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Psychology 240 – Life-Span Developmental Psychology – Spring 2006
Instructor:Dr. T. Deka
Time / Place:10:00 – 10:50 MWF Murphy 224
Required Textbook:Berger, K.S. (2005). The developing person through the life span, 6th ed.
Reguired Notebook:Combs, T. (1997). Guide to life-span development for future nurses.
Office Hours:Mon, Wed: 8:30 – 10:00, Thurs. 9:30 – 11:30
Office Location:JGM 217Phone: 271-4445E-Mail:
Website:
Course Objectives: The cognitive, personality, emotional, social, and physical changes that occur from conception through old age. This course is intended primarily for majors in fields which require a developmental psychology overview of the life span. Credit for this course is not applicable toward a psychology major. Prerequisite is Psychology 101.
We will explore the life cycle of the individual, from conception to old age, while utilizing theoretical frameworks and perspectives of the developmental psychologist. The development of the individual’s physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities will be explored, as well as the acquisition of language, socialization, social roles, parenting, close relationships, personality, health and perception of death.
Attendance: Attendance is expected. If class conflicts or work-related conflicts prevent you from attending class regularly, please see me.
Office Hours: Office hours are open to any student who wishes to see me for consultation about class performance or help with course materials. Please feel free to stop by or call me during office hours. If you would like to see me but can’t attend office hours, see me after class to arrange for an appointment.
Service for Disabled Students: Students with known learning or other disabilities are encouraged to speak with me and/or Michael Ritter, Special Needs / Disability Services, Eder202B, to assist them in provision of services within the classroom.
Classroom Behavior: Students are expected to conform to the normal standards of academic behavior in all classes, which include avoiding private conversation, not toying with classroom equipment, and not engaging in activities that may disrupt others (see MWSU Student Handbook). Such behavior may result in dismissal from the classroom and other disciplinary procedures as outlined in the MWSU Student Handbook. Specifically for the Murphy Hall classrooms – You may not eat or drink (except water) in these classrooms.
Policy on Cheating: Students who are caught cheating, and/or knowingly furnishing false information may be reprimanded with failure of assignments, tests, the course, and the imposition of other disciplinary actions as specified in the MWSU Student Handbook.
Midterm Grade Reports: MWSU policy requires the reporting of midterm grades to students so that they may make informed withdrawal decisions. However, these midterm grades do not represent final grades since a substantial portion of points remain to be completed. If you receive a “D” or an “F” on your midterm report, you should see me.
Miscellaneous: If something is bothering you, it is most effective to mention it before the end of the semester so that I can do something about it. Professors can learn a lot from their students!
Points Available:Grade Distribution:
Exams (4 at 50 pts)…………………200A (90%) = 256-285
Quizzes (8 at 5 pts)………………. 40B (80%) = 228-255
GT Quiz (1 at 20 pts) ………………. 20.C (70%) = 199-228
Packets (4 @ 5 pts)……………..…….20D (60%) = 171-198
Sharing Day (1 @ 5 pts)……………….5D (60%) = 165-191
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Total285
Exams: Each exam is worth 50 points and is in multiple-choice format. None of the exams are comprehensive including the final, which is counted as one of these four exams. Essentially, then, the semester is divided into four parts. Not all material on the exams will be presented in class. You are responsible for the material contained in the readings and study guides. Make-up exams will be at the instructor’s discretion and permission for a make-up exam must be requested before the exam takes place, and you must be able to substantiate your absence with evidence.
Quizzes: You will be required to complete eight quizzes at five points each and one quiz at 20 points by the completion due date presented in the Course Outline section of this syllabus. The 5-point quizzes are used to encourage reading of the textbook. You can use your book and notes to complete the quizzes, but you can only attempt each quiz once. The 20-point quiz is comprehensive and questions will be drawn from your GT book. All quizzes will be available on WebCT one week before each one’s due date up until the time of the class period. All of you have access to WebCT by logging on to goldlink and selecting WebCT. No makeups will be available for quizzes.
Sharing Assignments: We will be working on several assignments to encourage learning during class time. At each exam period, you will hand in a packet containing these assignments. Each packet is worth five points. Packets are available on the student O drive.
