Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

The North Central Texas College (NCTC) Course Syllabus provides the following as required by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB): (1) a brief description of the course including each major course requirement, assignment and examination; (2) the learning objectives for the course; (3) a general description of the subject matter of each lecture or discussion; and (4) any required or recommended readings.  Contact information for the instructor is also provided.

Course Title: A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development

Course Prefix & Number: PSYC2314

Section Number: 401

Term Code: 2017SP

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):  A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development is a study of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical factors and influences of a developing human from conceptions to death.

Course Prerequisite(s): NA

Course Type:

   - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not    in NCTC Core)

x- Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

- WECM Course

 

Name of Depart. Chair:

Dr. Leslie Kelley

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 336

Telephone Number:

940-498-6424 (email preferred)

E-mail Address:

lkelley@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructor:

Marvin Furdge

Office Location:

Corinth Campus

Telephone Number:

940-343-5153

E-mail Address:

mfurdge@nctc.edu

                   

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Points Values

8

Class assignments

200 (8) 25 points each

10

Quizzes

100 (10)points each

5

Learn smart assignments

100 (20) points

4

Exams

200 points

1

Mid-term Exam

100 points

1

Final Project

100 Points

1

Final Project

100 Points

Total Points 900

Grading Scale

 

810-900-A

720-809-B

630-719-C

540-629-D

539 and Below F

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

 

 

At the successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

·       Describe the stages of the developing person at different periods of the life span from birth to death.

·       Discuss the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that affect the developmental process of an individual.

·       Identify factors of responsible personal behavior with regard to issues such as sexual activity, substance abuse, marriage and parenting.

·       Explain the biosocial, cognitive and psychological influences throughout the lifespan as an ongoing set of processes, involving both continuity and change.

·       Describe the different developmental perspectives of the major theories of development (i.e. cognitive, learning, humanistic, and psychodynamic).

·       Identify examples of some of the cultural and ethnic differences that influence development throughout the lifespan.

·       Discuss the various causes or reasons for disturbance in the development process.

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER FOR EACH LECTURE/DISCUSSION

Topic

General Description of Subject Matter

 Class Introduction

 Class Introduction, Syllabus Overview, Video

Ch.1Introduction

The Life-Span Perspective; Video:

Ch.1

In this chapter we will discuss the life-span perspective on development.

Ch.2 Biological Beginning

In this chapter we will discuss life’s biological beginnings and experiences as well as growth from conception.

Ch.3 Physical Development and Biological Aging

In this chapter we will discuss the changes in the body growth, the brain, and sleep across the life span.

Ch.4 Health

In this chapter we will discuss the many aspects of health, including illness, disease, and nutrition, eating behavior, exercise, and substance abuse.

Ch.5 Motor, Sensory, and Perceptual Development

In this chapter we will discuss how do we develop perceptual and motor abilities and what happens as we age.

 

 

Chapter 6 Cognitive Developmental Approaches

This chapter will discuss the cognitive approaches of developmental psychologists.

 Chapter 7 Information Processing

This chapter will discuss the process of how the speed of processing information changes over time.

 Chapter 8 Intelligence

 This chapter will discuss the development of intelligence across the life span.

Chapter 9 Language Development

This chapter will discuss develop of language across the life span.

Chapter 10 Emotional Development and Attachment

This chapter will discuss function of emotions across the life span.

Chapter 11The Self, Identity, and Personality

This chapter will discuss the dimensions of people at different points in the life span.

Chapter 12 Gender and Sexuality

This chapter will discuss how the existence and continuation of life is influenced throughout the life span.

Chapter 13 Moral Development, Values, and Religion

This chapter will discuss how a person’s moral development proceeds through the life span.

Chapter 14 Families, Lifestyles, and Parenting

This chapter will discuss how love and attachment are two important aspects of family life and beyond.

Chapter 15 Peers and The Socio-cultural World

This chapter will discuss the influence of the social worlds outside the family and how it is important to the life span development.

Chapter 16 Schools, Achievement, and Work

This chapter will discuss the importance of schools is in the developmental process.

