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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT PSYC/CLDV 09
FALL 2008 ONLINE COURSE
Faculty Information
Office: IAC 214
Office Phone: 384 - 6070
Email: clifford.j@mccd.edu
Course Information
Course title: Human Development
Textbook: Human Development: A Life-span View, Kail & Cavanaugh, 4th Edition
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the scientific study of human development from conception through death. It examines the interplay of biological, psychological, social, and cultural forces on the developing human being.
Expected Student Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be
able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
A. Distinguish the major psychological theories of human development.
B. Explain and assess the methods of research used to study human development.
C. Relate developmental research and theory to real-life situations.
D. Examine the characteristics of cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development in humans at each stage of the life span.
E. Evaluate the influence of biological, environmental, and sociocultural changes on psychological development.
F. Compare and contrast the characteristics of each stage in the life span with those in preceding and subsequent stages.
Course Format
This course is designed as a weekly course. Lectures, assignments, and discussion questions will be posted each week. You can work at your own pace during the week, but you are required to complete the assignments by the end of each week so that we are all on the same topic. The week will end at 11:00 pm each Sunday night. Please refer to the course calendar as well as your syllabus each week for assigned readings, lectures, and any additional assignments or activities. It is important to keep up with the readings and assignments each week. You will quickly fall behind if you do not. Each week, you are required to respond to the discussion questions. On some weeks, you will be required to complete an assignment such as a survey. E-mail me with any questions you have, I will do my best to get back to you within 48 hours. Writing assignments must be emailed to me (please use my class email, not my campus email to send your assignments). You will need to copy or paste your assignment into the text box. Do not send assignments as an attachment. I hope that you will enjoy this course as much as I do! I can't wait to get to know you all through email and discussion postings.
Course Participation
Each week, there will be activities and class discussions. You are required to participate to earn active learning/critical thinking points. You must respond at least once per week to each of the discussion questions. Responses will be due by the end of each week (Sundays at 11pm). Remember that communicating via the internet is different than communicating in person or over the phone. It is difficult to determine the tone of a message without being able to see facial expressions or hear tone of voice. Some have developed methods for expressing tone. For example, “TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK” will be read as an exclamatory statement. Typing in capital letters indicates yelling. If you mean to yell, feel free to type in capitals, otherwise, you might want to type your responses as you would in a letter. Because internet etiquette “netiquette” is in its infancy, please feel free to let us know other techniques used for expressing tone.
Academic Honesty, Plagiarism and Cheating
Academic dishonesty is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and is handled by the Vice-President of Student Personnel. Merced College has the responsibility to ensure that grades assigned are indicative of the knowledge and skill level of each student. Acts of academic dishonesty make it impossible le to fulfill this responsibility, and they weaken our society. Faculty, students, administrators, and classified staff share this responsibility.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, collusion, misuse of college computers and software, and other dishonest conduct. Students in violation of the Merced College Academic Honesty Student Code of Conduct are subject to dismissal from this course.
Plagiarism involves directly quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing the work of others without specific indication of sources, or handing in work that is not the student's own. Cheating is the unauthorized giving or receiving of information in examinations or other exercises. Instructors have the responsibility to report such incidents and serious penalties may be imposed, depending on the nature of the incident.
Withdrawal from course
Merced College does NOT assign an automatic "W" or "Withdrawal" grade if you stop attending class or turning in assignments. You will receive an "F" to connote you failed the course. It is your responsibility to officially drop the course by the drop date.
GRADE CONTRACT
Your course grade will be based on the following:
Exams: There will be 5 exams consisting of 40 questions. Each exam is worth 80 points. The questions will be taken from the text, lectures, class activities, and videos. You are NOT allowed to use your book or notes while taking the exams. Exams must be completed by the date listed on the syllabus.
(Total Possible Points: 5 X 80 = 400)
Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive and will consist of 80 questions, each worth 1 point. The final exam is optional and will replace your lowest score or missed exam.
(Total Possible Points: 80)
Active Learning/Critical Thinking: Each week throughout the course, you will have opportunities to participate in discussions and critical thinking activities. You must participate to earn these points. You must complete these assignments weekly. There will not be an opportunity to make up these points.
(Total Possible Points: 75)
Writing Assignment: This assignment is worth 25 points and is due by 11pm on 11/23/08.
(Total Possible Points: 25)
Extra Credit Opportunity: You may submit a 2 page summary of a newspaper or research article that you obtain from the internet relevant to the study of human development in order to earn up to 5 points of extra credit. You must include the link to the article with your paper. The last day to turn in a summary is 12/7/08 (by 11pm).
