Text:
Siegler, R. S. (1998). Children’s thinking (3rd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Instructor Information:

Office: FOB 21R Phone: 756-1603 Email: dlvalenc@calpoly.edu

Office Hours: MW 4:10 -4:30, TTH 10:30-12, or by appointment

Course Objectives:

The purpose of this class is to explore recent issues in cognitive development, how thinking develops in children.  We will be looking at psychological theories, research, and issues in cognitive development.  In addition, students will have the opportunity to examine cognitive development in action by completing a case study or comparable project in small groups and leading a discussion based on the case study materials.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The main sources for information will be lecture, text, and the additional readings.  Since lectures will tend to expand on single subjects within the chapter, regular attendance is strongly encouraged.  It is also best to keep up with the reading.

Learning in this class will be assessed through multiple methods.  You will have three quizzes, which will contain both short answer and multiple choice questions and will cover the assigned chapters.  Make-up quizzes must be taken by the next class period with an adequate reason, unless prior arrangements are made.

A compare/contrast paper will also be required which asks you to compare and contrast two articles: one from a popular magazine and one from a journal.  The final project will require you to do a case study (or comparable project) and then to critically examine the information gained from it in light of actual research in an area of cognitive development. Your findings will be presented to the class during the week that you will be leading the reading discussion, but the final product will be due on the last day of class.

Your final grade in the course will be based on the 3 quizzes, the compare/contrast paper, the group project, and 5 discussion reflections. The quizzes will be worth 30 points each. The compare/contrast paper is worth 40 points. Your case study/empirical project is worth 100 points: 75 for the paper itself and 25 points for its presentation in class discussion. The discussion reflections are worth 5 points each with 20 points counted towards computing your final grade.

Make-up test and late assignment policy: There will be no make ups on discussion reflections; however you may miss one of these without penalty since only 20 out of the 25 possible points will be counted towards your grade. Late assignments and tests taken after the test date without an adequate, documented excuse (e.g., medical note) will count for 90% of the original point total if completed/turned in by the next class meeting (i.e., I will multiply your test score/assignment grade by .90). Thereafter, the assignment or test will be worth only 75% of the original point total.

Grades for written work will be assigned with the following criteria in mind: