Child Psychology (8 Week)
Revised 01/08/2015
Instructor: Dr. Chrystie Meziere
Northeast Campus Office: Room 2419
E-mail: cmeziere@tulsacc.edu
On-line Course: Spring 2015
Course Dates: 01/12 to 03/08
Course ID:
PSYC 2523 – 290, 20282
Office Hours by Phone (918-695-2075)
M-R
3:00pm – 5:30pm
Campus Office hours by appointment
Prerequisite:
Liberal Arts Division Office
Room NEC 1102
Phone: (918) 595-7089
Distance Learning Office
Phone: (918) 595-7282
Toll Free: 1 (888) 822-2973
PSYC 1113
Introduction to Psych
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS:
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Required Text: The Developing Person Through Childhood (with DSM5 Update), 6th Edition, by
Kathleen Berger (Worth Publisher, New York, NY)
ISBN 13: 978-1-4641-7739-2
ISBN 10: 1-4641-7739-2
Available but NOT Required Study Guide: The Developing Person Through Childhood and
Adolescence, 9th Edition, by Richard O. Straub (Worth Publisher, New York, NY)
ISBN 978-1-4292-4375-9
Note: An electronic version of our text is available through the TCC bookstore.
Required Respondus Lockdown Web Browser: All online assessment for this course
requires this lockdown browser which can be downloaded to your desk top from this
link: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=992533045
Required word processing software: All TCC students can download and install a free
copy of Microsoft Office 2010 for Windows or Microsoft Office 2008 for Macintosh.
Very Important: Word Perfect and Microsoft Works are not compatible with this online
course. Please do not submit any documents in these formats.
Video viewer: Microsoft Media Player, VLC or another video viewer
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.aspx
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html
LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND REVIEW ACTIVITIES
The learning objectives are excellent tools to help you focus on important points in the chapter. Use the
learning objectives, online practice quizzes, flashcards, and other review activities posted on our
Blackboard site and at the publisher web site to help check your learning progress prior to the test.
The direct address for The Developing Person Through Childhood 6th Edition Web Companion is:
http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/bergerca9e/#t_735296____
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Child psychology is the systematic investigation of the psychological processes of childhood. The course
surveys normal childhood from a theoretical and empirical base including the cognitive, social,
emotional, and physical changes from conception to late childhood. 3 credit hours.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and theoretical foundations in child psychology
Recognize how various aspects of child psychology are studied.
Examine biological, cognitive, social and emotional changes from conception to mid/late
childhood
Describe various genetic and environmental/cultural influences on child growth and behavior
Apply research and critical thinking about course material to one’s child development and to
one’s plans for parenting, leisure, or work activities involving children.
TEACHING METHODS:
Strategies for accessing information in this on-line course include reviewing chapter objectives and power
point slides, viewing videos/clips, reading assigned text material, participating in discussion board, and
completing practice tests, chapter tests, and applying course material to one’s life experience and to one’s
present or future work with children or child rearing.
Reading Assignments and video selections: 13 chapters in the text are covered in part or whole. The
required reading and videos selected to support the reading will give you an understanding of the
conceptual and theoretical nature of child psychology, and elaborate on special issues or applications
of the material to children from conception to mid/late childhood.
Practice Quizzes: Students will take 11 practice quizzes worth 10 points each. The practice quizzes can
be taken multiple times during the week assigned to help learn the material and gauge progress. You
must get at least 80% of the answers correct (20 out of 25 questions) on one of the attempts to get the
10 points for the practice quiz. A score of less than 80% correct receives a ZERO. All of the practice
quiz questions provide realistic examples of the kinds of questions you can expect on the actual test
(not the exact questions from the test).
Reflect and Connect Discussion Board: Students will participate in 3 of 4 discussion boards regarding
material in the text reading. These discussions are designed to have students:
 REFLECT on something they learned from the reading
 CONNECT to what they learned by applying it to a past, present, or future issue or experience
Videos and Video Lecture: There are required and optional video clips or video lectures. The optional
videos are clearly labeled “optional” in the video title, and will not be included on any quiz or exam.
The video clips or video lectures were selected to:
 to provide observational opportunities of child psychology concepts and classic research, and
 to expand on influences or issues in child development not covered in the text.
Video Review Discussion Board: There is one discussion board for each of the four sections of videos.
Students will post questions based on the required videos and provide material they found interesting
or important from videos. The material on this discussion will serve as a study guide for the video
quiz, and some student-developed questions will be included in the video quiz.
