ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 235
Evangel University
Debbie Bicket
MWF 11:00-11:50
bicketd@evangel.edu
Office: Trask 201N
ext. 8567
Course Description:
This course will focus on the study of adolescent development from
pubescence to young adulthood. Emphasis will be placed on the
physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of adolescents
during the early and middle years. The study of identity development,
gender identity, family dynamics, and problems faced by today’s
adolescents will also be explored.
Required Text:
Steinberg, Laurence. (2000) Adolescence, 8th edition. McGraw-Hill.
Objectives:
This course is intended to:
1. Equip students to better understand adolescent behavior,
especially as it is observed in the North American culture.
2. Help students gain insight into the behavior, needs, motives, and
feelings of adolescents in order to be more effective in dealing
with this population, as future parents, teachers, youth pastors,
and youth workers.
3. Provide students with an introduction to a theory base in human
development that they can use as a foundation for planning or
implementing programs for adolescents.
4. Challenge students to reflect, from a Christian perspective, upon
adolescent development and the influences that impact that
development.
5. Encourage students to reflect on their own adolescence and to
understand the forces that impacted personal growth and
development.
5. Develop in students an appreciation and even a respect for
adolescents.☺
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Course Assignments and Requirements:
1. The reading assignments are given in the course schedule.
Students are expected to read and study the reading material
prior to the date the material is to be discussed in class.
2. Written activities will be assigned both in and out of class.
3. One reflection paper, one observation project, and one topic
paper are required.
4. Regular attendance and class participation are expected.
5. There will be a total of five (5) exams.
Grading:
1. The reflection paper will be worth 50 points.
2. Each exam is worth approximately 50-60 points each. (Total:
approx. 250+ points)
3. The topic paper will be worth 50 points. It will include a short
class presentation, worth 20 points.
4. The observation will be worth 70 points.
5. Class participation, short in-class and out of class assignments,
and pop quizzes will comprise another 50 points.
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GUIDELINES FOR PAPERS
Personal Reflection Paper:
This activity will give you the opportunity to better understand your
own “story” as you reflect on your adolescence experience during ages
13-16. This report is to be four to five pages in length (double spaced,
12 font). It is to include the following information with the bolded
words used as headings:
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General Thoughts during My Adolescence
Physical Development during your adolescence
Temperament and Emotional Characteristics
Most Embarrassing Event of your adolescence ☺
Spiritual/Moral Development during your adolescence
Top Conflict I Faced with My Family
Top Conflict I Faced with My Peers
The way I Dealt with Conflict During My Adolescence
Any other information about yourself that you would like to
include
Observation of an Adolescent
This activity will enable you to better understand the development of
adolescence. You are to observe and interact with an adolescent,
either gender, in the age range of 13-16. The interaction/observation
should last approximately 2 hours. Your goal is communication with a
teenager, so interaction by computer or over the phone is not
acceptable. I want to see face-to-face interaction reflected in your
paper. I also will be looking for integration of information from our
class and text reflected in your paper. See the attached rubric to
assist you in your writing.
The report should be 4-5 pages in length (double-spaced, 12 font)
and should include the following information. If it is underlined, it
should be used as a heading:
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General contact information, arranged in a list, including
name, age, grade, family composition, occupation of parent(s),
and how you located this subject.
General thoughts about who they are and who/what they esteem
to be
Their physical development (i.e., Physical Development would
be the heading)
Their social development
Their spiritual/moral development
Their temperament and emotional characteristics
The top conflict faced with his/her family
The top conflict faced with peers
The way(s) they chose to deal with conflict
Any other observations you wish to include
Your OWN thoughts and feelings about this observation
Possible questions brainstormed in class:
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TOPIC PAPER
Chose a topic that is an issue of adolescence, and that is of interest to
YOU. (You may wish to consult the list of suggestions.) Begin to
gather research and information about it. Organize your findings into
an informational article about your chosen topic. It should be 4-6
pages long, double-spaced, 12 font. Be sure to list your resources
(you should have at least two). You will be asked to schedule a time
to present this information to the class. Your presentation should be
about 10-15 minutes long, and should not be read from your report.
Try to get the class interested and involved in your topic presentation.
Other approaches besides lecture are recommended, such as using
powerpoint, DVD or video clips, guest speakers, drama, etc.
Suggested Topics
Abortion
Peer pressure
Latchkey Youth
Juvenile delinquency
Suicide
Underage drinking
ADHD
STDs
Bulimia
Sibling rivalry
Athletics
Blended families
Emotional development
Social isolates
Sexual abuse
Self-esteem
Gender differences
Poverty
Shyness
Violence in schools
Gender Issues
Cliques
Test anxiety
Shoplifting
Grief
Self-mutilation
Learning disabilities
Obesity
Body image
Smoking
Parenting styles
Emotional intelligence
Social development
School failure
Friendships
Personality traits
Working
Popularity
Depression
Violence in dating
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Substance abuse
Alcohol abuse
Aggression
Bullying
Drunk driving
Gangs
Learning styles
Anorexia nervosa
Twins
Cheerleading
Divorce
Physical development
Moral development
Parent relationships
Ethnicity
Leisure activities
Homosexuality
Dating
Television viewing
Violence in media
Tentative Schedule for Adolescent Psychology
Class #
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
Day
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
Date
1/9
1/11
1/14
1/16
1/18
1/21
1/23
1/25
1/28
1/30
2/1
2/4
2/6
2/8
2/11
2/13
2/15
2/18
2/20
2/22
2/25
2/27
2/29
3/2-3/7
3/10
3/12
3/14
3/17
3/19
3/21
3/24
3/26
3/28
3/31
4/2
4/4
4/7
4/9
4/11
4/14
4/16
4/18
4/21
4/23
4/25
Chapter & Assignments
Introduction, syllabus, discussion
Read Introduction on pp. 3-19
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
No Class
MLK Holiday
Chapter 2
Guest Speakers
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Exam 1
Chapters 1, 2, & 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Personal Reflection Paper due
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Exam 2
Chapters 4 & 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6,7
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Exam 3
Chapters 6 & 7
Spring Break
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
No Class
Good Friday
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Exam 4
Chapters 8-10
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Observation Paper Due
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Final:
MONDAY
April 28
10:00-12:00
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