Lifespan Growth & Development Syllabus for 2018-2019
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Crandell, T.L., Crandell, C.H., and Vander Zanden, J.W., (2012).  Human Development (10th Ed.). McGraw Hill ISBN: 978-0-07-353218-9 (paper)

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

Expected Student Behavior

  

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement and will account for 10% of your grade. Excused absenses will only be granted under cases of emergency. 

 

MAKEUP POLICY:

No exams will be given after the deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency such as death in the family or serious illness. In such a case you must provide documentation from a physician or psychologist indicating that you were not able to complete the exam. No other latework will be accepted, except under these conditions. 

 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THE 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc

Also, it is important to understand, that though I am a mental health professional, I CANNOT AND WILL NOT give you counsel regarding any personal situations you might have, as this is not a part of my role as an instructor at Amarillo College. If you find that while interacting in the course that you or someone else might need mental health services, please contact the Amarillo College Counseling Center. 

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

Expected Student Behavior

  

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement and will account for 10% of your grade. Excused absenses will only be granted under cases of emergency. 

 

MAKEUP POLICY:

No exams will be given after the deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency such as death in the family or serious illness. In such a case you must provide documentation from a physician or psychologist indicating that you were not able to complete the exam. No other latework will be accepted, except under these conditions. 

 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THE 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 806-371-5191.  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 www.actx.edu/arc

Also, it is important to understand, that though I am a mental health professional, I CANNOT AND WILL NOT give you counsel regarding any personal situations you might have, as this is not a part of my role as an instructor at Amarillo College. If you find that while interacting in the course that you or someone else might need mental health services, please contact the Amarillo College Counseling Center. 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS?

1. This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week in studying for this class outside of class. 

 

2. Studying in college is a complex task in that it involves many factors such as time management skills, reading ability, nutrition, exercise, study skills, motivation, sleep, and stress among others. The guidelines offered in this section may help to some degree. However, I recommend that you take the course on Student Success at AC and/or read books on study skills, motivation, time management, and stress management.

3. Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments and by also coming to class. Then, I suggest you take practice exam questions.

4. I recommend that you use a word processor to create your own outline of the reading material. After you complete this process, you have a way to test your knowledge level and you will have covered the material in a systematic and comprehensive manner. This process will allow you to “chunk” the material into smaller pieces, which is more effective than trying to “digest” it all at once by cramming or just “reading over” or skimming over the reading.

5. If you are having difficulty with the material, you may want to receive tutoring or study skills training free of charge from the Access Center (Library; 3rd floor). There are also many web sites on study skills and strategies.

6. Study "How To Prepare For Exams" and “How to Study by Summarizing and Marking the Text.”  This information will help you to develop effective study skills. These documents can be found under the Lessons Tab.   

 

7.  Students report that it is helpful to make a flash card for each paragraph of reading material.  They ask a question on one side of the card and answer it in their own words on the other side of the card.  Then, they have a way of testing their understanding of the content. 

 

 

EXAMS AND Syllabus QUIZ:

1. How many exams are there in this course?                              

There will be four multiple choice EXAMS, and one Syllabus Quiz.  Additionally, each exam will contain essay questions. The four exams include Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3 and a Comprehensive Final Exam. There is also the Syllabus Quiz.  The four exams and the Syllabus Quiz will be taken online.  Each exam is scored on a 100 point scale.  

2. Do I have to take the Final Exam if I am happy with my scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3?

You do nothave to take the Final exam if you are satisfied with your scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3! The lowest exam score out of the four exams is automatically dropped.  Therefore, if you are satisfied with your scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3, then you have the option to nottake the Comprehensive Final Exam. Because the lowest exam score is dropped, there will be no make-up exams.  If you miss a scheduled exam for any reason, that exam will be the exam score that will be dropped.   The purpose for the drop grade is so that you can miss an exam for anyreason, such as death in the family, illness, vacation, having a baby, not able to get your books on time, not having access to a computer, having to work, forgetting to take an exam, etc. 

