PSY 310
CHILD
DEVELOPMENT
614-8358
BSS 101
TEXT: Keenan, Thomas. (2002) An Introduction to Child Development.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of the origin and principles of behavior in infancy and childhood: physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and language development in the normal child. (Prerequisite: PSY 200)
UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT: Lee University is a coeducational Christian university whose basic purpose is to provide in a Christian environment learning experiences designed to develop within its students the knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability, and skill which will prepare them for responsible living in the modern world. A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the controlling perspective from which the educational enterprise is carried out. Education is the environment and from this perspective is viewed as integration of truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures and truth investigated and discovered in the Arts and Sciences.
STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES:
PURPOSE: This course is designed to: 1) provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to the history, empirical research, and theory of child development; 2) interpret and derive practical meaning from the scientific evidence on child development; 3) prepare students to function as informed, objective, and critical observers of children in various settings; and 4) to learn and apply the stages, patterns and relationships of physical, cognitive, and psychological development.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND RESPECT IN THE CLASSROOM: Students are expected to conduct themselves with integrity in the classroom. Plagiarism, copying on assignments, taking ownership of ideas that are not one’s own, giving or receiving help during exams, etc. - none of these will be tolerated. Students will be asked and challenged to think critically and individually in the classroom; plagiarism and cheating negatively affect the learning experience for everyone. Students cheating in any way will be given an automatic failing grade.
Students are also expected to respect the learning environment of their classroom by practicing basic courtesy. For example, turn off cell phones before class begins, refrain from side conversations during class, etc. These sorts of disruptions make it difficult for the teacher to teach and the students to learn. Respect your classmates and treat the classroom for what it is – a learning environment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1) To introduce a variety of developmental theories, themes, and issues of child development.
2) To investigate the role of various biological, social/emotional, and cognitive factors in the development of the child before and after conception.
3) To explore research methods associated with the advancement of child development theories.
4) To provide practical insights into developmental issues of a specific age child.
5) To sample a variety of authoritative literature sources related to a specific issue in child development.
6) To examine five important themes encountered in a comprehensive study of children: Biology and Environment; Cultural Influences; Social Issues/Education; Social Issues/Health.
7) To identify and discuss the major controversial issues in developmental psychology of children: Maturation vs. Experience, Continuity vs. Discontinuity, Change vs. Stability, Early vs. Late Experience.
COURSE CONTENT:
1) Principles of Development
2) Theories of Development
3) Biological Foundations
4) Perceptual Development
5) Cognitive Development
6) Development of Language and Communication
7) Gender Role Development
8) Emotional Development
9) Social Development
10) Developmental Psychopathology
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1) READ the text.
2) PARTICIPATE in class discussions.
3) PARTICIPATE in class and group activities.
4) COMPLETE projects.
5) COMPLETE 3 exams.
EVALUATION:
1) OPPORTUNITIES: You will have several opportunities throughout the session to have your textbook reading or class lecture evaluated. You may choose the top five to make up 20% of your grade.
2) CLASS PRESENTATION: You will choose a recent published article to present to the class for 20% of your grade. A one page paper will be submitted with your topic to proclaim your personal opinion and will then open for Q & A from the class. You will also submit 3 possible test questions from your material and turn that in with your paper and a copy of your article. This should be an up-to-date article in any news related story, article, etc. Ex. Newsweek, Psychology Today, etc.
OR
Be creative! Collect a sample of juvenile or adolescent fads. Remember MASH,cartoon drawings, slambooks, etc…must be at least 15 different items in a small notebook of samples. Present your work to the class. Hand in a one page paper describing your collection.
3) EXAMS: There will be 3 exams over the lectures, book , presentations and guest speakers for 20% of your grade.
4) ATTENDANCE: You will automatically be dropped a + or – on your letter grade when you miss 6 days of class and will continue to consecutively drop. This does not apply to excused absences. You are responsible for keeping your attendance in a booklet we will pass around at the beginning of each class.
GRADING SCALE:
A = 90-100
B+=87-89
B = 83-86
B-= 80-82
C+=77-79
C =73-76
C-=70-72
D+=66-69
D=60-65
F=0-59
.