Odessa College - Child Psychology

Course Number: PSYC 2308
Course Title: Child Psychology On The Web
Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours; 0 Lab Hours
Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
Competencies emphasize child growth and development processes, including biological and environmental factors which shape personality and affect achievement from prenatal development through adolescence. Requires observational case study where the student acquires, organizes, maintains, evaluates, and communicates case study, data and information. (SCANS 1,2,5,6,9,11). Course Textbook:
Santrock, John W., Children (8th ed.), McGraw Hill, 2005. This is available at the Odessa College Bookstore. If you cannot come to campus, you may order online or call 432/335-6655 to order this text.

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course, the student should be able to demonstrate competency in:
1.0 methods of studying the child and concepts of theories of development
2.0 genetics & context, prenatal development and birth processes
3.0 infancy: physical, cognitive, & social developmental processes
4.0 early childhood: physical, cognitive, & social developmental processes
5.0 middle childhood: physical, cognitive, & social developmental processes
6.0 observation and reporting on the development of a specific child.                                                                     Attendance Policy:
This class will not have traditional meetings in a physical classroom, but you will be asked to communicate with me and with other class members on a regular basis. The number and the quality of your contributions will be assessed as part of your grade. Specific assignments will be posted in advance as we progress.                                                         Academic Ethics:
You are expected to take tests without notes or other outside assistance and to write your own lab notes and case study. ALL WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE YOUR OWN. If unethical behavior is detected, all parties involved will be denied points for that project or exam. The questioned material and a report of the ethics violation will be submitted to the department chair for further action as deemed necessary by the chair. Course Requirements:
Regular, active participation in all assignments.
Read all chapters of textbook.
Ten (10) hours of observation of a child in the Odessa College Children's Center (or another preschool approved by the Texas Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing Division, and the instructor).
Case Study (Typed) on one child, along with your handwritten lab notes made during observations. (See Lab Pack.)                                                                    Examinations:
Three major exams and a final exam will be scheduled on the text and class discussion. You will have a test week during which you can take each test. Make-up exams should not be necessary except in case of a real emergency. Each case is determined on an individual basis. You must Call or e-mail me the minute you know there’s a serious problem preventing you from taking a test at the scheduled time.                     Method Of Evaluation:

Participation in Nicenet online research, writing assignments and discussions on assigned topics. (Grade based on number and quality of contributions.)	15%
Three major exams and one final exam, 15% each.	60%
Observation of a child for ten (10) hours, lab notes, typed case study. Five (5) points will be deducted for each day your paper is late. Note: You cannot pass this class without observing your lab child for ten (10) hours and turning in a proper case study.	25%

Important Note To Students: Do not lose track of time. Meet all deadlines. It is the policy of this instructor to help you complete this course. If you believe that you cannot complete this class due to medical, family, financial, social, job-related or other problems or conflicts, you should see your instructor to discuss your options. You may be dropped from the class by the instructor if you fail to keep up with test and assignment deadlines. You need to make steady progress in the class in order to remain enrolled. You will be notified if you are being dropped. In case of emergencies, contact the instructor to make arrangements for making up work as soon as possible. You should not assume, however, that you have been dropped. If you cannot complete the course, it is your responsibility to contact the Registrar's office and see if you have already been dropped. If not, you need to drop the course prior to the final drop date of Thursday, April 13. Otherwise, you will receive an "F" on your transcript.