Psychology 41

Psychology 41 INSTRUCTOR: Donette Steele, M.A.

Los Angeles Harbor College email: donette.steele@verizon.net

Fall 2012 (562) 856-8122

REQUIRED TEXT: Vander Zanden, J.W.; Crandell, T. L.; Crandell, C. H, Human Development: McGraw Hill.

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES:

Psychology 041 surveys the major areas of lifespan developmental psychology- the science of individual human development. The course emphasizes an understanding of the methods, concepts, theories and findings in the field of lifespan psychology.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate familiarity with the nature and origins of developmental psychology, theoretical perspectives, and historical trends.

Apply the scientific method to psychological constructs using basic research methods of design and critically evaluate research results (e.g., case studies, cross-sectional and longitudinal designs).

Demonstrate familiarity with major psychological concepts and empirical findings, including: biological bases for developmental changes.

Apply psychological principles to social and organizational developmental issues.

Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity as applied to developmental issues.

Develop insight into their own and others' behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies as they relate to age-related events and life events, both normative and non-normative (e.g., teratology, transitional events, dying and death).

Compare and contrast theoretical stages of human development (e.g., Piaget, Erikson, Freud, Kohlberg, etc.)

Characterize developmentally related mental illnesses and their treatments.

Chapter Topics Dates

Chapter 1 Studying Human Development Sept. 14 & 21

Chapter 2 Theories of Development Sept. 21

Chapter 3 Reprod., Heredity, & Prenatal Development Sept. 28

Chapter 4 Birth and Physical Development Sept. 28

Exam One Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4  Oct. 5

Chapter 5 Infancy: Cog. & Language Dev. Oct . 5  

Chapter 6 Infancy: The Dev. Emotional & Social Bonds Oct. 12

Chapter 7 Early Childhood: Physical & Cognitive Dev. Oct. 12

Chapter 8 Early Childhood: Emotional & Social Dev. Oct. 19

Exam Two Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 Oct. 26

Chapter 9 Middle Childhood: Physical & Cog. Dev. Oct. 26

Chapter 10 Mid. Childhood: Emotional & Social Dev. Nov. 2

Chapter 11 Adolescence: Physical & Cog. Dev. Nov. 2

Chapter 12 Adolescence: Emotional & Social Dev. Nov. 9

Exam Three Chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12 Nov. 16

Chapter 13 Early Adulthood: Phy. & Cog. Dev. Nov. 16

Chapter 14 Early Adulthood: Emotion.& Soc. Dev. Nov. 16

Chapter 15 Middle Adulthood: Phy. & Cognitive Dev. Nov. 30

Chapter 16 Middle Adulthood: Emotional & Soc. Dev. Nov. 30

Exam Four Chapters 13, 14, 15 & 16 Dec. 7

Chapter 17 Late Adulthood:Phy.& Cog. Development Dec. 7

Chapter 18 Late Adulthood: Emotional & Soc.Dev. Dec. 7 & 14

FINAL EXAM Chapter 17 & 18 See Final Schedule

OFFICE HOURS: I am available after each class and by appointment. I can also be reached at (562) 8568122. Leave a return number and the best times to reach you. I will not return calls if you have any type of call blocking on your line as I will not release my home number. My email address is donette.steele@verizon.net I will return email promptly.

EMAIL: Email will not be opened by the Instructor unless the subject line includes your name, name of the college and course name. Email me at donette.steele@verizon.net. Do not email at the Harbor.edu email address as I do not frequently check this. Do not call the college with messages for the instructor as the Department does not accept messages. Do not call me with a message that you will not be in class, this is your responsibility and not mine. Again, do not the email address at the college. My email address is donette.steele@verizon.net 

ASSIGNMENTS: Do not call me and ask what the assignments are OR what chapter we are on OR when the exam is - pair up with another student and work with them. Attend class so you have this information. Do not ask me, if you miss class, if you missed anything important as it is all IMPORTANT.

EXCHANGE PHONE NUMBERS/EMAIL ADDRESSES: You are required to write two other students phone numbers and email addresses on the back of your first Exam Scantron. If you do not have this information on the back of the Scantron, If you do not include this information I will deduct 50% from your first exam score. Use these contacts if you miss a class or wish to discuss information from the lecture or text book. If the students you exchange phone numbers and email addresses with withdraws from the course, you will need to get new phone numbers and email addresses from other students.

EXAMS: You will be taking four multiple choice exams; each will cover the material from the assigned chapters of the text, readings, films and lectures. You are responsible for all of the material in the assigned chapters, readings, films and lectures. Your grade will be based on your three highest exam scores. Each counted Exam is worth 30% towards your semester grade. An additional 10% is Participation. Bring an 882 Scantron and a pencil. You may not leave the classroom once you began the exam, unless you request to do so and are given permission to do so by the Instructor. All materials, if permission is given, must be left with the Instructor.

During an exam, the Exam must cover your Scantron. Any Scantron not covered (except for the question you are working on) will be picked up by the Instructor and a grade of (0) F will be given to the student for the exam.

