PSYCHOLOGY 10

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Spring 2008

 

 

 

Instructor:  Tina Trolier

Class Location, Day and Time:  Thursday:  6:00-9:05pm.  Sequoia 11

                                                     

                 

 

 

TEXTBOOKS:

 

Required:  Development Across the Lifespan;  Feldman;  Fourth Edition;  Prentice-Hall, 2006.

 

Recommended:  Study Guide for Development Across the Lifespan;  Feldman;  Fourth Edition;  Prentice-Hall, 2006.

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

 

Lifespan Development (sometimes called Developmental Psychology) is a field of study that examines how humans progress and grow throughout their lifetime.  More specifically, Psychology is interested in how and why humans "think, feel and act" as they do.  Development refers to our patterns of growth, change and stability across the lifetime.  In addition, we are interested in both universal patterns of development (how most humans progress in similar ways) and individual differences (how any particular individual's development may be altered in the lifespan). 

 

This course is designed to cover the entire lifespan;  from conception until death.  We will examine physical, cognitive, social and personality development across the lifespan. 

 

In addition to the content of the course, it is my hope to help each student develop their writing, reasoning and critical thinking skills.  As such, you will be asked to write, reason and think in an objective and scientific way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLASS FORMAT: 

 

Classroom activities will consist of lecture, films, demonstrations and group discussions.  You are required to participate in these activities.  In addition to classroom activities, you will be required to take 4 in-class tests and complete a writing assignment. The writing assignment can be completed by turning in 4 "reflective journal assignments", or by completing a book review.  Detail on the writing assignment is presented later in this course outline. 

 

Please be aware that we need to cover the entire lifespan in this class. Your textbook is approximately 690 pages.  This will necessitate that you read at least 50-60 pages of the textbook per week.  Also, I will typically lecture and discuss a few topics from each chapter of the textbook.  You will be responsible to read and digest all other sections of your textbook.  Of course, ample class time will be provided for students to bring up topics not covered in class and to ask questions on material in the book that was not covered in the classroom during lecture. 

 

 

TESTS:

 

Your textbook has 19 chapters. We will attempt to cover 14 of these chapters, leaving the final chapters as an extra credit option on the final test.  I do reserve the right to revise the course outline at a later date.  There will be a test after every 3 or 4 chapters. Tests will consist of 25 multiple choice questions (one point each) and 2 essay questions (5 points each).  There will be a total of 4 tests for the semester.  I will throw out your lowest test score before determining final grades.  Therefore, your final grade will be based on your best 4 tests, along with the writing assignment and class attendance and participation. 

 

THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.  If you must miss an exam, please consider this your "thrown-out" test.  I will consider student's requests to take an exam early.  Please see me if you know that your schedule will not allow you to take a test, and we will discuss an "early make-up". 

 

There will NOT be a comprehensive final.  Your final test will be a regular test of 3 or 4 chapters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WRITING ASSIGNMENT:

 

 

Journals: 

The purpose of keeping a reflective journal is to allow you to contemplate many of the issues discussed in this course.  It is a forum for you to "think out-loud" about your own and other's development.  All journal assignments will be kept confidential.

 

I will give you an assigned journal topic four times during the semester.  Sometimes these will be structured assignments.  Other times you will be given an additional article to read and respond to.  Occasionally, you will be given the assignment of just responding to a topic of your own choosing from the material covered. 

 

Journal assignments will be given in class one to two weeks prior to their due date.  It is your responsibility to acquire these assignments and to complete them by their due date.  If you are not in class, you must get the assignments from a fellow student or email me to make other arrangements.  Not being in class is not an excuse for a late journal. 

 

Each journal assignment will be worth 15 points.  Journals will be graded on your thoughtfulness, your completion of required questions/topics, and you ability to critically analyze the issues at hand.  You will not be graded on your opinions, beliefs, point of view, etc. 

 

 

Book Review:

 

If you choose to do the book review for your writing assignment, you will be asked to complete a 10 point homework assignment early in the semester.  This assignment will involve examining several books you might like to review and making some preliminary plans and an outline for your project.  Later in the semester, the book review will be due (see course outline).  You must also submit the book to me, along with the book review. 

 

Your book review  (50 points) should include the following: 

A summary of the book (very important), a comparison of the book to appropriate sections of your textbook,  and an analysis of the book's content in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, AND its significance and value.  Other analysis of the book should include:  if the author is qualified to write the book, do the ideas presented fit with your personal experience, is the book well researched with scientific data and findings, does the author provide practical suggestions, and is the book written in a clear and interesting way.

 

 

 

 

 

Other information for the Writing Assignment:

Either writing assignment focuses on your ability to analyze information and think critically about the issues involved.  As such, these parts of the assignment are the most important. When we analyze ideas we take them apart and look at them in an objective way.  We evaluate the origins of the ideas, and compare them to current knowledge, opinions, facts and attitudes. 

 

Either type of assignment needs to be typed and double spaced and utilize your best writing skills.

