SYLLABUS:

ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY:   PSY  304 – 90

ONLINE COURSE

 

Course description:  Psychological investigation of developmental factors in the crucial period of adolescence and analysis of youth problems in contemporary society.

Through the use of discussion boards, web activities, quizzes, text readings, homework assignments, and research writings, students will explore the nature of adolescent development, related theoretical approaches, cultural and historical applications, contexts, and the problems associated with adolescence.

Chaminade University courses emphasize a foundation in the 5 Marianist Educational Values. Chaminade University is a Catholic Marianist University, which:

Educates for formation in faith - Catholic Universities affirm an intricate relationship between reason and faith. As important as discursive and logical formulations and critical thinking are, they are not able to capture all that can be and ought to be learned. Intellectual rigor, coupled with respectful humility, provide a more profound preparation for both career and life. Intellectual rigor characterizes the pursuit of all that can be learned. Respectful humility reminds people of faith that they need to learn from those who are of other faiths and cultures, as well as from those who may have no religious faith at all.

Provides an Excellent Education - In the Marianist approach to education, “excellence” includes the whole person, not just the technician or rhetorician. Marianist universities educate whole persons, developing their physical, psychological, intellectual, moral, spiritual and social qualities. Faculty and students attend to fundamental moral attitudes, develop their personal talents and acquire skills that will help them learn all their lives. The Marianist approach to education links theory and practice, liberal and professional education. Our age has been deeply shaped by science and technology. Most recently, information and educational technologies have changed the way faculty and students research and teach. At Marianist Universities, two goals are pursued simultaneously: an appropriate use of information technology for learning, and the enhancement of interaction between students and teachers. As Catholic, Marianist Universities seek to embrace diverse peoples and understand diverse cultures, convinced that ultimately, when such people come together, one of the highest purposes of education is realized: a human community that respects every individual within it.

Educates in Family Spirit - Known for their strong sense of community, Marianists have traditionally spoken of this sense as “family spirit.” Marianist educational experience fosters the development of a community characterized by a sense of family spirit that accepts each person with loving respect, and draws everyone in the university into the challenge of community building. Family spirit also enables Marianist universities to challenge their students, faculty and staff to excellence and maturity, because the acceptance and love of a community gives its members the courage to risk failure and the joy of sharing success.

Educates for Service, Justice, and Peace -- The Marianist approach to higher education is deeply committed to the common good. The intellectual life itself is undertaken as a form of service in the interest of justice and peace, and the university curriculum is designed to connect the classroom with the wider world. In addition, Marianist universities extend a special concern for the poor and marginalized and promote the dignity, rights and responsibilities of all people.

Educates for Adaptation to Change -- In the midst of rapid social and technological change, Marianist universities readily adapt and change their methods and structures so that the wisdom of their educational philosophy and spirituality may be transmitted even more fully. “New times call for new methods,” Father Chaminade often repeated. The Marianist University faces the future confidently, on the one hand knowing that it draws on a rich educational philosophy, and on the other fully aware for that philosophy to remain vibrant in changing times, adaptations need to be made.

Selected from Characteristics of Marianist Universities: A Resource Paper, Published in 1999 by Chaminade University of Honolulu, St. Mary’s University and University of Dayton
** Each of these characteristics is integrated, to varying degrees, in this course

Required Text:

Adolescence by John W. Santrock; Mc Graw Hill, 11th Edition, 2006

ISBN 0073228753


Course Dates:              
Oct 2 - Dec 15, 2006

Location:                       Online, via Web CT

Meeting Times:             Recommend daily log-in; however, at the student’s discretion

Prerequisite:                  Psychology 101

Instructor:                     Patricia O’Neal, M.S.C.P.

Email:                           [email protected]

 

Office Location:            This instructor resides off-island.  Students may contact instructor via Web CT Mail or email.  Instructor assures a prompt response.  Please

 

Student Learner Outcomes

 

Course Goals:                This course develops and assesses the skills and competencies for the program student learning outcomes of Specific Focuses in Psychology. In addition, this course also addresses the program student learning outcomes of  The Scientific Method and its Application in the Field of Psychology and Cross-Cultural Psychology.

 

Upon the completion of this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of:


1. The historical contributions and current trends associated with adolescent development.
2. Cultural diversity and cross-cultural comparisons in adolescence.
3. The four steps used in the scientific method.
4. The biological, cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of adolescent growth.
5. Major theorists and theoretical approaches.
6. Adolescent growth in context.
7. How to conduct relevant research through research assignments and papers.
8. The problems associated with adolescence and means of prevention and intervention.
9. Ethical implications in the field of psychology and adolescence.
10. The adolescent personality and identity.

