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The University of Texas at Dallas

Course Syllabus
Child Development
Course Information
Course Number: PSY/CLDP 3310, Section 001
Term: Spring 2008
Meeting Times: MW 9:30-10:45 AM, GR 4.428

Contact Information
Professor: Lisa H. Rosen, Ph.D.
Office: GR 4.404
Office Hours: M 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM or by appointment
Telephone: 972-883-4179
Email: lisa@utdallas.edu

TA: Michael TenEyck (mft051000@utdallas.edu )


Office Hours: T 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM or by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Requirements


This course should not be taken if the student is/was enrolled in LIFESPAN 4334 or an equivalent
child development course.

Course Description
This course serves as a basic introduction to the study of child psychology from conception to
adolescence. The emphases are normal physical, cognitive, and social development. In addition, this
course will provide students with an understanding of the prominent theories of child psychology
and the research methods used to study children.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes


With your active participation, this course will allow you to:
• Describe and analyze major theoretical perspectives of child development (1.2)
• Identify and explain research methods commonly used to study child development (2.1)
• Use critical thinking and knowledge of child development to evaluate popular media and
scholarly literature (3.1)
• Demonstrate effective writing skills to explain sources of influence on child development (4.1)
• Demonstrate effective verbal skills to defend positions on societal issues involving children
(4.2)
• Apply the psychological concepts, theories, and research findings discussed in class to
everyday life (5.1)
• Demonstrate how psychological principals and empirical studies of child development can
inform public policy (5.3)
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Course Requirements
Exams (3) 70% (140 points each, 420 points total)
Out of class activities (2) 20% (60 points each, 120 points total)
Debates 5% (30 points)
Participation/In-class activities (6 out of 7) 5% (5 points each, 30 points total)

Exams. There will be three non-cumulative exams given throughout the semester. All exams will
cover material presented in lecture, activities, films, and the readings.

Make-up exams will be given only for compelling reasons. Any necessary make-up exam will be
in essay format.

Out of class activities. There will be two out of class activities designed to allow you to gather,
evaluate, and apply information from the field of child psychology. Specific guidelines for the
activities and grading criteria will be forthcoming.

1. Popular Press Review. One, 1-2 page paper you will write after reading an article
concerning child development in the popular press. You can select an article from any
written form of media (newspaper article, magazine/online article, advice column). You will
then find an empirical article on a similar topic. Using the empirical article and your
knowledge from the course, you will evaluate the popular press portrayal of an area of child
development. The purpose of this activity is to make you a better consumer of research
presented in the popular press.

2. Choice of Application Paper or Observation/Interview.

Application paper. One, 1-2 page paper on a topic selected from a list of options. The
purpose of this activity is to observe environmental sources of influence on child
development and apply what you are learning in class to these observations.

Observation/Interview. One, 1-2 page paper you will write following an observation or
interview session with a child and/or parent. A list of options will be provided but you are
free to select your own area of child psychology to investigate. The purpose of this activity
is to provide you with the opportunity to observe first-hand an area of child development
and to apply your knowledge from the course to these observations.

Debates. There will be five in class debates designed to make you think critically about a
controversial issue in child psychology. Each student will be assigned to one particular side of
one of the debates. You will be provided with the topics in advance and be given the opportunity
to indicate which debate most interests you. You will gather information from the textbook and
outside sources to support your position in the debate. We will establish ground rules for the
debates as a group.

Class participation. Active participation and advanced preparation will greatly enhance what you
take away from this course. Attendance and participation in class activities are expected.
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Required Textbook
Berk, L. E. (2006). Child Development (7th Edition.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Grading Policy
The total number of potential points for this course is 600. Therefore, final grades will be
determined as follows:

A: 90%-100% 540+
B: 80%-89% 480-539
C: 70%-79% 420-479
D: 60%-69% 360-419
F: 59% and below 359 and below

If you do not complete the research participation credits required by the School of Behavioral
and Brain Sciences, your grade will be lowered by one full grade (e.g., B to C).

