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The University of Texas at Dallas

Course Syllabus

Course Information
Course number: PSY 3342.0U1 www.turnitin.com
Course title: EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Class ID: 2284821
Term: Summer 2008 Password: INCLUSION
Meeting times: TR 10am-12:30pm, GR 4.428

Professor Contact Information


Professor’s name: Dr. Huxtable-Jester
Phone number: 972-883-6434
Email: DrKarenHJ@utdallas.edu
Office location: GR 4.714
Office hours: Mondays 4:30-5:30pm and by appointment
Other information: The best way to reach me is direct email, not through WebCT or by phone. Please put the
course name in your subject line and include your first and last name in your message. I
do not reply to anonymous telephone or email messages.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions


Required prior knowledge or skills: This course assumes an introductory background in child development.

Course Description
Join me in an exploration of the characteristics of exceptional children and their education, including children with
disabilities (learning, emotional/behavioral, communication and physical), as well as those who are gifted. We will
examine the causes and assessment of exceptionality, along with educational and social policy considerations.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes


Child Learning and Development B.S. Program Sub-goals
After completing the course, students will:
1.1 Describe and explain the nature of developmental psychology as a scientific discipline.
1.2 Describe and analyze major theoretical perspectives and overarching themes of developmental psychology
and their historical evolution.
1.3 Describe, apply, and analyze selected content areas within developmental psychology.
2.3 Locate, accurately summarize, and evaluate bodies of scientific literature in developmental psychology.
3.1 Use critical thinking to evaluate scholarly literature.
3.2 Use critical thinking to analyze empirical reports.
3.3 Engage in creative thinking.
4.1 Demonstrate effective writing skills in various formats and for various purposes.
4.3 Demonstrate basic computer skills, proper etiquette, and security safeguards.
5.1 Apply developmental concepts, theories, and research findings to issues in everyday life.
5.2 Identify appropriate applications of psychology in human service, education, and similar professions.
5.3 Demonstrate how developmental principles can explain social issues and inform public policy.

Specific competencies addressed


After completing the course, students will:
1. Discuss the major social, cultural, and economic issues relevant to children with special needs.
2. Explain the legal responsibilities of schools, parents, and students to meet the needs of exceptional children.

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 1


3. Demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of characteristics and etiologies of the identified mandated
categories and other various conditions that affect provision of educational services.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of normal child growth and development and the educational implications of
possible deficits and deviations from age and stage norms.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the physical, nutritional, cultural, and environmental factors related to learning
problems.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of parents with children who have disabilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of history and philosophy of educating children and adolescents with special needs
and identify cultural and ethnic issues related to education/special education.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the unique needs of culturally diverse, exceptional individuals and their families.
9. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of current issues and trends in special education service delivery
systems including the Regular Education Initiative and consultation/collaboration model.
10. Demonstrate respect and sensitivity toward all individuals.
11. Describe the uses of technology, including assistive technology, in the special education process.

Required Textbooks and Materials


1. Hallahan, D. P., & Kauffman, J. M. (2006). Exceptional learners: Introduction to special education (10th
ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
2. The optional textbook website appears at http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_hallahan_exceplearn_10.
3. Additional chapters and journal articles will be assigned to complement, elaborate on, or contradict the text.
More details about this will be discussed in class.
4. Create a user profile at www.turnitin.com using your Class ID and password. Your Research Paper is the
only assignment that you will upload to turnitin.com, but you must submit it to the website 1-2 days ahead of
time so that you can print and attach your originality report to your paper, due July 10, 2008. SUBMIT
YOUR PAPER TO TURNITIN.COM AT LEAST ONCE ON OR BEFORE JULY 10. PRINT AND
SAVE YOUR FIRST ORIGINALITY REPORT. If you have trouble with this, you can have until
10:00am July 22 to turn in, in class, your paper and originality report with your plagiarism tutorial quiz
attached.
5. Use the website
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/start.html to complete your
plagiarism tutorial and quiz, due with your research paper.
6. You must use the APA style guide at http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocAPA.html to write your
research paper.
7. Read the article about how to read journal articles at
http://arts.uwaterloo.ca/~sspencer/psych253/readart.html.
8. Pick up 4 Exam System II #229630 answer sheets for exams, available free at the off-campus bookstore. You
must bring your answer sheet (and your #2 pencils, of course) to each scheduled exam.
9. A stapler is required for this course. For your protection, papers submitted for a grade or for review must be
stapled.
10. You will be assigned a SORTING NUMBER corresponding to the position of your name in the gradebook.
Please write your Sorting Number, by hand, very clearly in the top right corner of the
cover page for every assignment and exam you submit for a grade. After June 19,
assignments submitted without your name and Sorting Number written on the cover page may not be graded.

Assignments & Academic Calendar


Topics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam Dates: See calendar on next page.

IMPORTANT: I want to help you do well in this class! To get the most benefit from your time in this class, read
the material to be discussed before we discuss it in class. You will find classes to be much more interesting and
involving if you come prepared to discuss each day's topic.

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 2


PSY 3342.0U1 Š EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Š SUMMER 2008
MAY 27 MAY 29
Course overview & introduction Ch. 1: Education for children with special needs Quiz 1
How to write the research paper Discuss paper topics
Exceptional children and the law

JUNE 3 JUNE 5
Ch. 2: Goals for exceptional children and ways to Ch. 3: Diversity Quiz 3
achieve them Quiz 2 Confirm paper topics today
Choose paper topics

JUNE 10 JUNE 12
Ch. 4: Parents and families Quiz 4 EXAM 1: Chs. 1-4
Review exam

JUNE 17 JUNE 19
Ch. 5: Mental retardation Quiz 5 APA style References list & Proposal/Outline due
(required or paper grade is zero)
Ch. 6: Learning disabilities Quiz 6

JUNE 24 JUNE 26
Ch 7: Attention deficit disorder Quiz 7 Ch. 8: Emotional and behavioral disorders Quiz 8

JULY 1 JULY 3
EXAM 2: Chs. 5-8 Ch. 9: Communication disorders Quiz 9
Review exam Optional: give me your Research Paper by today for
early feedback

JULY 8 JULY 10
Ch. 12: Autism spectrum disorders Quiz 10 RESEARCH PAPER DUE in class and online—
Drafts returned today upload to turnitin.com and print originality report
Ch. 15: Gifted and talented children Quiz 11

JULY 15 JULY 17
EXAM 3: Chs. 9, 12, 15 Ch. 10: Hearing impairments Quiz 12
Review exam

JULY 22 JULY 24
LAST CHANCE: RESEARCH PAPER DUE in Ch. 13: Traumatic brain injury, multiple and severe
class with originality report at 10:00 a.m. disabilities Quiz 14
Ch. 11: Vision impairments Quiz 13

JULY 29 JULY 31
Ch. 14: Physical disabilities and other health EXAM 4: Chs. 10-11, 13-14
impairment Quiz 15 Review exam
Papers returned today

I want to help you be successful in this course in every way I can BEFORE the end of the semester.
After July 31, the course is OVER. Do NOT ask for extra credit.
Course grades will be ready Aug. 13.

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 3


Grading Policy
The basis for assigning grades in this course will be as follows:
Points % of final grade
Exams (4 @ 50 pts each) 200 66%
Daily quizzes (10-15 @ 3 pts each) 30 10%
APA style References list 10 3%
Paper Proposal & Outline 10 3%
Research Paper 50 16%
Plagiarism Tutorial Quiz & Originality Report 5 2%
TOTAL 305 100%

Please note that the APA style references list and the paper proposal and outline, AND the plagiarism
tutorial quiz and originality report are REQUIRED. Papers will not be graded without them.

Assignment of letter grades is as follows:


Points earned Percent Letter grade
283-305 93-100% A
274-282 90-92% A-
268-273 88-89% B+
252-267 83-87% B
243-251 80-82% B-
237-242 78-79% C+
222-236 73-77% C
213-221 70-72% C-
207-212 68-69% D+
197-206 65-67% D
0-196 0-64% F

Course & Instructor Policies


Extra credit: Absolutely no individualized extra credit will be available. If you are concerned about your grades,
come see me. I am always available to answer questions about grades and assignments. Please come to see
me early to clear up points of confusion rather than waiting, which may simply add to your frustration and
decrease your learning efficiency.
Late work: All assignments must be handed in when class begins on the day they are due. Late assignments will
not be accepted. Please note that journal entries may not be submitted early and can NOT be made up for
any reason.
Class attendance: Class attendance is required, and is assessed in a variety of ways (extra credit opportunities, in-
class exercises, etc.). Class attendance and participation are an important indication of your commitment and
professionalism, and are critical to your success in this course. Classes will consist of lectures and
discussions, and frequently will cover content not found in the textbook. Notice in the grading policy that
missing two classes for any reason will not negatively impact your grade. Missing more than two classes for
any reason will negatively impact your grade. There is no such thing as an “excused” absence.
Classroom citizenship: Please come to class on time and stay for the duration of the class session. You should be
seated and ready to begin on time. Coming in late or leaving early is disruptive and distracting. Cell phones
must be turned OFF and PUT AWAY during class time! Use of cell phones for ANY purpose during
class will result in your expulsion from the class for the rest of that day (and of course, you forfeit that
day’s attendance).
Etc.: Course requirements are described in detail later in this syllabus. You are responsible for all of the
information included here.

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 4


Field Trip Policies exchange. The university encourages all official student email
Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email
Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are address and that faculty and staff consider email from students
subject to state law and University policies and procedures official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This
regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
these rules and regulations may be found at the website address identity of all individuals corresponding and the security of the
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.ht transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free
m. Additional information is available from the office of the school email account that is to be used in all communication with
dean. university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at
No travel and/or risk-related activity is associated with this course. U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T.
Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Student Conduct & Discipline Please note that privacy regulations prohibit me from emailing
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at your grades to you. Grades will be returned in class on designated
Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient days. If you miss one, please come to my office.
conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student
and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules Withdrawal from Class
and regulations that govern student conduct and activities. General The administration of this institution has set deadlines for
information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the withdrawal from any college-level courses. These dates and times
UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration
students each academic year. procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to
handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline cannot drop or withdraw any student, even though your paperwork
within the procedures of recognized and established due process. may require my signature. You must do the proper paperwork to
Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.
VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Student Grievance Procedures
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on
the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations Operating Procedures.
(SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades,
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is
responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve
federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called
subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary
such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct. cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in
writing to the respondent with a copy to the respondent’s School
Academic Integrity Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written
and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the
depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to
student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the dean
high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The
decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the
award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in
material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
plagiarism, collusion, and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary Incomplete Grade Policy
proceedings. As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only
for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70%
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers of the course work has been completed (that’s everything but ONE
for other classes, and from any other source (including your exam). An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8)
own work for other past or current classes) is unacceptable weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the
and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on required work to complete the course and to remove the
plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the
the resources (among others) of turnitin.com, which searches the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.
web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and
efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students
through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 5


Disability Services Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with professor after class or during office hours.
disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-
disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Religious Holy Days
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class
to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: Code Annotated.
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity
PO Box 830688 sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a
reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies
those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination the instructor in advance and completes any missed exam or
on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who
remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed
(in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the
example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or
who is hearing impaired). Classes of enrolled students with if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been
mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or
facilities. The college or university may need to provide special examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a
services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance. ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or
her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the
the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that executive officer or designee.
the student has a disability and needs accommodations.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

NOTE: It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to acquire missed lecture notes, assignments, handouts, and announcements
from a classmate—NOT from me. You are responsible for all information given in class. This includes
any changes to the syllabus, content and format of exams, and details given regarding assignments.

