PSY231.02 CHILD DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

SPRING 2001

Instructor's Information:

        Dr. Jose M. Arcaya, Ph.D.

        Office: 2133 North Hall

        Phone: (212) 237-8786

        Email: jarcaya@erols.com

        Office Hours:    Tues 2:00-3:00, Thurs 8:00-9:00PM 

Course Syllabus:   

Note on Phone Calls: While I welcome phone calls to discuss academic problems, questions about assignments, and other matters of substance, I would appreciate if you did not call me regarding absences, tardiness, or other matters which could be dealt with before or after the following class period. Also please do not call me about make-up exams, late papers, or incompletes. These matters can be handled during class time or, if not, please refer to the relevant sections below. Indeed, I prefer if you contact me through my email where I can read your questions with leisure and respond at length to your inquiries.

Texts:

1) Shaffer, David (1999). Developmental Psychology, 5^th Ed.

2) Student Study Guide to Accompany Developmental Psychology, 5^th Ed.

3) Annual Editions Child Growth and Development (01-02) 

Aim of the course: To examine the process of physical and mental development in children from infancy to adolescence 

Course policies:

1) No more than 4 unexcused absences will be permitted without a mandatory termination from the class. Students are not permitted to leave before the end of class without first obtaining permission from the instructor.

2) Lateness to the class (defined as coming into the classroom after the roll has been called) counts for ½ of an absence.

3) No talking without the permission of the instructor is permitted.  After an initial warning, the student will be dropped from the course if he or she continues to do so.

Note: please do not ask me how you stand with your attendance situation. I will notify individual  students as the need warrants if they are in danger of being dropped because of excessive absences/tardiness.

Grading:

1) Three multiple-choice (45 questions) and short essay questions = 25% each

2) One term paper (described in seperate handout) = 25%

3) there is no other extra credit to improve your grade beyond what is specified above.

4)Term papers that are not handed in during the class period may be slipped in under my office door.

5) Please do not miss any exams (make-ups for exams 1 & 2 are given during finals exam week) Beyond that make-up exams are given in the Fall term, 2000 (see Academic Bulletin for make-up exam schedule).

6) Date of the tests and what they will cover are noted in the "schedule of classes" section, below. 

NOTE: since a portion of the tests are machine-scored, you are required to bring a no. 2 pencil to any quizzes or examinations. I do not supply pencils.

Term Paper:

This will consist of a 10-12 page, typed, doubles-spaced report on a child (not related to nor living with yourself) ranging in age 4-8 years old (male or female). Its aim is for you to apply the concepts learned in class to a specific individual, evaluating this youngster with respect to his/her family, prenatal, medical, physical growth, emotional maturity, intellectual, social, and language situation. The point of this exercise is to use the concepts presented in the various chapters, identifying them in one particular instance. In carrying out this evaluation you should determine how well the child can accomplish the type of tasks described by Piaget, Vygotsky which are designed to assess cognitive, social, moral, behavioral, etc. accomplishments. Your paper should be divided or organized into sections, indicating the particular developmental areas you are discussing. Follow the APA writing style, bringing in at least 5 references (other than your texts) to document or amplify your discussion. You should end with a conclusion section, summarizing his/her overall level of development while indicating sectors of strength and weakness. I have enclosed a model paper for your information. THE PAPER IS DUE 5/10; LATER PAPERS WILL BE MARKED DOWN A ½ LETTER GRADE.

                                Schedule of Classes

Text chapters = Shaffer (S)                                   Chapter

              = Readings (R) 

1/30 Developmental Psychology and research;                   S=1

2/1 Developmental Psychology and research;                    S=1                              

2/6 Theories of Development;                                  S=2                                            

2/8 Theories of Development;                                  S=2, R=1

2/13 No class

2/15 Heredity;                                                S=3   

2/20 Heredity;                                                S=3, R=2                             

2/22 Prenatal Development;                                    S=4,R=4 

2/27 Prenatal Development;                                    S=4                                             

3/1 Test #1                                                  (Chp. 1-4;R = 1,2,4) 

3/6 The Physical Self;                                        S=5                                             

3/8 The Physical Self;                                        S=5 

3/13 Early Cognitive Development;                             S=6,R=7 

3/15 Early Cognitive Development;                             S=6 

3/20 Piaget and Vygotsky;                                     S=7 

3/22 Piaget and Vygotsky;                                     S=7 

3/27 Information Processing;                                  S=8 

3/29 Information Processing;                                  S=8,R=6 

4/3 Test #2                                                   Chap. 5-8 ; R =6,7) 

4/5 Intelligence;                                             S=9 

4/10 Spring Break 

4/12 Spring Break 

4/17 Intelligence;                                            S=9,R=9 

4/19 Language;                                                S=10 

4/24 Language;                                                S=10                                                         

4/26 Emotional Development;                                   S=11,R=12 

5/1 Emotional Development;                                    S=11 

5/3 Development of the self;                                  S=12,R=22 

5/8 Development of the self;                                  S=12 

5/10 The  Family;                                             S=15, TERM PAPER DUE;R=26 

5/15 The  Family;                                             S=15,R=30 

5/17 Test #3 (Chap.  9-12,15; R =9,12,26,30): 5:30-6:30PM, Same room