Cristine H Legare

Seminars in Developmental Psychology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Seminars in Cognitive or Perceptual Systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Seminars in Developmental Psychology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Course Description:

The primary goal of this course is to examine the physical, cognitive, social, and

emotional growth of infants, children, and adolescents, and the various factors (e.g.,

genetics, parenting, peer groups, schooling, and the media) that influence development.

Prominent theories of child development and research methods used in developmental

psychology are reviewed. Specific topics that are covered include: aggression,

attachment, gender roles, language development, moral development, cognitive

development, culture, and school achievement. The implications of course content for

child-rearing, education, and social policy will also be discussed.

The course will combine both lecture and seminar formats. I will generally introduce

each topic with some background information and/or lecture on some selected aspect of

each topic, but much of what you learn from the class will be information that you glean

from the readings and class discussions. Active student participation is required.

General introduction to physical, social, and cognitive development from conception onward. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Psychology 304 and 333D may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C.

Psychology 304  (Unique # 43980)

Introduction to Child Psychology

Fall 2009

Instructor:  Dr. Cristine Legare

            Class meets:  Tuesday, Thursday, 3:30-5:00

            Classroom:  NOA 1.124

            Office:  SEA 5.216

            Office hours: Tuesday 2-3, Thursday 2-3, and by appointment 

            Email: legare@psy.utexas.edu

Teaching Assistant:  Dorian Colbert                       

            Office: SEA 1.214E

            Office hours: Tuesday 2-3, Thursday 1-2, and by appointment

            Email: dcolbert@mail.utexas.edu

Course Description:

The primary goal of this course is to examine the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth of infants, children, and adolescents, and the various factors (e.g., genetics, parenting, peer groups, schooling, and the media) that influence development.  Prominent theories of child development and research methods used in developmental psychology are reviewed. Specific topics that are covered include: aggression, attachment, gender roles, language development, moral development, cognitive development, culture, and school achievement.  The implications of course content for child-rearing, education, and social policy will also be discussed.

The course will combine both lecture and seminar formats.  I will generally introduce each topic with some background information and/or lecture on some selected aspect of each topic, but much of what you learn from the class will be information that you glean from the readings and class discussions.  Active student participation is required.

Text:

1)  Siegler, R., DeLoache, J., & Eisenberg, N. (2006).  How children develop (2nd ed.). New

York, NY:  Worth Publishers.

Course Objectives:

1. To introduce you to the field of child psychology.
2. To provide you with the skills and information necessary to be a critical consumer of information.
3. To excite you about the process of scientific discovery.
4. To help you apply research in child psychology to real world concerns and your own experiences.

Course Requirements:

Prerequisites:

Please note that the Psychology Department will drop all students who do not meet the following prerequisites:

(a)  Completion of Psy 301 (Introductory Psychology)

(b)  Received at least a grade of C in Psy 301

Grading Policy and Requirements:

EXAMS:  Four examinations will be given during the semester.  The last of the four exams will be given during the final week of the course. Your cumulative exam grade will be the best 3 of the 4 grades.  The top three test scores will contribute equally toward the final grade, (i.e., each student's lowest exam score will be dropped). No make-up exams will be given for missed exams (a missed exam will count as your lowest grade, including the final exam).  All exams will be multiple-choice in format.  All course material is fair game for the exams.  This includes all of the information in the textbook, the lectures, and any films presented during lecture.  The exams will assess both conceptual knowledge and factual information, so be prepared to answer both kinds of questions.  The exams will not be comprehensive, (i.e., they will cover only that material assigned after the previous exam). Each will consist of 50 multiple-choice problems and thus, the total number of exam points it is possible to earn is 150. Dates of the exams are September 17, October 6, November 3, and December 3.  Review session will be held for each exam. There will be no exam during finals week.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:  Students are required to complete EITHER the INTERVIEW PROJECT OR THE MEDIA PROJECT (5 pages, 50 points each).  Projects are designed to provide hands-on experience both in collecting and presenting new data and in critiquing existing findings.  Your final project is due November 12^th.  You are required to turn in your interview or coding sheet with your paper.  Five points (out of 50 total) will be given to project drafts brought in for feedback during office hours starting 6 weeks before the project is due.  A sign-up sheet will be distributed in class in early October. You must bring your project draft in person to office hours, emailing drafts is not sufficient to earn these 5 points.

The total number of points that it is possible to earn for the semester is 200.   Grades are a reflection of what you have earned and the course is not curved. 

A  =  93-100

A- =  90-92

B+ =  87-89

B   =  83-86

B- =  80-82

C+ = 79-77

C   = 73-76

C- =  70-72

D+ =  69-67

D   =  63-66

D- =  60-62

F   =  below 60

Incomplete grades will be given in extremely rare and extraordinary circumstances.  Students are expected to plan ahead in starting assignments and to keep up with the coursework throughout the term.  Any unusual circumstances that may impede a student’s progress in the course should be discussed with the instructors in a timely manner.

Assignment                                                                        Percentage of grade

Writing assignments:

Interview Project OR Media Project                                                25

Exams (Highest 3 out of 4 exam scores)                                                75

Total                                                                                                           100

Class Participation, Preparation, and Communication:

The bulk of class time will be devoted to introducing you to the study of child psychology, discussing the readings, and critically evaluating course material.  I highly encourage active class participation and reading the course material in advance.  Please take the opportunity to attend office hours as well, they allow for more in depth conversations about course material than is possible during lecture.  If you cannot attend scheduled office hours, contact us to schedule an appointment.

Email communication is also encouraged.  Please do treat email as a professional, formal means of communication and allow at least 1-2 days for an email response.

Course Policy:

Lectures will include material that is not in the textbook.  If you miss a class, it will be your responsibility to find out from a classmate what happened in class (including handouts, assigned readings, announcements, and lecture content).  Also, if your paper is turned in late, your paper will be marked down 10% (5 points) per day after the due date, unless there are compelling circumstances.

Notes:

1.  The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities.  For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.

2.  Academic integrity is an integral part of the educational process. Please read the information about academic integrity on this website: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php

Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties.

Psychology 304

Course Outline

General introduction to physical, social, and cognitive development from conception onward. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.  Psychology 304 an 333D may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C.