Lifespan Developmental Psychology

PSY-125

Spring 2004

                                                                                                                                   

Instructor: Jason McCartney, Ph.D.

Office: Allenwood 404

Office Hours: MW 1-2, TR 10-11 (or by appointment)

Office Phone: 410-677-5444

Email: jsmccartney@salisbury.edu

 

Required Text: Berk, Laura E.  (2004).  Development through the Lifespan. (3rd edition).  New             York: Allyn and Bacon.

 

Course Description: This class will deal with the development of individuals across the life-span, from conception to death.  It will focus on physical, social, cognitive, and emotional aspects that are associated with the various periods in a person’s life.  Over the course of the semester we will discuss topics such as: theory vs. hypotheses, parenting styles, gender differences, types of play, identity formation, morality, intelligence, stress, marriage and divorce, euthanasia.

 

Course Requirements:

1.  Attendance Policy

 

Class attendance is required and will be taken regularly using the class seating chart.  Students who miss more than 2 class periods (excused or unexcused) will be penalized 1% of their final grade for each absence.  (Example: Student 'A' misses five class periods and ends the semester with an overall score of 72%, with the deduction she receives a final grade = 69%).

 

2. Exams- 400 points

 

There will be four noncomprehensive exams as noted on the course schedule.  Each test will contain a combination of multiple-choice and true/false questions.  The fourth text will be given during the final examination period (as set by the university).  Students who know they will miss an exam MUST notify the instructor beforehand so that other arrangements can be made.  THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS.

 

3. Short Paper- 50 points

 

Students will select one of the "Lifespan Vistas" or "Social Issues" presented in each chapter of the textbook (all are presented on page vii) and prepare a paper on that topic.  An additional handout with deadlines and specific expectations will be distributed later in the semester.  

 

4. Thought Questions- 50 points (5 points each)

 

Writing and critical thinking are an essential part of this course.  To this end, you will be required to write answers to questions that I give you in class.  The answers can be informal and will not be graded on grammar and spelling.  There are some basic requirements: 1) the question must be included at the top of the answer sheet, 2) answer each question completely, 3) each answer must be TYPED. There is no make-up for missed thought questions & I do not accept thought questions outside of class.

 

 

 

4. Weekly Quizzes- up to 60 points

 

Over the course of the semester the instructor will administer quizzes on text material.   Quiz questions may consist of short answer, multiple choice, or fill in the blank items. The total possible quiz points will depend on the number of quizzes given.  There are no make-up quizzes.

 

5.  Extra Credit - (up to 35 points)

A student can earn up to 10 points for active class participation throughout the semester.  (Thus, it benefits you if I know your name!) A student with more than 2 absences will receive no participation extra credit points.

 

An additional 25 points of extra credit can be earned by participation in the Salisbury University Student Research Conference.  Students can present their short paper research as a poster or short presentation.  This is a great option for students considering graduate school or looking for experiences to add to their resume.  All students who are interested should consult the instructor and visit the website for additional information (www.salisbury.edu/academic/ugresearch/call.htm )

 

Grading

 

I will determine the final grade according to the total points earned over the semester, based on the following percentage scale:  A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (<60%).

 

Academic Integrity: Please review pages 22-23 of the Undergraduate Catalogue. ALL CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM WILL BE TREATED SERIOUSLY.

 

General Comments

 

  1. Do not sleep in class, if you are that tired just stay home.

2.    Do not come to class more than 5 minutes late & if you must leave early please give the

Instructor prior notification.

  1. Don’t ask the instructor for missed lecture notes, see a classmate.
  2. The instructor will not discuss any grading issues during the last 2 weeks of the semester.
  3. Turn off your cell phones, if your phone goes off in class there will be 5 points deducted from your end of the semester point total.*

 

*In general all of these items involve respect for the instructor and your fellow classmates.  When students leave early, receive personal calls, or sleep they are insulting anyone who is involved or prepared to participate in class.

Course Schedule and Readings

Week                           Topic(s)                                                Chapter(s); Reading assignment

 

Jan. 26                          Course introduction, History & Theory                Chapter 1

 

Feb. 2                           Conception, Prenatal Development,                    Chapters 2, 3

                                                Birth

 

Feb. 9                           Physical Development 1st  Three Years             Chapters 3 & 4

                                   

Feb. 16                         Cognitive Skills: Piaget, Info Processing              Chapters 5

                                    Early Language Skills

 

Feb.23                          First Exam Feb. 24th (Chapters 1-5)

Emotional-Social: Temperament                         Chapter 6

& Attachment

 

Mar. 1                         Brain Growth, Preoperational Stage                    Chapter 7         

                                    Vygotsky's Sociocultural theory

 

Mar. 8                          Self concept, Morality, Gender                           Chapter 8

 

Mar. 15                                    Nontraditional families                                       Chapter 9

                                    Second Exam Mar. 18th (Chapters 6-9)

 

Mar. 22                                    SPRING BREAK

                                   

 

Mar. 29                                    Self esteem, Types of families                            Chapters 10, 11

                                    Adolescence: puberty, cognitive skills

 

Apr. 5                           Adolescence: morality, peer influences                Chapters 12, 13

                                    Early Adulthood: physical/cognitive

 

Apr. 12                         Early Adulthood: love, career issues                    Chapter 14

 

Apr. 19                         Third Exam April 20th (Chapter 10-14)

                                    Middle Adulthood: physical changes                    Chapter 15

 

Apr. 26                         Middle adulthood: relationships, parenting            Chapters 16, 17

Late adulthood: physical changes, memory

 

May 3                           Late adulthood: cognitive cont'd              Chapters 17, 19

                                    Death & dying issues                                        

 

May 10                         Right to die, grieving process                              Chapter 19

 

Finals Week (Final exam TBA, Chapters 15-17, 19 )

** The above schedule/reading assignment is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor**