Child Psychology Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

PSYC-2308-004 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

Textbook: Child Psychology, 9th edition. Feldman: digital format (ISBN-13: 9780137588497)seems to be the most reasonably priced, but you can get the hard copy if you want (ISBN-13: 9780136966678)  

Supplies

Supplies: pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer, or if you do not have access to a computer at some other facility, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4^th floor or the Underground in the Ware Student Commons. All exams, notes and assignments will be given on-line.

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, check-up online, participate in class, be prepared for class discussion and exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. . I expect you to contact me before assignments are due if you are not going to complete the assignment on time. I DO NOT TAKE LATE WORK OR MAKE-UP WORK. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although that some of this class is online you should be doing your own work. I whole heartedly expect you to use your notes and books on all assignments and exams, you just may not use your friend or classmates. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students’ responses within class. 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 1100 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% 1100-990= A 89-80% 989-880= B 79-70% 879-770= C 69-60% 769-660= D 50% Below 550= F The points will be earned: 600 points for exams (6 100 points for each exam) 190 points for chapter quizzes 160 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: 1100 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. 160 points in class assignments, online 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 volunteer for 4 hours of community service. You will upload a volunteer verification in order to earn your 50 points for volunteering. 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

You will need to check online every day for updates and assignments. If you miss assignment and exam due dates, then that will negatively impact your grade. It is extremely important to come to class. If you miss a class in the 8 week hybrid format you get behind very quickly. Your work online illustrates your participation and attendance. If you have a problem with something contact me right away. After the fact makes it hard to work with you on a solution before it’s too late. I do not make up work or late work.

Calendar

Additional Information

Monday- Thursday 8:00-8:50 in my office Dutton 202L.

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

If you email me within the class when I reply it will return to your gmail account. If you do not check your gmail then please email me form the email account you check. Make sure to put what class you are enrolled in so that I can answer your questions correctly and quickly.

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.