EDU-491-23/EDU-540-50, Child and Adolescent Psychology (SP13)
INSTRUCTOR: Ray Richardson
SCHEDULE/DAY/TIME: (Schedule: Semester 1) January 30—April 10--6:00-8:45 p.m.
Internet access is NOT required for this class
CONTENT:
Students examine the five areas of development: physical, linguistic, cognitive, psychological and moral for children from infancy through adolescence through readings, lectures, class activities and student projects. Students will learn about the history of child development, theory and research, including classic debates such as nature v. nurture and stage v. continuous development. Major theorists and current research also will be reviewed as students learn key issues and concepts in each of the five areas as well as their influence and dependence on each other. Students will connect theories of development to their own class projects.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Discuss major theorists who have contributed to our understanding of various aspects of human development: Freud, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner, Kohlberg, Erikson, Skinner, Bandura and Chomsky.
- Examine similarities and differences between the major theories of human development and how they have contributed to our understanding of development from infancy to adolescence.
- Understand the application of basic research strategies to human development in order to critically assess conclusions drawn from research.
- Develop an appreciation of the interrelationship between all aspects of development—physical, cognitive, social and emotional.
- Discuss some of the most controversial issues in human development and their implications. Some examples are the nature vs. nurture debates, the influence of gender on moral reasoning and intellectual function, the nature of intelligence and IQ testing, competition vs. cooperation and the impact of the changing nature of the family.
METHODS:
Lecture
Discussion
Small cooperative group activities
Demonstrations
Project Presentations
REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
Class attendance and participation in discussion of reading assignments (20%).
Note: Due to the limited number of sessions, students are expected to attend every class and be actively involved in all group work and discussions of the reading assignments. Non-attendance may result in a lower grade. Education Department policies regarding attendance and lateness will be shared with students on the first night of class.
Research/Observation/Experience Assignment and Oral Presentations (20%). Working individually or in groups, the students will complete one oral presentation of a project. A handout will be provided at the first class session with appropriate details and a due date.
Two Take-Home Assignments (20% each)
Assignment I: chapters 1-9—due March 6
Assignment II: chapters 10-15—due April 3
Final Reflection paper (20%)—due April 10 (Details in class).
GRADING POLICY/COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
A: 95—100; B+:90—94; B: 85—89; C+:80—84; C: 75—79; D: 70—74; E: 69 and below
Note: All written assignments will be graded for content and mechanics. If a paper is late it will not receive an A unless reasonable extenuating circumstances apply. “Students who are in need of special accommodations because of a documented learning disability or physical disability must submit the appropriate documentation to the Vice President for Student Life's Office. Once approved the accommodation plan will be developed. It is the student’s responsibility to share the accommodation plan with the instructor of the course prior to the due date for tests of other assignments.” (October, 2011, Joann Southerly, Office Manager)
REQUIRED TEXTS OR MATERIALS:
Berk, L.E. (2013) Child Development (9th Edition), Boston: Pearson Education
RECOMMENDED READINGS OR MATERIALS:
As assigned.
READINGS AND/OR ASSIGNMENTS PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLASS:
Due to the limited number of classes and the compressed time available for class meetings, reading of Chapter 1 before the first class is helpful.