Detailed Descriptions of Course Assignments


Exams
1. Four non-cumulative exams focusing on the assigned readings and lecture material will be given to assess
your mastery of the material in each section of the course. Exam format will be multiple-choice and short
essay, based on materials from the readings, lectures, videos, and class discussions.
2. See me early if you need help preparing for an exam. It is helpful (but not required) to study first, and then
come with a list of specific questions or areas of concern. Also, if you feel that you worked hard studying for
an exam, but received a much lower grade that you anticipated, come see me so that we can determine where
your study strategies went wrong. Coming to ask me what you can do to improve your grade makes sense if
you come early in the semester, but is pointless if you come late in the semester (e.g., after the 4th exam)—at
that point there is nothing you can do.
3. Preparing for an exam is an important part of the learning process—it takes weeks of preparation, not days or
hours. Learning and understanding the material are the best preparation for the exams. Keeping up with the
readings pays off. Plan to spend at least 9 hours per week outside of class on reading and writing
assignments for this course (12 hours per week for summer courses).
4. Make-up exams: You must be present for exams. If you might miss an exam, notify me at 972-883-6434
IMMEDIATELY. I must hear from you before the scheduled time of the exam. If you wait to talk to me at
the next class meeting, you will not be able to make up the exam. Make-up exams will be given only if: (a)
you were seriously ill and have verifiable documentation from a physician, or (b) you were detained the day
and time of the exam (and have appropriate verifiable documentation), or (c) you made arrangements prior to
the exam to attend an urgent family affair (e.g., funeral, NOT family vacation, wedding, reunion, etc.)
supported by verifiable documentation (e.g., obituary or funeral notice). In any of these cases, you must

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notify me in advance of the scheduled time of the exam (call and leave a voice-mail message if you can do
nothing else). Otherwise, you will receive 0 points. It is your responsibility to make sure that the exam is
made up before the next class session. If you do not show up for your makeup exam at the scheduled time,
you will receive 0 points (you get ONE chance to make up the exam). Beware, make-up exams are designed
to be more difficult to compensate for having more study time.

Daily Quizzes
1. You will have 15 opportunities to earn up to 30 points toward your final grade by completing a 6-item, 10-
minute quiz at the beginning of class each day. Quiz format will be multiple choice and/or true/false.
Quizzes cannot be made up for any reason. Quizzes will be graded as follows:
5-6 correct =3 points
3-4 correct =2 points
1-2 correct =1 point
2. Students who arrive after the quizzes have already been distributed (i.e., once the quiz has begun) may not
take the quiz on that day.
3. These quizzes are designed to test your comprehension of important ideas from the readings to be discussed
in class on that day. To receive full credit for this assignment, you need to arrive for class prepared and on
time 10 times, with no excuses.

Plagiarism Tutorial & Quiz


1. Use the website
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/start.html to complete your
plagiarism tutorial and quiz.
2. Review the tutorial and retake the quiz as many times as is necessary to earn a grade of 100% correct on the
quiz.
3. Print your quiz results and submit your print-out with your Research Paper. This assignment—along with
printing and attaching your originality report—is worth 5 points toward your final course grade. Retake the
quiz as many times as you wish.
4. You must complete the tutorial and quiz successfully in order to be allowed to submit your Research Paper.

Research Paper: Review of critical issues and relevant research


1. You will prepare a critical review of the research literature in an area of interest to you. I can help you find
topics corresponding to material discussed in class, and you may look through your textbook or in
professional publications for ideas. Additional details will be discussed in class. All topics must be approved
and confirmed by me. First, you will select the child population that interests you (e.g., children with vision
loss, children with emotional or behavioral disorders), then select a research issue relevant to consider for that
population.
2. The references page and citation format for this term paper will follow the format approved by the American
Psychological Association as described in the APA Publication Manual.
3. The quality of your writing DOES COUNT. Please use correct grammar and punctuation, and a clear,
coherent writing style. More details about grading criteria will be discussed in class.
4. In order to make sure you are getting all of the help that I can give you on your paper as early in the semester
as possible, you will need to get started and allow me to give you feedback very soon. To do this, you will
clarify your topic and start gathering resources right away. You will submit a Paper Proposal & References
page. Use this opportunity to let me know exactly what topic you have selected for your paper, and what you
would like to do with it. Use PsycInfo to prepare a proposed reference list. This will be discussed further in
class.
5. Prepare a 4- to 6-page paper (typewritten, double-spaced) with an attached reference list of 4-8 references (at
least 4 of these must be journal articles, no internet sources or textbooks; books are strongly
discouraged and must be pre-approved). This is a major class project; we will spend class time clarifying
specifications of the paper and preliminary assignments. ALWAYS KEEP A SAFE COPY OF ALL
ASSIGNMENTS TURNED IN FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION.