Chapter 17 Death, Dying, and Grieving

This chapter will discuss the many aspects of death and dying.

 

 

 

Last day to Withdraw

For this course, the last day to withdraw with a “W” is April 6, 2017.

 

 

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.   These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog.

Scholastic Integrity

 

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See the Student Handbook for more information.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.   A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209. Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Early Alert and CARES

The NCTC Early Alert program has been established to assist students who are at risk of failing or withdrawing from a course. Your instructor may refer you to this program if you are missing assignments, failing tests, excessively absent, or have personal circumstances impacting your academic performance. If submitted as an Early Alert you will be notified via your NCTC e-mail address and then contacted by a Counseling and Testing advisor or counselor to discuss possible strategies for completing your course successfully.

The NCTC CARES (Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Services) Team addresses behavior which may be disruptive, harmful or pose a threat to the health and safety of the NCTC community-such as stalking, harassment, physical or emotional abuse, violent or threatening behavior, or self-harm. As a student, you have the ability to report concerning behavior which could impact your own safety or the safety of another NCTC student. Just click the NCTC CARES Team logo posted on MyNCTC, or send an e-mail to CARESTeam@nctc.edu.  As always, if you feel there is an immediate threat to your own safety or welfare (or to another student), please call 911 immediately.

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more. http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information. http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

Tobacco-Free Campus

 

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.

 

 

 

Other Pertinent Information

Class Attendance

Attendance is required. A sign in sheet will be available every class. It is your responsibility to make sure you sign the roll each time you attend class. You are allowed to miss three (3) days (excused or unexcused). After three (3) missed absences, your grade will drop five (5) points for every day missed. Points will be deducted from your final points. Remember, when you miss class, you miss important information.

Showing up more than 10 minutes late or leaving before class is over will be considered an absent. I do understand emergencies happen and I will address them on a case by case base. Habitual tardiness and early departure will affect your grade.

If you choose to be absent, late, or leave early, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed from your classmates.

If for any reason you decide to drop this course, please note that I do not take responsibility for dropping you. It is your responsibility to drop the course, if you wish to do so. If you do not participate and do not drop the course you will receive an “F” for the semester grade.

Assignments

The dates for all assignments are in the syllabus. If the due dates change, the new date will be announced in class.

Contacting the Instructor

If you wish to contact the instructor, I can be contacted via e-mail at mfurdge@nctc.edu. My office hours are 9:30 am to 10:30 am and 2 pm to 4 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and my phone # is 940-343-5153.

Canvas

All grades and attendance will be posted in Canvas. You may also find other documents such as the syllabus, assignment instructions, and quizzes in Canvas.

Connect

You are required to have a connect access code. If you do not have the access code, you will not be able to access your reading and learn smart assignments.

Extra Credit

There will be not extra credit given for this course. To be successful, it is vital that you complete all of the required assignments.

 

Instructions for all assignments

 

Learn Smart

You will have five (5) Learn Smart Assignments worth 20 points each. The available dates for the Learn Smart Assignments will be announced in class and will be posted in Canvas. The assignments will consist of you reading the assigned chapter and answering the questions that follow. To access the assignments, you will need to log into Canvas and then access Connect. To access connect, you will need the code that comes with your textbook.

Class assignments

There will be 8 class assignments given throughout the semester worth 25 points each. The assignments will be given in essay form as you will be expected to give feedback on the information covered during the class lectures and assigned readings.

Quizzes

You will have ten (10) quizzes worth 10 points each. The available dates for quizzes will be announced in class and posted in canvas. The quizzes will be multiple choices, consisting of ten (10) questions. To access the quizzes, you will need to log into canvas and then access connect. To access connect, you will need the code that comes with your textbook.

Exams

You will take four (4) regular exams worth 50 points each that will consist of 50 multiple choice questions. The chapters the exams will cover are listed in the class calendar. All exams will be administered in the classroom. It is your responsibility to take good notes, come to class, and study to be successful on the exams.