Participation Exercises will be conducted in class. You must be present to receive credit. Some materials for the exercises will be posted online. You will be directed to print from course website and bring to class as necessary. Participation is important in the class and makes up a substantial portion of your Semester Grade.

FIRST EXAM: On the back of your Scantron for the first exam you must list two other students, their phone number, and their email addresses. Failure to do this will lower your first exam score by 50%.

MISSED EXAMS: There are NO makeup exams for the course for any reason. You are allowed to drop your lowest exam score, so if you miss an exam that will constitute your lowest exam score and will be dropped. Do not ask as the answer is no. You may drop your lowest exam score. Missing any other exams will result in a 0% averaged into your semester grade for each counted exam.

EXTRA CREDIT: There will be assigned extra credit writing assignments. These are due the day of the corresponding Exam and late submissions will be given zero credit. No emailing of extra credit to the instructor. Bring it to class. Only typed submissions will be accepted for all classwork. Do not hand write anything for submission to the Instructor unless it is specifically approved by the Instructor in advance. All handwritten extra credit will not be accepted and not credit given. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: There will be a minimum of four writing assignments involving extra credit. These are to help you grasp the concepts you will be tested on. Each writing assignment must be a minimum of one page, two paragraphs minimum, each paragraph needs to consist of a minimum of six sentences, single spaced. Topic will be announced and writing assignments will be due the day of the corresponding exam. These assignments may vary and the Instructor will announce topic during class meetings.

ADDITIONAL EXTRA CREDIT: There will be no additional Extra Credit other than what is announced for the entire class. Do not ask me at the end of the semester if there is any extra credit that may help you pass the course - The answer is No. If you are absent the day in-class extra credit is given you will not be able to make it up and you will receive zero credit. If you cannot pass the exams, you do not have the basic knowledge of the subject in order to pass the course.

GRADING: The scale for assigned letter grades is as follows: 90%+ = A, 80%+ = B, 70%+ = C, 60% + = D, below 60% = F.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory according to academic policy. The policy states: Attendance is the student's responsibility. In the event of excessive absences (20% or more of course meetings), the instructor may drop a student from the course or lower the student's grade.

LATENESS TO CLASS: If you are late to class, enter through the back door. Do not walk in front of the Instructor during lecture. Keep disruption to a minimum. If role has been taken and you are not present you must (hand write) the Instructor, your name, class and the reason for being late and how you will avoid being late in the future or you will be counted as absent. The Instructor monitors absences and late students and this may lower your semester grade. The Instructor may take role at the beginning of the class or at the end or both. Not being present will count as an absence and participation credit cannot be earned if you are not in class to participate.

WITHDRAWING FROM COURSE: It is your responsibility to withdraw from the course should you decide to do so. It is your responsibility to complete and submit the paperwork to withdraw from the course. Failure to do the required paperwork by the required date will result in a Semester Grade being assigned by me. Usually not officially dropping a course due to poor grades will lead to the assignment of a failing grade in the course

CLASS DECORUM: I enjoy and encourage participation during the class. No question or comment is irrelevant and no question is stupid. If you choose to speak, please speak to the whole class. Aside conversations are not permitted. If you choose to speak and not address the entire class, or engage in private conversations, you will be asked to leave. If a student is directed to leave the class more than once, the student may not be allowed back into the class and a grade of F may be recorded for their semester grade. If you talk and distract me during lecture I know you are distracting to students who may wish to get an education. Respect their right to do so and do not behave in a disruptive or distractive manner during class. I take this seriously and, if you do disrupt or distract, you and I will be having a private chat regarding your behavior and its consequences. Do not sit with your conversation buddies if you cannot control your behavior or their behavior.

Cell Phones/ Pagers/Texting: Cell phones and Pagers are to be turned off during class. No texting is allowed during class. The devices may also be set to Silent Mode. If it is an emergency and you must return a call, leave the classroom to do so. If you must leave class due to an emergency do so with the least amount of disruption possible. Do not interrupt a lecture to explain the situation to me, do this at the next class during break or at the end of class. Do not use your cell phone in the classroom during class or break - go outside of the classroom to do so. Cell phones are a great way to communicate with others but not during class. Again, do not text during class and turn your phone ringer off during class.

GROUP/INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY IN CLASS: Read your assigned chapter before you get to class. We will be working in groups to demonstrate many of the concepts in the text. There will also be individual classroom projects designed to aid you in understanding the text and concepts. It will benefit you to participate in all activities. Class participation will play a substantial factor in determining your semester grade. It can decrease (if you do not participate) or increase (if you participate) your semester grade.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Cheating on an exam will result in a grade of F on an Exam may lead to expulsion from my class. Cheating may also lead to further disciplinary action by the college and you may be barred from attending any California supported institution.

HANDOUT MATERIALS: Extra Credit Materials are available on the course website. Study guides are also available on the course website. If you are missing any supplemental materials, such as study guides etc. because of loss or not downloading them, it is you responsibility to obtain them from another class member or from the course website.