Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Lifespan Growth & Development

Course Prefix & Number: 

PSYC2314

Section Number: 

403

Semester/Year:

Spring 2021

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

 

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

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.         

Course Prerequisite(s):

Required Course Materials:

Santrock. A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development. 9th Edition. McGraw Hill. ISBN:9781260532012

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Jennifer Doran

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth / Room 337

Telephone Number:

(940) 498-6424

E-mail Address:

jdoran@nctc.edu

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9 am to 4 pm; Online and by appointment

3 to 6 pm; Online and by appointment

9 am to 4 pm; Online and by appointment

3 to 6 pm; Online and by appointment

9 am to 4 pm; Online and by appointment

It is my goal to return all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education

Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will 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 development process of the 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 disturbances in the developmental process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

Graded Course Elements

Point Value

 

Percentage of Final  Grade

1.

Exams

400 points

40%

2.

Group Activities / Participation

200 points

20%

3. 

Choice Assignment (4 sections)

300 points

30%

4.

Institutional Assessment –

Lifespan Stages Essays

100 points

10%

TOTAL:        

1,000 points

100 %

 

  • Exams (400 points):    We will have four exams that are worth 100 points each.   Please bring a scantron, notebook paper and a #2 pencil to class on exam days.   Exams will cover material from our text and material from class.   In the event of a documented emergency, a make-up (for ONE missed exam) may be offered on the day of the final.   Please refrain from phone use or restroom trips during exams.
  • Group Activities / Participation (200 points):  During class we will complete activities that help to reinforce the course concepts.   Grade will be determined by reviewing assignments, attendance records, and by observation.
  • Choice Assignment (300 points):  This ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ assignment has four sections.   See the document in Canvas for additional details.
  • Institutional Assessment – Lifespan Stages Essays (100 points):  This assignment will be completed in Canvas and is due in Week 12.   Please see the document in Canvas for additional details.

 

TOTAL:   1,000 possible points


 

 

 

RUBRIC

for

Lifespan Stages Essays

Grading Criteria

Excellent

Proficient

Approaches Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Content Relevance, Accuracy and Organization

 

~Up to 80 points

61-80 points

**Presents appropriate material clearly and in a well-organized manner.

**Writing clearly demonstrates sound understanding of subject matter.  

41-60 points

**Presents material in a somewhat organized manner.

**Writing demonstrates a degree of understanding of subject matter.  

 

21-40 points

**Presents somewhat relevant material but organization is not fully achieved. **Writing demonstrates some understanding but some uncertainty with  subject matter.  

 

0-20 points

**Content is unclear.   Overall organization is difficult or impossible to follow. 

**Writing demonstrates a lack of knowledge with regard to the subject matter.  

 

 Sources

 

~Up to 10 points

9-10 points

**Cites all data obtained from sources.

**Sources are reliable and APA citation style is accurate.

 

6-8 points

**Cites most  data obtained from sources.

**Sources are largely reliable and APA citation style is somewhat accurate.

 

3-5 points

**Cites minimal data obtained from sources.

**Sources are present but not reliable; errors in APA citation style are noted.

 

 

0-2 points

**Does not cite sources.

** APA citation style is not evident.

 

 Mechanics

 

 

~Up to 10 points

9-10 points

**Ideas are communicated clearly.

**Accurate grammar/spelling.

 

6-8 points

**Ideas are generally communicated clearly.

**Grammar/spelling generally accurate.

 

3-5 points

**Ideas are often unclear due to mechanical errors.

**Errors in grammar/spelling noted.

 

0-2 points

**Message is lost due to significant mechanical errors.

**Significant errors in grammar/spelling are present.

 

TOTAL POINTS EARNED

 

 / 100 POINTS


 

 

 

TENTATIVE COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE

 

 

 

Week

Date

Topics

Reading

(Please complete                                     PRIOR to class.)

1

January 19

Course Overview / Syllabus Activity

Chapter 1

January 21

The Lifespan Perspective / Class Activity

 

 

2

January 26

Biological Beginnings:   Early Development

Chapter 2

January 28

Biological Beginnings:   Brain Development

Chapter 3

 

3

February 2

Biological Beginnings

Brain Development (cont.)

Chapter 3

February 4

Infancy/Early Childhood:

Physical Development  

Choice Assignment PART ONE Due

Chapter 5

 

4

February 9

Infancy/Early Childhood: Attachment

Chapter 10

 

February 11

Review

 

 

5

February 16

Exam 1 (Covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10) 

Please bring scantron, #2 pencil and notebook paper.   Exam will include multiple choice and essay questions.

 

February 18

Childhood:  Cognitive Development

Chapter 6

 

6

February 23

Childhood:  Cognitive Development (cont.)

 

February 25

Childhood:  Language Development

Choice Assignment PART TWO Due

Chapter 9

 

7

March 2

Childhood:   Intellectual Development

Chapter 8

March 4

Childhood:   Families

Chapter 14

 

8

March 9

Activity / Review /

Sign up for Group Presentations

 

March 11

Exam 2 (Covers Chapters 6, 9, 8, and 14)  

Please bring scantron, #2 pencil and notebook paper.  Exam will include multiple choice and essay questions.

 

 

 

 

March 15-21 - Spring Break – Enjoy!

 

 

 

9

March 23

Adolescence:  The Self

Chapter 11

March 25

Adolescence:  Peers

Choice Assignment PART THREE Due

Chapter 15

 

10

March 30

Adolescent/Adulthood: Gender / Sexuality

Chapter 12

April 1

Adolescent/Adulthood: Moral Development

Chapter 13

 

 

11

April 6

Complete Unit / Review

 

April 8

Exam 3 (Covers Chapters 11, 15, 12, and 13)  

Please bring scantron, #2 pencil and notebook paper.  Exam will include multiple choice and essay questions.

 

 

 

12

April 13

Adulthood:   Staying Healthy

Chapter 4

April 15

Adulthood:   Health (cont.)

Institutional Assessment – Lifespan Stages Due

 

 

13

April 20

Adulthood:   Death, Dying and Grieving

Chapter 17

April 22

Choice Assignment PART FOUR Due

 

 

14

April 27

Adulthood:  

Death, Dying and Grieving (cont.)

 

April 29

Activity

 

 

15

May 4

The Meaning of Life

 

May 6

Wrap Up / Review 

Extra Credit Projects Due

 

 

16

 

Final Exam:   May 13th at 12:30 p.m.

 

Exam 4 (Covers Chapters 4 and 17 and class activities)  

Please bring scantron and #2 pencil.  Exam will include multiple choice questions.

 

 


 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5, 2021.

 

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______       

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         Government/Political Science

X         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

o         American History

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

X             Critical Thinking

X              Communication

X              Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility

 

 

 

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Students may earn a zero for an assignment or for a course due to academic dishonesty.   Please come to me for help with any of these topics.   You may also visit our library for additional information:  http://www.nctc.edu/library/research-help/CitationGuides.html

 

Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change as conditions change.

 

Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

 

  • Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

  • Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
  • Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
  • Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
  • Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
  • Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
  • Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
  • Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the spring 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Adam Ramsey

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 814

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4925

E-mail Address:

aramsey@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

316 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201

Telephone Number:

940-380-2504

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

Syllabus Update - Moving Online

 

UPDATED GRADE DISTRIBUTION FOR ONLINE COURSE

1.

Two Exams

200 points

20%

2.

Weekly Online Activities

300 points

30%

4. 

Weekly Online Group Discussions

100 points

10%

5.

Choice Assignment

300 points

30%

6.

Institutional Assessment

 100 points

10%

                                                                                                                     TOTAL:        

1,000 points

100 %