Course Catalogue Description: An investigation of the scope of present knowledge, theory, methods and problems encountered in growth and development from adolescence through adulthood. Topics include biological, psychological and social factors, developmental stages, individuals in various social settings, and institutions.
Prerequisite course: PSYCHOLOGY 101

Course Objectives:

• to provide an understanding of the main themes, theories and methods of study of adolescent development
• to develop appreciation for the overall patterns and the range of individual variation in adolescents' behavior
• to develop the ability to apply psychological theories and concepts to real-life experience of adolescence
• to develop the ability to think critically and write clearly
• to provide directions for further study

Course Information:

1.    Text: Adolescence, 6th edition, by Laurence Steinberg (McGraw-Hill 2002)  For the publisher's web site, click on:          Adolescence Text.   (web address is:   www.mhhe.com/steinberg6)

2.     Absence/Tardiness Policy:  Attendance correlates highly with performance. In order to encourage regular attendance and adequate class preparation, there will be a assignment to be handed in at the start of each class (except days of tests) which will serve as the means of taking attendance. 
If more than one consecutive class has to be missed for unavoidable reasons, please contact the instructor.

3.     Grading: 

• 30% = Test Average: Each of the first two major sections will be followed by a test of the concepts. Correct test answers will be posted on the bulletin board outside my office and grades will be posted on the web by code number.
• 20% = Assignments and class participation:  Participation is critical to understanding the course material. Homework assignments will not be accepted late but you are encouraged to complete the work even if it doesn't count toward the homework grade, as the assignments given are intended to not only ensure adequate preparation for class but to provide opportunities to relate the readings to real life. The assigned materials are also preparation for test questions as well. 
• 30% = Term paper. This will be assigned and elaborated on later in the course. It will be due after Thanksgiving..
• 20% = Final Exam: The first part of the Final will be cumulative, covering materials from the first two tests. The majority of the exam will consist of questions on the last section of the course, psycho-social issues. 

COURSE CALENDAR  (to be revised if/when necessary..)

DATE	TOPICS	ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sept 4	Lecture: Orientation on course methods, requirements and expectations.  Overview of course content.. Discussion: What is adolescence? Myths and facts. Lecture: Historical, sociological perspective. Discussion of some of the  conditions which affect how 'adolescent' is defined and what adolescents actually experience.  Overview of the three fundamental changes of adolescence.	Assignment: Read Preface and Introduction. Read Chapter 1, "Biological Transitions" and write a short essay on the timing and tempo of your puberty and it's psychosocial effects on you.
2. Sept 11	Discussion of assignments, review of chapter 1. Lecture: Biological development: puberty  as a biological process. "Nature vs Nurture" discussion. Explanation of term paper.	Read Chapter 2, "Cognitive Transitions" . Also read Chapter 13, "Psychosocial Problems. Choose one problem as the topic for your term paper and write a brief paragraph what you have chosen and why.
3. Sept 18	Video on  Physical Development in Adolescence.   Interactions between social conditions and biological changes ; the health challenges of adolescence. Beginning discussion of  the cognitive growth and changes of adolescence. Video on cognitive development.	Read  Chapter 3, "Social Transitions" . Writing assignment: Discuss the universal, cultural/social and individual factors that affect cognitive development in adolescence. Give examples to illustrate your points.  Term paper: List all pages references in text for topic you have chosen.
4. Sept 25	Discussion of homework assignment. Lecture: Social redefinition and psychosocial development. Clip of film "Walkabout"	Assignment: Writing assignment: Have ready to hand in a typed (double-spaced) essay on the topic we discussed in class. Study for Test #1 on Intro. &  first 3 chapters .
5. Oct. 2	Test #1 on Introduction and Chapters 1, 2, 3.  Lecture: Introduction to the contexts of adolescent development.	Assignment:  Read  Chapter 4. "Families". Writing assignment: Evaluate your parents' parenting style in terms of the following dimensions:  authoritarianism, authoritativeness, indulgence, and/or indifference. What worked? What didn't? Why /why not?   Also, turn in a list of the references you have found  for your term paper. (Websites and text alone will not do; include at least one relevant article and one book)
6. Oct.9	Review of test and of correct essay composition.   Lecture: Introduction to the issue of the contexts of adolescent life.  Review of the 4 major changes of family structure and how they are interrelated. Discussion of the effect of  parenting styles on adolescents' psychological development. The changing role of families in adolescent life. Siblings.	Assignment:  Read Chapter 5, "Peer Groups".  Mall observation: observe/compare both young (pubescent) and older (late) adolescents at the mall.   Also, THINK about the 'pros and cons' of being popular and unpopular for further discussion.
7. Oct. 16	Lecture:   Discussion on peers: Discussion of homework assignment. Growth of peer groups and age-segregation. Pre- and post-figurative societies.	Assignment:    Read Chapter 6, "Schools" and make a list of all  the 'pros and cons' of small and large high schools.
8. Oct. 23 Nope, I didn't get to it!	Discussion of mall observations. Lecture: the role of schools in modern societies.  Cross culturally, what is the 'work' of adolescence? Our culture: schools as 'work' vs schools as a socializing force in adolescence. Role of future expectations in shaping the adolescent's experience and meaning of school.   How school contexts affect adolescent development.	Assignment: Read Chapter 7,  "Work and Leisure". Writing assignment: What aspects of  adolescents' leisure and first working experiences help prepare them for adult life?      Also,  think about your first job and be ready to discuss the 'pros and cons' of working.  Have a rough outline of your term paper to hand in.
9. Oct. 30	Lecture:  Adolescents at work and play. Sex differences in  adolescents' experiences of work and play.	Assignment:  Study for test on Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7. Use the questions on the text website to help you study for the test on the two chapters where  I did not finish the class notes....
10. Nov. 6	Test  # 2: Chapters on 'Contexts of Adolescent Development' (4, 5, 6, and 7) Lecture: Introduction to the various issues of psychosocial development in adolescence. (NOPE, we skipped it as people wanted to be able to leave after the test, which I thought was going to take a lot of time.  It didn't, so I shouldn't have said 'okay'.)	Assignment:  Read Chapter 8, "Identity" and  Chapter 9, "Autonomy".  Hand in completed draft of  term paper for feed back, suggestions, corrections, etc. (I really want you to all do well, but can't help you if you don't give me the chance to give you feedback!)
11. Nov.13	"Who am I?"      The effects of the three fundamental changes of adolescence. Discussion of identity as an area of psychosocial development in adolescence.  Also: The historical background to the importance of 'autonomy' in the United States.  The childhood roots of  autonomy in adolescence. Male/female differences in autonomy. The development of moral decision-making skills.	Assignment:  Read Chapters 10, "Intimacy" Also, we did not get to the discussion of autonomy, so think about what things your parents did that promoted or undermined your development in this area as an adolescent. Writing assignment:   re-write the test essay on 'The Forgotten Half'...Include  references to the video on 'Schools that Work' as to what could be done to address the needs of these students. The video is on reserve in the library, if you need to refresh your memory. Please return the 'blue book' from the test when you hand in your essay so that I can finish calculating your grade.
12. Nov. 20	Lecture:  Theories of intimacy in early and late adolescence.  Gender differences in intimacy. The connections and differences between intimacy and sexuality; gender differences in these two areas.	Assignment:  Read Chapter 11, "Sexuality".         Complete term paper for next class!
13. Nov. 27	Thanksgiving break: have a nice holiday!
14. Dec. 4	Sexual/psycho/social development across cultures.     Film on coming of age in two parallel cultures.        Sexuality in adolescence in the U.S. today.	Assignment:  Read  Chapter 12, "Achievement". Writing assignment: TBA
15. Dec. 11	Lecture:  Motivation and achievement in adolescence. Review of Chapters 8, 9,  10, 11, 12  for final exam.	Study for final exam.
Dec. 18	Final Exam  3:30-5:30 PM	Before the start of the next semester I will put the grades in here so you can see how they broke down...