3. How many questions are on the exams?  How much time do we have to take each exam? 

Each online exam will have 50 questions that will be randomly selected from a test generator in addition to 4 essay questions.  Each online exam will have a time limit of 120 minutes so you will not have much time to look up the answers.  In other words, you will need to know the information well before you take the online exams. 

4. What time do the exams open and close? 

The exams will open the Wednesday after class, the week the exam is due. You must complete the exam by the due date, respectively. 

5. How many questions are on the Syllabus Quiz?

The Syllabus Quiz  is 25 questions; you have unlimited amount of time to complete the Syllabus Quiz and may use your syllabus. Additionally, I allow an unlimited amount of attempts. (There is not reason to not make a 100).

6. What are the basic instructions for taking the exams online?

All exams will be taken online.  You are allowed to use your notes on the exams.  You are not penalized for guessing. You will not be able to go back and review or answer questions.  Do not skip any questions. If you do, the question will be counted as incorrect. There is no penalty for guessing.  Remember to click the “submit” button at the end of your exam. 

The computer will allow you to stop the exam at any given time during the time allowed.  You can then go back into the exam and resume taking the exam.  However, no matter how many times you stop and resume the exam, the timer NEVER STOPS.  For example, let's say that you have an exam set for 75 minutes. You start taking the exam at 3:00pm.  Again, no matter how many times you stop and resume the exam, the timer NEVER STOPS.  (If you stop an exam, the timer will continue to run.)  Therefore, your access to the exam will be over at 4:15 (75 minutes) no matter how many times you start and stop the exam. 

Please review the test dates in this course schedule. If your schedule cannot accommodate these dates and times, you will need to drop this course and find a course that will work with your schedule. No exams will be given after the deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency such as death in the family or serious illness. In such a case you must provide documentation from a physician or psychologist indicating that you were not able to complete the final exam.

7. What is the penalty for cheating on an exam?

You may NOT have another person with you at the time that you are taking one of the online exams.  If there is indication that you received help during an online exam, the penalty will be an F in the course and likely expulsion from Amarillo College.  

8. Do you release the tests or allow additional time to go back and review the exams?

 

For test security purposes I do not release the tests or allow additional time to go back and review the exams.  I offset this policy with open book / open note exams, simulated practice test questions, participation grade, and grade adjustments for each exam based on the number of questions missed by the class.  Also, there is a recommended study guide found under Lessons on the Home Page. 

 

9. Do you offer extra credit?

There is not an “extra credit” option.  I want you to learn how to do college level work and do well in your class as opposed to passing a class based on extra credit.  I want you to learn the study skillsnecessary to be successful as you continue taking courses in college.  I recommend that you take the First Year Seminar course at AC on how to be a successful student - you would need to talk to your advisor about this class.  That course teaches you how to study and take exams so you can be successful in your future college courses. The only Extra credit given, is explained in the Class Research Paper. 

10. Do you round up grades that are “borderline?”

Yes, I round up grades that are “borderline”, for example, 79.5 would be rounded up to a “B” and a 79.4 would round to a “C.”   

11. Where do I go to check my grades?

 

In order to check your grades, you can go to “My Grades” on the Home Page for the course. 

12. How do I calculate my grade in the course?

Here is an example of how to calculate your grade.  The Exams are worth 50%, Class Attendance is worth 10%, the Social Responsibility Project is worth 15%, the class research paper is worth 15% (Paper = 10% & Brochure or PowerPoint = 5%), the Syllabus Quiz is worth 5% Comprehensive Review Essay is worth 5%.

Let us say, for example, that you made the following grades in the course:

Exam 1 = 82; Exam 2 = 79; Exam 3 = 93; Final Exam = 0 (drop grade)

Exams Average: 84.67

Exam 1 = 82; Exam 2 = 79; Exam 3 = 93; Final Exam = 0 (drop grade)

Weekly Attendance = (15 Classes: 100, 100, 0, 100, 100, 0, 0, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 100, 0, 100)/15 = 73.33

Class Project=90 on Paper; 100 on PowerPoint or Brochure

Class Research Paper= 98

Syllabus Quiz = 85

Comprehensive Review Essay =75

Here is how you would do the math:

