SAMPLE SECTION SYLLABUS

Sociology 000
Sections: Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 in 2413 Mason Hall (23) Tuesday 3:00 - 5:00 in 2412 Mason Hall (25)

Graduate Student Instructor: Tasleem Padamsee (Tasi) Email: email@umich.edu Phone #: 123-4567 (before 9:30 pm) Mailbox: 0000 LS&A Building Office: 0000 LS&A Building Office Hours: Thursday 11:00 - 12:00 and by appointment Objectives: The purpose of the discussion section is to clarify your understanding of the concepts covered in the lectures and readings. In order to achieve this, section will consist of a mix of small group work, large group discussions, and other active learning exercises. In addition to the weekly readings, you will be required to complete short assignments in preparation for each section. A total of 40% of your grade for Sociology 100 is determined in section. preparation, attendance, and participation are vital. Your

Grading:

25% of your total grade comes from short quizzes on the readings, which will be given in section. There will be 5 quizzes, of which the lowest grade will be dropped. A missed quiz will count as the lowest grade. 15% of your total grade is determined by the remainder of discussion section activities: your attendance in section, your active participation, and the quality of your preparation (written assignments, readings, and other work completed thoughtfully and by the deadline). Teaching & Learning: The best learning environment is a result of the efforts of both students and instructors. We can all learn a lot from one another, but we must each recognize our responsibilities to the group and our work this semester. The responsibilities of the student include: reading required articles and completing other assigned work on time coming to section prepared with questions about the readings or lecture coming to section on time and prepared to participate respecting the views and learning needs of other students consulting with the GSI or Professor about any problems in the course The responsibilities of the GSI include: coming to section prepared to facilitate discussion and learning being responsive to the needs of students in section and office hours giving students guidance about how to improve their performance respecting the views and learning needs of the students working with students and/or the Professor to resolve any problems in the course If you feel you need an accommodation for any sort of disability, please make an appointment to see me during my office hours.

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SAMPLE SECTION SYLLABUS

Psychology 000
Sections: 005 Wednesday 006 Thursday 007 Thursday GSI: Office: Office Hours: Office Phone: Email: Mailbox: 5pm-6pm 9am-10am 10am-11am Name Office Number Wednesday 12-1pm and 2:30-3:30pm and by appointment 123-4567 email@umich.edu (Email is the best way to contact me. Please expect a response between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.) Mailbox Number

Course objectives
Discuss issues and concepts raised in lecture and the readings Develop critical thinking about concepts and research in developmental psychology Apply developmental theories and concepts to real-life issues, including your personal life Critique empirical research Have fun exploring developmental issues

Course requirements
You can earn a total of 100 points in this section.

Section participation

10 points

Participating in section involves attending each section and being attentive to the class discussion or activity. You should demonstrate your knowledge of the class readings by making thoughtful comments, as well as asking clarification questions about readings and concepts when necessary. Engaging in activities irrelevant to class or arriving late to class will result in point deductions from your grade. Not making a real attempt to complete tasks or failing to participate in the activities is unacceptable.

Research critique papers

20 points

Once during the semester you will write a critical review of an empirical research study. You will be given a choice of articles from a particular developmental period. Your review should be 4-5 pages, double-spaced, typed, in Times New Roman, 12 point, with 1 margins. Do not go over or under that page limit. Additional guidelines for the papers will be handed out during the second week of class. Please be sure to sign up for a research critique paper during the second section meeting. Here are the due dates for the research critiques: Developmental period Infancy Childhood Adolescence Adulthood Middle/Late Adulthood* Wed. Section Dates February 13 March 13 March 20 April 3 April 15 Thurs. Section Dates February 14 March 14 March 21 April 4 April 15

*Please note that the critique for middle/late adulthood is due on a Monday in a box in Room 2229 (the Developmental office) by 5:00pm.

