Lifespan Growth & Development Syllabus for 2021-2022
Return to Syllabus List

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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook: Lifespan Development: Lives in Context 2nd edition Tara L. Kuther

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 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- 837 points and above A

89-80% = 836-768 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 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 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 volunteer for 4 hours. You will need to get verification from the location that you did volunteer for 4 hours and this will be turned in online for 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.

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 23rd                           Chapter 1 Understanding Human Development:Approaches and Theories

Wednesday August 25th                      Chapter 2 Biological and Environmental Foundations

Theories Assignment due Friday Aug. 27th  11:59 pm.

Monday August 30th                            Chapter 3Prenatal period, birth and the newborn

Wednesday Sept. 1st                            Finish chapter 3

Exam 1 opens Wednesday Sept. 1st   and closes Sunday Sept. 5th at 11:59 pm. The exam will cover chapters 1-3. 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. 6th                              No class Happy Labor Day   

 Discussion #1: Infancy- Discipline vs. Abuse. Your post and you will need to responses  to two for your classmates by Friday Sept. 10th by 11:59 pm.

Wednesday Sept. 8th                           Chapter 4 Physical development in infancy and toddlerhood

Monday Sept. 13th                      

Chapter 5 Congtive development in infancy and toddlerhood

Chapter 6 Socioemotional development in infancy and toddlerhood

Wednesday Sept. 15h                 

Chapter 7: Physical and Cognitive in early childhood  

Chapter 8 Socioemotional development in early childhood 

Exam 2 opens Wednesday Sept 15th and closes Sunday Sept. 19th at 11:59 pm. This exam will cover chapter 4-8. 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. 20th                               Chapter 9 Physical and Cognitive in middle childhood

Social Learning project is due Wednesday Sept. 22nd  at 11:59 pm

Wednesday Sept. 22nd                         Chapter 10 Socioemotional development in middle childhood

Middle childhood Debate Essay Assignment due Friday Sept. 24th by 11:59 pm.

Monday Sept. 27th                               Chapter 11 Physical and Cognitive in adolescence

Adolescence: Suicide assignment due Wednesday  Sept.29th at 11:59 pm. This assignment covers information from chapter 11 and 12.

Wednesday Sept. 29th                         Chapter 12 Socioemotional development in adolescence

Exam 3 opens Wednesday Sept. 29th and close Sunday Oct. 3rd 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 Oct. 4th                                  Chapter 13 Early adulthood: Physical and Cognitive

 Chapter 14 Early adulthood: Social and Emotional

  Discussion # 2 Early Adulthood. Your initial post is due Tuesday Oct. 5th  and you must respond to two of your classmates by Wednesday Oct.6th   at 11:59 pm.

Wednesday Oct. 6th                             Chapter 15: Middle adulthood: Physical and Cognitive

                                                            Chapter 16: Middle adulthood: Social and Emotional

Exam 4 opens Wednesday Sept. 6th and will close Sunday Oct. 10th 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. 11th                                Chapter 17 Late adulthood: Physical and Cognitive

Chapter 18 Late adulthood: Social and Emotional

Your development Essay due Wednesday Oct. 13th  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.

Wednesday Oct. 13th                           Chapter 19: Death and Dying

Exam 5 opens Wednesday Oct. 13th and Thursday Oct. 14th 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 Thursday night to take exam it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Good luck on your finals! Enjoy your Fall Break.

Additional Information

Office Hours:

I Hold office hour Monday-Thursday 8:00-8:50 am

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

IF you email me from within the class when I respond it will go to your gmail account. If you do not check your gmail account please email from the email you check. Just make sure you tell me what class you are in and your name as it appears in the class.

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:

08/19/21 11:34 AM

Last Edited on:

09/01/21 12:54 PM