MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Child/Adolescent Development

Summer, 2007

Department: Social Science

Course Number: Psychology 204

Course Title: Child and Adolescent Development/ CRN# 2063

Credit Hours/Lecture Hours: 3

Meeting Time/Place: on-line

Faculty: Judith Felton, Professor of Human Services

Office/ Phone#/e-mail: Room 508/ 860-343-5816/ webct mail; or, jfelton@mxcc.commnet.edu

Office Hours: on-line. I will respond to your emails within 24-48 hours.

Scope of Course:

This course will examine childhood from conception through adolescence, with emphasis on the areas of emotional, social, cognitive, language, and physical development.

Textbook: A Child’s World: Infancy through Adolescence. Authors: Papalia, Olds, Feldman. (tenth edition)

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will have a greater understanding and appreciation of:

the key theoretical perspectives pertaining to child and adolescent development;
the methodology and function of scientific research in the area of childhood and adolescent development;
the psychosocial, cognitive, and physical developmental milestones in childhood and adolescent development;
the developing child within the context of his/her sociocultural environment;
the genetic and environmental factors which have an impact on the developing child;
abnormalities in development;
clinical interventions and services for children, adolescents, and families;
the applicability of what we learn to our personal and professional lives.

Methods of Evaluation:

Three Tests: The tests will be short answers to concepts/definitions. Your responses must be in your own words. Exam Dates: First exam assigned June 25^th. Due July 2^nd. Second exam assigned July 9^th. Due July 16^th. Third exam assigned July 23^rd. Due July 30^th.

Short Paper: Television Comparisons: During this course, you are to watch at least two television programs during prime time, (8-10p.m.,) and two television programs specifically geared toward children, (for example, children’s cartoons, Sesame Street, Power Rangers, etc.) Your paper will respond to the following questions:

In your view, what is the appropriateness or inappropriateness of television offerings for young children? For adolescents? Explain, referencing your text or other research as appropriate.
Consider the number of violent acts, abuse, traumatic events, aggressive language, and sexual innuendos both in the programs and in the commercials. What are the possible effects on children? On adolescents? Explain, referencing your text or other research.
Comment on common themes that emerge.
Comment on gender stereotyping and racial stereotyping that may be prevalent.
Your responses will reflect your views, based on new knowledge gleaned from your readings.
Your paper will be between 4-5 pages.

Due Date: August 1^st. Submit your paper via email attachment.

Weekly Discussion Questions: Each week you will be assigned discussion questions that require your response. You are required to post a response to each discussion question and respond to at least two of your classmates or a classmate and your professor. The weekly discussion assignments are worth 10 points each.

All assignments are equally weighted toward your final grade.

ADA accommodations statement: “ Students with physical or learning disabilities who may require accommodations are encouraged to contact the Counseling Office. After disclosing the nature of the disability, students are urged to discuss their needs with individual instructors. This should be done at the beginning of each semester. Instructors, in conjunction with appropriate college officials, will provide assistance and/or accommodations only to those students who have completed this process.”

Information regarding academic ethics and classroom behavior: “At Middlesex Community College we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Trustees’ Proscribed Conduct Policy in Section 5.2.1 of the Board of Trustees’ Policy Manual. This policy prohibits cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, unauthorized access to examinations or course materials, plagiarism, and other proscribed activities. Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s ideas or phrases and representing those ideas as your own, either intentionally or unintentionally.”

Topic Outline/ Reading Assignments

Week of: Topic Assignment

(Please note: In addition to your textbook assignments, you must read my weekly overviews each week.)

June 18^th Introduction; Overview of the Chapter 1

study of Child/Adol. Development;

Influences on Development

Theoretical issues and perspectives Chapter 2: pgs.23-38

in studying Child/Adol. Development; Table 2-3

research methods Discussions: due

6/24, midnight

June 25^th Conception, Pregnancy, Prenatal Dev. Chapter 3: pgs.57-61

79-81; Chapter 4

Birth and the Amazing Newborn Chapter 5

Exam: assigned 6/25; due 7/2 Discussions: due 7/1

(exam covers Chapters 1-5) midnight

July 2^nd Physical Development during first 3 years Chapter 6: pgs. 129-

149; 153-157

Cognitive&Psychosocial Dev., first 3 yrs. Chapter 7: pgs 161- 177; pgs. 187-191

Chapter 8: pgs. 199-

211; 214-224;

229-233.

Discussions: due

7/8, midnight

July 9^th Physical, Cognitive development Chapters 9:pgs. 239-

Early Childhood 248; 253-259;

Chapt. 10: pgs. 263-

270; 276-279; 284-

290.

Psychosocial Dev.: Early Child. Chapt. 11: pgs. 298-

301; 305-317

Exam: assigned 7/9; due 7/16 Discussions: due 7/16

(Exam covering chapters 6-11) midnight

July 16^th Physical/Cognitive dev: Middle Child. Chap.12. Chap. 13:

Pgs. 345-356; 360-364;

367-373

Psychosocial Dev., Middle Child. Chapt. 14: pgs 378-389

392-400

Discussions: due 7/22

Midnight

July 23^rd Physical Dev.Adolescence Chapter 15

Exam: assigned 7/23; due 7/30

(Exam covering chapters 12-17)

Cognitive Dev.: Adolescence Chap. 16: pgs. 435-450

Discussions: due: 7/29

midnight

July 30^th Psychosocial Dev.:Adolescence Chap. 17: pgs. 459-468

Psychosocial Dev.: Adolescence Chap. 17: pgs. 468-485

Discussions: due 8/2, noon

August 1^st Paper due