Ph. D. Candidate in Educational Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

M.S. in Child Development, University of Pittsburgh

B.S. in Biology, Trinity College, Burlington, Vermont

Greetings from the pines and seacoast of southern New Jersey!

I enjoy teaching educational psychology and child development courses to the students from Atlantic and Cape May counties. When I'm not in the classroom, I am busy as Chair of Social Science and as an academic advisor.  I would be happy to answer advising questions about the education and child development programs at ACCC. Just click here to e-mail me a question.

My classroom has expanded to include a course on WebCT. This course combines videotapes and online components. The syllabus for this course, Child Psychology, appears next. If you are interested in enrolling in the course, you may register on-line (click here). If you are already enrolled, the syllabus will be here for your reference.

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Course Description:

A topical examination of the psychological factors that influence life from conception through adolescence. A special emphasis is placed on the psychobiological and social pressures governing human behavior. Meets general education requirement in social science. 3 Credits

Overview of Course:

This course uses textbook material, TV programs (Time to Grow), study guides, an Internet-based conferencing system (WebCT), occasional class meetings, assignments and evaluations to deliver important themes in child psychology and to achieve learning objectives. It is designed to meet a general education requirement in psychology and provide a foundation for careers in child care, education, nursing, social work, and other human services fields. The course also can serve as a basis for parenting classes.

Course Themes:

The course examines children from a developmental perspective; it emphasizes how children change as a result of age and experience.

· Development depends on the interplay of biology, experience, and the childâs current stage of development. · Early experiences can affect later development.

· Children actively promote their own self development.

· Each child develops in unique, dynamic, complex contexts.

· Development occurs in biologically sensitive periods.

· Development is orderly, cumulative and directional.

Course Objectives:

· To comprehend and apply major theories of development of the child from the prenatal and adolescent periods.

· To analyze the physical, cognitive, social-emotional competence of children and youth according to developmental theories.

· To appreciate the interrelatedness of the major modes of development (physical, social, emotional and cognitive) and apply this concept when interpreting childrenâs behavior.

· To exhibit observational and other research skills as a foundation for interpreting childrenâs behavior.

· To integrate the influences of biology, social experiences and developmental stages in understanding human behavior during childhood.

Text, TV Programs & Related Materials:

· The required text is Child Development:Its Nature and Course by L. Alan Scroufe, Robert G. Cooper and Ganie B. DeHart. It is published by McGraw-Hill and is available in the ACCC Bookstore. You must also purchase the Telecourse Guide for A Time to Grow. (You may order the textbook online through  http://www.acc.bkstr.com .)

· The TV programs are broadcast weekly, according to the schedule below.

· The study guide includes a lesson assignment for each video session. Step 4 reminds you to review the Viewing Guide before watching the TV program.

Course Requirements:

1. Chapter Questions*: A set of three essay questions on each chapter will be assigned. You are to answer one question, per chapter, for Chapters 1 through 10 and two questions per chapter for Chapters 11 through 15. Each question is valued at 10 points; you must answer 20 questions. 200 points

2. Tests: There will be three exams. The first two exams will each cover five (5) chapters and consist of multiple choice questions and two essay questions. The essay questions will be taken from the Chapter Questions sets. You must arrange to take the exams, during the indicated time period, at the assessment center (Mays Landing) or at the Cape May Extension Center (See the next page for details.)

The third exam will be a final essay*. Each test is valued at 100 points. 300 points

3. Observation*: You will be given additional instructions for this assignment. You may choose to do an observation of pre-school children (2-6 yrs.) or an observation of a group of children in the middle childhood stage (7-12 yrs.) The observation is valued at 50 points 4. Interview*: You will receive instructions for this assignment. You will interview an adolescent (13-19 yrs.) about important events of adolescent period. The interview is worth 50 points.

4. Interview*: You will receive instructions for this assignment. You will interview an adolescent (13-19 yrs.) about important events of the adolescent period. The interview is worth 50 points.

5. Class participation: Although this is a TV/online course, it is essential that you actively participate throughout the semester. This means being aware of and meeting deadlines for assignments, keeping up with the reading and the viewing, arranging for and taking tests, and communicating with me and the other members of the class. Each student will be placed in a Study Group on WebCT. Discussion questions will be assigned to each group. After the study group members have communicated and discussed the questions in the group, their answer will be posted to the WebCT bulletin board. All class members will benefit from the work of the individual groups. (If you do not have access to the Internet from home, you can do this work when you come on campus for the exams. You may also use the computers in B-124 each Monday between the hours of 5-6:45 pm.) 50 points

* Instructions on WEBCT.

Grade Scheme: A = 585-650; B = 520-584; C=445-519; D = 390-454; F = below 390

Contact & Testing Information:

· My office is B-111. I expect to be in most Mondays; please call ahead if you need to see me. I have voice mail and check my sages daily. Leave your message and a number where I can reach you.

· WEBCT has a personal mailbox. Please use it to leave your assignments and any personal messages for me or other members of class.

· Phone and voice mail: (609) 343-4982

· Internet address: lessie@atlantic.edu · Mailing address: L. Lessie, Social Science Dept., Atlantic Cape Community College Mays Landing, NJ 08330

If necessary, you may deliver your assignments to the Division Office, A-128 (Mays Landing Campus) or to the Cape May Extension Center. Clearly label them to my attention and keep a copy for yourself. Sign in the work with the Secretary in the office. You may fax your assignments to (609) 343-5122.

Testing Information:

You must make arrangements with the Assessment Office (Mays Landing) to take the test. You will need about an hour for each exam.

Schedule:

Weekly

1) View the TV program or the tapes. The program is broadcast on NJN, Wednesdays, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Tapes may be borrowed, at no cost, from the library; each tape has about 10 lessons. There are a limited number of tapes so get to the library soon. Tapes may be ordered from RMI, a commercial telecourse tape rental company, by fax  (800-755-6910), telephone (800-745-5480), or Internet (www.rmimedia.com). The cost is $60.25 for rental plus $55.00 if tapes are not returned within 30 days of the end of the semester.

2) Read chapter and complete study guide and self-test.

3) Answer chapter question(s). Submit according to the schedule or on a weekly basis.

Semester

Participate, a minimum of three times, in the Study Group Discussion (using WEBCT).

February 23-March 2: Test #1

March 2: Chapter Questions for Chap. 1-5 are due.

March 30: Observation due.

March 30-April 6: Test #2

April 6: Chapter Questions for Chap. 6-10 are due.

May 11: Chapter Questions for Chap.11-15 are due.

May 11: Final exam due.

May 11: Interview due. 

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