •  If you use the Writer's Corner, they send me a tutoring report and you get 10 extra points on your paper (you could get 110!).  This will make a much stronger paper and will help you learn to be a better writer for future assignments! Take advantage of this great campus service and get a better grade on your paper.

   

  •  UNIT 6 covers chapters 14, 15 and 16 and review questions over the LOVE and LOGIC book and chapters 1-13. Study hard! EXAM 6 is REQUIRED!  Open June 8^th and closes THURSDAY by JULY 30^th by noon.  CLASS IS OFFICALLY CLOSED at that time and all grades will be posted by midnight. 
    • Read chapters 14, 15 & 16, and print off study guide. UNIT 6 EXAM is REQUIRED!
    • FINISH UP your LOVE AND LOGIC BOOK. Your paper is due SUNDAY, JULY 26th by 11:55 pm!  YOU CAN TURN IT IN EARLY!  NOTE: I'm always much happier reading papers that are early, and much GROUCHIER reading papers that are turned in at the last minute!  I tend to be much harder grading papers that are last minute! As a rule, they are not as well written!
    • LOVE and LOGIC paper due SUNDAY, JULY 26th in DROP BOX by 11:55 pm
    • UNIT 6 EXAM is due by THURSDAY, JULY 30th by NOON.  Class is closed. Grades will be posted by midnight.

   

  Additional Information

  HOW TO VIEW COMMENTS AND RUBRICS FOR YOUR PAPER AND DISCUSSIONS:

    In order to see your instructor's comments on your work (such as your discussions and your paper), GO TO "MY GRADES" tab in the menu to the left of your BLACKBOARD CLASSROOM SCREEN.  Find the item you want to look at in the LIST (they are not necessarily in order...sorry!).  Click on that and you will see a place that says RUBRIC and COMMENTS.  Click on comments to see anything your instructor has said, and click on RUBRIC to view the rubric grading system and how your instructor graded you.  PLEASE...this instructor SPENDS A LOT OF TIME to give you CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK...USE IT and make corrections accordingly! If you keep making the same error time and again, YOUR GRADES WILL CONTINUE TO GO DOWN!  I expect you to USE THE FEEDBACK I GIVE YOU TO BECOME A BETTER STUDENT and to IMPROVE IN YOUR SCHOOL WORK!

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM