Course Syllabus

Community College of Philadelphia
Psychology 209 – Adolescent Psychology
Syllabus
Distance Education – Online Course
Instructor: Abbey Wexler, M.A. English/M.A Counseling Psychology
E-mail: awexler@ccp.edu

Text: Adolescence By, Lawrence Steinberg 11th Edition

 

Course Description:
This course studies physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, during the period from childhood to maturity known as adolescence. Students will explore various psychological theories and perspectives related to adolescent development. Be prepared to reflect on your own experiences to explore these different areas.

Student Learning Outcomes for this course:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
• Recognize and explain the major concepts, principles, theories and research related to adolescent development;

• Identify the range of individual differences for teaching and learning;

• Describe issues of adolescent health and sexuality;

• Identify how the development of all adolescents occurs in the context of classrooms, families, peer groups, communities and society;

• Recognize and respect the range of individual developmental differences of all adolescents;

• Utilize student assistance and student support programs that attend to the social and emotional needs of adolescents;

• Recognize the influence of cultural factors such as ethnicity and/or religion on adolescent development.

Assignments and Grading:
• Online Gradable Discussions:
Students will be expected to participate in graded online discussions. You will find the topics under each module. Each gradable discussion is worth anywhere from 1-8 points. Each discussion clearly marks how many points that discussion is worth. Some topics are based on readings from textbook, some topics are based on articles and/or videos you will watch. I look forward to reading these!

• Written assignments:
Written assignments are explained in the modules. If there is no "assignment" link in a module, it means that module does not have an assignment for that week.

• Exams:
Some modules have quizzes. The last module has a question "final quiz" in the form of a quiz. Some quizzes are worth 10 points, some are worth 5 point.

 

NOTE: I try my best to have a maximum of a 4 day turn-a-around time for grading all discussions and assignments.  You should have your grades within 4 days of submission.

Grading Outline
Grading is done on a percentage system. Quizzes, assignments and gradable discussions are worth points that will average to a total percentage. When you click on a quiz, assignment or gradable discussion, it will tell you how many points it is worth.

Grading System:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F – 59% or below

 

“Netiquette”:
As an online class, students and instructor are expected to use “netiquette” within the online components of the course. Netiquette is a term used to describe professional etiquette through online communication. All postings on class discussion boards should adhere to common courtesy so that we can maintain a supportive and communal learning environment for our class.
Academic Dishonesty: Any student who submits another person’s work as their own is guilty of plagiarism. Cutting and pasting of text from web pages or other documents into your writing assignments and submitting it as your own is one example of plagiarism. Not giving credit (citations, bibliography) for another person’s ideas in a paper you write, in-class cheating or cheating outside the classroom is also classified as academic dishonesty. Students are expected to adhere to the college’s Code of Conduct, as outlined in the Student Handbook. Any work determined to be plagiarized or attained through cheating will receive an automatic “F” grade. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty may be subject to an “F” grade for the course.
Students are expected to be computer competent. Students must visit “CANVAS” frequently for course assignments, messages, and materials.

 

Student Accommodations and College Resources:
All students will receive the needed accommodations and assisted strategies to support their success in this course. Students should provide this information at the beginning of the semester, so the instructor can assist them in the most appropriate accommodation possible. The College offers tutorial support in the various Learning Labs. Information on locations and hours can be found on CCP’s website. This information is also available in the College Handbook. Our library often has course text(s) on hold for student use and many other resources available to you. The Center on Disability should be contacted if you require instructional or testing accommodations. It is located in the Bonnell Building, Room BG-39.

College Early Alert Starfish System:
The Early Alert System called Starfish provides faculty the opportunity to assist students by effectively communicating feedback about current academic performance and supplying recommendations beneficial to achieving academic success. At the 20% and 50% reporting periods during the semester, students may be assessed on the following items: attendance, punctuality, meeting assignment deadlines, classroom behavior, classroom participation, and other factors pivotal to student success. Should you receive an Early Alert letter, please follow up on the suggested intervention strategy as soon as possible.

 

Technical Help:
Students can receive assistance with the online aspects of this course in one of three ways: contacting the instructor, going to “Help” on Canvas (upper right hand of the screen), or calling the College IT helpline: (215) 496-6000.

Class Schedule
Week 1
Introduction to Adolescence/Adolescent Psychology

Week 2
Biological Transitions

Week 3
Cognitive Transitions

Week 4
Social Transitions

Week 5
Families

Week 6
Peers

Week 7
Schools

Week 8
Work, Leisure, Media

Week 9
Identity

Week 10
Autonomy

Week 11
Intimacy

Week 12
Sexuality

Week 13
Achievement

Week 14
Psychosocial Problems in Adolescence

Week 15
Final Exam