Psychology 2314: Lifespan Growth & Development

Instructor:        Diana  Khan                                     Semester:         Spring, 2008   - Second Start

Campus:           Alief                                       Class Times      Mon – Wed   3:00 – 5:00

Email:              dianaiak@yahoo.com (Best)                                    

CRN:                #29515                                                              

Course Description: A developmental psychology course designed to provide an understanding of human behavior and characteristics from conception through death.  This course includes information on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes throughout the lifespan.  Theory, research, and applications are covered.  Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 2301 or equivalent).

Required Text: Berger, K.S. (2008). The developing person through the lifespan. 7^th ed. New York: Worth Publishing Company.

Instructor Learning Webpage:  http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/members/diana.khan/

           **Check here for additional readings, power points, APA info, etc.**

Course Objectives:  You will find a list of key concepts for this course at the end of your syllabus or online. Please feel free to go in and download any information as necessary. The Psychology Department requires that this information be covered in the course.  Additional information may also be part of your class lectures/discussions and may be covered on class exams.  All key concepts are covered in the text. Most will be covered in class, but students are responsible for ALL required concepts even if they have not been mentioned in the class. Key concepts also include page numbers for corresponding reading assignments in the text.

Student Responsibilities:

  A. Attending class and participating in discussion

  B. Reading and comprehending the text material, and studying for exams.

  C. Completing required assignments and exams

  D. Asking for help when there is a question or problem

  E. Keeping copies of all paperwork, syllabus, handouts, graded exams and assignments

  F.  Listening in class, taking notes, and obtaining notes from classmates when absent. 

 Grade Assessment:

Your grade in this course will be determined using the following formula:

            60%- Exams (only top three scores will count)

            20%- Research Paper

            10%- Class Participation

            10%- Presentation

           100%

The final percentage value will result in a letter grade accordingly:  A = 90-100%,

B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = Below 60%

Extra Credit:   There are several options which may include pop quizzes over required reading material, class participation, research on a particular topic of interest to the class, and contribution of magazine articles for class discussion, For a maximum total credit of 5% of grade.

Exams:  There will be four (4) exams.  Each of the four (4) exams will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. With most of the test questions being selected from various sources such as your textbook, class activities and lectures, so take very good notes in class. The final exam will not be comprehensive. Be on time for your exams, as once the exam has started, no more exams will be allowed to begin and you will have missed the exam. Once you have begun the exam, you will not be allowed to leave the test area, and return to resume the exam, you will have missed the exam.

Academic Dishonesty:  Cheating, collusion, or plagiarism in any form will result in a grade of "0" on the exam or project in question.  A second violation will result in a grade of “F” for the course.  (see student handbook for definitions and instructor options).  Academic dishonesty also includes but is not limited to: Passing notes or talking during a test, text messaging, using crib notes, looking at another student’s test paper, using headphones, cell phones, mp3-type players, handheld computing devices, or any other kind of electronic or electrical device without the specific permission of the instructor during a test. All Cell phones and electronic devices MUST be turned off and put away during tests or they will be confiscated!  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.

Make Up Exams: There are no make-up exams. Plan to take all scheduled exams on time. However, if you miss an exam, that grade may be dropped. Be careful not to miss more than one exam as you will receive a “0” on that exam and only one grade may be dropped. So plan accordingly.

Late Work:  No work will be accepted more than one class period after it is due.

Research Paper:  Plan on using academic and professional journals from the school’s library as well as your own personal experience for reference. Remember to keep any personal experience professional and relevant to the topic. These are the requirements:  APA style, not more than 5-6 pages, due at the beginning of class on assigned due date. Please refer to your assignment handout for more details. No work will be accepted more than one class period after it is due.

Reflection Paper:

The purpose of the reflection paper is for each student to discuss how certain topics discussed in the book and/or in class apply and/or will apply to his/her career, life planning, and family. 