Mid-term Exam

The mid-term exam will consist of one hundred (100) multiple choice questions from chapters 1through 8, the exam is worth 100 points. The question from the exam will consist of information covered during the lectures of the chapters. The exam will be administered in the classroom. A review may be given.

Final Exam

The Final exam will be 100 multiple choice questions from chapters 9 through 17, the exam is worth 100 points. The question from the exam will consist of information covered during the lectures of the chapters. The exam will be administered in the classroom. A review may be given.

 

Final Project (Application Assignment) LO #2

For your final project, you will write a five (5) page paper using some of developmental concepts included one’s life-span. By the end of week 4, you will be expected to turn to your instructor (1) the name of the person you will be writing about, (2) the age of the person, and (3) one paragraph (at least 5 sentences) explaining why you chose to write about this person. These three characteristics will count up to 10 points toward your final project’s grade. Failure to submit your chosen person by the listed deadline will result in a deduction of your grade.

The second part of you final project will require you write about this person explaining how this person has been an influence in society to others. Second, discuss the social, political, economical, and cultural factors that have affected this individual, and how this person’s legacy is present in today’s society. I would like for you to examine this person’s success through a developmental perspective. This part of your project is worth up to 90 points.

This paper must meet the American Psychological Association (APA) style. The title and reference pages are not counted as part of the five required pages for this project. Note, references must be used and shown within the body of the paper and a complete reference list at the end of the paper is expected.

 

 

                                                                           Class Calendar

January 17-January 20/Week 1

  1. Class Introduction
  2. Review Syllabus
  3. Video
  4. Class assignment #1, LO #1 and #5
  5. Read Chapter 1

 

January 23-January 27/Week 2

  1. Finish Chapter 1
  2. Start Chapter 2
  3. Complete Chapter 2
  4. Class assignment #2

 

January 30-February 3/Week 3

  1. Start/Read Chapter 3
  2. Complete Chapter 3

 

February 6-February 10/Week 4

  1. Exam #1 Chapters 1,2, and 3
  2. Start/Read Chapter 4 LO #3
  3. Class assignment #3
  4. Start Chapter 5
  5. Class assignment #4
  6. Turn in Names for Final Projects

February 13-February 17/Week 5

  1. Complete Chapter 5
  2. Start/Read Chapter 6 LO #4
  3. Complete Chapter 6

 

February 20-February 24/Week 6

  1. Start/Read Chapter 7
  2. Exam # 2 Chapters 4,5, and 6
  3. Start/Read Chapter 8

February 27-March 3/Week 7

  1. Complete Chapter 8
  2. Prepare for Mid-term exam

March 5-March 10/Week 8

  1. Take Mid-term exam Chapters 1 through 8.
  2. Read Chapter 9
  3. Complete Chapter 9
  4. Class assignment #5

March 13-March 17/Week 9

                                                SPRING BREAK March 13-19

March 20-March 24/Week 10

  1. Start/Read Chapter 10
  2. Start/Read Chapter 11

 

March 27-March 31/Week 11

  1. Start/Complete Chapter 12 LO #3
  2. Class assignment #6
  3. Exam #3 Chapters 10,11, and 12
  4. Read/Complete Chapter 13

April 3-April 7/Week 12

  1. Start/Read Chapter 14 LO #2
  2. Complete Chapter 14
  3. Class assignment #7
  4. Start/Read Chapter 15 LO #2and #6

April 10-April 14/Week 13

  1. Complete Chapter 15
  2. Class assignment #8
  3. Exam #4 Chapters 13, 14, and 15
  4. Start/Read Chapter 16

April 17-April 21/Week 14

  1. Complete Chapter 16
  2. Turn in Final Projects

April 24-April 28/Week 15

  1. Read/Complete Chapter 17
  2. Prepare for Final Exam

May 1-May 5/Week 16

  1. Read Chapter 17
  2. Prepare for Final Exam

May 8-11 Final Exam week/Week 17

  1. Final exam TBA

Please be mindful that this is a tentative calendar and may change at the instructor’s discretion.

 

 

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