Extra Credit
There is only one opportunity to earn extra credit in this course. On March 17th we will observe
firsthand how children of varying ages respond to different developmental tasks. Your active
participation is required for the success of this activity. You can earn 5 extra credit points by
either bringing a child participant to class or designing and helping conduct an activity on March
17th. You must receive the approval of the instructor prior to March 1st for either of these
opportunities.

Course Communication
E-mail will be the official mode of communication for this course. Please feel free to e-mail me
or the TA at any time with course related questions. When e-mailing please have “Child
Development” in the subject line.

I invite you to drop by and see me during my office hours. This is time I set aside specifically to
help you with this course. If your schedule conflicts with my office hours, I will be happy to
make a special appointment with you.

Course Website
Course information will be posted on the WebCT site, http://webct6.utdallas.edu/ .
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Course Policies
The following policies, along with your active participation, will help ensure a good class
experience.
• Students should be open-minded to new information.
• Students should demonstrate respect and professionalism toward fellow students and the
instructor throughout the course.
• Students should arrive to class on time with cell phones turned off.
• Students should read the appropriate chapters in the text before class.
• Students should submit a hard copy of all assignments. E-mail attachments will not be
accepted.
• Students who have a question about the grading of an exam or assignment should submit
a written appeal to the instructor within one week after the grade is posted.

Important Dates

Exam Dates:
Exam 1 – 2/4
Exam 2 – 3/5
Exam 3 – 4/23

Extra Credit Opportunity:


Observation Day – 3/17

Assignment Submission Dates:


Popular Press Review – 2/18
Application or Observation/Interview – 3/24

Debate Dates:
Television Violence – 4/2
Daycare – 4/7
Spanking – 4/9
Same-Sex Classes – 4/16
Peers vs. Parents – 4/21
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Academic Calendar
DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMET
1/7 Introduction
1/9 Theories of Development Chapter 1
1/14 Research Methods Chapter 2
1/16 Prenatal Development Chapter 3 (pp 69-102)
1/21 Martin Luther King Day – No Class
1/23 Child Birth/The Newborn Chapter 3 (pp 103-120)
1/28 Infancy Chapter 4
1/30 Physical Growth Chapter 5
2/4 Exam 1
2/6 Piaget Chapter 6 (pp 219-253)
2/11 Core Knowledge and Vygostsky Chapter 6 (pp 253-266)
2/13 Information Processing Chapter 7
2/18 Intelligence Chapter 8
2/20 Language Chapter 9
2/25 Language (continued)
2/27 Emotion Development and Attachment Chapter 10
3/3 Attachment (continued)
3/5 Exam 2
3/10, 3/12 Spring Break – No Class
3/17 Observation Day
3/19 The Self Chapter 11 (pp 437-455)
3/24 Identity Development Chapter 11 (pp 456-470)
3/26 Debate Preparation
3/31 Moral Development Chapter 12 (pp 475-506)
4/2 Aggression Chapter 12 (pp 507-515)
4/7 Family and Parenting Chapter 14
4/9 Parenting and Discipline
4/14 Gender Role Development Chapter 13
4/16 Schooling and Media Chapter 15 (pp 619-639)
4/21 Peers Chapter 15 (pp 597-618)
4/23 Exam 3
4/28 Coda
* Note: I reserve the right to change these dates for pedagogical reasons.
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Student Conduct & Discipline evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the
responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not
about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the
information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene
Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year. an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final.
The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures
of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the
the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting
Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the the rules and regulations.
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations
are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members Incomplete Grade Policy
are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
972/883-6391). missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed.
An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade
Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject is changed automatically to a grade of F.
to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place
on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such Disability Services
conduct. The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational
opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located
Academic Integrity in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m.
honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute to 5:30 p.m.
integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student
demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions PO Box 830688
related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or
falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
to disciplinary proceedings. adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For
example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an
from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an
policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students
resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The
90% effective. college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-
taking, or mobility assistance.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class
correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty or during office hours.
and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student
account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the Religious Holy Days
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to Code Annotated.
other accounts.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as
Withdrawal from Class possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college- student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment
level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the
Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and
withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A
student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period
grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

Student Grievance Procedures


If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other
from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC
serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or
51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
executive officer or designee.
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and

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