How to Access the O Drive:
You need an MWSU novell /e-mail name and password to access the O drive. All students are provided with this free of charge.
From Home: Go to Missouri Western’s home page ( Click on Current Students, then P Drive Access. Select “Drive O, Labs,” “Psychology,” “Psy240.”
From a school computer lab: Click on the My Computer icon, select “Drive O, Labs,” “Psychology,” “Psy240.”
Sharing Day: One day during the semester you will be asked to share the results of one of the assignments we are working on for learning purposes. You will receive your five points for your sharing day whether or not you were accurate. However, you do have to be in class. If you are not, you will lose your five points.
Course Outline
DateTopicReadings, Due
Week 1Introduction to Development1, GT (2-4)
Wed01/18Syllabus, Divisions of the Lifespan
Fri1/20Domains and Contexts of development
Week 2Introduction (Continued) and Genetics3, GT (4-5)
Mon01/23Controversies in Development Wild Children
Wed01/25Scientific Method, Developmental Methods
Fri01/27Genetics of DevelopmentCh. 1 Quiz Due
Week 3Prenatal Development, Early Physical Dev.4, 5(125-135), GT(5-13, 17-21)
Mon01-30Periods of Development in utero and Teratogens
Wed02-01Early Brain Development and Sensation
Fri02-03Motor skills, reflexes, assessment First StepsCh. 3 Quiz Due
Week 4First TwoYears Cognitive, Social 6(158-169) 7(180-188) GT(22-28)
Mon02-06Language Development
Wed02-08Attachment Theories/ Ainsworth and Freud
Fri02-10Exam OnePacket One
Week 5Play Years Physical, Cognitive 6(147-153), 8(209-216)
9(217-224),GT(22,28-29,33-35)
Mon02-13Child Maltreatment / Abuse
Wed02-15Piaget’s Cognitive Development
Fri02-17Sensorimotor, Preoperational DemosCh.6 Quiz Due
Week 6Play Years Social10, GT(36-41)
Mon02-20No Classes
Wed02-22Erikson’s Socialization Theory
Fri02-24Parenting Styles and Practices Supernanny
Week 7School Years Physical, Cognitive11(276-287), 12, GT(41-45)
Mon02-27Gender Awareness and Play
Wed03-01Reasoning and Memory Systems
Fri03-03Child Psychopathology AutismCh. 10 Quiz Due
Week 8School Years Cognitive, Social13, GT(45-48)
Mon03-06Moral Development
Wed03-08Exam TwoPacket Two
Fri03-10Peers, Bullies and Coping
SPRING BREAK!
Week 9Adolescence Physical, Cognitive14, 15, GT(48-49)
Mon03-20Hormones and Puberty
Wed03-22Body Image The Hunger Within
Fri03-24Reasoning and Decision-MakingCh. 14 Quiz Due
Week 10Adolescence Social 16, GT(49-53)
Mon03-27Identity Development
Wed03-29Parents, Peers and Dating
Fri03-31Adolescent Problem Behavior
Week 11Early Adulthood Physical, Cognitive17, 18(435-445), GT(57-58)
Mon04-03Reproduction
Wed04-05Postformal Thought
Fri04-07Cognitive DemandsCh. 16 Quiz Due
Week 12Early Adulthood: Social 19, GT(58-59)
Mon04-10Exam ThreePacket Three
Wed04-12Attraction and Intimacy
Fri04-14Generativity: Work, parenthood
Week 13Middle Adulthood Phys, Cog, Social20, 21, 22(549-563) GT(59-61)
Mon04-17Health changes
Wed04-19Intelligence
Fri04-21Changing FamiliesCh. 19 Quiz Due
Week 14Late Adulthood Physical, Cognitive23, 24, 25 GT(62-68)
Mon04-24Aging Theories
Wed04-26Mental Health and Illness
Fri04-28Quality of LifeCh. 20 Quiz Due
Week 15Late Adulthood Social
Mon05-01Exam FourGT Comprehensive Quiz Due
By Wednesday 05-03 (20 pts)
Due to my attendance at MARSEF, I have received permission to give your final exam (Exam 4) on the last day of class instead of the scheduled exam date. If this will cause a problem for you, let me know as soon as possible.