830:331:01 Infant and Child Development
Spring Semester 2003 -- Hudson

Instructor
Dr. Judith Hudson                                               Office: Room 425 Tillett Hall, Livingston Campus
e-mail: jhudson@rci.rutgers.edu                           Office hours:   Friday, 11:20-12:00; 1:00-2:00 and by appointment
phone: (732) 445-3172

Teaching Assistant
Shannon Kehle                                                    Office: Room 319, Busch Psychology Bldg., Busch Campus
email: smkehle@rci.rutgers.edu                            Office hours: Wednesdays, 9-11 am
phone (to leave message): 732- 445-2576

Class Location and Time: TF2, 9:50-11:10, Lucy Stone Hall Auditorium, Livingston Campus

Text:  Siegler, R., DeLoache, J., & Eisenberg, N. (2003). How Children Develop. Worth Publishers. Available at: New Jersey Books, 108 Somerset St.,New Brunswick, 732-828-7401/7402

Reserve Readings:  Several articles are on electronic reserve for this class. To access these articles, go to the Rutgers libraries home page (http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/), click on link to IRIS (first entry listed under "Resources"), and then click on link to Reserve Desk (second tab on left at top of page).Enter either the course title or the Instructor's name (Hudson) to get to e-reserve articles. These will be available after Jan. 30.

Course Goals:This course will provide you with an overview of the field of child development, concentrating on the period that begins with conception and ends at early adolescence. This course will provide students with an understanding of basic concepts in child development. We will:
(a) compare and contrast multiple perspectives and theoretical approaches;
(b) examine research strategies to investigate child development;
(c) review sequences and underlying processes in areas of physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and language development;
(d) consider the role of context and culture on development; and
(e) discuss applications of research and theory.

Course Requirements:

  • Exams. There will be four multiple choice exams given during the semester. Exams will consist of 60 questions. Essay versions of exams are available upon request.

    • In determining final grades, each student's lowest score for  will be dropped. If a student is absent for one exam (even in emergency situations), that is the grade that will be dropped. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS except when a student has documented medical excuses for missing more than one exam.
  • Readings. It is important that you complete the reading assignments in preparation for each class lecture. This will allow you to derive the greatest possible benefit from the lectures since your reading of the text and supplemental articles may suggest questions that you can have answered in class. There will be material covered in the readings that will not be covered in lecture but you should expect that it will be covered on the exams.
  • Attendance. Regular class attendance is expected. Material derived from lecture will constitute a significant portion of each exam. If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting notes from another student in the class. The instructor does not provide lecture notes or outlines to students who have missed classes.


    • Class Format: The primary class format will be lecture, but there will also be regular demonstations and focussed discussions of selected topics. In addition, there will be videotape presentations illustrating central features of child behavior and development.

    Important Policies
    THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS except when a student has documented medical excuses for missing more than one exam If a student misses an exam due to illness or emergency, that exam score will be the one that is dropped from the final total. Students must provide documentation of two medical emergencies to qualify for a make-up exam. If a make-up exam is allowed, it will be an essay exam administered on the last day of the final exam period.

    THE ONLY WAY TO RECEIVE POINTS TOWARDS THE FINAL GRADE IS THROUGH PERFORMANCE ON EXAMS. Do not ask the instructor for extra credit assignments.

    Students with Special Needs: Students with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss special arrangements that may be needed to facilitate successful completion of the course.

    Course Outline and Reading Assignments (Revised)

    DATE LECTURE TOPIC READINGS
    Jan. 21-24 Introduction to Child Psychology; Issues and Methods Chapter 1
    Jan. 28 Prenatal Development Chapter 2; Hunt et al. article, "Mothers' alcohol consumption..."
    Jan. 31 The Birth Process and The Amazing Newborn Chapter 2; Werner article, "Children of the Garden Island"
    Feb. 4 Genetics Chapter 3
    Feb. 7 Brain Development; Physical Development Chapter 3; Nash article, "Fertile Minds"
    FEB. 11 EXAM 1: Chapters 1-3
    Feb. 14 Theories of Cognitive Development:  Chapter 4
    Feb. 18 Class Cancelled -- Rutgers Closed
    Feb. 21 Theories of Cognitive Development:  Chapter 4; K. Nelson article, "Social and psychological origins..."
    Feb. 25 Infant Perception and Motor Development Chapter 5; Thelen article
    Feb. 28; March 4 Language and Symbols Chapter 6
    March 7 Conceptual Development Chapter 7; Baillergeon article, "How infants learn..."
    MARCH 11 EXAM 2: Chapters 4-7
    March 14 Intelligence Chapter 8
    March 25 Theories of Social Development Chapter 9 Maccoby article, "Gender segregtion..."
    March 28, April 1 Development of Emotions; Understanding Temperament Chapter 10; Kagan article
    April 4 Attachment: The First Relationship Chapter 11; Scarr article, "Facts, fantasies, and the future..."
    April 8 Self Concept and Self Esteem Chapter 11
    APRIL 11 EXAM 3: Chapters 8-11
    April 15 Parents and Family Chapter 12
    April 18 No Class -- Passover/Good Friday
    April 22 Peer Relationships Chapter 13: Harris article, "A group socialization theory..."
    April 25 Effects of television Chapter 14
    April 29 Moral Development Chapter 14
    May 2 Conclusions Chapter 15
    MAY 8 12:00-2:00 EXAM 4: Chapters 12-15

    last updated 2/20/2003