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Group presentation

40 points

Once during the semester you and four of your classmates will make a 20-25 minute presentation to the class. Your group should select a controversial topic (e.g. teen pregnancy, television/video game violence, childrens eyewitness testimony, euthanasia) focusing on a specific developmental period. Chose topics that are fun for you and your classmates. Be creative and design an activity (e.g. game, skit, debate, in-class demonstrations, discussion questions, role-playing) that is interactive. Do not lecture. Present more than one perspective on your topic (e.g. consider culture, race, ethnicity, age, gender, etc.) and discuss how developmental theories, concepts and research findings apply to your topic. Are your arguments supported or negated by the developmental research, concepts, and theory discussed in the class material? You should make connections to the material used in class as well as conduct outside research on your topic, including research from at least two peer-reviewed journals. Each group must meet with me at least once the week before your presentation. It is your responsibility to schedule a meeting with me. For example, if your presentation is on March 20, we should have already met by March 13. By meeting with me, you have the opportunity to ask questions, clarify any issues, and receive guidance. Please come prepared to answer the following questions or brainstorm possibilities: 1. How will you incorporate developmental theories and concepts in your presentation? 2. How will you attend to issues of diversity (i.e. how do the concepts or issues apply to different populations of ethnic/racial groups? Socioeconomic groups? Sexual orientation? Gender? Etc.)? 3. How will you engage the class? Here is the breakdown of the group presentation: Effort rating (5 points): You will rate the contribution of all group members (including yourself) in the planning, preparation, and presentation of your topic. Handout (5 points): Your group must prepare a handout for the class of the key points and arguments to give to your classmates on the day of your presentation. In your handout, you should cite the sources of your information and include a page of references in APA format. I will photocopy your handout if you can get it to me (either via email or in my mailbox) by 5pm the Monday before your presentation. Summary (10 points): Your group must hand in a summary of your presentation (4-5 pages, double-spaced, typed, in Times New Roman font, 12 point, with 1 margins) on the due date. It should include the main issue of your presentation, a discussion of how developmental theories and research findings apply to your issue, and a list of outside references (cited using APA format). Do not go over or under the page limit. Presentation (20 points): The presentation will be evaluated on (a) quality of preparation (e.g. level of organization and thoughtfulness), (b) the content of the presentation (e.g. have you interpreted and presented the issues correctly? Have you provided more than one viewpoint? Have you related your topic to developmental theories, concepts, and research? Have you given attention to how these issues operate for people from diverse groups? How well have you done outside research on the topic?) and (c) the extent to which you engage the class in a meaningful discussion of your topic.

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Here is a list of dates for the presentations. On the sign-up sheet, please indicate your top three choices. Groups will be announced at the second section meeting. Developmental period Infancy Childhood Adolescence Adulthood Middle/Late Adulthood Wed. Section Dates February 6 March 13 March 20 April 3 April 10 Thurs. Section Dates February 7 March 14 March 21 April 4 April 11

Reaction Papers

30 points

Twice during the semester you will write a paper in reaction to the supplemental readings. During the second week of section, you will sign up for the two articles you wish to address. Each paper should be 3-4 pages in length, double-spaced, typed, in Times New Roman font, 12 point, with 1 margins, using APA format. Each paper is worth 15 points. Reaction papers are an opportunity to express critical thinking and your opinions based on what you have learned in lecture, the text, and section. Your papers should not be a summary of the article. Instead, you should integrate your reaction to the topic along with the class material. Do you agree with the way the topic is presented? Why or why not? How do your own experiences support or contradict the topic? How does the information presented in the supplemental article support or contradict the material weve covered in class? Reaction papers will be evaluated based on your articulation of the topic or thesis of your essay, the organization of your thoughts and ideas, and your integration of theories and concepts from lecture, text, and section. Article 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Shiono & Behrman (1995) NAEYC (1996) Eccles (1999) Sex and the media (TBA) Arnett (2000) Carstensen & Charles (1998)* Wed. Section Due Date January 23 February 20 March 13 March 27 April 3 April 15 Thurs. Section Due Date January 24 February 21 March 14 March 28 April 4 April 15

*Please note that paper #6 is due on a Monday in a box in Room 2229 (the Developmental office) by 5:00pm.