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NOTE: This is not an end-of-term paper, but rather a semester-long project. We will communicate about your
progress just about every week. You cannot hand in a paper unless you have previously handed in an
appropriate, approved proposal and references list.

How to complete the PAPER PROPOSAL/OUTLINE & REFERENCES LIST

The purpose of this assignment is to help you to get started on your term paper early in the semester and to help me
to guide you in writing it. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDING YOUR PAPER
PROPOSAL AND REFERENCES LIST, MUST BE TYPED.

To help me help you, your proposal should include these elements:

1. Title page with working title—give an overall preview of the topic you selected. The title should describe
your topic.
EXAMPLE:
Bad title: Inclusion
Good title: The impact of inclusion practices on friendship formation between typically
developing children and children with Down’s syndrome.

2. Objective and outline—explain very clearly and simply where you are heading and why you decided to go
in that direction. What is the purpose of your paper? What are the main ideas you want to argue by
presenting research evidence that supports them? For example, you might want to argue that cooperative
learning assignments encourage friendships between typically developing children and children with
Down’s syndrome. What research can you find that gives evidence that this is so? Your outline should be
in outline form, not paragraph form.

3. Preliminary List of References—using APA style, list every source you have found so far. You might not
use all of them, and you might find more, but let me know what you have to work with. I might be able to
suggest sources that will help your paper, or steer you away from inappropriate sources. NO electronic
sources/websites or books (except chapters in edited volumes) will be acceptable source material. When in
doubt, ask me in advance.

Sample references page:


References

Algozzine, B., & White, R. (2002). Preventing problem behaviors using schoolwide discipline.

In B. Algozzine, & P. Kay (Eds.), Preventing problem behaviors (pp. 85-103). Thousand

Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Kauffman, J. M., Bantz, J., & McCullough, J. (2002). Separate and better: A special public

school class for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Exceptionality, 10,

149-170.

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Lewis, T. J., Chard, D., & Scott, T. M. (1994). Full inclusion and the education of children and

youth with behavioral disorders. Behavioral Disorders, 19(4), 277-293.

Shapiro, E. S., Miller, D. N., Sawka, K., Gardill, M. C., & Handler, M. W. (1999). Facilitating

the inclusion of students with EBD into general education classrooms. Journal of

Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 7(2), 83-93, 127.

How to complete the RESEARCH PAPER

These reminders are intended to help you in the preparation and organization of your research paper. Again,
remember that I am trying to help you to get started on your term paper early in the semester and to help you help
me to guide you in writing it. PLEASE NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDING YOUR PAPER
PROPOSAL, MUST BE TYPED.

You should complete a typed, 4- to 6-page research paper. This will include a title, introduction, literature review,
application/discussion section (as appropriate), conclusions/recommendations, and a list of references (4-8, at least 4
of which will be journal articles). You should not need to use subheadings (e.g., “Introduction,” “Literature
Review,” “Summary”) in this paper.

BE SURE TO CITE YOUR SOURCES throughout your paper. Always paraphrase and never use quotations—be
sure to indicate where you are getting your information. Use APA style for your citations and for your references
page.

The title should describe the particular area covered by the paper. A good title will summarize the main idea of the
paper. It should be fully explanatory when standing alone. Your title page will include the title of your paper, your
name, course name, my name, semester and year.

The introduction should present the main topic of the paper, a clarification of the topic and why it is important.

The literature review should include a more detailed description of the topic area and an organized presentation of
the pertinent psychological issues. This section will describe what research has been done in this area (i.e., what do
we know about this issue?)

