Course Syllabus

Psychology 4

Children and Adolescent Psychology

 

Summer 2020

Behavioral Sciences Department

Section 9659

Online Course

3.0 units

Instructor: Cheri Ross, MA, FT

Office Phone: 292-0319 (cell – best way to reach me) do not text or call after 9 p.m. or before 8 a.m.

Email: cross@santarosa.edu

 

Office: 1689 Emeritus Hall (Santa Rosa) Office Hours by arrangement with instructor. I am available to meet with students by arrangement.

 Note:  Some of this does not apply to online courses. 

Course Description This course provides an introduction to the scientific study of child and adolescent development, including emotions, thinking, heredity, environment, learning, intelligence, genetics, study of brain development, mental health disorders in childhood, and cultural diversity; while at the same time offering various ways in which you can apply psychology to your own life.  

This class not only offers the opportunity to explore what current scholarly knowledge in psychology is in regard to the developing human, but also an invitation to connect that knowledge with your own life story and the opportunities for self-understanding that may arise within you. This class also pays particular attention to critical thinking and cross-cultural issues in order to allow you the opportunity to engage in transformative learning and impact patterns of thinking and feeling.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Use major psychological theoretical perspectives to explain human behavior. • Identify the major scientific research methods, and use the critical thinking process to assess research materials and methods.
  • Diversity is interwoven throughout the world in which psychologist practice. Although you may not be interested in becoming a psychologist, understanding issues of diversity and gaining a mutual respect among diverse groups of people and opinions is of the utmost importance. Throughout the course, diversity will be addressed to ensure that students’ understanding of psychology is enriched by an appreciation of the diversity of all participants.

Required Textbook Psychology, 5th Edition Child Psychology Development in a Changing Society, (Wiley) Robin Harwood, Scott A. Miller, ISBN 978-0-471-70649-6. Pet Loss and Children, Establishing a Healthy Foundation, Cheri Barton Ross (Routlege, 2005) ISBN 0-415-94919-0 Textbooks are available for purchase at the SRJC Bookstore or online (Amazon.com). A copy is also on reserve at the Doyle Library Reserve Desk, 4th Floor. You will need to bring your student ID. Student ID’s can be obtained at the CyBear Center located in the Lawrence A. Bertolini Student Services Center, First Floor. 707-522-2638.

This is a link to Amazon for the Kindle version of the book.  You may rent it or purchase it: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Children-Establishing-Foundation-ebook/dp/B00CX0JGZA/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2MFJQTMAWDX5F&keywords=pet+loss+and+children%2C+establishing+a+healthy+foundation&qid=1595007753&sprefix=Pet+Loss+and+Children%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-2

Films.  Most will come from our library, Films on Demand (Media 3).  There will be links imbedded into the assignment.  You will need to know your login information to access it (as you do for canvas).   You may also be required to take out a free 30 days trial on one or two films we will be using for class.  You will need to cancel your subscription (unless you already have one on Youtube or Vimoe or Bing.   

Office Hours Students are encouraged to stop by my office to talk about assignments, raise questions, receive assistance with assignment/papers and address concerns. Scheduling an appointment will guarantee your time with me but is not required. I am also available via email and telephone consultation.  

Course Expectations for Students

  • Completing required reading and written assignments prior to class.
  • Actively contributing and participating fully in class discussions by listening, asking relevant questions and introducing a personal perspective and experience related to the material. Please raise your hand to contribute.
  • Attending class on a regular basis. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. Any student with excessive absences may be dropped from the course. SRJC Attendance Policy 8.1.5P states a student may be dropped when absences exceed 10% of the total class hours. For this class, that means a student may be dropped after 4 absences during the semester. Students who provide medical or legal documentation for illness, injury, court hearings, accident, etc. may be able to receive an excused absence. http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/santarosa/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=policies#
  • Again, please come to class prepared. If you have to miss a class, make arrangements to get assignments and lecture notes from one of your classmates.
  • Turning in assignments on time. All assignments are due on the date specified on the course outline at the beginning of class, even if you are absent from class. Late work is not accepted.
  • Checking student SRJC email through the Student Cubby Portal system. Please check your email on a regular basis and keep your contact information current in order to receive course materials, grades, extra credit, and other course related documents.
  • Practicing academic honesty and integrity is your responsibility as a student at Santa Rosa Junior College. Cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, misrepresentation of an idea or fact for the purpose of defrauding, use or unauthorized aids or devices, falsifying attendance records, violation of testing protocol, and/or inappropriate course assignment collaboration in any form will not be tolerated and are subject to disciplinary actions according to the Student Conduct Policy 8.2.8P. Do not jeopardize your grade in this class or your college career by engaging in academic dishonesty. http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/santarosa/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=policies#