Video Quizzes: Each section has a Video Quiz over the videos and video lectures required under
menu item “Section Videos”. Some material in the videos and on the quiz will reinforce material on
the Section Exam. Therefore, it is recommended that you take the Video Quiz prior to taking the
Section Exam. These assessments will be available for 4 days during the exam assessment period.
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Exams: There are 4 major chapter exams and will typically cover 3 chapters. Important: To do well on
the test, you need to be thoroughly familiar with the information in the assigned reading from the
chapters. Setting up a daily reading schedule of assigned text chapters is critical to your success in this
class. In addition, there are many optional review materials (study guide, powerpoint, flashcards,
practice quizzes etc.) posted each week to facilitate your studies and available on the publisher
website http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/bergerca9e/#t_735296____
Optional Exam Corrections: Student learning does not have to end with a test score. Immediately
following the exam, students may improve their exam score by correcting and explaining up to 5 items
missed on the section exam.
Bonus Points: In addition to bonus points on exams and there will be THREE bonus point opportunities.
ONE bonus opportunity requires attendance at an event. TWO bonus opportunities will be available online. In fairness to all students in this course, every bonus opportunity is available to each student and
additional opportunities for bonus points will not be manufactured for individual students. (Please do
not ask for exceptions!). Study well and take advantage of each grade opportunity offered throughout
the course (especially the Required Practice Quizzes!).
Optional Final: Any student can elect to take optional final (Chapters To Be Announced) to:
(1) replace their lowest test score on any of the Chapter Exams; or,
(2) substitute for a missed test on any of the Chapter Exams
EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
Exams and Video Quizzes: Exams and video quizzes will be taken using the Respondus Lockdown
Browser to access the assessment. These assessments will follow an objective format (i.e., multiple
choice, true/false, matching) unless otherwise noted by the instructor. Each assessment is timed and
is password protected.
The password will be sent to your TCC e-mail account AND posted to our blackboard announcements when the
assessment period begins.
If technical problems occur during testing you must contact the instructor by phone within 5 minutes
of the difficulty (contact number will appear in test directions).
Exam Procedures – On-Line: This course is 100% on-line, therefore, all assessments for this class can
be taken on-line and are timed. You may take each exam only once during a four day period.
Exam Procedures – On-Campus (option for those who do not wish to take tests on-line):
1) For those with a disability or
2) For ANYONE who wishes to test without time limits…
you may arrange to take the exam in the Northeast Campus Assessment Office during their hours of
operation Saturday, Monday, or Tuesday. You will need picture ID. If you prefer this assessment
option you simply show-up in the NEC assessment center.
If you live outside the Tulsa area, you can arrange to take the tests at another proctored location. Please
send an e-mail well in advance of the assessment to make appropriate arrangements.
No Make-up Test Policy and Late assignment Policy: Students are expected to meet assessment and
assignment due dates. Because you have multiple days to take each test and quiz, there are no makeups in this class.
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If you have a schedule conflict, you may be able to take a quiz or a test early.
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Call or send an e-mail to me and the necessary arrangements will be made.
If you miss a major chapter exam, you can elect to take the optional final.
Please do not wait until the last minute on the last day to take tests or quizzes. No make-up!!!!
If the unexpected occurs and you have technical difficulties, cannot access a computer, or cannot
get to the assessment office you will miss the testing window.
Late assignments are accepted but will be reduced an additional 3 points for each day late.
Late discussion board posts are not accepted once grading for that discussion board has started.
Any extra credit or bonus points available for regularly scheduled exams may not be applied to late
work or to the optional final.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Email: All TCC students have a TCC email address (ex: charlie.brown@mail.tulsacc.edu). All
communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be sent to your “TCC” email address;
and you must use “TCC” email or our course blackboard e-mail to send email to, and receive email from,
the instructor regarding this course.
For information about the TCC e-mail system for students, please visit
http://www.tulsacc.edu/office365/students
E-mailing Your Instructor: cmeziere@tulsacc.edu
Use above e-mail address when communicating with me and follow this format in subject line:
Your FIRST & LAST NAME: COURSE: Brief statement of issue
An example: Charlie Brown: Child Psy: Want to test on campus
Response Time: You can expect a response to your e-mails within 24 hours.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance in this on-line course is considered to be regular participation in the discussion boards and
timely submission of assignments and tests.
ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL, INCOMPLETES, and GRADE DISPUTES:
I may elect to “administratively withdraw” any student who has not consistently participated in the
course up to and including the first formal assessment. Beyond this, an AW or Incomplete will not be
given out at all without legitimate documentation of extenuating circumstances and a current “passing”
status in this course. Appeals for an AW, I, or altered grade requires that you submit your justification to
me in writing for consideration along with documentation to support the request. Upon receipt, I will
review your justification and documentation, and decide whether or not the request has merit. Verbal
requests or disputes over these issues will not be entertained.