The application/discussion section allows you to evaluate and interpret the implications of the findings you
presented in the previous section. You may wish to qualify or criticize the results of the research studies and draw
inferences from their findings. This section could include a review of current treatments (if applicable) and a
discussion of how the information that you presented on the topic can benefit professionals in the appropriate field
(e.g., health care, education, psychology, human services, counseling, etc.).

The conclusion should clarify the major points covered in the paper, and conclusions based upon the research
presented. Depending on the way in which you organize your paper, you may wish to use this section to answer the
question of why this issue is important for professionals in your field. It often works well to put your conclusions
before your recommendations because you can present it as "this is what we know so far, so where should we go
from here?" (but don't use those exact words).

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Recommendations should be a thoughtful consideration of the future direction of research on the topic. Possible
recommendations should be listed with appropriate justifications for each. What don't we know about this area?
What has been neglected in previous research?

All references should be typed on a separate page at the end of the outline, according to the APA style format. You
must have a reference for every source you cite, and your reference list should include only those articles that you
cite. Be sure to use recent articles—those published since 1991. Use of any articles older than that should be done
for purposes of historical comparison only.

THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED AS A COMPLETE PACKET


What to turn in, stapled together in this order:
1. Title page—this should include the title of your paper, your name, course
name, my name, semester and year. Write your sorting number clearly (by
hand is best) in the top right corner of your title page.
2. Four- to six-page research review with one-inch margins, double-spaced, 12-pt
Times Roman font.
3. References page (number all of your pages including your references page in
the top right corner).
4. Originality report from www.turnitin.com (this is NOT the digital receipt!)
5. Plagiarism quiz results (CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION) from
http://www.umuc.edu/prog/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/start.html

Please notice in particular that the quality of your writing DOES COUNT. Please use correct grammar and
punctuation, and a clear, coherent writing style. More details about grading criteria will be discussed in class. The
following rubric serves as a useful guideline:

Thesis Handling the Evidence Meaning & Errors of fact or


question analysis grammar
Grade Clear and Nuanced and Fulsome and Insightful and Free of errors;
A concise, well complete relevant at all creative gracefully
developed points written
Grade Clear and Understands the Clearly Good logical No major errors
B complete terms and organized; fully flow, of fact; clearly
significance of the supported thesis persuasive written
question
Grade Comprehensible Superficial Weak evidence Weak logical No major
C understanding of for a part of thesis flow or blunders,
the question interpretation comprehensible
Grade Non-existent or Lacks basic Lacks evidence Shallow or Blunders or
D or F incomprehensible understanding of for major parts of illogical incoherence
the question the thesis

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 10


PSY 3342.0U1 Š EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Š SUMMER 2008

The Graduate TA for this class will administer and score all exams, including makeup exams. If you, tragically, will
need to take a makeup exam, you will first get approval from me and then contact the graduate TA to arrange a
makeup exam at her convenience. Exams must be made up within one week, so be sure to make these arrangements
right away.

Grad TA: ____________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________

Office phone: ________________________________________________


I will give you the contact information for the TA in class—please write it down and keep it safe!

It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades, so that you know where you stand at all times. Feel free to
verify your grades with me, at my office, any time.

You can record your grades here:


Exam 1 _____/50
Exam 2 _____/50
Exam 3 _____/50
Exam 4 _____/50
Daily Quizzes (10-15 @ 3pts each) _____/30
APA style References list _____/10
Paper Proposal & Outline _____/10
Research Paper _____/50
Plagiarism Tutorial Quiz
& Originality Report _____/5
TOTAL _____/305

Quiz grades:
1: Ch. 1 ____ 9: Ch. 9 ____
2: Ch. 2 ____ 10: Ch. 12____
3: Ch. 3 ____ 11: Ch. 15____
4: Ch. 4 ____
12: Ch. 10____
5: Ch. 5 ____ 13: Ch. 11____
6: Ch. 6 ____ 14: Ch. 13____
7: Ch. 7 ____ 15: Ch. 14____
8: Ch. 8 ____

PSY 3342 Syllabus Page 11

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