84.67 X .50 = 42.335 (Exams)

73.33 X .10 = 7.333 (Weekly Attendance)

90 X .15 = 13.5 (Class Project)

90 X .10 = 9 (Class Research Project - Paper)

100 X .05 = 5 (Class Research Project – PowerPoint or Brochure)

85 X .05 = 4.25 (Syllabus Quiz)

75 X .05 = 3.75 (Comprehensive Review Essay)

Now, add the numbers for each category:  42.335 + 7.333 + 13.5 + 9 + 5 + 4.25 + 3.75 = 85.1683 = B (Course Grade)

13. What is the Grading Schema for the Final Grades?

89.5 to 100 = A

79.5 to 89.4 = B

69.5 to 79.4 = C

59.5 to 69.4 = D

0 to 59.4 = F

Please be aware that the Course Averagegrade that you see will NOT BE ACCURATE UNTILall of the Exams, and Unit Assignments, have been completed for the class.  Therefore, you need to calculate your grade by hand to help determine your decision whether or not to take the final exam. When attempting to make a decision to take the Final Exam or not, you would count your Final Exam as a zero in your calculations, making it the exam grade that is dropped. I will NOT drop your lowest exam grade, until the very end of the course.  

14. Practice Test Questions:

I recommend you use the Companion Site for students for the textbook entitled Human Development. This Companion Site for students will have many example test questions that will be similar to your actual exams.  You can access the Companion Site for the textbook by going to (copy and paste the address) the following web address:

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073532185/information_center_view0/overview.html

 

When you get to this address, you need to click on Student Edition (you will see Online Learning Center Student Edition).  Then you will need to select a chapter.  This site will provide you with practice exams for each of the chapters in our text book, Human Development10th edition. These resources provide similar exam questions for you to practice.  They are not required, but they are highly recommended. 

 

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS:

If you experience a technical problem with some online aspect of the course, you will need to contact the Helpdesk at 371-5992.

 

DROPPING/AUDITING THE CLASS:

The last day to withdraw is February 25^th. You must officially drop a class in the Registrar's office. If you simply stop attending, a grade of F will appear on your transcript. An F will have a strong negative effect on your GPA.

Assignments & Calendar

 

Unit One 

Unit One consists of the following assignments: Syllabus Quiz, Week One and Two, and Exam 1.  All of these assignments are to be completed between the dates ofJanuary 14^th– January 27^th.   

Syllabus Quiz: The testing date is Sunday, January 20^th@ 11:55PM.To open this quiz, click on the Exams tab and then click on Quiz: Syllabus Quiz.  This quiz is online. *I recommend that you print out your syllabus as a reference to use during the quiz and keep it as a reference to refer to throughout the course. Again, there is no time limit and you may use your syllabus.  

Week #1: Assignment One

The Study of Human Development

Read and Outline:

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Theories of Development

 

Week #2: Assignment Two

Birth and Infancy

Read and Outline:

Chapter 4 - Birth and Physical Development: The First Two Years

Chapter 5 - Infancy: Cognitive and Language Development

Chapter 6 - Infancy: The Development of Emotional and Social Bonds 

 

Video Program: Go to http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html and locate the Seasons of Life video program. Then locate and view the video program entitled Infancy and Early Childhood (Birth-Age 5). Beginning with the first years of life, the early influences of the biological and social clocks, how the children develop and how they gain confidence and curiosity are explored.          

Exam One: The testing date is Sunday, January 27^th@ 11:55PM.To get into an exam, click on Lessons and then click on Exams.  Exam One covers Unit One, consisting of Assignments 1 & 2.  This exam is taken online.  You will be allowed to retakeExam One. There is no penalty for retaking Exam One; only the higher of the two scores will count. I allow for this retake, so that if you can adjust your study behaviors if the first take was not to your standards.  

 

Unit Two 

Unit Two consists of the following assignments: Assignment Four, Assignment Five, Assignment Six, Unit Two Discussion Assignment, and Exam 2.  These assignments are to be completed between January 26^th– February 17^th.  

