Child Psychology Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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

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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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

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

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

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

There will be a total of 1110 possible points for the semester. You will be able to check your grade on AC connect. Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% 1110-999= A

89-80% = 998-888= B

79-70% = 887-777= C

69-50% = 776-555= D

Below 50% Below 555= F

The points will be earned:

600 points for exams (6 100 points exams and you get to replace the lowest exam grade with your highest exam grade)

200 points for attendance/in-class assignments (I will take attendance during the semester for a different amount points depending on the day and if there is an activity)

100 points for Social responsibility essay (you will need to answer this essay online)

50 points for scientific method and experiment quiz (you will take this quiz online)

160 points for practice quizzes (10 quiz for each chapter. Each will help prepare you for your exam. You will take it online and you will have 2 chances)

Total points possible: 1110 points

• 6   multiple choice exams on online; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace the lowest test grade with your highest exam grade. The exams will be taken from notes and the chapters in the book. These exams will be taken in the classroom.
• 16 individual 10 point 10 questions quizzes. One for each chapter and they will help prepare you for the exam.
• 50 points for online quiz. This 10 question quiz will assess your knowledge on scientific method, your ability to read a graph and your ability to think critically.
• 100 Social responsibility essay: this essay will be taken online and will be graded using he following rubric:

	Levels of Achievement
Criteria	Exceeds Expectations	Meets Expectations	Needs Improvement	Barely Meets Expectations	Does Not Meet Expectations
Knowledge	31 to 40 points Reflects knowledge gained through research of website and reflects on own experiences and personal knowledge of the subject making sure to answer every part of the question presented. Referencing direct information from at least 2 of the articles	21 to 30 points Reflects using minimal information form website source and most from personal knowledge and experience making sure to answer all parts of the question presented. Referencing direct information from at least 1 of the articles	11 to 20 points Reflects only using personal knowledge and nothing from website source Answer most of the questions presented. Does not directly reference anything from the articles	5 to 10 points Reflects only on using personal knowledge and doesn’t not answer all the question presented. Does not directly reference anything from the articles	0 to 4 points Does not answer any part of the question using experience and/or own experiences Does not directly reference anything from the articles
Organization	31 to 40 points Information is clearly organized.	21 to 30 points Information is semi-organized.	11 to 20points Information is loosely organized	5 to 10 points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization	0 to 4 points Information is unclear, unorganized or not present
Mechanics	16 to 20 points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work. Required word count is meet	11 to 15 points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with minimal errors. Required word count is meet	6 to 10 points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout written and oral work with major errors. Does not meet required word count	3 to 5 points Very poor grammar and spelling used through written and oral work. Does not meet required word count.	0 to 2 points Extensive grammatical and punctuation errors. Does not meet required word count

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes. 

Calendar

Additional Information

I do not hold regular office hours, however most issues can be solved before or after class. If the issues is bigger then we can schedule a time that works best for both of us. I answer my emails more quickly than I do if you call my phone. I highly recommend you email me.