Child Psychology Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Office Hours

Available for conferences as needed

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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-2308-021 Child Psychology

Prerequisites

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 ResourcesStudent 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

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Child Psychology, 8th edition. Feldman ISBN 978-0-13-464129-4

Supplies

Paper, pens, pencils.  Must have access to a reliable computer with internet access and access to a printer.  Other supplies will be announced in class if needed.

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 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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: It is expected that each online student will do their own work. Assisting a student while they are taking an online exam is cheating - don't do it and don't let others help you! Not only could you be caught (and the methods of catching cheaters are becoming more sophisticated daily) but you are cheapening your own education. The only purpose of grading this course (in this instructor's opinion) is to show your level of understanding the material. Education is your investment in YOURSELF - why would you want to cheat yourself?

 

GREAT RESOURCE:  Mental Health Services and the 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc
Moore County Campus is part of the counseling center, and is offering these services on a limited basis. If you are interested, you can contact me (806-570-3183)/jihunt@actx.edu or Ashley Mader (806-934-7224)/abmason@actx.edu. The counseling is being offered virtually or telephonically at this time due to covid 19.

Grading Criteria

 

 

EXAMINATIONS: (count 80% of grade)

There will be three to five exam grades.  Each exam will count equally in figuring the exam average, including the final (which is not comprehensive).  The individual projects will also count as an exam grade.   Exam dates and times will be announced during class and through e-mail during the semester. Examinations will be timed and there will only be one attempt allowed per exam.

QUIZZES: (count 20% of grade)

There will be a quiz for each chapter.  These quizzes will have random questions from the assigned chapters and will require the student to read these chapters prior to taking each quiz. Quizzes and exams will be open until the unit closes. Suggestion: it will be easier for you to complete the quizzes as soon as we complete the chapters in class so that you do not fall behind and be forced to take all at once or same day. Any additional quizzes or individual assignments will be counted as a quiz grade.

PROJECT:

Each student will be required to complete a project.  This may be done individually or in groups, depending on the size of the class.  The topic will be assigned and/or approved by the instructor.  An oral presentation may also be required. This will be included in the exam grades for the 80%.

A=90 to 100
B=80 to 89
C=70 to 79
D=60 to 69
F=below 60

 

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE REQUIRED.  I WILL ALSO ALLOW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT.  THESE WILL BE ASSIGNED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.

Attendance

This is a Hybrid-Tech supported Class.  All assignments will be online, and we will meet on zoom or google for class meetings. Attendance will be taken just like if we were meeting on  campus. Excessive absences can negatively affect your grade.However, I know this is challenging for all of us, so I will work with you any way I can to make sure you succeed in this class. 

Calendar

TENATIVE SCHEDULE:

 

  • Unit One:  Chapters 1-4  (July 5th-August 10th)
  •      Ch. 1--An Introduction to Child Development
  •      Ch. 2-Theoretical Perspectives and Research
  •      Ch. 3-Genetics and Prenatal Development
  •      Ch. 4-Birth and the Newborn Infant
  • Unit Two: Chapters 5-10  (July 16th-August 10th)
  •      Ch. 5-Physical Development in Infancy
  •      Ch. 6-Cognitive Development in Infancy
  •      Ch. 7-Social and Personality Development in Infancy
  •      Ch. 8-Physical Development in the Preschool Years
  •      Ch. 9-Cognitive Development in the Preschool Years
  •      Ch. 10-Social and Personality Development in the Preschool Years
  • Unit Three: Chapters 11-16  (July 23rd-August 10th)
  •      Ch. 11-Physical Development in Middle Childhood
  •      Ch. 12-Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
  •      Ch. 13-Social and Personality Development in Middle Childhood
  •      Ch. 14-Physical Development in Adolescence
  •      Ch. 15-Cognitive Development in Adolescence
  •      Ch. 16-Social and Personality Development in Adolescence
  •  
  •   Instructor reserves the right to modify this outline.  Students will be notified of any changes.

Additional Information

COURSE CRITERIA: Please read carefully!

 

 Summer courses can be hectic and require the student to be diligent in their homework and be aware of deadlines in order to be successful in this course. This is even more so with the restrictions this summer.  If you miss a deadline and fail to complete an assignment, it could reduce your final grade for this course. I will determine make up work on an individual basis.

GREAT RESOURCE:  Mental Health Services and the 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc

Syllabus Created on:

07/02/22 3:58 PM

Last Edited on:

07/02/22 4:01 PM