 

Week #3: Assignment Three

Early Childhood

Read and Outline:

Chapter 7 - Early Childhood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Chapter 8 - Early Childhood: Emotional and Social Development

 

Week #4: Assignment Four

Middle Childhood

Read and Outline:

Chapter 9 - Middle Childhood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Chapter 10 - Middle Childhood: Emotional and Social Development

Adolescence

Read and Outline:

Chapter 11 - Adolescence: Physical and Cognitive Development

Week #5: Assignment Five

Chapter 12 - Adolescence: Emotional and Social Development

Lecture on Costs and Benefits of Adolescent Employment *(Lectures are found by going to Lessons tab and then click on Lectures)

 

Video Program: Go to http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html and locate the Seasons of Life video program. Then locate and view the video program entitled Childhood and Adolescence (Ages 6 - 20). This program examines the years before and during adolescence and the stressful task of molding an identity while the biological and social clocks are out of synch. 

 

Exam Two: The testing date is Sunday, February 17^th@ 11:55PM. Exam Two covers Unit Two, consisting of Assignments 3, 4, & 5. This exam is taken online.  

 

 

Unit Three

Unit Three consists of the following assignments: Assignment Six, Assignment Seven, Assignment Eight, Assignment Nine, Unit Three Assignment: Social Responsibility Essay, and Exam 3. These assignments are to be completed between the dates of February 16^th– March 8^th.     

 

Week #6: Assignment Six

Early Adulthood

Read and Outline:

Chapter 13 - Early Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Chapter 14 - Early Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development

Lecture on Family Transitions *(Lectures are found by going to Lessons tab and then click on Lectures)

 

Video Program: Go to http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html and locate the Seasons of Life video program. Then locate and view the video program entitled Early Adulthood (Ages 20 - 40). Young adults hear the first of many messages from the social clock: to separate from the family, get a job, find a mate, set goals and face reality in this period of intense social growth.

 

Middle Adulthood

Read and Outline:

Chapter 15 - Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Chapter 16 - Middle Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development

Lecture on Loneliness in Adults

Lecture on Divorce, Remarriage, and Middle Adulthood *(Lectures are found by going to Lessons tab and then click on Lectures)

 

Video Program: Go to http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html and locate the Seasons of Life video program. Then locate and view the video program entitled Middle Adulthood (Ages 40 - 60). Older adults are concerned with creating a legacy for the next generation, changes in life direction and personal goal achievement.

 

Week #7: Assignment Seven

Late Adulthood

Read and Outline:

Chapter 17 - Late Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development

Chapter 18 - Late Adulthood: Emotional and Social Development

Lecture on Sex in Old Age *(Lectures are found by going to Lessons tab and then click on Lectures)

 

Video Program: Go to http://www.learner.org/resources/series54.html and locate the Seasons of Life video program. Then locate and view the video program entitled Late Adulthood (Ages 60+). This program is an examination of the last stage of life; when people consider what they might still do to change or add to their lives.

Dying and Death

Read and Outline:

Chapter 19 - Dying and Death

Lecture on Near-Death Experiences

*(Lectures are found by going to Lessons tab and then click on Lectures)

 

 

Exam Three: The testing date is Sunday, March 3^rd@ 11:55PM.  Exam Three covers Unit Three, consisting of Assignments 11, 12, 13, 14, & 15. This exam is taken online.  

Week #8: Assignment Seven

Review all Chapter notes and Powerpoints; prepare for final exam. 

Review will be conducted in Class. 

Final Exam and Paper:

Comprehensive Final Exam: This exam covers all of the material assigned in the course. To get into an exam, click on Lessons and then click on Exams.  The testing date is Thursday, March 7^th@ 11:55PM. This exam is online. 

Comprehensive Review Essay:I want you to write a 2 page paper (600 words), double spaced, APA style standards, that discusses your experience in this course. This paper is due Tuesday, March 5^th@ 11:55PM. Cover the following:

• What you learned
• What intrigued you
• What you found most interesting
• How you grew academically and personally by taking this course
• Things you liked and disliked about the course. (Please be open and honest.)
• Things you would change
• How you will apply the course information to your future career plans and goals.