Guidelines for Appropriate Classroom Behavior

  • Respect is highly valued and expected. Conduct yourself in a manner that encourages mutual respect, honorable behavior, learning, and student success.
  • Be on time. Be in your seat and ready to begin promptly according to the scheduled start time for this class. Tardiness is disruptive and disrespectful to both professor and other students and is not tolerated. Points are deducted for consistent tardiness and student risks being dropped.
  • Practice Listening. No talking to your peers when the professor is lecturing. Side talking distracts others from concentrating and is disruptive to the learning process. Consistent disruptive talking will result in a warning, dismissal from classroom, and/or other action outlined in SRJC Student Conduct Standards.
  • Zero tolerance is practiced for disruptive behavior. Student’s exhibiting disruptive behavior will receive a warning and asked to stop the behavior. If the student’s behavior continues to be disruptive, s/he will be asked to leave the classroom and will not be permitted back into class until they have met with the professor. Students who do not comply may be subject to removal by Campus Police. Please familiarize yourself with SRJC Student Conduct Standards, Section 2 and SRJC Policy 8.2.8. http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/santarosa/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=policies#
  • Zero tolerance is practiced for vulgarities, prejudicial comments or discriminative acts. Student’s exhibiting this behavior will be asked to leave the classroom and will be subject to academic discipline according to SRJC policy.
  • Zero tolerance is practiced for text messaging, using twitter, emailing, or other electronic communicating during class. Turn off all electronic devices for the duration of class. Don’t risk having your electronic devices confiscated for the duration of the class or semester by the professor.
  • Zero tolerance for using iPods or other personal listening devices in class, this includes during exams. Only Disability Resource Department (DRD) approved listening devices are allowed.
  • Students using a laptop, iPad, or other electronic devices for note taking are required to sit in the first two rows.
  • No audio, video, or other electronic recording of lectures is allowed. Only DRD approved audio recording allowed per discussion with professor.
  • Leaving class early is highly discouraged; however, if there are circumstances that warrant this action, notify the professor before class, sit near the door, and exit the classroom quietly when it is least disruptive to the learning process. Students who consistently need to leave before the end of class will be graded down and/or could receive a failing grade.

Recommended Study Time

The recommended study time for this course is 6 hours per week. The following formula determines the number of hours needed per week to be successful in a college course: 1 unit = 2 hours/student preparation time or 3 units x 2 hours = 6 hours study/week

Attendance and Participation - adjust for online students

  • Attendance is mandatory and essential for your contribution to class process and the student’s grade will be affected by absences and tardiness. (online students should be working on assignments weekly).  *Note: this is especially important for guest-lecturers. 
  • Students have the opportunity to receive 20 points for attending and participating in class (and field trip). You are allowed 2 absences and still get the full 20 points. The 3rd absence will result in 0 points for attendance/participation. Use your absences wisely.    
  • If you are late for class, and the instructor has already taken attendance, you will be marked absent.
  • If you have perfect attendance, you will receive 10 points extra credit (in addition to the above 20 points for attendance and participation) to be applied to your overall grade in the class.
  • If you miss class, you are responsible for finding out what assignments you missed and when they are due. Many are included in the class outline, however, the outline is subject to change, so make certain you are up to date on class requirements.

Withdrawing From Class - The professor does not automatically drop students who “disappear” or stop coming to class. There are both financial and grading penalties for not withdrawing in a timely manner.

