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Course Code: PSY 2301
Course Title: Child Psychology
Class Hours/Credits: 3 class hours, 3 credits
Prerequisite: PSY 1101

Course Description:

This course provides an overview of the human developmental processes from conception, through early adolescence. Some of the major topics covered are: research methods, memory, cognition, and language development. This course is also designed to promote a continuing interest in child development and to facilitate critical thinking about the social, emotional, and cognitive influences on development via lectures, videos, and in-class assignments.

This is a partially on-line course, which means that one-third of the course requirements must be met on-line. To fulfill the on-line requirements for this course, you are expected to do assignments that require extensive use of the internet and Blackboard, so you must be computer literate and familiar with how to use Blackboard. If you are uncomfortable using a computer, working collaboratively online, using Blackboard, or with using your City Tech e-mail, then this class is not for you.

This course fulfills the LAA/LAS Associate Capstone requirement, though it can also be taken for other requirements and electives. The City Tech LAA/LAS Associate Capstone is designed for students entering their second year in the program. LAA/LAS Associate Capstone courses are meant to prepare students to continue their studies in a bachelor’s degree, third-year, or junior, level. In addition, Associate Capstone courses are meant to help students develop an awareness of the importance of knowledge, values and skills developed in general education courses; and to integrate this knowledge, these values and these skills into their advanced academic study and professional careers. Please ask the instructor if you have any questions about what the LAA/LAS Associate Capstone requirement entails.

 

Course Objectives

COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. To examine the different theoretical, philosophical, and empirical processes, which once influenced and continue to influence contemporary thinking about child development, and to compare and contrast these influences.

2. To understand various research methods and the application of these methods in understanding infant/child behavior.

3. To define, analyze, and understand the influence of both heredity and environment on prenatal development, and the influence of heredity and environment in determining the infant’s developing temperament, personality, and intelligence.

4. To understand the stages of labor and birth and to describe the physical development of body, brain, and perception from birth to sexual maturation. The influence of genetics and environment will be understood and the student will be able to compare and contrast various genetic and environmental influences on physical development.

5. To understand the influence and importance of both Piaget’s Cognitive Theory of Development and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Perspective of Development, and to compare and contrast major points of each theory in relation to cognitive development.

6. To understand and explain the influence and importance of information processing theory in the development of memory and thought over the first 12 years of life.

7. To compare and contrast the different theories of intelligence, and understand how mathematical, and reading ability develop during infancy, early childhood and late childhood. To analyze the role of genetics and the environment in the development of intelligence.

8. To compare and contrast the major theories which describe the development of language development, and to understand the influence of genetics and the environment. To understand the milestones and major language accomplishments which take place during early childhood.

9. To define the concept of self, self-regulation, and how self-representations change across age. To understand and explain research surrounding gender differences in cognitive skills, behavior and personality.

10. To define attachment and compare and contrast the theories which explain the correlates of secure and insecure attachment. To define temperament and to understand the classification of temperament as based on the research of Thomas and Chess. To define emotion and understand how emotion becomes more individualized from infancy to and throughout childhood.

11. To examine and compare and contrast Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development with Gilligan’s Theory of Moral Development. To understand the development of gender differences in moral development and their underpinnings. To understand how the development of guilt and empathy can motivate moral development.

12. To define “play,” and understand the different levels of social play as defined by Parten. To describe the changes in play as children develop from infancy through adolescence and the cultural differences in the play of children around the world. To understand what leads some children to become unpopular.

13. To understand the similarities and differences between traditional versus non-traditional families. To demonstrate an understanding of the debate surrounding the effects of daycare.

 

GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES/ASSESSMENT METHODS

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1.  KNOWLEDGE: Develop an introductory knowledge of child development methodology and concepts.

2.  SKILLS: Develop the ability to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze data sets and use the tools needed for communication, inquiry, analysis, and productive work.

3.  INTEGRATION: Work productively within and across disciplines.

4.  VALUES, ETHICS, AND RELATIONSHIPS: Understand and apply values, ethics, and diverse perspectives in personal, civic, and cultural/global domains.