PIERCE COLLEGE
PSYCHOLOGY 41: Life-Span Psychology (UC : CSU transferable - 3 Units) | Fall, 2017
Professor: Chadwick J. Snow, Ph.D.
Office: BEH 1306B
E-mail:
Phone: 818-710-4315
Class: Section 24787, M / W: 12:45pm – 2:10pm, BEH 1310
Office Hours: M / W: 7:20am – 9:20am | T / Th: 7:20am – 7:50am | T: 12:40pm – 1:40pm
TEXTBOOK: Feldman, R.S. (2017). Development Across the Life Span, 8th Edition
The following information is provided to you as an aid in completing this course. Its specific purpose is to acquaint you with the policies by which this class will be conducted, what you can expect of it, and, in turn, what is expected of you. You are held responsible for understanding these procedures and requirements and for abiding by them throughout the course. KEEP THIS SYLLABUS IN A PERMANENT AND CONVENIENT PLACE SO THAT YOU MAY REFER TO IT WHENEVER THE OCCASION REQUIRES.
COURSE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the psychological changes that occur throughout human development; from conception and infancy to old age and death.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING (1000 points possible):
Exams...
There are 3 regular exams and a final exam. To complete all 4 exams, it will be necessary for you to bring a Scantron 882-E Answer Sheet to each exam along with a #2 pencil and eraser.
The 3 regular exams will each consist of 50 multiple choice questions (worth 100% of each exam). Each regular exam counts for 20% of your grade; thus your 3 regular exams count for 60% of your grade in the class. Unless otherwise stated, the content of each regular exam will be derived from the pages you have been assigned to read from the chapters in your textbook listed next to the exam number in the “course schedule” and the lectures associated with those readings.
The final exam is cumulative. This exam will consist of 100 multiple choice questions (worth 100% of the exam). The final exam will consist of a mix of questions addressing facts and concepts present on the three regular exams (50% of the final exam) and many new questions addressing facts and concepts from material discussed during the last several weeks of class that was not present on the three regular exams (50% of the final exam). The final exam is worth 20% of your final grade. However, your score on the final exam will also replace your lowest regular exam score if you have a regular exam score that’s lower than your final exam score; in this case, your final exam would count for 40% of your final grade.
There will be NO make-up exams. If you miss a regular exam, then that will be the exam score replaced with your score on the final exam. All students must take the final exam.
SPECIAL NOTE: Taking good notes is vital to doing well on the quizzes / exams, which in turn makes your attendance vital. Therefore, if you miss a class, make absolutely sure that you get the notes from someone in class. It is not possible to do well in this class without taking good notes.
Paper Assignments...
There are 2 paper assignments in this class. Each paper is designed to uniquely address different critical thinking skills and writing skills. Paper 1 is worth 10% of your total grade and will require you to write about 4 pages detailing the influence that someone older than you has had on your development. Paper 2 is worth 10% of your total grade and will require you to write about 5 pages applying your knowledge of Piaget’s 4 stages of cognitive development to assess the design appropriateness of various toys and to suggest some improvements based on this knowledge. Detailed instructions regarding each of these paper assignments will be provided to you during subsequent classes. They will also be accessible on the class website (discussed near the end of this syllabus).
All students MUST write Paper 1. However, if you are satisfied with the grade you receive on Paper 1, you do not need to write Paper 2. Instead, your grade on Paper 1 will count twice and replace your Paper 2 grade (20% instead of 10% of your total grade). Additionally, if you choose to write Paper 2 and your grade on Paper 1 is higher than your grade on Paper 2, then your Paper 1 grade will count twice and replace your Paper 2 grade. Understand that this only applies to Paper 1 (i.e. your Paper 2 grade cannot count twice and replace your Paper 1 grade).
YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOSE 20 OF THE POSSIBLE 100 POINTS THAT EACH PAPER IS WORTH IF IT IS TURNED IN ONE CLASS PERIOD LATE. NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEYOND ONE CLASS PERIOD LATE AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT. Papers must be turned in to me in person and in class. Paper submissions via email, campus mailbox, slipping under my office door, etc., will NOT be accepted (NO EXCEPTIONS).
Class Attendance...
Attendance will be recorded in this course. Any absence during the first 3 weeks of class (census) may result in an exclusion from the course unless I am notified via email within 24 hours of the absence. Through and beyond census, if a student has missed 4 consecutive class sessions and / or 6 total class sessions, I may exclude that student from the course. However, if you decide to withdraw from this class it is ultimately your responsibility to follow the appropriate procedures for withdrawal. DO NOT RELY ON ME TO WITHDRAW YOU FROM THIS CLASS BECAUSE YOU STOP ATTENDING.
If you observe any religious holidays that conflict with a test date or an assignment due date, you must inform me of this AT LEAST 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAY and I will make reasonable accommodations for you (i.e. alternate test/due dates). It is your responsibility to get any missed notes from a fellow classmate just as you would for an absence not due to a religious holiday conflict.
You MUST turn off your cell phones before class begins. This includes vibrate mode because that can be heard too. If you wish to use a laptop in class to take notes, you must sit at the back of the classroom so as to not disturb other students. If you have any concerns about these rules, please see me at the end of our first class. Whenever you wish to speak during class, raise your hand and I will call on you. Oral participation is STRONGLY encouraged, such as sharing a relevant experience with the class or asking me relevant questions. However, talking to fellow classmates in class is NOT PERMITTED. Any student who engages in disruptive behavior may receive a warning and then be excused from class.
Film Activity Participation...
In this course, we will watch one film. This is an important component of the course because it allows you to see how various concepts that we discuss apply to the “real” world (or depiction of reality). If you do not participate in this activity, you lose 5% of your course grade. If you are absent or late to class on the day of the film, you must rent the film, watch it, and write a 2 page analysis of the film based on instructions that I will provide to you (this applies even if you are present for the day of discussion). You must also write this paper if you were present for the film, but absent or late to class on the day of discussion. If you are personally opposed to watching this particular film (it may be rated “R”), you must watch another film of your choice and write a 2 page analysis of that film based on instructions that I will provide to you. If you choose to complete this alternative 2 page written analysis, it is due on the day of the final exam and will not be accepted after that.
Course Grade...
The 3 regular exams (200 points each) = 600 points (60%)
Final Exam = 200 points (20%)
Paper 1 = 100 points (10%)
Paper 2 = 100 points (10%)
Total = 1000 points (100%)
A = 895 – 1000 points (90%-100%)
B = 795 – 894 points (80%-89%)
C = 695 – 794 points (70%-79%)
D = 595 – 694 points (60%-69%)
F = Below 595 points (Below 60%)
Class Website...
Barring unforeseen circumstances, each lecture will be available to you on a website designed specifically for this class. You must have access to PowerPoint to view these lectures. It is strongly recommended that you print out each lecture and bring it to class on the day that I will be presenting that lecture. This will significantly reduce the amount of notes you need to take in class. However, these online lectures are not a substitute for taking good notes. They are only provided to you so that you can listen more effectively to what I’m discussing in class and take notes on information that is not provided in the online lectures. Illustrated instructions regarding this website are provided on the last page of this syllabus.
Student Learning Outcomes...
I. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical constructs among the 4 main areas of human development (Physical, Cognitive, Social, and Emotional) throughout the lifespan.
II. Students will be able to differentiate among classic developmental research designs.
Student Academic Integrity Policy Statement: The faculty and administration of Pierce College are committed to the belief that honesty and integrity are integral components of the academic process. The College expects students to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals. Students who violate the code of academic conduct by which the College maintains its academic integrity will be dealt with in a manner reflecting the seriousness of these violations.