 

Accommodation Needs

  • Students needing disability related accommodations for this class, such as a note taker, test-taking services, special furniture, etc., must provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to the professor before the first scheduled quiz, exam, or assignment.
  • Students may also speak with professor privately during office hours about accommodation needs. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly. DRD is located in Analy Village on the Santa Rosa campus, and Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma Campus. http://online.santarosa.edu/presentation/?4928

Emergency Evacuation Plan • In the event of an emergency during class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class immediately, but calmly.

  • Our class will meet at the northwest corner of the Emeritus Parking lot to make sure everyone got out of the building safely and to receive further instructions.  
  • If you are a student with a disability who may need assistance in an evacuation, please see professor during office hours as soon as possible to discuss an evacuation plan.

Safety Awareness • SRJC is not a crime-free College. Practice safety awareness procedures, such as using the buddy system, and being vigilante in closed areas like restrooms, locker rooms, and in parking lots when going or coming from your car.

  • In case of emergency, call campus police at 527-1000 (On campus phone: ext.1000), or call the Police at 911.
  • You can sign up on our website for AlertU, SRJC’s Emergency Text Messaging System, and Nixle, which provides alerts from SRJC Police and other public safety agencies in our area. For information, please go to: http://www.santarosa.edu/administration/college-safety/district-police/index.shtml. Active Shooter Response If you hear gunfire, the first course of action is to take cover. Your best chance to avoid injury is for you to remove yourself from sight. This can be done in several ways:
  • If you are confronted while sitting or standing, immediately fall to the floor. • Walking down a hallway move around a corner and look for an open door in which to hide. • When outdoors, get behind a tree and don’t leave it until police tell you it is okay. • Should you be in a parking lot, get down behind the engine area of a car near the front wheel. • Close, lock, barricade if possible, all doors leading to where you are hiding. • If a classroom is equipped with blackout curtains or shades, close them and turn off lights. Use a telephone or your cell phone to contact the police at 527-1000 and report the situation. Be prepared to provide five pieces of information: • Your name • Location • Describe the shooter’s clothing - if seen (think hair or hat, shirt, pants and shoes) • Where was the shooter(s) and where was the shooter(s) headed • Injuries to yourself or others around you If you are wounded, stay calm and apply pressure to slow down the bleeding. Call out for help when you hear the police searching your area. The Sonoma County Junior College District’s Police Department has adopted a countywide protocol that deals directly with response to such situations and will send its own specialized Active Shooter Response Team to the scene. District Police are prepared to directly intervene with the actions of the shooter to mitigate the situation while conducting simultaneous rescue operations.

* Assignments - There will be approx. 12 assignments. Each valued at 20 points for a total of 240 points. Assignments and due dates are noted in class and subject to change.  

Papers

  • There will be one paper on Children and Loss worth 100 points. You will have a project assigned for the final. Your Final is worth 200 pts. You will receive a paper prompt for each paper. We will also review it in class. No makeup papers. Your Children and Loss paper is worth 100 points. You are to use “Pet Loss and Children, Establishing a Healthy Foundation,” book for this paper. APA Format is required, typed, double-space. The SRJC Nancy Person’s offers student support with APA Style Papers. There are often workshops teaching APA Style (check SRJC library online or in person). You may also check out Purdue Owl APA Style, APA.org, and the writing center in Emeritus.

Extra Credit • Students will have the opportunity throughout the summer session to earn credit points beyond the required number of points to pass the course. Points will be earned through attending and participating. Ten extra points earned for perfect attendance. (not applicable for online course).  Instructor will distribute extra credit assignment(s) and date(s). Students will be provided one extra credit assignment for a total of 20 extra points.  A 500-word double-spaced typed response paper is required for each extra credit. You have until the last class to turn in extra credit. You can earn up to 20 extra credit points.

  • Focus of response papers will include what you came away from the lecture thinking about and specifically what new information you learned about yourself, psychology, and life in general.

Grades - There are 540 total points available for this course.  Note, this may be adjusted for summer course. 

 

 

I look forward to a rewarding summer semester with you!