 

Those of you doing book reviews are welcome to turn in "drafts" of  your review throughout the semester for comments and feedback. 

 

 

GRADING:

 

Your grade will be determined by the percentage of points that your earn for the class, compared to the total possible points.

 

·         In-class tests: 

            highest of 3 of 4 tests                         105 points

 

·         Journal or Book Review:                           60 points

 

            Journal = 15 points x 4

 

            Book Review:  10 points for homework

                                    50 points for review

 

·         TOTAL POINTS:                                     165 points

 

 

Final grades will be determined by percentage points:

 

A's:      90% or higher              148.5 or more points

B's:      80-89%                        132 - 148  points

C's:      70-79%                        115.5 - 131.5 points

D's:      60-69%                        99 - 115 points

F's:       below 59%                  98.5 points of less      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS CONDUCT:

 

You are expected to be in-class and on time.  Attendance will be taken into consideration when determining final grades.  Please do not make your attendance an issue for yourself or for me.  Additionally, please to not make promptness an issue. If you are not in class when roll is taken, you will be marked absent. 

 

If you are absent more than three times for the semester, you will begin to lose three points per absence. 

 

If you would like to withdraw from this class, please follow Columbia College's procedures for withdraw.  Do not assume that I will drop you for non-attendance, or any other circumstance.  Failure to drop the class may result in a grade of  "F". 

 

I encourage open discussion in this class.  I also encourage "fun".  Please share your comments if you feel comfortable with the situation.  Do not engage in private chats with those around you.  Please do not disrupt classroom activities in anyway.  Please share humorous stories and comments that are in good taste. 

 

OFFICE HOURS AND COMMUNICATION:

 

My office hours are Tues and Thurs. at 11:10 to 12:10, and  Mon. and Wed. at 4:10 to 5:40.  I can also meet with students by appointment.  I will always do my best to accommodate your schedule, should we need to meet outside of class.  If we need to speak outside of class times, the best way to reach me is via email:  ttrolier@mlode.com., or through the college email system.   Additionally, you may leave me a voice mail through the college:  588-5100, ext 8434.  My cell phone number is:  768-5976.  It is not necessary to inform me if you will be absent (unless it is a test day). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE

Subject to Revision

 

 

CLASS DATE                      MATERIAL COVERED                ASSIGNMENTS

                                                      IN  CLASS                                            (READING SHOULD BE DONE PRIOR TO CLASS)

 

 

Jan. 10                                     Class Introduction                              Read Chap. 1

                                                Chap. 1                                               

                                                (Intro to Lifespan)

 

Jan. 17                                     Chap. 2                                                Read Chap. 2

                                                (Prenatal Development)

 

Jan. 24                                     Chap. 3                                                Read Chap. 3

                                                (Birth and the Newborn)                    Journal #1 given

 

Jan. 31                                     TEST #1                                             Read Chap. 4

                                                (Chap's 1-3)

                                                Chap. 4           

                                                (Physical Devo in Infancy)

 

Feb. 7                                      Chap. 5                                                Read Chap. 5

                                                (Cognitive Devo in Infancy)               Journal #1 due

                                                                                                Book Review Hmwk due

 

Feb. 14                                                Chap. 6                                    Journal #2 given

                                    (Social and Personality Devo in Infancy)       Read Chap. 6

 

Feb. 21                                    TEST #2                                             Journal #2 due

                                                (Chap's 4-6)                                       Read Chap. 7             

                                                Chap. 7

                                    (Physical and Cognitive Devo:  Preschool)

 

Feb. 28                                    Chap.  7 & 8                                        Read Chap. 8

                                    (Social and Personality Devo:  Preschool)      Journal #3 given

 

Mar 6                                       Chap. 9                                                Read Chap. 9

                                    (Physical and Cognitive Devo:  Middle Child)         

 

Mar. 13                                    Chap. 10                                              Read Chap. 10

                                    (Social and Personality Devo:  Middle Child)

 

 

 

CLASS DATE                      MATERIAL COVERED                ASSIGNMENTS

                                                      IN  CLASS                                            (READING SHOULD BE DONE PRIOR TO CLASS)

 

Mar. 20                                    TEST #3                                             Journal #3 due

                                                (Chap's 7-10)                                     Read Chap. 11

                                                Chap. 11

                                    (Physical and Cognitive Devo:  Adolescence)

 

Mar. 27                                    Chap. 11 and 12                                  Read Chap. 12

                                    (Social and Personality Devo: Adolscence     Journal #4 given

 

April 3                                     Chap. 13                                              Read Chap. 13

                                    (Physical and Cognitive Devo: Early Adult)  Book Reviews Due

 

April 10                                   Chap. 14                                              Read Chap. 14

                                    (Social and Personality Devo:  Early Adult    Journal #4 due          

                                                                                               

 

April 17                                   Catch up and Review Day

 

April 24                                   TEST #4                                                                                                                     (Chap's 11-14)

                                    Extra Credit on Chap's 15-18