Adolescent Development—09210

Spring 2010
Instructor Cranstoun
Email: cranstoun@rowan.edu
Office Hours: Please see instructor

Course Objective: This course covers the major principles and scientific research underlying adolescent
development. It will explore the developmental period of adolescence from biological, psychological and
sociological perspectives while addressing both historical and topical issues affecting the adolescent.
Topics addressed will include pubertal changes, cognitive, moral and emotional development,
social, peer and familial factors impacting the lives of the adolescent as well as issues of
sexuality, vocational issues and delinquency in adolescence.

Required text: Santrock, John W.(2008). Adolescence(12th ed). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Attendance: To succeed in this course, it is critically important that you attend all lectures. Most
lectures will cover material also discussed in the text chapters; some will present additional
material. Attending class is the only option for obtaining much of the information conveyed in
this course. If you do miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to get the notes from one of your
classmates. .

Grading:

1. Exams: Three(3) timed open-book exams worth a potential total of 75 points(each is

worth a potential of 25 points). They will include multiple choice, fill ins and short
essay.
2. Personal Reflection paper: This activity will provide an opportunity to examine your
own experiences on adolescence at two separate stages: early adolescence(ages 10-12)
and late adolescence(ages 18-20). The report is to be 5-7 typed pages in length(double
spaced, 12 font) and will be worth 10 points. It is to include the following information
with the bolded words used as headings:

• Physical development Cognitive development

• Social status in school Emotional development
• Relationship with family Top conflict with family
• Top conflict with peers Most embarrassing moment
• Spiritual/moral development Most painful moment

Each student is responsible for presenting a brief(approximately 10 minute) in-class

presentation on his or her own personal reflection paper.

3. Research paper: a 5-7 page research paper worth a potential total of 15 points. Paper
topics, format and expectations will be reviewed in class on Thursday, January 27th..

Classroom Policies: Please ensure ALL wireless devices are turned off during class and all tests.
Students are encouraged to participate in class as much as possible. Topics covered in this class
may have particular personal significance to you; however, please keep personal disclosures to a
minimum. Students are to refer to the college handbook for issues on cheating, grading and
etiquette. It is your responsibility to contact the professor if you are having any issues related to
the class.

Exam 1= 25 points Final grades based on the following scale:

Exam 2= 25 points A=93-100 A- = 90-92 B+= 87-89 B= 83-86

Exam 3 =25 points B- = 80-82 C+ = 77-79 C=73-76 C- = 70-72

Reflection Paper= 10 points D+ 67-69 D= 63-66 D- 60-62 F=59 and below

Research Paper=15

Potential Total = 100 points

To find out if the University is closed, do the following:

1.) Visit www.rowan.edu.

2.) Listen to 89. 7 WGLS-FM.
3.) Listen to KYW NewsRadio 1060 AM.
4.) Call KYW NewsRadio, 1060 AM @ 1.900.737.1060 (95 cents per call)
5.) Watch KYW-3 television

Evening Classes: The Rowan school closing number is 2829. This number will be announced on the radio
by 3:30 p.m.

Tentative Schedule

(Please note that this is a tentative outline for this semester. The instructor will inform students of
any changes to the syllabus in as timely a manner as possible)

1/21 Intro/History of Adolescence/Nature of Development

1/28 Biological Foundations of Adolescence

2/4 Cognitive Development

2/11 Emotional Development/Exam I/Research Topic Due

2/18 Gender

2/25 Sexuality
3/4 Moral Development/Research Papers Due

3/11 Families/Exam 2

3/18 Spring Break

3/25 Peers & Career Development

4/1 Adolescent Problems

4/8 Adolescent Problems cont’d

4/15 Reflection evening/Thanksgiving Break

4/22 Reflection Papers Due/Emerging Adulthood

4/29 In-class Presentations

5/6 Exam 3