7400:265

Section 002

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Professor Pamela Schulze, Ph.D.

This syllabus has clickable links: go to http://Springboard.uakron.edu

to find syllabus and other useful information.

 

Email*:  Schulze@uakron.edu

web: www.uakron.edu/schulze/childdev.html

ph: 972-7725

ofc: 215H Schrank Hall South

class times: MW  10:30 – 11:45

 

office hours:    Tue 10:00 – 12:00

                         and by appointment

*E-mail is the fastest way to get in touch with me.

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:  Berk, Laura E. (2007). Infants and Children. Sixth Edition. Allyn and Bacon

 

COURSE WEBSITE & SPRINGBOARD:  It is required that you visit http://Springboard.uakron.edu  regularly for announcements, exam study guides, and links of interest. All grades will be available on Springboard for students to view. Observation forms, study guides, and course syllabus will also be posted in Springboard.

 

E-MAIL: Students are required to check their UAnet e-mail accounts regularly.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  In this course, we will discuss the physical, social, cognitive and emotional development of the child from conception through age eight.  This course will examine the child as an individual, as a family member, and as a part of the larger society.  Historical, theoretical, and practical issues will be considered.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  At the end of the course the student will be able to:

 

  1. Understand the major theories and issues relating to child development.
  2. Apply theories of child development to issues of practical importance (such as education, parenting, and public policy).
  3. Understand what developmental changes occur at each stage of development, from conception through middle childhood.

 

EXAMINATIONS:

There will be four examinations (including the final exam).  Examinations will cover material presented in class lectures and discussions, assigned readings and media presentations.  Please make a note of the exam dates on your syllabus.  

SPRINGBOARD EXAMINATIONS: On exam days, you must go to Computer Based Testing Center, Schrank Hall North Rm 153, to take your exams. You MUST bring your student ID, and you must remember your UAnet ID and password. See Computer Lab policies attached to the syllabus. Exams are posted under the “Quizzes” tab in Springboard and are accessible during class time on the scheduled date.

MAKE-UP EXAM POLICY: Your lowest exam grade will be replaced with the average of the other three exams, therefore makeup exams are not necessary. If you miss more than one exam, this will obviously affect your overall grade in the class adversely. You must see me as soon as possible to discuss your options; failure to do so dramatically reduces your options. See the University policy on course withdrawal (p. 2 of syllabus).
OBSERVATIONS:

Observations will be conducted at a child care center, at a local toy store, and the public library.  We will tour the Center for Child Development during the class period after exam 1; you will receive your observation packet and instructions at that time. There are six (6) observations for you to complete.  The first five observations are worth 20 points each, and the last observation is worth 30 points.  Please note the due dates for observations--do them in the order they are assigned (see next page).  Five (5) points will be deducted for late observations.  OBSERVATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN SPRINGBOARD (http://springboard.uakron.edu) in the “dropbox.”

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND DUE DATES:

 

Requirements

Points

Dates

Exam 1 – SHN 153

100

Sep 22

Exam 2  - SHN 153    

100

Oct 22

Exam 3 – SHN 153

100

Nov 12

Exam 4  (final) – SHN 153

100

Dec 10 noon – 1:55 pm

Observations:

 

 

     I.  Infant Cog & Emot Dev

  20

Oct 13

     II.  Phys Dev & Play

  20

Oct 27

     III. Cog & Emot Development

  20

Nov 3

     IV. Gender Role Socialization

  20

Nov 10

     V. Television Observation

  20

Nov 19

     VI.  Case Study

  30

Dec 1

TOTAL POINTS

530

 


GRADING SCALE:


Compute your percentage by dividing the total number of points earned by 530 (the total number of points possible).

≥ 92%   A

88-89%  B+

78-79%  C+

68-69%  D+

90-91% A -

82-87%  B

72-77%  C

62-67%  D

 

80-81%  B -

70-71%  C -

60-61%  D -

 

ATTENDANCE:

According to University policy, “A student is expected to attend all meetings of a class for which he or she is registered.” Since some material discussed in class that is not in the text will be on exams, attendance is mandatory.  We cover a lot of material, and it will be much easier to keep up if you attend class regularly. You are allowed 2 absences, no excuses needed. For each absence after the second, five (5) points will be deducted from your final grade. Thirty (30) points will be deducted if you miss eight or more classes. If you have a problem that will affect your attendance, please come to me as soon as possible to discuss it. Frequent absences may necessitate withdrawal from the course.

 

WITHDRAWAL:

Last Day to Drop is  Nov 14 (with signatures of adviser and instructor). Go to http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/Fall08wddates.php for more information.

