Child Psychology Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

PSYC-2308-030 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required: Child Development, 8th Edition, Pearson Publishers, ISBN-10: 0134641299.

*Used textbooks are acceptable for this class. 

Supplies

• Classic note taking supplies (paper, pen/pencil) for in class
• Blue/black pen or pencil only – no colored writing utensils
• Technology may be used at various points throughout the course.
• Personal access to a reliable computer
• Reliable Internet connection
• Microsoft Office software
• Open computer labs on campus are available for use

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 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

During class the use of personal cell phones is PROHIBITED (not allowed) unless specified by the instructor. Laptops/tables are allowed for note taking purposes only. ALL technological use should be limited to course related content. No photo imaging is allowed at any point throughout the entirety of the course. The instructor may limit technology at various points due to improper usage.

Grading Criteria

GRADING CRITERIA

A = 100-90%

B = 89-80%

C = 79-70%

D = 69-60%

F = 50%

ASSIGNMENT	QUANTITY	PERCENTAGE
Quizzes	4	10%
Group Chapter Presentation	1	20%
Post and Respond	3	10%
Discussions	3	10%
Reading Log	3	10%
Social Learning Project	1	10%
GROW Project	1	15%
Final Exam	1	15%

How are grades calculated?

• Let us say, for example, that you made the following grades in the course:
  • Quizzes: 82 + 85 + 93 + 78
  • Group Chapter Presentation: 88
  • Post and Respond (3 total): 91 + 88 + 75
  • Discussions (3 total): 85 + 74 + 90
  • Reading Log (3 total): 80 + 78 + 88
  • Service Learning Project = 100
  • GROW Project: 85
  • Final Exam: 83

• Here is how you would do the math:
  • Average the Quiz grades: 82 + 85 + 93 + 78 = 338/4 = 84.5
  • Average the Post and Responds: 91 + 88 + 75 = 254/3 = 84.7
  • Average the Discussions: 85 + 74 + 90 = 249/3 = 83
  • Average the Reading Logs: 80 + 78 + 88 = 246/3 = 82

• Then multiply by the percentage:
  • 84.5 X .10 = 8.5 (Quizzes)
  • 88 X .25 = 22 (Group Chapter Presentation)
  • 84.7 X .10 = 8.5 (Post and Responds)
  • 83 X .10 = 8.3 (Discussions)
  • 82 X .10 = 8.2 (Reading Logs)
  • 100 X .10 = 10 (Service-Learning Project)
  • 85 X .20 = 17 (GROW Project)
  • 83 X .15 = 12.45 (Final Exam)

• Now, add the numbers for each category: 
  • 8.5 + 22 + 8.5 + 8.3 + 8.2 + 10 + 17 + 12.45 = 94.9 = A (Course Grade)

Attendance

• 85% attendance is required to pass
  • REGARDLESS the reason
    • 85% of 16 = 13.6
    • 2 absences
• Attendance is taken daily.
• Students should attend class twice a week (T and TR). Role will additionally be taken through in-class participation, discussions, and submission of reading logs.
• Updates and assignments are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and should be monitored daily online. 

Calendar

Additional Information

ASSIGNMENTS

*See TILTed Assignment descriptions in Blackboard for more detail.

OFFICE VISITS

Students who attend during office visits at least one time throughout the course of the term may add 10 pts. to any grade. Multiple visits do not allow for accumulation of points (e.g.: 3 visits do not equal 30pts). See TILT’d assignments in Blackboard for detailed instructions.

GROUP CHAPTER PRESENTATIONS

Each student will participate in a group chapter presentation. Students will complete the necessary requirements for the presentation. See TILT’d assignments in Blackboard for detailed instructions.

POST and RESPOND

Students will participate in 3 post and responds. PRs take place online. PRs require an initial response of 100 or more words and a minimum of 2 replies to fellow classmates of 75 or more words each. Original responses must contain a minimum of 2 textual references correctly cited using APA 7th edition. Students should check the course schedule to determine when and where discussions take place. See TILT’d assignments in Blackboard for detailed instructions.

QUIZZES

1. There will be four quizzes.
2. Each quiz will be different and to be administered by the high school facilitator.
3. There will be no opportunities for make-up quizzes regardless the reason, including technology issues.

READING LOGS

On specified weeks (see course schedule) students will be required to complete a reading log for the reading assigned. Reading logs consists of summary and case example creation and response. See TILT’d assignments in Blackboard for detailed instructions.

DISCUSSIONS

At four different points throughout the semester, students will compose 5 ORIGINIAL questions related to a chapter of the text and respond in no less than 75 words per question. Original responses must contain a minimum of 1 textual reference correctly cited using APA 7th edition. See TILT’d assignments in Blackboard for detailed instructions.

SOCIAL LEARNING PROJECT (SLP)

Throughout the term, students will volunteer at a community organization. Students will be required to volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours, complete an hours’ verification form, and submit a written report following the assignment guidelines. See Common Assessment Social Learning tab in Blackboard for detailed instructions, verification form, and submission.

FINAL EXAM: GATHERING RELIABLE OPTIONS for WONDERING (GROW Project)

Students will select one of the following options to complete independently throughout the course of the term. The GROW Project allows students to interact with various aspects of development that cumulatively integrate all aspects of general psychology. See TILT’d assignments in Blackboard for detailed instructions.