Make-ups and late assignments: There will be no make-up exams--NO EXCEPTIONS. However, your lowest scoring exam or final will be dropped. If you miss an exam for ANY reason, that will be the exam that is dropped.
Point Record: The record below is provided to assist you in keeping track of your points. All scores are recorded in my grade book and those are the official scores.
Exam 1: /80
Exam 2: /80
Exam 3: /80
Exam 4: /80
Exam 5: /80
Final Exam: /80
Paper : /25
Active Learning: /75
Extra Credit: /5
So, there are a total of 500 points available, and your course grade will be assigned according to the following criteria:
90% = 450-500 = A
80% = 400-449 = B
70% = 350-399 = C
60% = 300-349 = D
Below 300 = F
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Writing Assignment
The paper will be three to four double-spaced typewritten pages in length and the topic should be listed at the top of the first page. You MUST send all entries in a single email with the word “Paper” in the subject line. You will need to paste the paper directly into the email text and NOT send it as an attachment. For this assignment, you will write a paper in which you will apply psychological concepts to your personal experiences. You will write about material relevant to human development. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with an opportunity to practice writing, to apply what you learn, and to help develop critical thinking skills. Grades will be based on relevance to course, application of course material, thoughtfulness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling, etc. Be sure to relate the assignment to the course material and describe key concepts. This assignment is due by 11pm on 11/23/08. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Be sure to reference any source used for your paper.
Example Paper Topics
Please see the online handout for a detailed description of the journal assignment
1. Conduct an interview with 2 individuals in different stages of development about a topic relevant to the course material.
2. Critically evaluate something you learned about in lecture and/or the textbook.
3. Evaluate a journal article you read outside of class concerning a topic relevant to the study of human development.
5. Conduct Piaget’s conservation tasks on 3 individuals in different stages of cognitive development.
6. Write a letter to a public official/agency arguing for policy change.
7. Write a critique of a film relevant to the course material.
Course Schedule
The following is a tentative schedule and grade contract. The topics, assignments, and point structure are all subject to change. Check the course calendar each week for a list of assignments.
DATE TOPIC PREPARATION
Week 1
Aug. 18 Introduction Lecture Slides: Introduction
Week 2
Aug. 25 The Study of Human Development Chapter 1 & Lecture Slides
Week 3
Sep. 1 Labor Day Holiday
Sep. 2 Biological Foundations Chapter 2 & Lecture Slides
Week 4
Sep. 8 EXAM 1 (Chapters 1 & 2) DUE BY 11PM, SUNDAY, 9/14/08
Physical Development: Chapter 3 & Lecture Slides
Infancy & Early Childhood
Week 5
Sep. 15 Cognitive Development: Chapter 4 & Lecture Slides
Infancy & Early Childhood
Week 6
Sep. 22 Socioemotional Development: Chapter 5 & Lecture Slides
Infancy & Early Childhood
Week 7
Sep. 29 EXAM 2 (CH. 3, 4, & 5) DUE BY 11PM 10/5/08
Cognitive Development: Chapter 6 & Lecture Slides
Middle Childhood
Week 8
Oct. 6 Socioemotional Development: Chapter 7 & Lecture Slides
Middle Childhood
Week 9
Oct. 13 Cognitive Development: Chapter 8 & Lecture Slides
Adolescence
Week 10
Oct. 20 EXAM 3 (CH. 6, 7, & 8) DUE BY 11PM 10/26/08
Socioemotional Development: Chapter 9 & Lecture Slides
Adolescence
Week 11
Oct. 27 Cognitive & Physical Development: Chapter 10 & Lecture Slides
Early Adulthood
Week 12
Nov. 3 Socioemotional Development: Chapter 11 & Lecture Slides
Early & Middle Adulthood
Work & Leisure : Chapter 12 & Lecture Slides
Early & Middle Adulthood
Week 13
Nov. 10 EXAM 4 (CH. 9, 10, 11, & 12) DUE BY 11PM 11/16/08
Unique Challenges in Middle Adulthood Chapter 13 & Lecture Slides
Week 14
Nov. 17 Cognitive & Physical Development: Chapter 14 & Lecture Slides
Late Adulthood
WRITING ASSIGNMENT Due on 11/23/08 by 11pm
Week 15
Nov. 24 Socioemotional Development: Chapter 15 & Lecture Slides
Late Adulthood
Week 16
Dec. 1 Death & Dying Chapter 16 & Lecture Slides Extra Credit Papers Due by 11pm on 12/7/08
Week 17
Dec. 8 EXAM 5 (CH. 13, 14, 15, & 16) DUE BY 11PM 12/14/08
Week 18 FINAL EXAM DUE BY 11PM ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19TH