Infant and Child Development - PSYC 371

Longwood University - Fall 2005

Instructor: Chris Bjornsen, Ph.D.

Office: Ruffner 305

Office phone: 395-2736

Office Hours: M-R 11-12 & by appt.

email: bjornsenca@longwood.edu

Class times: M/W 4:00- 5:15

Classroom: Ruffner 312

Catalog description

An examination of the biological, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral changes that take place during prenatal development, infancy, and childhood including genetic influences, transformations in attachment, autonomy, family relations, sibling relations, peer relations, moral thinking and behavior, intelligence, language, and achievement. Brief examination of childhood psychopathology. 3 credits.

Additional course description:

This course is essential for students who have adopted a concentration in developmental psychology within the department of psychology. It is also essential for students who will work with children in some capacity after college. In this course we will primarily study healthy development, although dysfunctional processes and outcomes will also be investigated. We will focus on intra-individual and inter-individual changes in cognition, emotions, and behaviors in the context of the family, the peer group, and various cultural settings. This course will be beneficial in the following additional ways: (1) Helping students of any major understand themselves, children in general, and their own children when they become parents; (2) Preparing students who will be teachers to understand infants, toddlers, and children up through age 12 (especially preschool and early education teachers); (3) Helping to prepare students who plan on pursuing a graduate degree in Psychology, Social Work, Medicine, or other helping profession to understand infants, toddlers, and young children; (4) Helping the future leaders of our community understand the needs of the generations that will follow.

Required Reading:

Infants and Children (5th Edition, 2005), by Laura E. Berk.

Course objectives:

1. Learn about the fundamental stages of development, and the abilities and characteristics that emerge during childhood.

2. Learn about the latest interdisciplinary research that explains how the growth of the brain in infancy is associated with specific abilities (and deficits) in childhood and later life.

3. Develop research and analytical skills

4. Demonstrate your understanding of the above on tests, in class discussions, and through class presentations.

Course requirements:

Four tests	100 points each
Group research assignment and presentation	100 points
Extra credit (explained in class)	up to 5 points of final grade

1. Four tests will be given, consisting of a variety of types of questions, assessing student comprehension of textbook and lecture information.

Extensions on assignments, make-up tests, etc. may or may not be given, at the discretion of the instructor, for the following reasons: (1) Prior to the exam date or assignment due date, the student has requested an extension because the assignment/exam conflicts with a college-sponsored activity (such as a class field trip or LC sport team event). (2) The student has requested an extension, prior to the exam/assignment due date, due to a serious illness or family emergency. (3) The student was hospitalized and could not request an extension prior to the exam date or due date of the assignment. No other reasons for missing an exam or assignment will be considered. Students will be given a grade of zero for assignments/quizzes/tests missed. The final exam will be given on the date and time assigned by the University, as printed in the official exam schedule. The only exception to this rule is if a student has more than two exams on one day, he or she may request that he/she be given the exam for this class on a day prior to the printed exam date.

Students will be asked test questions that require not just memory skills, but analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students should be aware that merely skimming or reviewing assigned reading and class notes before a test will not adequately prepare the student for test questions. Adequate preparation for tests involves understanding all class and reading material thoroughly, memorizing when necessary, and spending time reflecting on the meaning of class material and assigned reading prior to exams.

2. Group research assignment and presentation. Students will work in small groups to design, conduct, and present results of a study that investigates characteristics related to the course content. Students may use our new laboratory space (ground floor of Ruffner) under the supervision of Dr. Bjornsen. Students will collect data from volunteers on campus. Study proposals need to be completed by Thursday, September 15, and written using the online forms for the Human Subjects committee, found here: http://www.longwood.edu/staff/lawsel/HSC.html. More information on this assignment will be provided in class.

Grading policy:

I grade on a ten-point scale, based on the percentage of total points you earn. 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F.

Attendance

Regular class attendance is essential for you to obtain the education you deserve and can receive at Longwood University. However, you are young adults and you are responsible for what you get out of this class. Do not misinterpret this to mean that I "don't care" if you come to class or not. On the contrary, I care a great deal and I think you should be in class every day. I make every class a valuable learning experience for students. If you miss class, you are still responsible for what was discussed or taught in class that day. If you miss class, you should ask another student if you can copy his/her notes, and look in the folder outside my office door for any handouts.

Honor Code and Student Conduct

Longwood students founded the Honor Code in 1910. Its purpose is to create and sustain a community in which all persons are treated with trust, respect, and dignity. Students are expected to assume full responsibility for their actions and refrain from lying, cheating, stealing, and plagiarism. University penalties for infraction of the Honor Code are detailed in the Student Handbook, which students can find on-line within the Longwood University web pages and are responsible for understanding and following. If the professor believes a student has violated the Honor Code, the student will receive a course grade reduction or, more likely, an “F” for the course. The professor will also file Honor Code charges against the student.

During class students are expected to be “on task” and paying attention at all times. Students should be aware that the Student Handbook states that interfering with the duties of a student, faculty, or staff member is a Judicial Code offense, and can result in academic probation. It is the responsibility of your professor to protect and promote a respectful, positive classroom environment. Indeed, one of the reasons for which a Longwood professor can be fired is for “failure to maintain discipline”. As such, the professor will strictly enforce the following expectations for classroom conduct.

The following are disruptive to teaching and learning and will not be tolerated. The professor will determine the degree to which such disruptions will affect the student’s grade, and possibly result in the filing of Judicial Code charges.

Interrupting the professor or another student while that person is addressing the class
Falling asleep in class, or putting one's head down on the desk
Making irrelevant, rude, derogatory, or hostile statements during class
Interfering with the professor's ability to engage students in discussion, direct a class activity, or lecture during class time
Walking out of the classroom during class (including to visit the restroom), or leaving class before the professor has dismissed students
Packing up one's books before the professor has indicated class is over
Reading or doing work during class that is not for this class
Answering a cell phone during class (please be sure cell phones are turned off)
Eating food - including snacks, crackers, candy - during class. You may drink a beverage, but if it spills you have to clean it up.
Putting one's feet up on a chair, desk, or table (our furniture is new, and we have to pay for cleaning or replacing furniture)

Other violations of proper student conduct may arise during the semester, and the professor will discuss these with students at appropriate times.

Course Schedule (to be provided to students during the first week of class)

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the above syllabus during the semester if necessary, with proper notification provided to students either during class or via email (Longwood University email addresses will be used).