Class Research Paper

Your Class Research Paper isdue Friday, February 15^th@11:55PM.In addition to having Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3 to complete, you will need to complete theClass Research Paper. This assignment is not particular to any one unit, but is a representation of the class as a whole. Thus, you will learn of this assignment at the beginning, and it is expected to be completed throughout the course.

The assignment for this project is to pick one of the following and write a 3 page research paper (APA style) and create a minimum 10 slide PowerPoint summarizing the information about the topic area. Be sure to include pictures to make it visually appealing and don't forget to cite your references!

The three areas that you may choose from are as follows: 

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Profile a Major Developmental Psychologist and their Work (Examples: Piaget, Erickson, etc.)
  • Things to be addressed:
    • General Information about the Psychologist as a person and as a professional
    • Summary of their work; Landmark study (what is their most famous experiment?)
    • Major Contributions to the field
    • How is their work impacting the field today?
    • Future research that can be linked to this individual. Example: Freud proposed the concept of the subconscious. Now, we use Neuroimaging techniques to see subconscious process, validating Freud’s original concept. (I don’t expect you to address all research. You just need to choose one specific example.
    • Address current research in the field pertaining to the disorder- example, current research supporting the theorist. You must find AT LEAST TWOcurrent peer reviewed articles (within the past 5 years) that addresses your topic. 
• Pick a Developmental Time Period (Examples: Prenatal, Childhood, Adolescent, Adult, Elderly, etc.)
  • Things to be addressed:
    • Explain the Developmental Period; Basically, you want to provide a summary of that time period, and the significant developmental milestones in each
    • What are some common factors people have during this time period? What are the risk factors at this age?
    • Address current research in the field pertaining to the time period (new discoveries, etc.). You must find AT LEAST TWOcurrent peer reviewed articles (within the past 5 years) that addresses your topic. 
• Pick a Developmental Disorder (Examples: Asperger’s, ADHD, Attachment Disorders, etc. -- MUST be covered in the DSM-5).
  • Things to be addressed:
    • Explain the disorder (what is it?)
    • Explain the history, etiology, prognosis, what the causes are, how it affects people and the treatment(s) if any are available.
    • Address current research in the field pertaining to the disorder. You must find AT LEAST TWOcurrent peer reviewed articles (within the past 5 years) that addresses your topic. 

Please note that this is a class project, so it will be a more extensive review than your other class assignments. I want to see that you have THOUROUGHLY explored the topic of your choice. I have left the options open, so that you may have a chance to explore anything your are interested in that relates to psychology. However, I do require that inform me what your topic will be, in class. 

I expect you to use appropriate academic resources (no Wikipedia). You may need to set an appointment with a librarian to learn how to find peer reviewed scholarly journals through the AC Library. Because seeing a librarian is so vital to your academic career, if you email me (have the librarian email me) verification of your appointment/meeting, I will give you 10 bonus points on this assignment!

You will need to use professional websites. The NIH- National Institute of Health or APA- American Psychological Associations, etc.) are examples. Also I require a minimum of 5 Citations for your project.  No more than TWO OF THEM CAN BE WEBSITES!!

Guidelines for this assignment:

1. Set an appointment with a Librarian at Amarillo College to help you use the specialized databases in the field of psychology to locate high quality articles or book chapters for your position paper.  I prefer that you use articles that have references; these articles are considered more scholarly.  However, some of the articles in scholarly journals may be beyond your understanding. Your librarian will help you to locate articles that are high quality and within your range of understanding.  You will get bonus points for this!!

2. As a basic guide, consider that there are three types of information for your paper:  scholarly articles, magazines, and websites.  Scholarly articles are found in scholarly journals, for example the American Psychologist.  These authors of scholarly articles are experts in their fields.  Scholarly articles have references at the end of the article.  Magazines vary in quality.  Some magazines are credible sources of information, for example the Monitor on Psychologyand Psychology Today. Other magazines are not credible, for example tabloids.  Websites will also vary in terms of credibility.  As indicated above, for example, do not use blogs and Wikipedia. You may use quality website sources such as NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health).  

