Developmental Psychology - Harvard University



Developmental Psychology

PSYCH 235 Spring 2016

Instructor: Ellen Birchander Staff Assistant:

S113, 617-521-2613

Cell Phone #: 603-560-6653

Ellen.birchander@umb.edu Class Meetings: TTh:11:00 -12:20pm

Office hours as arranged

Room:

Developmental Psychology is the study of children from conception into adolescence. This includes biological development, cognitive, psychological and social development and growth. This class will take a thematic approach to addressing concepts and issues impacting children as they grow.

Text: Kail, Robert V. (2010), Children and Their Development, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Readings: Additional readings as assigned.

Evaluations: There will be a Brief worth 15 points and Powerpoint presentation worth 20 points.

Homework Assignments: There will be 4 short homework assignments worth 15 points each. Class participation is also worth 5 points.

Extra Credit Opportunities: Extra credit will be available through the psychology department research participation.

"Consistent with the psychology department's policy on student

research participation, you can earn up to 2 bonus points on your

final course grade through participation in up to two hours of

research-related activities for this course. You can earn credit

through participating as a volunteer in two hours worth of research

offered in the psychology department, completing two hours of

equitable alternative activities, or a combination of these two

options. You will receive 1 percentage point for each hour of research

participation or participation in an alternative activity for a

maximum of 2 percentage points. For instance, if you have earned an

average of 90 on all regular course assignments, you could raise your

grade no higher than a 92 with extra credit earned through

participation in research related activity. Details of the

department's research participation program including information on

how to sign up for studies and access alternative assignments will be

posted within the first few weeks of the semester at this address:



Academic Honesty: “Each member of the Simmons College community is responsible for maintaining a high level of integrity, honesty, and trust within the community. Each student is responsible for presenting work of her own creation, and for not representing as her own work that which is not hers. Any student who violates the standards of the Honor System must accept the consequences of her behavior.” (Simmons College Student Handbook, p. 160). I have zero tolerance for cheating and/or plagiarism.

GRADING

EVALUATIONS: 35 points

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: 60 points

PARTICIPATION 5 points

100 points total

Most of all, this class offers an exciting and hopefully fun opportunity to understand how children become competent, independent and interesting individuals.

Schedule:

WEEK 1

Objective: Understand course structure, class expectations and assignments. Identify the origins and growth of the field of Developmental Psychology

January 26

Introduction

Assign Homework 1

January 28

Foundations of Development

Kail, Chapter 1, Modules 1 & 2

WEEK 2

Objective: Apply basic research methods to the study of childhood development

February 2

Discussion Continued

February 4

Research Chapter 1, Modules 3& 4

Homework 1 Due

WEEK 3

Objective: Analyze the impact of advances in genetics on approaches to the study of childhood development. Compare our understanding of prenatal development now to the past

February 9

Genetics, Chapter 2

February 11

Prenatal Development, Birth,

Chapter 3, modules 1,2 & 3

Assign Homework 2

WEEK 4

Objective: Recognize physical, cognitive and psychological attributes of a newborn. Identify all aspects of growth and health, cognitive, psychological physical

February 16

The Newborn,

Chapter 3, module 4

Assign brief

February 18

Growth and Health,

Chapter 4

WEEK 5

Objective: Apply knowledge of cognitive, physical, psychological and social development to children

February 23

Perceptual and Motor Development,

Chapter 5

February 25

Play day

Homework 2 Due

WEEK 6

Objective: Discuss various theorists, their theories and the developmental changes that are identified

March 1

Cognitive Development theories

Chapter 6

Explain Midterm Assessment

March 3

Review and assess

Brief Due

WEEK 7

March 7-11 SPRING BREAK!!!!

Week 8

Objective: Evaluate cognitive theories of language and thought. Compare ideologies of different approaches.

March 15

Midterm Assessment due

Cognitive Processes,

Chapter 7

March 17

Language and communication,

Chapter 9

Assign homework 3

WEEK 8

Objective: Assess theories of emotional development and interpersonal interactions in children.

March 22

Emotional Development,

Chapter 10

Homework 3 Due

March 24

Understanding self and others,

Chapter 11

WEEK 9

Objective: Interpret various behaviors in children and identify impact of different events, structures and parenting styles

March 29

Understanding and behavior

March 31

Understanding and behavior, continued

Chapter 12

Assign Homework 4

WEEK 10

Objective: Identify physical, social and psychological markers for gender development. Evaluate children’s impact on family and family’s impact on children

April 5

Gender and Development,

Watch film

Chapter 13

April 7

Family relationships,

Chapter 14

WEEK 11

April 12

Family relationships continued

April 14

Powerpoint presentation organization

Homework 4 Due

WEEK 12

Objective: Assess knowledge and understanding of developmental psychology

April 19

powerpoints start

April 21

More powerpoints!

WEEK 13

Objective: Assess knowledge and understanding of developmental psychology

April 26

More powerpoints!

April 28

More powerpoints!

WEEK 14

Objective: Assess knowledge and understanding of developmental psychology

May 3

Review

May 5

Wrap Up

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