PSYC 295A: Adolescence University of Vermont Fall 2007 Professor: Jane Nathan, Ph.D. Lecture: Thursdays 5-7:45 pm Email: [email protected] Room: Dewey 212 Office Hours: By appt (generally before or after class) Phone: 879-0411 (not after 9pm) SYLLABUS This course will investigate the developmental process experienced by the adolescent. We will discuss factors related to the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, psychological, social, and physical development during this unique stage of life. Developmental themes and theories will be discussed, as well as contemporary and controversial issues. Required Texts 1. (S) Santrock, J.W. (2007). Adolescence (11th Ed.) McGraw Hill Co., Inc. LECTURE SCHEDULE, READINGS, AND ASSIGNMENTS (All reading assignments are to be completed before the associated lecture.) Class/Date Lecture topic Readings & Assignments _____________________________________________________________________ 1 8/30 Introduction and logistics; History 2 9/6 Developmental Theories & Methods S- Chapters 1 & 2 3 9/13 (Rosh Hashanah*) Puberty & Biological Foundations S- Chapter 3 GROUP 1 (Puberty) 4 9/20 Cognitive Development S- Chapter 4 GROUP 2 (Cognitive Dev) 5 9/27 Identity & Gender S- Chapter 5 & 6 GROUP 3 (Identity and Gender) 6 10/4 Sexuality & Moral Development S- Chapters 7 & 8 Group 4 (Sexuality & Moral Dev) 7 10/11 Families S- Chapter 9 GROUP 5 (Family) 8 10/18 Peers S - Chapter 10 GROUP 6 (Peers)9 10/25 *** EXAM *** 10 11/1 Schools & Achievement S- Chapters 11 & 12 GROUP 7 (Schools, Achievement) 11 11/9 Culture S- Chapter 13 GROUP 8 (Culture) *REFLECTION PAPER DUE 12 11/15 Problems; Take Home Final Prep S- Chapter 14 - 11/22 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! NO CLASS ☺ 13 11/29 Health, Stress and Coping S- Chapter 15 GROUP 9 (Health, etc.) 14 12/6 LAST CLASS Wrap-up ** TAKE-HOME FINAL DUE GROUP 10 (Problems) A note on lectures and readings You will be responsible for a large amount of material in this course including both assigned readings and associated lecture material. Assigned readings, including those from the book, may not be directly covered in class but it is important that you cover this material yourself. You are responsible for all material covered in lectures and discussions. * HOLIDAYS: The official policy for excused absences is:Religious Holidays: Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Each semester students should submit in writing to their instructors by the end of the second full week of classes their documented religious holiday schedule for the semester. Faculty must permit students who miss work for the purpose of religious observance to make up this work. REQUIREMENTS 1. Exams: Your comprehension of the lecture, discussion, and reading material will be assessed by two exams, each accounting for 25% of your grade (total=50%). Both exams will test your understanding of basic concepts and theories related to adolescent development. The first test will probably be a combination of multiple choice and short answer essay questions based on material related to class lecture and text readings. The final exam will be a take home designed to test a more comprehensive understanding of the many facets of adolescent development covered this semester. This will be due the last day of class. Please note: I believe we are still required to meet during the final exam hour; TBD.2. Reflection Paper: You will be responsible to write a short paper designed to test your knowledge of, and your ability to apply, adolescent psychology principles, theories, terminology and findings to your own personal life and experience. In this paper you will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of one or two general concepts learned in class and will write about how this relates to yourself and your own personal adolescent experience. You will be graded on your ability to demonstrate both the academic comprehension of subject matter and the ability to apply these concepts to your life. Your paper must synthesize information from lectures and text and can not simply tell a "story". That said, this should be a fun and interesting self exploration. Papers are due in class on November 9th. This paper must be TYPED, double spaced (250-300 words per page) with a 5 page maximum and will account for 15% of your course grade. NOTE: Late papers will be graded down 10% (a whole letter grade) for each day they are late. If you have significant problems, SEE ME IN ADVANCE. 3. Group Projects: One time this semester, you will be part of a small group of about 3 students who will be responsible for leading a one hour class discussion on a topic relevant to readings and lecture. Sign-up sheets will be available during the first class. You will have individual and group responsibilities. The presentation will start with an introduction of yourselves and your topic. As individual leaders, you will then each be responsible to: • Locate, read, and formally present one research article that relates to your topic from a current reputable, scholarly research journal (NOT AN INTERNET SITE!). You will each have about 10 minutes to present your article. Information should be delivered in a clear manner, covering who did what to whom, why, what did they find, why is this relevant, what are limitations, etc. You may want to use overheads or handouts to guide us through this part of your presentation. Be sure to allow a few minutes for questions. The librarian can help you do a search (PsychLit, PsychFirst) to find your source and direct you to the article. Some appropriate journals are listed on the last page. You are required to hand in a copy of the abstract from the article. Following the article presentations, as group discussion leaders : • You will be responsible as a group to design some kind of engaging activity to facilitate a class discussion on that week’s topic(s). This part of the presentation should be a well coordinated effort to help your fellow students make connections across text readings and lectures. NOTE: This should be a well-rehearsed and tightly coordinated joint venture. You can