3. Use The Writer’s Corner (in Ordway Hall) at Amarillo College to help you with grammar and APA Style.  

4. Use APA style when citing sources in the body of your paper and when listing references at the end of your paper. There are many APA Style web sites online to give you guidance.  Most psychology text books are written in APA Style.  You can look at your text to see an example of APA Style.  I have included an APA Style Handout in the Lessons tab. 

Basically the idea here is to be sure you cite your source with the authors name, date of publication and that title of the source, and publisher along with any pages you used, or, if your source is an online source include the title , any author, date, and the web address stating "Retrieved from".           

Example:  a book will have a citation that looks like this:

Myers, D. (2014) Exploring Psychology(9th Edition).  Worth, pages 35-39.   

Henslin, J. (2016).  Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach.  Core Concepts (6th Edition). Pearson, page 102.

Example: an online source you will have a citation that looks like this:

How Does Marijuana Affect You? WebMD Retrieved May 21, 2016 from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects

Be sure you cite your sources in the body of your text:

Example: There are numerous physical effects of marijuana such as increasing heart rate, increase bleeding, lower blood pressure, blood sugar issues, and increased risk of lung cancer (How Does Marijuana Affect You? WebMD Retrieved May 21, 2016 from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects)

Example: Myers (2014, p. 375) tells us that people must have their basic needs met before they can accomplish higher order goals. This idea is put forth in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow, 1970), which shows that needs like hunger and thirst must be met before people will go after personal goals like building self-esteem and attaining an educational degree. 

HINT: IF YOU LOOK IN YOUR REFERENCE SECTION OF YOUR TEXTBOOK, you will find the proper FORMAT for any REFERENCE that you are using for this essay! 

5. Scholastic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of “F” for the course.  Do not plagiarize.  Plagiarism is defined as the following:  the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it. 

Rubric used to grade the Class Research Paper

Criteria	Exceeds Expectation	Needs Improvement	Does not meet expectations
Knowledge	60 Points Contains a clear and thorough responses to the assignment.  Provides evidence that the student has diligently applied concepts from at least 3 quality sources.	40 Points Provides minimal evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is only minimal indication that the student applied concepts from 1-2 quality sources.	30 Points Minimally addresses the items in the assignment. It does not provide evidence of the student’s reflective thought.  There is no indication that the student applied concepts from any quality sources.  Or the student used poor quality sources.
Organization / APA Style	30 Points Uses APA Style in the body of the paper to reference the sources.  The paper also includes a bibliography.	20 Points The student references the sources in the body of the paper but he or she does not us APA Style or the student fails to include a bibliography.	10 Points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization.  Does not use APA Style. Does not utilize references.
Mechanics	10 Points Information is clearly organized.  Proper grammar and spelling is used throughout the paper.	5 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the paper with major errors.	2 Points Information is poorly organized.  Very poor grammar and spelling used through written and oral work.

Class Project

In addition to having Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3 to complete, you will need to complete the class Social responsibility/ Service Learning Project. This assignment is not particular to any one unit, but is a representation of the class as a whole. Thus, you will learn of this assignment at the beginning, and it is expected to be completed throughout the course, with the due date being set as Friday, February 22^nd@ 11:55PM.  

Social Responsibility / Service Learning Project

This Social Responsibility / Service Learning Projectisdue. 

I want to provide the instructions for this assignment early in the semester to get you started even though you have until Friday, February 22^ndcomplete it. I suggest you find your volunteer agency early in the semester.

What is social responsibility? Social responsibility isan ethical structure which suggests that an individual has an obligation to act for the benefit of society as a whole. Social responsibilityis a duty every individual has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the community and the individuals who live in them. For this assignment you will be required to serve 4 hours of community service at an agency of your choosing. You will be responsible for gathering the required documentation to prove that you did serve your required hours at the specific location. After completing the service you will be required to turn in the documentation.  (Have your supervisor email your instructor indicating you completed the required 4 hours of community service.) Then, you will reflect on your service learning in a short answer essay exam online.  When answering these questions you must answer in complete thoughts and complete sentences. You will need to read the questions below before you start your volunteer work.  This way you can have the questions in mind before you start.

