BOCES Distance Learning Program News Notes and Events

Distance Learning Course Description

COURSE NAME: Adolescent Psychology

SCHOOL DISTRICT: Warrensburg

INSTRUCTOR: Sally Taibe

HALF YEAR COURSE PREREQUISITES: none

BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION / OUTLINE:

Today's adolescent lives in an increasingly complex world. The expectations for, and responsibilities of
adolescents is in a state of constant change. This course will explore the physiological, cognitive, and
psychosocial transitions of adolescence along with the impact of family and social influences on the
essential tasks of this developmental stage.

Students will also explore the personal characteristics necessary for successful careers in the adolescent
psychology field. Students will apply the process skills of communication, leadership, management, and
thinking into each of the content topics which include:

Cultural and Historical Perspectives of Adolescence
Theories of Psychology
Identity Formation
Relationships
Communication Skills
Social Reasoning
Independence and Autonomy
Mental Health, Media Literacy, and Public Policy

Adolescent Psychology is a cluster level course in the Human Services and Family Studies content area.
The Adolescent Psychology content topics are aligned with the commencement level New York State
Learning Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences and Career Development and Occupational Studies.

In addition, they are aligned with the National Learning Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences.
Adolescent Psychology also meets appropriate psychological learning standards developed by the American
Psychological Association (APA).

The National Standards for Teaching High School Psychology, available at
http://www.apa.org/ed/topss/apa_natlstandards.pdf outlines the fundamentals of teaching psychology as a
scientific discipline.

The Adolescent Psychology course may be used to meet the New York State parenting education graduation
requirement. Attendance at one field trip may be a requirement for this course.

12/30/08