Lifespan Growth & Development Syllabus for 2020-2021
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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-2314-005 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Human Development 10th Edition Crandell, Crandell and Zanden

Supplies

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 Ware Student Commons or the Underground. . Exams, discussion posts and assignments will be online.

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!!  I do not take make-up work. 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

Grading Criteria

There will be a total of 910 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% = 910- 819 points and above A

89-80% = 818-728 points B

79-70% = 727-637 points C

69-50% = 636-455 points D

Below 50% = below 455 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)

100 points social responsibility learning project

310 points for discussions, and assignments online and in class throughout the semester.

Total points possible: 910 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.”
  •  100 points for social learning project
    • 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.

Attendance

Attendance policy:

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!!! 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. I do not take make-up work

Calendar

Class Schedule/Outline:

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

 Date                                                   Lesson/Lecture/ Assignments

Monday August 24th                           Welcome and Chapter 1 Introduction

Wednesday August 26th                      Chapter 2 Theories of Development

Start Chapter 3 Reproduction and Chapter 4 Birth

Theories Assignment due Friday Aug. 28th  11:59 pm. This assignment will cover information in chapter 2.

Monday August 31st                            Finish Chapter 3 & 4

Wednesday Sept. 2nd                           Chapter 5 Infancy: Cognitive and Language Development

Exam 1 opens Wednesday Sept. 2nd  and closes Sunday Sept. 6th at 11:59 pm. The exam will cover chapters 1-5. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00 on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Sept. 7th                                 Chapter 6 Infancy: Emotional and Social Bonds

 Discussion #1: Infancy- Discipline vs. Abuse. Your initial post is due Tuesday Sept. 8th and you will need to respond to two for your classmates by Friday Sept. 11th by 11:59 pm.

Wednesday Sept. 8th                           Chapter 7 Early childhood: Physical and Cognitive

  Chapter 8 Early childhood: Social and Emotional

Exam 2 opens Wednesday Sept 8th and closes Sunday Sept. 13th at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 6-8. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00 on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Sept. 14th                               Chapter 9: Middle childhood: Physical and Cognitive

 Chapter 10 Middle childhood: Social and Emotional

 Wednesday Sept. 16h                         Middle childhood Debate Essay Assignment. This debate in class will cover issues that face kids in middle childhood ages 7-12

Monday Sept. 21st                               Chapter 11 Adolescence: Physical and Cognitive

Wednesday Sept. 23rd                         Chapter 12 Adolescence: Social and Emotional       

Adolescence: Suicide PBL assignment due Thursday Sept.24th at 11:59 pm. This assignment covers information from chapter 11 and 12.

Exam 3 opens Wednesday Sept. 23rdand close Sunday Sept. 27th at 11:59 pm. This exam covers chapter 9-12. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00 on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Sept. 28th                               Chapter 13 Early adulthood: Physical and Cognitive

 Chapter 14 Early adulthood: Social and Emotional

 Discussion # 2 Early Adulthood. Your initial post is due Tuesday Sept. 29th  and you must respond to two of your classmates by Wednesday Sept. 30th  at 11:59 pm.

Wednesday Sept. 30th                         Chapter 15: Middle adulthood: Physical and Cognitive

                                                            Chapter 16: Middle adulthood: Social and Emotional

Exam 4 opens Wednesday Sept. 30th  and will close Sunday Oct. 4th at 11:59 pm. This exam covers chapters 13-16. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00 on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Oct. 5h                                   Chapter 17 Late adulthood: Physical and Cognitive

 Chapter 18 Late adulthood: Social and Emotional

Social Learning project is due Wednesday Oct. 7th at 11:59 pm

Wednesday Oct. 7th                             Chapter 19: Death and Dying

Your development Essay due Friday Oct 9th at 11:59 pm. This assignment will be worth 100 points and will allow you to reflect over all the chapters, your life and what you have learned about developmental psychology and how it helps by illuminating processes in your own life.

Exam 5 opens Wednesday Oct. 7th and Monday Oct. 12th at 11:59 pm. This is your final exam and will cover chapters 17-19. 50 multiple choice questions. Once you open the exam you will need to complete it. If you lose connection or close the exam your grade will submit. Please email me as soon as possible with any problems. If you decide to wait until 10:00 on Sunday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday Oct. 12th & Wednesday Oct. 14th: Finals Week no in class assignments

Good luck on your finals! Enjoy your Fall Break.

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I Hold office hour Monday-Thursday 7:50-8:50 am

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.

Due to current Covid-19 guidelines the classrooms have to maintain the recommended social distancing guidelines. If the course cap for students is larger than what is allowed in the classroom the instructor will split the class as needed and instruct the students when they are to attend class in person and when they attend online. If you are assigned to attend online on giving days then you need to attend online. Do not schedule work or appointments during this time.

Syllabus Created on:

08/18/20 9:31 AM

Last Edited on:

08/19/20 5:00 PM