Child Psychology Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202L

Office Hours

Email or through Blackboard Collaborate 

By appointment if contacted by email eerodriguez@actx.edu

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-2308-001 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Child Psychology, 7th edition. Feldman ISBN 9780133852035

Supplies

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

Student Performance

Student performance and learning outcomes for PSYC 2308:

  • 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

Classroom Behavior:

            I expect you all to attend class, participate in class, be prepared for class, and respect everyone else who is the classroom. Turn cell phone ringers off. If you are waiting on an important call you must talk with me before class so I am aware. If you decided to leave the classroom to answer the phone please do not return. If you leave and come back, you have interrupted my class twice and that is unacceptable. NO texting, tweeting, Facebook or selfies! If it is so important that you have to text, tweet or check-in right away, you may leave and please do not return. I want you to have your phone because it can be used as a valuable resource. Use your phone respectfully and appropriately. If you do miss a class it is your responsibility to get the material you missed. I will be giving assignments during class that will be due the next class so if you miss you will miss that assignment unless you contact me or someone else in the class. It is your responsibility!!  Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment!! I want this to be an environment everyone can learn and feels safe!!

Grading Criteria

Grading criteria:         

There will be a total of 1120 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% 1120-1008= A

89-80% 1007-896= B

79-70% 895-784= C

69-60% 783-672= D

Below 60% Below 672= F

The points will be earned:

600 points for exams (6 100 points for each exam)

190 points for chapter quizzes

180 points for in-class assignments

150 points for Social responsibility learning project and volunteer verification (you will need to answer the essay online and submit your verification online.)

Total points possible: 1120 points

  • 6 -50 question multiple choice exams on online; each exam is worth 100 points. The exams will be taken from notes, lecture and the chapters in the book. These exams will be taken online. I do expect you to use your notes and book, you just cannot use another person, student or classmate. That is cheating and cheating is wrong.
  • 6 quizzes for a total of 190 points; each quiz will help you prepare for the exams. You will get 2 chances on each quiz. Use them to help you for your exams.
  • 180 points in class assignments and attendance. We will randomly do in class assignments that will count for differing amount of points.
  • 150 points for social responsibility serving learning project
    • You will be required to do 4 hours of community service at your chosen agency in the community. You must provide signed documentation to be after your required hours. 50 points
    • You will answer 5 questions with short essays and reading a graph exercise. There is a rubric which will be used for grading. The questions are worth a different amount of points for a total of 100 points.  You will be able to access the rubric when you are completing the assignment.

Attendance

It’s college; I know you want to skip, but if you just show up you will do better in the class. It’s an 8 week class so if you miss you will get behind very quickly. We are going to have to use our time together wisely and missing is not a good idea. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!! If something does come up, please notify me immediately so we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves me little room to work with you.

Calendar

Class Schedule/Outline:

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if needed. Some chapter titles have changed and will be updated.

All chapter quizzes are open now and will close the day the corresponding exam opens for those chapters.

Date                                       Lesson/Lecture

Monday August 20th            Introductions

Tuesday August 21st               Chapter 1 An Introduction to Child Development

Chapter 1 & 2 quiz are open and available until August 23rd

Wednesday August 22nd     Finish chapter 1 and begin chapter 2 Theoretical Perspectives and

Research

Thursday August 23rd          In class assignment over chapters 1 & 2

Exam 1 covers chapter 1 and 2. It opens Thursday August 23rd and will close Sunday August 26th at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Sunday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Monday August 27th                Chapter 3 The Start of Life: Genetic and Prenatal Development

Chapter 3 & 4 quiz is open and available until Sept. 4th

Tuesday August 28th              In class assignment for chapter 3

Wednesday August 29th     Finish chapter 3 and start chapter 4 Birth and Newborn Infant

Thursday August 30th          Finish chapter 4      

Monday Sept. 3rd                 No Class. Labor day

Tuesday Sept 4th                       In class assignment over chapters 4

 Exam 2 covers chapters 3 and 4. It will open Tuesday Sept. 4th and will close Friday Sept. 7th at 11:59 pm.   Please do not wait until 10:00pm Friday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Wednesday Sept. 5th           Chapter 5 Physical development in Infancy

Chapter 5-7 quiz is open and available until Sept. 11th

Thursday Sept. 6th                    Chapter 6 Cognitive development in Infancy

Monday Sept. 10th                    Chapter 7 Social and Personality Development in Infancy

Tuesday Sept. 11th              In class assignment for chapters 5-7 Chapter

Exam 3 covers chapters 5-7. It will open Tuesday Sept. 11th and will closes Friday Sept. 14th at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Friday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Wednesday Sept. 12th         Chapter 8 Physical development in Preschool Years

Chapter 8-10 quiz is open and available until Sept. 18th

Thursday Sept. 13th                 Chapter 9 Cognitive development in Preschool Years

Monday Sept. 17th                    Chapter 10 Social and Personality development in Preschool Years

Tuesday Sept. 18th                   In class assignment chapters 8-10

Exam 4 covers chapters 8-10. It will open Tuesday Sept. 18th and will closes Friday Sept. 21st at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Friday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes

Wednesday Sept. 19th           Chapter 11 Physical development in Middle Childhood

Chapter 11-13 quiz is open and available until Sept. 25th

Thursday Sept 20th                  Chapter 12 Cognitive development in Middle Childhood

Monday Sept. 24th               Chapter 13 Social and Personality development in Middle

Childhood

Tuesday Sept. 25th                   In class assignment over chapters 11-13

Exam 5 covers chapters 11-13. It will open Tuesday Sept. 25th and will close Friday Sept. 28th at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Sunday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Wednesday Sept. 26th           In class assignment over adolescence

Chapter 14-16 quiz is open and available until Oct. 4th

Thursday Sept. 27th                 Guest speaker

Monday Oct. 1st                          Chapter 14 Physical development in Adolescence

Social Learning project is due Monday Oct. 1st by 11:59 pm. You must scan or take a pic and upload your volunteer verification online and answer the essay questions using the template provided online. Make sure to get everything in by 11:59 pm.

Tuesday Oct. 2nd                       Chapter 15 Cognitive development in Adolescence

Wednesday Oct. 3rd                Chapter 16 Social and Personality development in Adolescence

Thursday Oct. 4th                 In class assignment over chapters 14-16

Monday Oct. 8th                         

Exam 6 covers chapters 14-16. It will open Thursday Oct. 4th and will close Wednesday Oct. 10th at 11:59 pm. Please do not wait until 10:00pm Wednesday evening because I will not be as likely to help you if you run into issues before the exam closes.

Good luck on all of your finals and have a great Fall break!!!

Additional Information

It’s college; I know you want to skip, but if you just show up you will do better in the class. It’s an 8 week class so if you miss you will get behind very quickly. We are going to have to use our time together wisely and missing is not a good idea. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!!

I do not allow make-up assignment or exams. If something happens please contact me immediately.

Office Hours:

I will hold office hours by appointment.

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: eerodriguez@actx.edu

Most issues can be resolved before or after class, however we can always set-up an appointment that will work for both of us if more time is needed.  

Syllabus Created on:

08/16/18 12:22 PM

Last Edited on:

08/16/18 12:33 PM