 

UNIVERSITY POLICIES:

Student misconduct (including harassment and cheating) will not be tolerated. Go to http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/faa/docs/syllabuspolicies.pdf for more information on university policies

Tentative Course Schedule:

 

Week 1
Topics & Assigned Readings (read chapters prior to class meeting)

Mon Aug 25

Introduction to class

 

Sign up for observation times

Wed Aug 27

Read Chapter 1

 

Topic: Historical Foundations and Theoretical Issues

 

 
Week 2
 

Mon Sep 1

LABOR DAY  – University closed

Wed Sep 3

Topic: Theories of Child Development continued and Research Methods

 

 

 

 
Week 3:
 

Mon Sep 8

Read Chapter 2

Topic: Genetic Influences on Development

Wed Sep 10

Topic: Genetic Influences & Inherited Disorders – video

 

 
Week 4:
 

Mon Sep 15

Read Chapter 3 – 4

 

Topic: Prenatal Development – video: Life’s Greatest Miracle

Wed Sep 17

Topic: The Birth Experience/ Transition to Parenthood – guest speaker, Sunny Carlisle

 

 
Week 5:

 

Mon Sep 22

Exam #1 - Chapters 1 – 4 and class notes – GO TO SHN 153

Wed Sep 24

Tour of Center for Child Development (CCD); Class meets in CCD classroom, 108 Fir Hill

 

Receive observation booklets and instructions on how to do observations

 

 
Week 6:
Read Chapter 5

Mon Sep 29

Physical characteristics of newborns & infants

Wed Oct 1

Topic: Brain Development/Physical Development in Infancy    video

 

 
Week 7:
 

Mon Oct 6

Read Chapter 6

 

Topic: Motor & Perceptual Development in Infancy

Wed Oct 8

Topic: Piaget’s Sensorimotor Stage

 

 
Week 8:

 

Mon Oct 13

Topic: Cognitive Theories Continued and Early Language Development

 

OBSERVATION I DUE – Cognitive & Emotional Development in Infancy             

Wed Oct 15

Read Chapter 7

 

Topic: Emotional Development: Temperament and Infant Attachment

Week 9:
 

Mon Oct 20

Topic: Attachment Theory (Mary Ainsworth – Attachment Classifications)

Wed Oct 22

Exam #2 – Ch. 5 -7  and class notes  - GO TO SHN 153

 

 

Tentative Course Schedule Continued

 

Week 10:

Read Chapter 8   

Mon Oct 27

Topic: Growth, Brain Development and Nutritional Needs of Children

 

OBSERVATION II DUE – Physical Development & Play in Early Childhood

Wed Oct 29

Read Chapter 9

 

Topic: Piaget’s Preoperational Stage and Conservation Tasks

 

 

Week 11:
 

Mon Nov 3

Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory/ Language Development

 

OBSERVATION III DUE – Cognitive & Emotional Development

Wed Nov 5

Read Chapter 10

 

The impact of childrearing styles and peer relations on development

 

 
Week 12:

 

Mon Nov 10
Gender identity/ gender typing

 

OBSERVATION IV DUE - Gender Role Socialization

Wed Nov 12

Exam #3 - Chapters 8-10 and class notes  - GO TO SHN 153

 

 
Week 13:
Read Chapter 11

Mon Nov 17

Physical Development and Health in Middle Childhood

 

  Read Chapter 12

Wed Nov 19

Topic: Definitions of Intelligence, Intelligence Testing, and Learning Styles

 

OBSERVATION V DUE – Television Observation
Week 14:
 

Mon Nov 24

Educational Philosophies and Practices   Guest Speaker: Ann Grosz

Wed Nov 26

Topic: Learning Disabilities   video: Misunderstood Minds

Happy Thanksgiving! (but we will meet; university closes at 5:00pm Wed)
 
 
Week 15:
 

Mon Dec 1

Read Chapter 13

 

Topic:  Moral Development   

OBSERVATION VI DUE – Case Study

Wed Dec 3

Topic: The influence of family and peer relationships

*Final exam (covers Chapters 11 – 13 and class notes)

Wed Dec 10, noon – 1:55 pm, Testing Services, Schrank Hall North 153

 

 

 

Assessment Center Information

           Schrank Hall North 153
           Phone: 330-972-6511
           Fax:  330-972-2103
           Zip + 5002

Lab Policies

 

  1. NO CHEATING or INTENT TO CHEAT will be tolerated. ALL BOOKS and PAPERS, (including your sign-on sheet) must be put away and placed OUT OF SIGHT.  All ball caps must be REMOVED (and put under the chair) or TURNED AROUND.
  2. A photo ID is REQUIRED.  Only University of Akron Zip Cards will be accepted.  If you do not have a PHOTO ID, you will not be able to test, NO EXCEPTIONS! 
  3. You must remember your IDENTIFICATION NUMBER and PASSWORD. If you do not have either of these pieces of information with you, there could be a significant delay in taking your test.
  4. You are NOT permitted to bring food, beverages, or tobacco products into the lab.
  5. Once you enter CH 325, CELL PHONES and other audible devices must be turned off and placed out of sight.  Anyone caught holding, looking at, or using a cell phone in any way will be REPORTED FOR ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
  6. The lab maintains a quiet testing environment.  TALKING IS LIMITED and should be kept at a WHISPER LEVEL.  DO NOT bring young children into the lab.
  7. It is recommended that you make a reservation online by going to http://cbt.uakron.edu.   
  8. If you have made a reservation, ARRIVE PROMPTLY on the hour for your reservation. Once students with reservations are admitted into the lab, computers are assigned on a first come, first served basis.