Lifespan Growth & Development Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202L

Office Hours

Email or through Blackboard Collaborate 

By appointment if contacted by email eerodriguez@actx.edu

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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

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 ResourcesStudent 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Human Development 10th 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 4th floor of the Library. Your exams is be given online so you must have a reliable internet connection.

Student Performance

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, participate in class, be prepared for class, and respect everyone else who is the classroom. You need to check online every day to check for assignments and announcements regarding the class. Turn the ringer on your cell phones off. If you are waiting on an important call just let me know. If you need to leave the classroom to answer the phone please do. If they call again, I suggest you get your stuff and leave because obviously it is super important and you need to take care of your life. If you leave and come back, you have interrupted my class twice and that is kind of rude. NO texting, selfies or snap chat please! I like you to have access to your phone, you can look important things up on your phone and I think that is wonderful, just be respectful. If you do miss class it is your responsibility to get the material you missed. I will be giving assignments during class that will be due the next class so if you miss you will miss that assignment unless you contact me or someone else in the class. It is your responsibility!!  Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. Having someone help you on your online exams is cheating!! 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% = 960- 864 points and above A

89-80% = 863-768 points 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)

150 points social responsibility learning project

310 points for discussions, and assignments online and in class 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.

If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

Attendance

It is college, but it is an 8 week course, 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!!! 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

Class Schedule/Outline:

The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if needed.

 Date                                                   Lesson/Lecture/ Assignments

Monday Oct. 28th                                Welcome/ Introduction to developmental psychology

Tuesday Oct. 29th                                Chapter 1 Introduction

Wednesday Oct. 30th                           Finish chapter 1 and start chapter 2: Theories of development

Thursday Oct. 31th                              Assignment on Theories of development

Monday Nov. 4th                                 Chapter 3 and chapter 4: Prenatal development, Birth and Infancy.

Tuesday Nov. 5th                                 Birth defect assignment

Wednesday Nov. 6th                           Chapter 5 Infancy: Cognitive and Language development

Thursday Nov. 7th                               Finish chapter 5

 Exam 1 opens. It will cover chapter 1-5. It opens Thursday Nov. 7th and will close Sunday Nov. 10th at 11:59 pm. Once you open the exam you must compete it in one sitting. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Sunday to take the exam because if you run into problems with your internet/Wi-Fi it will be too late for me to help you before the exam closes.

Monday Nov. 11th                               Chapter 6: Infancy Emotional and Social development

Tuesday Nov. 12th                              Abuse vs. discipline assignment

Wednesday Nov. 13th                         Chapter 7:  Early childhood-Physical and cognitive development

Thursday Nov. 14th                             Chapter 8: Early childhood- Emotional and social development

Exam 2 opens. It will cover chapter 6-8. It opens Thursday Nov. 14th and will close Sunday Nov. 17th at 11:59 pm. Once you open the exam you must compete it in one sitting. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Sunday to take the exam because if you run into problems with your internet/Wi-Fi it will be too late for me to help you before the exam closes.

Monday Nov. 18th                               Chapter 9: Middle Childhood- physical and cognitive development

Tuesday Nov. 19th                               Chapter 10: Middle Childhood-Emotional and social development

Wednesday Nov. 20th                         Debate topics over middle childhood

Thursday Nov. 21st                             Debate topics over middle childhood

Monday Nov. 25th                               Chapter 11: Adolescence- Physical and cognitive development

Tuesday Nov. 26th                               Chapter 12: Adolescence- emotional and social development

Wednesday Nov. 27th                         Adolescents and Suicide assignment

Thursday Nov. 28th                             No class Happy Thanksgiving!!

 Exam 3 opens. It will cover chapter 9-12. It opens Wednesday Nov. 27th  and will close Sunday Dec. 1st at 11:59 pm. Once you open the exam you must compete it in one sitting. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Sunday to take the exam because if you run into problems with your internet/Wi-Fi it will be too late for me to help you before the exam closes.

 Monday Dec. 2nd                                Early Adulthood class discussion

Tuesday Dec. 3rd                                 Chapter 13: Early adulthood- physical and cognitive development

Wednesday Dec. 4th                            Chapter 14: Early adulthood- emotional and social development

 Social Learning Project is due Wednesday Dec. 4th. This includes the 4 hours of community service and the essay portion all turned in online by 11:59 pm.

Thursday Dec. 5th                               Middle Adulthood myth and reality chapter 15 and chapter 16 

Exam 4 opens. It will cover chapter 13-16. It opens Thursday Dec. 5th and will close Sunday Dec. 8th at 11:59 pm. Once you open the exam you must compete it in one sitting. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Sunday to take the exam because if you run into problems with your internet/Wi-Fi it will be too late for me to help you before the exam closes.

Monday Dec. 9th                                 Chapter 17: Late adulthood-physical and cognitive development

Tuesday Dec. 10th                               Chapter 18: Late adulthood- emotional and social development

Wednesday Dec. 11th                          Chapter 19: Death and Dying

Your own development and life in review

Thursday Dec. 12th                             Finish Your own development and life in review

Exam 5 opens. It will cover chapter 17-19. It opens Thursday Dec. 12th and will close Wednesday Dec. 18th at 11:59 pm. Once you open the exam you must compete it in one sitting. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Wednesday to take the exam because if you run into problems with your internet/Wi-Fi it will be too late for me to help you before the exam closes.

Dec. 16th-19th Finals week. Good luck on your finals. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I hold office hours by appointment and I am here 7:45 am-8:45 am Monday –Thursday

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.

Syllabus Created on:

10/22/19 11:30 AM

Last Edited on:

10/28/19 8:42 AM