Announcements
5/12/03

Syllabus

Syllabus:

	Class meetings
	Required Reading
	Assignments
	Grading
	Policies

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Catalog Description: An interdisciplinary study of human development with practical observations. Addresses physical, socio-cultural, intellectual and emotional aspects of growth and development from conception to death. A variety of field experiences will be required. The course meets Area E General Education requirements. 

The aim of the course is to introduce students to theories, methods, concepts, and issues relevant to the scientific study of development through the lifespan, and to provide educational and practical applications of that knowledge.  I will begin the course by addressing the major theoretical and methodological issues in developmental psychology, then progress to social, cognitive, and physical development in infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Requirements include readings, exams, class participation/discussion, field observations, and written assignments.  

Course Objectives 

Upon completion of this course, students will:

• Describe, compare, and evaluate theories of human development

• Become familiar with several major topics, issues, and current research in human development

• Develop skills related to the critical evaluation of developmental research

• Gain a basic understanding of observational methods and the systematic study of children and adults

• Be exposed to individual, cultural and historical variation in human development

• Learn skills related to writing psychological papers  

• Learn skills related to internet access and information competency

• Make applications of developmental principles

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Instructor Office hours:

Mondays 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

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Required Reading 

The following texts are required.

Berk, L.E. (2001). Development through the lifespan. Needham Heights, MA:
      Allyn and Bacon. 

Boyd, D.R. & Stevens, G.D. (Eds). (2002). Current readings in lifespan development.
      Boston: Allyn & Bacon

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Assignments

The following assignments are required. (click on the red links for detailed handouts)

1) Participation

Students are expected to attend each class, as some of the material covered in class will not be covered by the textbook.  students are expected to have read the assigned reading BEFORE class in order to be ready to participate in periodic class discussions. Your class participation grade is based on: (a) Attendance, (b) (Active) Participation in class,  and (c) Homework/email assignments (see course schedule). Please bring your text and/or a copy of the assigned supplementary reading to class each week.

2) Exams

There will be three non-cumulative examinations, each covering roughly one-third of the course material. Exams consist of multiple choice, short answer, and short essay questions. A study guide (posted on the course web page) is available two weeks prior to each exam.  Dates for exams are listed in the course schedule.  THERE ARE NO SCHEDULED "MAKE-UP" EXAMS.  If there is a scheduling problem, you must speak with the instructor prior to the exam. The only valid excuses for missing an exam are: (a) official University business, (b) illness, or (c) family emergency.  All of these require documentation (e.g., letter from doctor, Dean) to be valid.

3) Summary Paper

A 4-page summary of one of three recent empirical journal articles (selected from Current Readings text) is required.  The paper should include a short summary of the study (introduction, hypotheses, method, results, discussion), any limitations you see to the study's method or conclusion, and a possible application of the study. Please email your article choice to me by February 3^rd. The summary paper is due on or before February 24^th (in class). Late papers will not receive full credit.

4) Field Observations/Observation Paper

Two field observations are required (see course schedule). One observation will serve as the basis for a 6-8 page observation paper due the last week of the semester (May 12^th, in class).  I will be happy to read a draft of this paper and provide feedback if it is turned in on or before April 28th. Late papers will not receive full

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Grading

Grades are based on the percentage of points earned (out of a possible 300). Points are assigned in the following manner:

Class participation (8%)

Typically, 94% (282 points) earns an A, 84% (252 points) a B, and 74% (222 points) a C. However, I reserve the right to adjust this scale as needed, based on student performance.

Additional Policies  

• Students are expected to practice academic honesty in completing assignments and cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Academic dishonesty may result in an ‘F’ for the assignment and/or the course.  

• Students are responsible for knowing when assignments are due.  All due dates are listed on the course outline. Late assignments will not receive full credit. Five percent of total points possible will be deducted for each day the assignment is late. 

• Incomplete ('I') grades are not assigned UNLESS there is a compelling reason to do so. An incomplete will be assigned ONLY upon consultation with instructor. 

• There will be no extra credit offered in this course. Extra credit is not necessary to earn an 'A' in the course. 

• Please refrain from distracting or disruptive behavior during class. Examples include: tardiness, engaging in activity unrelated to course, talking with other students, cell phone use, and sleeping.

Please note: I wish to include persons with disability in this course. Please let me know (hembrees@csus.edu) if there are any accommodations I can make in curriculum, instruction, or assessment to facilitate your full participation. 

 If you have any questions about these policies, please see the instructor.