Here is a small list of some possible places you could chose to volunteer. Please check with your professor if you have an idea of a place you would like to volunteer to make sure it will be applicable to this assignment. 

• Snack pack for kids
• High plains food bank
• Faith City mission
• Kid’s café
• City Church 
• Family Support Services
• Evelyn Rivers
• Dove Creek Equine Rescue
• Hope and Healing place
• Harrington Cancer Center (kids unit)
• You may request approval for OTHERS.

Here are the questions you will be required to answer in your essay exam.  Please be sure you pay attention to the specific questions and the required word length for each question.  Please study the rubrics for each question; this information will help you better answer the questions. You are allowed to use sources from your agency or online sources to help you answer these questions. 

1. Social Responsibility / Service Learning Essay Exam Part 1.

Describe some of the history of the agency where you selected to volunteer. What is the name of the agency/organization? Where is it located? What does your agency/organization do? You are required to research online about your chosen organization.  This question must be a minimum of 100 words. (10 points)

2. Social Responsibility / Service Learning Essay Exam Part 2.

What social problem is your agency working on and what specific intervention are they using?  This question must be a minimum of 100 words. (10 points)

3. Social Responsibility / Service Learning Essay Exam Part 3.

How does your time serving in the community influence your ideas and perceptions about the city of Amarillo and the people who live here?  This question must be a minimum of 100 words. (20 points)

4. Social Responsibility / Service Learning Essay Exam Part 4.

Relate what you have learned in the readings and class discussion to your experience in your agency.  Specifically, you must relate at least 2 specific concepts from any of the reading or video assignments in this class (your textbooks, lectures, films) in this class to your experience in your agency. You MUST reference in the body of your paper the sources that you used with the specific page number (if it was from reading material).  For example, if you used page 35 in the textbook I Never Knew I Had A Choiceby Corey and Corey, indicate in the body of your paper that you used this text and the page number: (Corey and Corey, 2010 p. 35).  This question must be a minimum of 200 words. (50 points) 

5. Social Responsibility / Service Learning Essay Exam Part 5.

Will you continue to volunteer? What impact do you hope to have by continuing to volunteer at your selected agency?  If you choose not to volunteer at your selected agency, then describe and discuss in DETAIL, ONE ACTION STEP that you would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that you learned in your volunteer work in your life.  This question must be a minimum of 100 words. (10 points)

Your Answers will be graded by the following Rubric: 

Criteria	Exceeds Expectation	Needs Improvement	Does not meet expectations
Knowledge	4 Points Contains clear, thorough responses to the question identified in the assignment.  It provides evidence that the student has diligently described the impact he or she hopes to have by continuing to volunteer at their selected agency.  If the student chose not to volunteer at their selected agency, then he or she described in detail one action step that they would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that they learned in their volunteer work in your life.	3 Points Does not address all of the parts of the questions in the assignment.  It provides minimal evidence that the student has diligently described the impact he or she hopes to have by continuing to volunteer at their selected agency.  If the student chose not to volunteer at their selected agency, then he or she described in detail one action step that they would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that they learned in their volunteer work in your life.	1 Points Minimally addresses the items in the assignment.  It does not provide evidence that the student has described the impact he or she hopes to have by continuing to volunteer at their selected agency.  If the student chose not to volunteer at their selected agency, then he or she described in detail one action step that they would be willing to do to apply some aspect of “social responsibility” that they learned in their volunteer work in your life.
Organization	3 Points Information is clearly organized.	2 Points Information is loosely organized.	1 Points Information is present, but very difficult to understand due to poor organization.
Mechanics	3 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question.	2 Points Proper grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question with major errors.	1 Points Very poor grammar and spelling used throughout the answer to the question.

Please note that time management for this project is imperative to your success. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE, or you will find yourself experiencing a lot of difficulty. The assignment is one of stages. It will be near impossible to complete everything in one day. 

Please again, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns pertaining to the units and/or class project. I hope you enjoy the course! I look forward to a great semester with you all!

Attendance

No attendance information available

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available