Things to keep in mind: There will be no opportunities for extra credit or rewrites. There is some overlap with the due dates for the assignments. Please be mindful of this when making your preferences for the group presentation and when signing up for critique and reaction papers. I will make every effort to assign your first or second choice for the group presentation; however, this will not always be possible. All assignments are due at the beginning of section. Assignments received after this time will be considered late (see Late assignments section below).

Class policies
Attendance: You are required to attend every section meeting. I will take attendance at the beginning of each section. Each unexcused absence will result in a 5-point deduction from your overall section grade at the end of the semester. If you are absent, you are responsible for any material covered. Plagiarism: Plagiarism involves presenting someone elses words or ideas as your own. This includes using someone elses assignment as your own as well as failing to properly cite the sources of ideas or words. I will Center for Research on Learning and Teaching

report any student caught plagiarizing to the Academic Judiciary Board. Plagiarizing can also result in getting a zero on the assignment and failing the course. For information on citing sources, check the APA publication manual or contact me during office hours. Academic integrity: The University of Michigan does not tolerate academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating). Anyone caught cheating will be reported to the Academic Judiciary Board. If you are having problems with the course material, come to office hours or make an appointment to see me. Do not cheat. Late assignments: All section assignments are due at the beginning of section. I will not grant extensions for any assignments. Late assignments will receive one full letter grade deduction each day they are late (including weekends and holidays). This means that an A paper will receive a B if it is one day late, a C if it is two days late, etc. No assignments will be accepted after April 15, 5:00pm. Accommodations: Let me know at the beginning of the term (i.e. by the first or second section) of any special accommodations that you need due to learning disabilities, religious practices, physical requirements, medical needs, etc. Resources Recommended journals for papers and presentations (an extensive but not exhaustive list): Adolescence Aging and Mental Health American Education Research Journal Child Development Cognition Cognition and Emotion Cognitive Development Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychopathology Early Education and Development Educational Psychologist Health Psychologist Human Development Infant Behavior and Development Writing help: All assignments should be written clearly, coherently, and grammatically correct. Please proofread all assignments before submitting them. You may want to contact the Sweetland Writing Center (1139 Angell Hall, 764-0429, www.lsa.umich.edu/swc) to get feedback on drafts of your work. Counseling services: Because the material we cover in class will sometimes involve sensitive and personal issues, students may experience feelings or reactions they find difficult to cope with. Counseling and Psychological Services might be able to help in these situations (3100 Michigan Union, 764-8312) Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Journal of Applied Developmental Pyschology Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology Journal of Educational Psychology Journal of Gerontology Journal of Marriage and the Family Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Journal of Social Issues Journal of Youth and Adolescence Learning and Memory Merrill-Palmer Quarterly Psychology and Aging Sex Roles Social Development

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Section Schedule

Wed . S ection Dat e January 9 January 16 January 23 January 30 February 6 February 13 February 20 February 27 March 6 March 13

Thur s. S ection Dat e January 10 January 17 January 24 January 31 February 7 February 14 February 21 February 28 March 7 March 14

Topic Introduction and section organization Research methods Childbirth/ Prenatal development Infancy Language development Attachment Early Childhood Spring Break-No Section Middle Childhood

Assig nm ent Du e

Reaction Paper #1 Infancy Group Presentation Infancy Critique Reaction Paper #2

Childhood Group Presentation Childhood Critique Reaction Paper #3 Adolescence Group Presentation Adolescence Critique Reaction Paper #4 Adulthood Group Presentation Adulthood Critique Reaction Paper #5 Middle/Late Adulthood Group Presentation Middle/Late Adulthood Critique* Reaction Paper #6*

March 20

March 21

Puberty, Teen Pregnancy, Adolescent Relationships Early Adulthood Developmental Tasks of Young Adulthood Mid-life crisis, Menopause

March 27 April 3

March 28 April 4

April 10

April 11

April 15

April 15

*On Monday, April 15, the middle/late adulthood critique and reaction paper #6 are due in the Developmental Office (2229 East Hall) by 5:00pm.

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