CD/PSYC10G Green Sheet

CHILD DEVELOPMENT (The Early Years)

Instructor: Dr. Li Wei Sun E-Mail: sunliwei@deanza.edu Tel:(408)864-5329
Office Hours: Monday 1:20-2:20PM Office: CD2-21d

Course Description

Critical examination of human growth and development from conception to early childhood with particular attention given to current theoretical and research perspectives.

Desired Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, students will have:

  1. An understanding of major theories and the strengths and shortcomings of each.
  2. An appreciation of research strategies for investigating child development.
  3. Knowledge of both the sequence of child development and the processes that underlie it.
  4. An appreciation of the impact of context and culture on child development.
  5. An understanding of the joint contributions of biology and environment to development.
  6. A sense if the interdependency of all domains of development-physical, cognitive, emotional, and social.
  7. An appreciation of the interrelatedness of theory, research and applications.

Required Text

  1. Kathleen S. Berger (2012) The Development Person: Through Childhood and Adolescence. (9th ed.) (pp.3-319) United States: Pearson
  2. Handouts and Study Guide, Li Wei Sun

Class Requirements

  1. Students are expected to arrive on time, participate in class discussions and remain for the entire class. If a student has need to leave early one day because of a pressing emergency, the student needs to let the instructor know ahead of time, otherwise he/she will be shown as being absent for that day. Students are responsible to keep track of their absences and tardiness.
  2. If a student misses 2 classes, he/she needs to see the instructor for an assessment of his/her ability to complete the class. The instructor may drop a student with 3 absences. Three tardiness equal one absence. It is the student's responsibility to process a DROP form. If a student simply stops attending class, the student will get an "F".
  3. There will be 4 exams as shown on schedule. Students are responsible for being present at those dates. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS. Students are responsible to call in on exam day if insurmountable emergency should arise.
  4. Students are required to turn OFF cell phones during class time. A student who is disruptive or is disregarding rules, such as talking, passing notes, doing homework or outside work, wearing headphones, verbal abuse, threats and etc. will be asked to leave classroom. The student must submit a request in writing asking to be re-admitted and may not re-enter without the instructor's permission. The student will be counted as absent until re-entered. Any second incident will result in the student being dropped from class with an "F". The student who refuses to leave the room will be dropped from the class with an "F" and reported to school authorities for further action.

Assignments

This is a 4-unit course. All assignments must be typed, 12 font pitches, double space and stapled together, and otherwise points will be deducted from the paper. Late assignmentswill have 5 points deducted from assignments. These assignments must be handed to the instructor no later than one week after it is due.Do not put any assignment in the instructor's mailbox. E-mail assignments will not be accepted.

Toddler observation (see instruction for details). 50 points
Infant or preschooler observation (see instruction for details). 50 points

Plagiarism is to steal or pass on the ideas or words of another as one's own and includes the use without crediting the source. It will not be tolerated. Such action will be dealt with in accordance with the procedures set forth in the college catalog.

Extra points will be given to students attending a study group at least once a week. Students will form a study group to meet at least 45 minutes every week. In this weekly meeting students will study the text, share child development information, discuss assignments and prepare for exams.

5 extra points will be given for a 2 pages reflection on one of the suggested readings or two professional articles regarding Child Development. The reflection will include 5 paragraphs--- a them paragraph, 3 supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Examinations

There will be a total of 4 exams. Each exam contains 25 multiple choice questions. The study guide for each exam will be provided one week before the exam.

Exam 1 will cover chapter 1, 2 50 points
Exam 2 will cover chapter 2, 3  50 points
Exam 3 will cover chapters 4, 5 & 6  50 points
Exam 4 will cover chapters 7, 8 & 9  50 points

Course Grading

1. Two written observations of child development 100 points
2. Four examinations 200 points

 Total 300 points

Grade Scale

Letter Grade Scale Points
A+ 4 286-300
A 4 279-285
A- 3.7 270-278
B+ 3.3 264-269
B 3.0 249-263
B- 2.7 240-248
C+ 2.3 234-239
C 2.0 210-233
D+ 1.3 204-209
D 1.0 189-203
D- 0.7 180-188
F 0 Below 180 points


Services for Disabled Students
Disabled Students Services (DSS) is available on campus. It provides special registration for Adaptive P. E., personal counseling, academic and vocational advisement and equipment loans. It also can help provide note-takers, assistance to and from class, and mobility training for students with blindness. For more information call 864-8753.

Class Schedule

Week 1 Introduction & Chapter1
Definitions. Domains of development.
Developmental Processes and Periods
Core issues in Child Development

Week 2  Chapter2
Research methods and designs.
Developmental theories.

Week 3  Chapter2
Genetic foundations of Development.
Reproductive Choices.

Week 4  Chapter3
The course of Prenatal development
Some potential hazards to prenatal development
Exam1:Chapter 1&2

Week 5 Chapter 4
Stages of childbirth
Medical interventions
Birth complication, Low birth weight infants

Week 6 Chapter 5 (Infancy)
Body growth. Brain Development. Motor development.
Sensory and perceptual development
Exam2:Chapter 3&4

Week 7  Chapter6 (Infancy)
Piaget's sensorimotor stage.
Language development.
Due: Observation1

Week 8  Chapter7 (Infancy)
Sociomotional development.
Attachment. Temperament.

Week 9  Chapter8 (Early Childhood)
Body growth. Brain development.
Motor development
Exam3: Chapter 5,6 & 7

Week 10  Chapter 9 (Early Childhood)
Cognitive Changes in Early Childhood
Piaget's Theory. Vygotsky's Theory.
Language Development
Due:observation2

Week 11  Chapter10 (Early Childhood)
Socioemotional development.
Gender. Parenting. Play.

Week 12  Final Examination: Exam4: Chapter 8, 9 & 10

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