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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 321"
COURSE NAME: "Cognitive Development"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Paola Castelli
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00PM 4:15PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PS 101
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to provide students with an understating of the developmental changes that occur in children’s thinking from birth to adolescence. Students will learn about current topics and theories in cognitive development as well as the experimental methodologies adopted in this field.
Central topics will include brain development, perception, language, memory, category and concepts, social cognition, and problem solving.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Central topics will include brain development, perception, language, memory, category and concepts, social cognition, and problem solving.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students should demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in cognitive development.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Children's Thinking: Cognitive Development & Individual Differences, 5th edition | Bjorklund, David F. | Wadsworth-Cengage Learning | 978-1-111-34605-8 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Test | The test category includes 3 midterms administered at approximately equal intervals across the semester and a final. The midterms will cover the assigned textbook readings, lectures, and the films occasionally shown in class. Each midterm will be non-cumulative and will cover approximately 1/3 of the course material. The final will be cumulative. You grade for the category will be based on your best 3 tests, and the lowest test score will be dropped. If you miss any of the tests, that will be your dropped score. Thus, NO MAKE UP will be allowed for any reasons.
| 75% |
| Paper assignment | Your grade for this course will also be based on a short paper assignment (i.e.,1500 words) in which you are asked to summarize and critically evaluate an empirical research study. Specific directions on the paper assignment will be provided on the first day of class. | 25% |
-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 is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. If you miss a lecture, you miss almost 20% of the material that will be covered on the next exam (so you can expect to get at least one grade lower than if you had come to class!). Moreover, some material - such as videos, in-depth description of studies, and examples – will only be presented in class. Please do not arrive late and/or plan to leave early. It will be disruptive to everyone. In addition, you’ll be missing important information
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Topic |
Readings |
| week 1 |
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Intro-methods |
Chapter 1 |
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| week 2 |
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Brain Development & Cognition |
Chapter 2 |
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| week 3 |
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Vigotsky & Sociocultural Perspectives |
Chapter 3 |
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| week 4 |
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Perceptual development |
Chapter 4 |
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| week 5 |
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Review & Midterm 1 |
Ch 1-4 |
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| week 6 |
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Mental representation & Piaget |
Chapter 5 |
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| week 7 |
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Theory of Mind |
Chapter 6 |
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| week 8 |
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Information-processing approach |
Chapter 7 |
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| week 9 |
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Memory development |
Chapter 8 |
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| week 10 |
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Review and Midterm 2 |
Ch 5-8 |
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| week 11 |
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Language development |
Chapter 9 |
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| week 12 |
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Social cognition |
Chapter 10 |
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| week 13 |
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Intelligence |
Chapters 12-13 |
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| week 14 |
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Review & Midterm 3 |
Ch 9-10-12-13 |
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