Lifespan Growth & Development Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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-2314-003 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

Online Course

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 Library or the Underground located in the basement of the Ware Student commons.

Student Performance

Student performance and learning outcomes for PSYC 2314:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

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

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

Expected Student Behavior

  • Classroom Behavior

  • I expect you all to attend class online, participate in assignments and exams, be prepared for class exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. You are responsible for contacting me about missed assignments. After the fact is never a good way to handle situations and I do not take make-up work. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although the exams are online you should be doing your own work. I whole heartedly expect you to use your notes and books on all assignments and exams, you just may not use your friend or classmates. All assignments should also be completed by you. The purpose of college is to learn and if someone else does your work for you then you have learned nothing. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students’ responses within class. 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 850 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 (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% 850-765 points= A

89-80% 764-680 points = B

79-70% 679-595 = C

69-60% 594-510 = D

Below 60% 510 or below = F

The points will be earned:

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

50 points for attendance

100 online assignments

50 points for on-line discussion assignments

150 Social Learning project

Total points possible: 800 points

  • 5  50 question multiple choice exams; each exam is worth 100 points and you will get to replace the lowest test grade with your highest exam score. You will take all exams online on your own time. You will a few days to decide when you want to take the exam, but once you open it and start you will have 70 minutes to complete it.  (500 points)
  • Attendance will be giving randomly so you need to come to every class (50 points)
  • The on-line assignments: you will have 3 assignments that you will need to complete and upload online (100 points)
  • On-line discussion forums: (50 points)
    • you will be required to respond to different discussion topics on-line
    • the discussion will need to include relevant information discussed in class and in your textbook
    • You will also be required to respond to two of your classmates’ responses. Your responses should include discussion about the topic and not just critiquing the responses organization or formatting. Good job is not enough. You will need to responding explaining what you liked or did not like and why. Discuss the topic!! If you only respond with good job or critics not related to the topic in the question you will not receive the credit of the responses.
  • Social responsibility serving learning project (150 points)
    • You are required to complete 4 hour of community service. You will need proof that you completed it. Your volunteer verification sheet that is turned in will be worth 50 points.
    • You will answer 4 questions with short essays and a few questions on reading graphs. The essays are worth a total of 100 points.  You will be able to access the rubric when you are uploading your essays.
    •  

Attendance

Attendance policy:

  • It is extremely important that you show up for class every day online. This is an 8-week online course so we move through topics/chapters every day.  If you miss any due date you will possibly miss an entire chapter of material and that could be very damaging to your grade. Please check online for updates and assignment due dates. If you miss an announcement or due date it will hurt your grade. I understand things do come up so please contact me as soon as possible so that we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves little room for me to help you and I do not take late work or make-up work.

Calendar

Class Schedule/Outline:

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

Date                                                 Lesson/Lecture

Monday June 6th                           Introduction and syllabus

Tuesday June 7th                            Chapter 1 Understanding Human Development:

Approaches and Theories

Wednesday June 8th                    Chapter 2 Biological and Environmental Foundations

Thursday June 9th                           Theories Assignment due Thursday June 9th at 11:59 pm. This assignment will cover information in chapter 1.

Monday June 13th                         Chapter 3 Prenatal period, birth and the newborn

Tuesday June 14th                        Finish chapter 3

Wednesday June15th                   Birth Defects Assignment due Wednesday June 15th by 11:59 pm.

Thursday June 16th                       

Exam 1 opens (Ch 1, 2 & 3) Thursday June 16th and you will have until Sunday June 19th at 11:59 pm to complete the exam. Once you open the exam you have 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. Do not wait until 10:00 pm on Sunday night to take the exam; it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.  

Monday June 20th                          Chapter 4 Physical development in infancy and toddlerhood

Tuesday June 21st                          Chapter 5 Congtive development in infancy and toddlerhood

Discussion #1: Infancy- Discipline vs. Abuse. Your initial post and your responses to two for your classmates by Wednesday June 22nd  at 11:59 pm.

Wednesday June 22nd                 Chapter 6 Socioemotional development in infancy and toddlerhood

Thursday June 23rd                       

Exam 2 opens (Ch 4, 5,and 6) Thursday June 23rd and you will have until Sunday June 26th at 11:59 pm to complete the exam. Once you open the exam you have 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. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take the exam; it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.    

Monday June 27th                         Chapter 7: Physical and Cognitive in early childhood 

Tuesday June 28th                         Chapter 8 Socioemotional development in early childhood 

Wednesday June 29th                  **Social Learning Project Assignment Due**

Thursday June 30th                         Chapter 9 Physical and Cognitive in middle childhood

Monday July 4th                              Happy 4th!

Tuesday July 5th                             Chapter 10 Socioemotional development in middle childhood  

Wednesday July 6th                      Debate assignment over middle childhood due Wednesday July 6th by 11:59 pm

Thursday July 7th                            

Exam 3 opens (Ch 7,8, 9 and 10) Thursday July 7th and you will have until Sunday July 10th 11:59 pm to complete the exam. Once you open the exam you have 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. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take the exam; it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.  

Monday July 11th                           Chapter 11: Adolescence- Physical and cognitive development

 Chapter 12: Adolescence- emotional and social development

Tuesday July 12th                            Chapter 13: Early adulthood- physical and cognitive development

  Chapter 14: Early adulthood- emotional and social development

Wednesday July 13th                    Discussion # 2 Early Adulthood. Your initial post your responses to two of your classmates by Wednesday July 13th 11:59 pm.

Thursday July 14th                         

Exam 4 (Ch 11, 12, 13, & 14) Thursday July 14th and you will have until Sunday July 17th 11:59 pm to complete the exam. Once you open the exam you have 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. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Sunday night to take the exam; it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.  

Monday July 18th                                    Middle Adulthood myth and reality chapter 15 and chapter 16

Tuesday July 19th                            Chapter 17: Late adulthood-physical and cognitive development

Wednesday July 20th                    Chapter 18: Late adulthood- emotional and social development

Thursday July 21st                                    Chapter 19: Death and Dying

Exam 5 opens (Ch 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19) Thursday July 21st and you will have until Tuesday July 26th 11:59 pm to complete the exam. Once you open the exam you have 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. Do not wait until 10:00pm on Monday night to take the exam; it might be too late for me to help if you run into problems.

Monday July 25th                           Your development Essay due Tuesday July 26th 11:59 pm. This assignment will allow you to reflect over all the chapters, your life and what you have learned about developmental psychology and your own life.

Tuesday July 26th                            Your development Essay due Tuesday July 26th 11:59 pm. This assignment will allow you to reflect over all the chapters, your life and what you have learned about developmental psychology and your own life.

Good luck on all your finals! Enjoy the rest of your Summer!    

Additional Information

Office hours:                     

  • The best way to reach me is by email: eerodriguez@actx.edu
  • If you email me from within the class, when I respond it will send the email to your Gmail account. If you do not check your Gmail account make sure to email me from the email address you do check. Make sure to let me know what class you are enrolled in.
  • I do not hold office hours during the summer, but if you feel we need to meet we can set up and appointment

Syllabus Created on:

05/10/22 12:41 PM

Last Edited on:

05/10/22 12:48 PM