I. Violations of academic honesty and integrity occur when a student participates in any act in which he/she uses deception or fraud while performing an academic activity. Violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Using study aids such as calculators, tape recorders or notes, when not authorized by the instructor.
2. Cheating on examinations, assignments or experiments (allowing another student to copy one's answers or copying the answers of other students; exchanging information by any means, including verbal exchanges, sign language, hand signals, secret codes, passed notes, creation of a distraction for the purpose of cheating; changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment or experiment; inventing information and/or data.) NOTE: Cheating on a quiz / exam results in an automatic zero for that quiz / exam without the ability to drop or replace that zero.
3. Allowing another student to assume one's identity in order to fulfill an assignment or take a test.
4. Submitting for a grade the words, ideas, and/or written work (including laboratory notes and drawings) of another person without giving due credit to that person. This includes purchased papers or papers written by other students.
5. Falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and/or grade rosters.
6. Conspiring with other students to commit any of the above behaviors.
II. Consequences for any offense against academic honesty and integrity:
1. Will include a ZERO “0” on the examination or assignment.
2. May include suspension from the class and other sanctions and/or penalties authorized by the Board of Trustees for violations of the District Code of Conduct.
3. May include a record of the student's violation placed in the student's disciplinary file.
Special Services...
It is Pierce College’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations to those students who have documented disabilities. Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning and/or psychological, who anticipate needing accommodations for this course are encouraged to communicate with me early in the semester. Additionally, it is your responsibility as a student to formally request services by contacting Special Services at 818-719-6430. Special Services is located in the new Student Services Building, south of the mall, in Room 48175.
COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE (ALL READINGS AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT
Aug. 28 Orientation
Aug. 30 Theory and Research Read Ch. 1 (pp. 2-41)
Sep. 4 LABOR DAY: NO CLASS
Sep. 6 Theory and Research
Sep. 11 Beginnings Read Ch. 5 (pp. 147-174)
Sep. 13 Beginnings Read Ch. 6 (pp. 177-203)
Sep. 18 Beginnings
Sep. 20 Early Childhood Read Ch. 7 (pp. 221-244)
Sep. 25 Exam #1 (Ch. 1, 5, 6)
Sep. 27 Early Childhood Read Ch. 8 (pp. 247-276)
Oct. 2 Early Childhood
Oct. 4 Middle Childhood Read Ch. 9 (pp. 294-319)
Oct. 9 Middle Childhood Read Ch. 10 (pp. 323-352)
Oct. 11 Middle Childhood
Oct. 16 Adolescence Read Ch. 11 & 12 (pp. 367-386; 389-418)
Oct. 18 Exam #2 (Ch. 7, 8, 9, 10)
Oct. 23 Adolescence
Oct. 25 Adolescence Paper #1 Due “Developmental Influence”
Oct. 30 Young Adulthood Read Ch. 13 & 14 (pp. 435-450; 453-479)
Nov. 1 Young Adulthood
Nov. 6 Young Adulthood
Nov. 8 Middle Adulthood Read Ch. 15 & 16 (pp. 504-510; 514-538)
Nov. 13 Exam #3 (Ch. 11, 12, 13, 14)
Nov. 15 Middle Adulthood
Nov. 20 Middle Adulthood
Nov. 22 Late Adulthood Read Ch. 17 & 18 (pp. 564-570; 573-598)
Nov. 27 FILM ACTIVITY: DAY 1 Paper #2 Due “Piaget and Toy Design”
Nov. 29 Late Adulthood; FILM ACTIVITY: DAY 2
Dec. 4 The End of Life Read Ch. 19 (pp. 603-622)
Dec. 6 Wrap Up
Dec. 13 Final Exam (12:30pm – 2:30pm) Optional Film Analysis Paper Due
Instructions for Accessing Class Lectures and Materials Online...
1. You need PowerPoint to access lectures. If you don’t have PowerPoint, you can download PowerPoint reader at http://microsoft.com/downloads