Course Syllabus
Athabasca University
Psychology (PSYC) 389
Introduction to Learning Disabilities (Revision 5)
Revision 5 closed May 2006, replaced by current version.
View previous syllabus
Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study. Online-enhanced. Video component*.
*Overseas students, please contact the University Library before registering in a course that has an audio/visual component.
Credits: 3 - Social Science
Prerequisite: An introductory 200-level psychology or a junior social science course is recommended but not required.
Precluded course: PSYC 389 can be taken for graduate level credit as PSYC 589 in the MAIS program. Credit cannot be received for both PSYC 389 and PSYC 589.
Centre: Centre for Psychology
PSYC 389 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Course Web site
Overview
This course is designed to increase students awareness of learning disabilities from a number of viewpoints and theoretical perspectives.
The main emphasis of PSYC 389 is on understanding the basic issues surrounding the field of learning disabilities, although it does touch on the assessment and remediation of these disabilities. The course is not intended to establish competency in applying this information.
Outline
Section 1: The Field of Learning Disabilities
Unit 1: Ongoing Issues and Themes
Unit 2: Causes
Section 2: Educational Planning for Students with Learning Disabilities
Unit 3: Educational Approaches
Unit 4: Assessment
Unit 5: Service Delivery Models
Section 3: Developmental Perspectives on Learning Disabilities
Unit 6: Parents and Families
Unit 7: Prevention and Intervention in Early Childhood
Unit 8: Transition Programming in Adolescence and Adulthood
Section 4: Strategies for Helping Students with Learning Disabilities Adjust and Adapt
Unit 9: Social, Emotional, and Behaviour Problems
Unit 10: Cognitive, Metacognitive, Motivational and Attention Problems
Section 5: Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities in Key Content Areas
Unit 11: Teaching Students with Oral Language Problems
Unit 12: Teaching Students with Reading Problems
Unit 13: Teaching Students with Writing Problems
Unit 14: Teaching Students with Mathematics Problems
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 389, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the course project, 50 percent on the final examination, and a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent). The weighting of assignments is as follows:
| Five Quizzes (5x20=100 points) | Course Project | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | 30% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Hallahan, C. P., J. M. Kauffman. and J. W. Lloyd. 1999. Introduction to Learning Disabilities. 2d. ed. Toronto: Allyn and Bacon.
Other materials
The course materials include a study guide, a student manual, an assignment manual, a reading file, and a workbook.