Lifespan Growth & Development Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PSYC-2314-004 Lifespan Growth & Development

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

Life-Span Growth and Development is a study of social, emotional, cognitive and physical factors and influences of a developing human from conception to death.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Human Development 10^th Edition Crandell, Crandell and Zanden

Supplies

pencil, pens, spiral notebook, and access to a computer. If you do not have your own computer, you will need to use AC computers located on the 4^th floor of the Library.

Student Performance

Student performance and learning outcomes for PSYC 2314:

1.    Learn and gain mastery over the basic facts and research findings, terminology, principles, and theories important in the various areas of lifespan developmental psychology.

2.    Develop understanding, skills, and techniques for analyzing human behavior using a scientific approach.

3.    Gain a basic understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental influences on human development.

4.    Gain a basic understanding of physical, cognitive, emotional and social development across the lifespan.

5.    Gain a basic understanding of family, school and work achievement, and death and dying as they apply to lifespan development.

6.    Analyze current issues and controversies in the field of developmental psychology.

7.    Practice and develop critical thinking skills, and written communications skills.

8.    Find ways to apply psychological findings to everyday life.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

I expect you all to attend class online, participate online and in discussions, be prepared for all assignments and due date for the class, and respect everyone else who is the class. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. You will be taking your exam and doing your assignments online. I expect that you will be using your book and notes on everything including exams, I just don’t expect you to use your classmates, friends or family members. It is called cheating if anyone besides you takes the exams or completes the assignments. You learn nothing and cheat yourself.  All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment!! I want this to be an environment everyone can learn and feels safe!!

Grading Criteria

There will be a total of 960 possible points for the semester. I do not plan on changing the amount of points possible, but please check your points often and check online often in case there is a change. If the amount of points possible changes the amount of points needed to earn a certain grade will also change. You will be able to check your grade on AC Online. To calculate your grade you will divide the number of points you have earned (usually the smaller number) by the number of possible points that you could have earned in the class (the larger number). Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

100-90% = 8864 points and above A

89-80% = 863-768points B

79-70% = 767-672 points C

69-50% = 671-480 points D

Below 50% = below 480 points F

The points will be earned:

500 points for exams (5 100 points exams and you get to replace your lowest exam with your highest exam score)

150 points social responsibility learning project

310 points for discussions, and assignments throughout the semester.

Total points possible: 960 points

• 4  50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace your lowest test grade with your highest test grade
• The class assignments: 310 points
  • These assignments will be given within each folder unit
  • Some are essay assignments, some short answer and some are discussions in which you have to respond to your classmates.
  • For the discussion you will have to post first and this is your initial post. The initial posts are due before you can respond to two classmates. Your responses to your classmates will need to be insightful. Good job or I really liked your post is not a sufficient response. If you respond this way you will not receive credit for you responses. Here is an example of a good responses: “I really liked your explanation for the different parenting styles, but I believe that one parenting style is not sufficient enough to raise a child. I think that a parent must evolve and do what is the best to your their child because every kid is different.”
•  150 points for social learning project
  • You will be required to do 4 hours of community service at your chosen agency in the community. You must provide signed documentation to be after your required hours. Your volunteer verification will be worth 50 points.
  • You will answer 4 questions with short essays. The essays are worth a total of 100 points.  You will be able to access the rubric when you are uploading your essays. Here is an example of what one of the rubric will look like.

Criteria	Exceeds Expectation	Needs Improvement	Does not meet expectations
Knowledge Question #1	30 -21 Points Contains clear, thorough responses to each of the parts of the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently researched the history of the agency. There is clear evidence that the student researched the agency, the social issue the agency is concerned with and the specific intervention used to help the issue. It provides evidence that the student has diligently identified the tasks and worked alongside the staff at the chosen agency	20-11 Points Does not address all of the parts of the questions in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence that the student has diligently researched the history of the agency, the social issue the agency is concerned with and the specific intervention used to help the issue, the social issue the agency is concerned with and the specific intervention used to help the issue. It doesn’t provide evidence that the student has diligently identified the tasks and worked alongside the staff at the chosen agency	10-1 Point Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence that the student researched the history of the agency, the social issue the agency is concerned with or the specific intervention used to help the issue. It doesn’t provide evidence that the student has diligently identified the tasks and worked alongside the staff at the chosen agency
Knowledge Question #2	15-10 points Contains clear, thorough responses to the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently reflected on experiences, prior knowledge and new knowledge learned while working at the chosen agency.	9-6 points Does not address the question in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence that the student has diligently reflected on experiences, prior knowledge and new knowledge learned	5-1 point Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence that the student has reflected on experiences, prior knowledge and new knowledge learned.
Knowledge Question #3	30-21 points Contains clear, thorough responses to each part of the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently applied or related concepts from at least 2 specific concepts from their textbook to their experience in their agency.	20 -11 points Does not address all of the parts of question in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is only minimal indication that the student applied or related 1 concept from their textbook in this class to their experience in their agency.	10-1 point Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is no specific indication that the student applied or related any concepts from their textbook in this class to their experience in their agency.

Attendance

It is college, but it is an 8 week course and hybrid, so you cannot skip. You will need to show up to pass the class. I will take attendance and we will do some assignments during our class and you will receive points. I understand that things come up, but please try you best to be in class and be on time!!! You will need to scan in with your ID each day of class. IF you are more than 30 minutes late you will be counted absent. This class moves really quickly and if you miss once sometimes you feel very behind. Just come to class and everything will be easier. If something does come up please notify me immediately so we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves me little room to work with you.

Calendar

Additional Information

I usually do not allow any make-up assignments or exams. If something crazy happens email me immediately. After the fact is never a good way to handle anything. If you contact as soon as possible or before hand we can usually work something out.

If you ever have any questions or concerns email me right away!!

Office Hours:

The best way to reach me is my e-mail: eerodriguez@actx.edu

We can always try to set-up an appointment that will work for both of us. Email first and if I do not respond you can call (806)371-5192. When I am not in class I will be in my office willing to meet with you. Please just email and we can set up an official appointment to make sure we can get everything handled.