 

Course Policies:

 

Each student must present his or her own work and give appropriate credit to the sources used in the research paper. * Students must cite all paper sources using APA style, which requires citations within the research paper itself, in addition to a formatted bibliography.  ANY form of plagiarism is unacceptable at Chaminade University. When in doubt, cite your source. If you do not own a copy of the fifth edition of the APA writer's manual, visit the Chaminade Bookstore.  A sample of APA writing may be found at http://valenciacc.edu/library/west/research/doc_apa_sample.asp.

My expectation for you, as an adult learner, is that you perform ethically and maturely throughout this course, which includes the submission of all course assignments by the expressed deadline.
 
NO LATE papers will be accepted without PRIOR approval from the instructor. Requests for consideration include: (1) a student's medical emergency - documented by a physician, (2) unexpected military deployment / orders, or (3) Illness which prohibits completing work by the expressed deadline.

Discussions MUST be posted during the week in which the discussion is available. Consider yourself "in the classroom," having a discussion with your peers each week. Posting will NOT be accepted past the due date. I request that you provide your initial discussion post no later than each Wednesday.  This will give your classmates an opportunity to respond to your initial comment.  Two separate posts are required of each student each week.

No homework assignments will be accepted late, without PRIOR instructor approval. Learners are responsible for submitting work on time.  Learners are RESPONSIBLE for reading, understanding, and adhering to the course policies.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Chaminade will provide assistance for any student with documented disabilities. Any student who believes he or she may need accommodations in this class MUST contact Dr. June Yasuhara, (808) 739-4603, at the
Counseling Center, to determine whether the student meets the requirements for documented disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is important to contact Dr. Yahuhara as soon as possible.

 

Course Requirements:

 

Grades for the course will be assigned based on the quality of student work as demonstrated by the successful completion of the following requirements:


1. RESEARCH PAPER: (1 @ 100 points each) = 100.


2. HOMEWORK assignments (1 graded weekly assignment @ 10 points each) = 100 points.

3. WEB CT DISCUSSION - Participation in weekly discussion: (10 weeks @ 10 points per week) =100 points.

4. EXAMS: Mandatory Midterm (@ 100 points).  CLOSED BOOK FINAL EXAM (@ 2 times 100 points) = 200 points.  Total EXAMS points = 300 points.

 

******* FINAL EXAM SCORE WILL BE FACTORED TWICE in an effort to prevent students from assuming they can do well in the course and neglect the final.   PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS and study for your final. This made a difference in student’s grades during the previous term -- ”A” students ended up with a C after performing poorly on the final.

Total possible points = 600 

GRADING AS FOLLOWS:     90 - 100 % of points = A         80 - 89 % of points = B
70 - 79 % of points = C           61 - 69 % of points = D           60 % or below = F

 

Please print and read this syllabus carefully to ensure you do not lose points.  It is a good rule of thumb to highlight the important due dates so you are fully prepared to participate.

 

 

  1. RESEARCH PAPER

Research papers must contain at least SIX (6) FULL typewritten (double-spaced) pages OF WRITTEN CONTENT (not abstract, cover page, or reference page) and no more than eight (8) typed, double-spaced pages.


All papers must include an introduction and bibliography, which reflects the APA writing style. The bibliography page does not count toward your page count.
Type font shall not exceed size 12, and the use of Courier or Times New Roman is preferred.

Type your paper in WORD, Word Perfect, or equivalent.  Perform a spell-check, grammar-check, and SAVE your paper in a safe place on your PC (“my documents").

Do NOT Send a Virus:    PLEASE PERFORM REGULAR VIRUS SCANS ON YOUR PC.
If you send an attachment that contains a VIRUS, you will RECEIVE a ZERO on the assignment.
Scan, Scan, Scan.  I can not afford to lose every students’ work because one student sends a virus. 

ALL PAPERS will be submitted VIA the WEB CT MAIL feature. On the MAIL subject line, BE SPECIFIC: if you are submitting paper number one, please write: Your First name, last name, Paper 1. This will help distinguish papers from random emails.  (Jane Doe Paper 1)

Clearly introduce your topic and conceptualize your ideas before writing. Brainstorming is helpful in understanding and organizing the topic about which you are writing.

To support your work and thoughts, liberally CITE all references.  THREE legitimate sources are required.   In addition to the text, a minimum of TWO outside sources are required. You may choose from peer-reviewed journals, books, or research-oriented internet sites. If you simply copy someone's website or a paper from the internet, you will receive a ZERO and may face expulsion from the course. Please do your own work. Please utilize proper peer reviewed articles instead of non-academically approved websites.

NO late papers will be accepted without PRIOR instructor approval. If you have questions regarding your papers, contact me early in the term. I am happy to assist you if you need help.