YOUR NEXT PSYCHOLOGY CLASS
Introduction to Psychology is the basic survey class designed to familiarize students with the overall
field of psychology, and serves as the prerequisite to most undergraduate psychology classes. For
this Child Psychology course you should have already completed Introduction to Psychology and
Developmental Psychology. With these two courses completed you may enroll in any other
Psychology course offered at TCC. Consult with your academic advisor about other psychology
classes you might need to take to complete your major. Beyond that, if you have electives available,
other psychology classes that you would probably find interesting include:
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PSYC 1313 – Human Relations
PSYC 2423 – Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
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PSYC 2553 – Adolescent Psychology
BELOW ARE THE REQUIRED TCC SYLLABUS STATEMENTS
COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Last day to w/d: 5pm Friday February 20th
The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration of any class. Check the TCC
Academic Calendar for deadlines. Begin the process with a discussion with the faculty member assigned
to the course. Contact the Advisement Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course
('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Withdrawal and/or change to an audit from a course after
the drop/add period can alter the financial aid award for the current and future semesters. Students may
receive an outstanding bill from TCC if the recalculation leaves a balance due to TCC. Students who stop
participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,” which may have
financial aid consequences for the student.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions,
beliefs, and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that
is essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other. Please refrain from use of
profanity in your discussion posts.
DISABILITY RESOURCES: It is the policy and practice of Tulsa Community college to create
inclusive learning environments. Accommodations for qualifying students in compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are available. To request
accommodations, contact the Education Access Center (EAC) at eac@tulsacc.edu or call (918) 595-7115
(Voice). Deaf and hard of hearing students may text (918) 809-1864.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others
about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not
condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community
College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty. Such
disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of disrespectful
or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member may:
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Require student to redo task, or require the student to complete a substitute assignment/test;
Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively
withdraw the student from the class;
Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by
submitting such a request to the Dean of Student Services.
INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information
contained in the TCC Catalog, TCC Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct Policy Handbook, and
semester information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website:
www.tulsacc.edu
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates
gain skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a
backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking,
Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
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INCLEMENT WEATHER: TCC rarely closes and Blackboard is always available except for a
brief maintenance period every Wednesday morning around midnight. If extreme weather
conditions or emergency situations arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and
television stations. This information is also posted on the TCC website ( www.tulsacc.edu).
TOBACCO FREE COLLEGE: TCC is a tobacco Free college in accordance with the
Governor’s Executive Order 2012-01 and Title 63 of the Oklahoma States, section 1-1523 which
prohibits smoking or the use of any tobacco products in all public places, in any indoor workplace,
and all vehicles owned by the State of Oklahoma and all of its agencies and instrumentalities. This
Order includes property leased, rented, or owned by TCC including, but not limited to, all grounds,
buildings, facilities, and parking lots. TCC’s policy includes a tobacco free environment on all
campus and off-campus locations conducting TCC credit or non-credit classes. The TCC Campus
Police is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Tobacco-Free Environment Policy. Violations
of the policy may be addressed through issuance of campus or state citations.
TRANSFERABILITY: Please visit with a TCC Counselor or visit the Counseling Center at the
college or university to which you plan to transfer to determine transferability status of this course.
SYLLABUS CHANGES
Although it is very unlikely, changes to the syllabus or the class requirements may be
necessary due to instructor error, extenuating circumstances, or to maintain course
continuity. Students will be notified in writing of any changes to the syllabus via your TCC
e-mail account and on the class Blackboard site.
IMPORTANT NOTE about BLACKBOARD AVAILABILITY and TESTING: Blackboard is
available 24/7 except for maintenance every Wednesday morning from approximately 12:00am
to 4:00am. If you work on quizzes or discussions online late Tuesdays please be aware. Going
over the deadline could prevent you from completing work and losing the work you did not
save. Plan ahead and use time wisely!
GRADING SYSTEM
There will be a total of 900 points possible from the required activities and tests for this course. At the
end of the semester, letter grades will be assigned according to the following cumulative point totals:
A ........................... 806 to 900 Points .................................. 90% to 100% of total points
B ........................... 716 to 805 Points .................................. 80% to 89% of total points
C ........................... 626 to 715 Points .................................. 70% to 79% of total points
D .......................... 536 to 625 Points .................................. 60% to 69% of total points
F ........................... 535 Points & below .............................. Below 60% of total points
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