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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 325"
COURSE NAME: "Adolescent Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Domenico Scaringi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PS 320 or permission of instructor
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines how individual differences and environmental circumstances influence psychological and life outcomes in adolescence. Focusing on the biological, cognitive, and social changes experienced as individuals move from early to late adolescence, the course explores how the social contexts of family, peers, and schools affect the developmental processes. Students will also analyze other factors which influence adolescent psychology, such as culture, biology, cognitive development and sexuality, and discuss individual and environmental factors causing development to go awry in cases of substance abuse, conduct disorders/delinquency, and eating disorders.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

 

Week

Topic

 

Readings

Week 1

Introduction. Biological Transitions in Adolescence

 

Chapter 1

Week 2

Cognitive Transitions in Adolescence

 

Chapter 2

Week 3

Social Transitions in Adolescence

 

Chapter 3

Week 4

Family Context

 

Chapters 4

Week 5

Peer Group Context

 

Chapter 5

Week 6

Work, Leisure and the Media

 

Chapter 7

 

Week 7

Review and

MIDTERM 1

 

Review

Ch. 1-7

Week 8

Identity

 

Chapters 8

Week 9

Autonomy

 

Chapter 9

Week 10

Intimacy and Sexuality

 

Chapters 10 and 11

Week 11

Achievement

 

Chapter 12

Week 12

Psychological Problems in Adolescence

 

Chapter 13

Week 13

Review and

 

 

MIDTERM 2

 

Ch. 8-13

Week 14

Group presentations

 

 

                                               

   Finals week                   Reflection paper                                      

 

               

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

After attending this course, students should be able to describe and discuss major theories of adolescent development, as well as the experimental methodology adopted in the field. Students should also be able to critically think adolescent risks, problems, and opportunities. Moreover, students should be able to discuss how empirical findings impact policy and society.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Adolescence 12th EditionLaurence SteinbergMcGraw-Hill1260058891 ISBN10: 1260058891 ISBN13: 9781260058895 Copyright: 2020   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
On AdolescenceMargot WaddellRoutledge9781782205265 Published June 6, 2018 by Routledge

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm 1 based on short-answer or multiple choices questions and it will cover approximately 1/2 of the course material40 points
Midterm 2based on short-answer or multiple choices questions and it will cover approximately 1/2 of the course material40 points
PresentationEach student will have to present to the class. Presentations will analyze a topic of interest. Details will be provided during the first week of the class 30 Points
Reflection Paper1000 words essay. Details about the essay will be discussed on the first day of class. 40 points
In class activityDuring the course time will be allocated to group discussion and reflection on the topics thought in class. You might be asked to contribute and provide an input to the class. 30 Points

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

Schedule

 

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 9:45am

Week

Topic

 

Readings

Week 1

Introduction. Biological Transitions in Adolescence

 

Chapter 1

Week 2

Cognitive Transitions in Adolescence

 

Chapter 2

Week 3

Social Transitions in Adolescence

 

Chapter 3

Week 4

Family Context

 

Chapters 4

Week 5

Peer Group Context

 

Chapter 5

Week 6

Work, Leisure and the Media

 

Chapter 7

 

Week 7

Review and

MIDTERM 1

 

Review

Ch. 1-7

Week 8

Identity

 

Chapters 8

Week 9

Autonomy

 

Chapter 9

Week 10

Intimacy and Sexuality

 

Chapters 10 and 11

Week 11

Achievement

 

Chapter 12

Week 12

Psychological Problems in Adolescence

 

Chapter 13

Week 13

Review and

 

 

MIDTERM 2

 

Ch. 8-13

Week 14

Group presentations

 

 

                                               

   Finals week                           Reflection paper