ASSIGNED PAPER:
YOU WILL CHOOSE BETWEEN THESE TWO PAPER TOPICS. CHOOSE NUMBER 1 or 2, AND COVER YOUR TOPIC CONCISELY.   THE CHOICES ARE:

1. PAPER CHOICE NUMBER #1: Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Bandura, Vygotsky, and other theorists contributed to the theoretical perspectives of adolescent development. In this paper, you will briefly and concisely compare and contrast THREE of the theories / theorists from Chapter 2. You may read ahead in the text to attain additional information on these theories. *** IN ADDITION, explore and explain how one of the chosen theories has assisted you in YOUR understanding of adolescent development. In other words, tell me how you have come to understand development using at least one of the theories to support your stance. *** IN ADDITION, Discuss How this new understanding will assist you in working with an adolescent in a school setting?
You MUST address all three REQUIRED areas and utilize proper APA style to receive full points
.

2. PAPER CHOICE #2: In Chapter 14, the author divulges that in relation to "adolescent problems", biological, psychological, and social factors may interact to produce such problems. Explore and describe one or more of the main problems that characterize adolescence. IN ADDITION, Discuss how the bio-psycho-social approach applies to these problems. *** IN ADDITION, As a parent, teacher, or mentor, what specific type(s) of intervention(s) would you utilize when helping an adolescent with the presented problem(s)?

You must address all three required areas to receive full points.  ** Do not forget to cite a minimum of three sources. APA style is REQUIRED.


*** RESEARCH PAPER IS DUE
Sunday, NOVEMBER 19, 2006 - end of week 7.

 

B.     HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

Homework consists of reading the text chapters and answering weekly questions. It is the responsibility of the student to SUBMIT homework answers to the instructor by the submission deadline. Students will SUBMIT assignment answers through the assignment submission feature. Students will save their homework on their PC, use the UPLOAD feature in WEB CT assignments, and SUBMIT each week’s work in this manner.  All assignments are due on or before the Sunday of each week by 8 PM HST.

C.     WEB CT Discussion: 2 posts each week-

This area will count toward communication / participation points. Students will REPLY to the instructor's discussion question(s) each week. Students will also REPLY to at least one other student's posting each week in order to receive full points.
Although we will not meet face to face during instruction, the discussions will serve as a means of interacting with one another. I encourage you to critically think about your answer prior to posting. Write clearly and concisely, so that we all understand your point. Lastly, please be respectful of your fellow student's perceptions. If you disagree with someone, make constructive comments to support your answer. The intent is to enjoy the learning process. In addition, if the discussion asks you to speak from a personal perspective, feel free to share as much information as you feel comfortable sharing.

REMEMBER: You must post twice each week, and NO late discussion postings will be allowed, as the instructor closes the forum each week.  This is our “conversation” for the week, so please stay on track.

D.     EXAMS:   MID and FINAL

There will be a mid-term exam (week 5) and a final exam at the end of the semester. The instructor will provide a review for the final. Please keep up with your readings so you will be prepared.

The mandatory (in-person) final exam will be administered at the Chaminade University main campus on Saturday, December 9, at 1:00 p.m. and 3 p.m.   ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE
THE FINAL EXAM.
  If you live on
OAHU, you will take the final either at the main campus
or at one of the alternate military base sites (by reservation). You will be required to reserve a seat
around week 7-8 at the military sites, and this MUST be done in writing, via email.

Mainland or Off-island students are responsible for locating an Exam Proctor. Acceptable Proctors may be acquired at military education centers, universities, or Sylvan Learning Centers.  All Proctors must be approved by the AUP (Accelerated Undergraduate Program) Department.  By week 7, please have your proctor’s information ready to submit to Donna Yoshimura [email protected] for approval.   http://www.chaminade.edu/online/index.php?pg=content_proctor.html

Syllabus may be updated or revised at the discretion of the instructor.

 

CALENDAR DUE DATES:

 

Week 1:            Introduce Yourself. Read Chapter 1. Homework assignment and discussions due by 8 pm Sunday October 8.

Week 2:           Read Chapters 2 & 3. Homework and discussion posting due by 8 pm Sunday, October 15.

Week 3:           Read Chapters 4 & 5. Homework and discussion posting due Sunday, October 22.

Week 4:           Read Chapters 6 & 7. Homework and weekly discussion due BY 8 PM on Sunday, October 29.

Week 5:           MID TERM--- Read Chapters 8 & 14. ** NOTE Chapter order CHANGE. Homework, MID-TERM, and discussion postings due BY 8 PM on Sunday, NOVEMBER 5.

Week 6:           Read Chap. 9 & 10. Homework and discussions due by 8 PM on Sunday, November 12.

Week 7:           PAPER DUE ~ Read Chapter 11. Homework, PAPER, discussion due BY 8 PM Sunday, November 19.

Week 8:           Read Chapters 12 & 13. Homework and discussion due BY 8 PM on Sunday, November 26.

Week 9:           Read Chapter 14. Homework  and discussion due by 8 PM Sunday, December 3.

Week 10:         Read CH 15. Review for final exam. Homework and discussion due by 8 PM Sunday, Dec 10.

Syllabus may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

O’Neal