Khazar University
School of Education
Spring, 2014
PSYC 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY: CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Instructor: Fargana Kalantarli
CREDITS:3
COURSE OVERVIEW: In this course you will learn core principles and methodologies in studying child
development. When finished with this course, you should have a broader understanding of how one’s
biology and environment impacts his/her development from conception through adolescence.
Course Format: The format of the course will be lecture, with some in-class activities and discussions. The
course is organized into 5 topics: (1) Theory, Concepts, and Methodology, (2) Infancy, (3) Early
Childhood, (4) Middle Childhood, and (5) Adolescence.
TIME FRAME: This course is allotted 15 weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for
the course successfully by the end of the 15-week period.
TEXTBOOKS: There is one required textbook for this course.
Book 1: A Child’s World –Infancy Through Adolescence - 8th Edition. By: Diane E. Papalia, Sally
Wendkos Olds, and Ruth Duskin Feldman
Course Schedule
1. Lesson - Chapter1. About a Child’s World: History, Theory, and Research Methods. (page 5-33)
2. Lesson - Chapter 1 (continue) Research Methods , Ethological Perspective (page 33-49)
3. Lesson - Chapter 2. Forming a New Life: Conception, Heredity, and Environment ( page 53-88),
Quiz
4. Lesson – Chapter 3. Pregnancy and Prenatal Development (page 91-123)
5. Lesson – Chapter 4. Birth and the Newborn Baby (page 123-152), Quiz
6. Lesson – Chapter 5. Physical Development and Health During the First Three Years (page 157-185)
7. Lesson – Chapter 6. Cognitive Development During First Three Years (page 187 – 229), Quiz
8. Lesson – Chapter 7. Psychosocial Development During the First Three Years ( page 231 – 272)
9. Lesson - Midterm Exam
10. Lesson – Chapter 8. Physical Development and Health in early childhood ( page 279-305)
11. Lesson – Chapter 9. Cognitive Development in Early Childhood, Chapter 10. Psychosocial
Development in Early Childhood ( page 309-347, page 349-387
12. Lesson – Chapter 11.Physical Development and Health in Middle Childhood, (page 393 – 414)
Chapter 12. Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
13. Lesson - Chapter 13. Psychosocial Development in Middle Childhood. (page 417 – 462)
14. Lesson – Chapter 14. Physical Development and Health in Adolescence
15. Lesson – Chapter 15. Cognitive Development in Adolescence page ( 505-539),, Chapter 16 Psychosocial Development in Adolescence 9 page 541-570)
16. Lesson - Final Exam
EXAMINATIONS: This course is comprised of a midterm exam and a final exam. The midterm exam
must be taken by the last day of week 8. The final exam must be taken by the last day of week 15. You will
have three days to complete the midterm and three days to complete the final, which will commence once
you access it from the classroom.
The exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, short answers and identification. The final exam is
comprehensive and will have a similar format.
(2) Short Paper (50 pts):
A short (2-3 page) paper. The paper will be an exercise in developing a theory of a psychological
phenomenon, using the theory to make predictions and discussing how the predictions might be tested in an
experiment. This project will involve summarizing a few journal articles on a topic in memory research
and developing a research proposal for further investigation. We'll talk more about the paper later in the
semester.
(3) In-class quizzes: There will be up to 10 short in-class quizzes given across the semester. These quizzes
will normally consist of 5 multiple-choice questions based on recent course materials. Your lowest two
quiz scores will be dropped, and your overall quiz grade will be based on the remaining scores (e.g. if there
are 10 quizzes given, the best 8 will be used to calculate your overall quiz grade). THERE WILL BE NO
MAKE-UP QUIZZES.
Several times throughout the semester, you will be asked to write short (1 page or less) response to
questions or problems posed by our current readings and lecture. These assignments are designed to be
brief (10 – 15 minutes) and require deeper consideration of the course materials.
Final Grade:
The scores for the exams, short paper, and in-class writing assignments will be added together to arrive at a
final score. Your score will be converted into a letter grade as follows (plusses and minuses will be used at
the extremes of each grade range):
Grading:
Class Participation: 7 points
In-class quizzes: 8 points in total
Short Paper/Essay: 20 points in total
Midterm Exam : 25 points in total
The midterm exam covers material from Chapter 1-8. No retakes are possible. An alternative date
should be requested no later than two weeks before the exam.
Final Grade : 40 points.
The scores for the exams, short paper, and in-class writing assignments will be added together to
arrive at a final score.
COMMUNICATION: As always, you are encouraged to communicate with me. Communication shall be
done primarily through email. I am also willing to meet with you one-on-one in the chat room at your
request. By appointment, please email me and I will be happy to set up a time to meet.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1). Have a working knowledge of child development.
2). Relate child studies/scenarios to real life situations.
3). Have a greater appreciation and understanding of how every child is unique.
4). Apply psychological theories/approaches to children.
5). Have an increased confidence level with regards to helping young children develop appropriately.
INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you contact the instructor at
fkalantarli@yahoo.com.