The content of each reflection paper should reflect a topic from the following chapters:

Reflection Paper 1- Chapters 1-4

Reflection Paper 2- Chapters 5-13

Reflection Paper 3- Chapters 14-19

Reflection Paper 4- Chapters 19-26

These are the requirements for your paper:

·        12-point Times New Roman Font

·        1” margins

·        The title page should contain the following information and must be centered:

Your Name

Psyc 2314

Title of your paper

Reflection Paper #

Date

·       1 – 2 papers double spaced

• Your grade will depend on your organization and use of prescribed format, paper based on concept from appropriate chapter, your application of concept in the future, grammar, and mechanics
• I will be using a scale of 1 through 5 to grade your paper
• 1=not present   2=needs revision   3=satisfactory   4=strong   5=outstanding

Class Participation: This grade is determined by what the student brings to the classroom via active participation, participation in question/answer sessions, with positive contributions to the class. The participation grade may also be affected by attendance issues, not reading required material, by not bringing relevant materials to class such as writing pads, pens or books, leaving class early, and NOT participating in class.

Presentation:  This presentation should not take more than 10 minutes; this is a simple exercise where you are required to present to the class your findings on your research topic.  I will be grading on clarity, eye contact, being comfortable with research material, and your ability to answer questions from your fellow students.

Basic Intellectual Competencies in the HCCS core curriculum:  The core competencies all interwoven such as a wall of bricks. If one brick is defective or missing, then everything else fails along the way.  Reading, listening, speaking and other core competencies all go hand in hand.

Reading- evaluated by exams, textbooks, class participation, and newspaper clippings

Writing- I evaluated this through your research paper.

Listening- evaluated by exams, class participation, note taking and participation.

Critical Thinking- evaluated by research paper, critical thinking, testing and participation.

Computer Literacy- through the use of the learning web and researching class topic.

Speaking- this is evaluated by the class presentation from your research findings and class discussions

Classroom Activities:  The format for our class will vary from session to session.  I like flexibility and I encourage creativity.  Some possible classroom activities will be class discussions, experiential exercises, small group exercises, student presentations, library trips and even a film or two.  Sometimes I will lecture on a particular complex topic, and then I may at other times expect you to master sections of the text on your own.  Use the Key Concepts as your guide to determine which material is most important.  I will provide class time for asking and answering questions over material, which will appear on tests.  Course objectives will help you determine which material you need to study and master.

Attendance policy:  Final drop date is 4/3, 4:30 pm. Please see policy below for dropping a class.  Students who do not follow this policy will receive the grade earned.

HCC Course Withdrawal Policy

The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively.  That is, if you repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay extra tuition.  In addition, as of  Fall 2007, students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university. 

To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and the counselors that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance.  Contact your professor or a  counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance. 

In order to withdraw from your class, you MUST contact a counselor or your professor and this must be done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript.  If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you have earned by the end of the semester.  Zeros averaged in for required assignments/tests not submitted will lower your semester average significantly, most likely resulting in a failing grade (“F”).

The final withdrawal deadline for regular term and second start classes is April 3, 2008. However, classes of other duration (mini-term, 8-weeks, etc.) have different final withdrawal deadlines. Please visit the online registration calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines.  Remember to allow a 48-hour response time when communicating via email or telephone with a professor and/or counselor.  Do not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline.  

HCCS Course Repeater Policy:    Students who repeat a course for a third or more times will face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.   Please ask your instructor / counselor about opportunities for tutoring / other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.  In addition, in 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting new students (those starting college in Fall, 2007) to no more than six total course withdrawals throughout their academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree.  There may be future penalties imposed.

Disability Policy:  Houston Community College System is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504).  Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester.  Your instructor is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.  Dr. Becky Hauri is the disability counselor for SW college.  Her phone number is 713-718-7909.

Children: We love your children and understand that parents often face childcare problems. However, the campus is a workplace, and the purpose of our presence here is the business of education. Therefore, we cannot allow children in college classrooms or unattended children on campus. We ask for your cooperation in adhering to this policy. 

Incomplete Policy: The grade "I" may be given at the discretion of the instructor if for some agreed upon reason the student has missed an assignment. The student is responsible for contacting the instructor and arranging to complete the work the following semester.  An “I” will turn to an “F” automatically after one regular semester.

HCCS Mission Statement:  The Houston Community College System is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificates, academic preparation, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities that prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCCS will provide affordable and accessible education, university transfer and general education, workforce development, customized training, continuing education, adult literacy and developmental programs, personal enrichment opportunities, comprehensive student support services, and an environment conducive to learning.

Psychology  2314 Second Start Syllabus Spring, 2008