There are several types of papers from which to choose.  Your paper must be typed and needs to be at least 1 page but not more than 2 pages. Each paper must contain 3-5 of the key concepts. No handwritten or late papers will be accepted. All papers must be submitted in person. Emailed or faxed papers will not be accepted. The assignment is NOT optional and may not be used as one of the dropped test scores.

 

Each paper must meet the following requirements:

·   maximum of two double-spaced typed pages (do not go over two pages or points will be deducted).

·   12-point Times New Roman font

·   1” margins.

·   A cover sheet must be included with the following information: your name, professor’s name, date, Psychology 2314, your class meeting days & time, and the title of paper (5 points off if incorrect).

·   Staple your paper—do not put in a folder.

·   Internet Article included (10 points deducted if not)

·   Key concepts highlighted, bolded or underlined

·   Your grade will depend on your organization and use of prescribed format, paper based on concept from appropriate chapter, your understanding and application of concept, grammar, and mechanics

Category 1  This category must be chosen at least once, and can be chosen as many times as you like.

 

·   Review of journal article. Select an article from a published journal or a professional internet site that deals with a topic related to developmental psychology. Pick a topic covered in the assigned reading. Summarize and critique the article in 1-2 pages.

 

This journal article must be from a professional publication (see http://www.apa.org/psycinfo) or a professional internet site (www.apa.org; www.psychologicalscience.org; http://www.psycport.com). Popular magazines or articles written by non-professionals will NOT be acceptable as references (e.g. you may not use Time, Reader's Digest, or Psychology Today.) 

 

Category 2  Each option in this category may only be chosen once

 

·   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 will apply to his/her career, life planning, and family. Your reflection paper should be 1-2 pages in length and typed.

 

·   Journey Through the Lifespan DVD: 2 options (you may do both of these options). These are the DVDs that accompany your textbook.  They give a visual illustration of the material found in your textbook.  Your summary should be relevant to all information in that section.

 

1. Watch childbirth – middle childhood (DVD 1 and part of 2) and write a 2-page summary of the contents. Relevant for Essays 1 or 2 (Chapters 1-13).

 

2. Watch adolescence – late adulthood (last part of DVD 2 & first part of DVD3) and write a 2-page summary of the contents. Relevant for Essays 3 or 4 (Chapters 14-Epliogue)

 

These DVDs are on reserve in the Stafford and West Loop campus libraries under the course # if needed. However, DVDs have to be viewed at the library – you may not check it out).

 

·   Media Article:  Find a newspaper or magazine article, editorial, cartoon, etc that applies to the relevant subject area.  This may be from an online source. Write a summary of the article and how the article relates to the chapter.  A copy of the media article is required.

 

·   Applications:  At the end of each chapter, there is a section entitled Applications.  You may choose one of these questions from the relevant chapters of the book to answer.  You must indicate which chapter and which question you are answering.  Your answer must contain 3-5 key concepts from the chapter (or previous chapters).

 

·   Book Critique: You may read a book relevant to developmental psychology and write a report about what you read. Please bring your book to me for approval before beginning the report. The title and author of the book must be submitted in writing as well. In your report answer the following questions:
1. What are the main ideas of the book?
2. What is your evaluation of the main ideas and assumptions of the book? Criticize and praise, agree and disagree, point out omissions and overemphasis, all with examples.
3. Why was this book written and who was the intended audience?
4. Would you recommend the book, and if so to whom?

 

Grading Criteria:

 

1.         Did you select an article that deals with a topic covered in our textbook that is relevant to the material covered during the assigned time period? (5 points)

 

2.         What is the article about and how is this article relevant to assigned chapters or readings? Are 3-5 key concepts included? Were you able to analyze the article and relate it to the material in the chapter? (10 points)

 

3.         Did your paper follow the requirements (article copy included, grammatically correct, spell checked, typed, cover page, etc)?   (5 points)

 

4.        Was your critique concise and understandable? (5 points)

 

Ask-online (http://www.hccs.askonline.net or http://swc2.hccs.edu/e-tutor/) will review your papers and make relevant comments on your writing skills. This is a very helpful service, and you are encouraged to use this service in order to correct your papers prior to submitting them.

 

GRADES

Your final course grade will be calculated according to the following formula:

                                                                       

Best 4 out of 5 tests/quizzes* (100 points each; 400 points total)                               80%

4 written Assignments (25 points each; 100 points total)                                             20%

                                                                                                                                   

*Student’s lowest grade will be dropped

 

The final percentage value resulting from the sum of the above components will be converted into letter grades according to the following scale:

 

            A = 90-100                             D = 60-69

            B = 80-90                               F = Below 60

            C = 70-79

 

EXTRA CREDIT:

 

1.         Key Questions: On the day of the exam, you may turn in your completed Key Questions for the chapters covered on the test. Key Questions are found at the end of each chapter.

 

            These questions/answers must be turned in before the test starts.  These must be handwritten.  You may either write the questions and the answers or the answers must be in complete sentences. No late work will be accepted.  You may earn up to 5 extra points on that exam.

 

2.         Good Attendance: If you have perfect attendance for the entire course I will add two points to your final course average.  If you miss only once, I will add one point to your final course average.   There are no excused absences regarding extra credit. A late arrival or early departure from class counts as 1/3rd of an absence for extra credit purposes.

 

3.         Participation: Participation is defined as making pertinent comments, asking relevant questions, or bringing to the classroom relevant materials about class topics. The quality—not just quantity—of your participation.  Remember this is ultimately a subjective grade. 

 

Penalties: Respect toward all persons is expected.  If a student is rude, distracting, disrespectful and/or inattentive toward the professor or other students, that student may be asked to leave the class and points may be deducted for participation.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY:

Class time will be a combination of lecture, video, discussion, small group interactions.

Sometimes I will lecture on particularly complex topics, but at other times you may be asked 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.

 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:

·   Students are expected to act in a manner befitting appropriate social behavior for an adult. Students are expected to be considerate of the instructor and other students while in class. Disruptive behavior may result in the student(s) being asked to leave the classroom.

·   All cellular phones and pagers are to be turned off or placed on silent (not vibrate). Text messaging is not permitted.

·   Laptops may only be used with my approval and only for taking notes in class. Any other activity on your laptop is considered disruptive.

·   Read the chapters assigned before coming to class.  This allows you to ask questions and participate in class discussions.

·   Plagiarism and/or cheating will not be tolerated.

 

CORE COMPETENCIES:

1) Reading— textbook and exams, measured by objective tests

2) Writing – written assignment evaluated by instructor

3) Oral – class participation

4) Listening—class participation, listening during lectures (assessed by testing)

5) Critical Thinking—writing assignment, testing

6) Computer Literacy—online quizzes

 

Key Concepts (Course objectives):

You will find a list of key concepts for this course at the end of your syllabus or online. 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.

 

Attendance:

You MUST visit with a faculty advisor, a counselor or on-line student services at: http://studentservicesonline.hccs.edu/ prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class and this must be done prior to the official drop date to receive a “W” on your transcript. After that deadline, you will receive the grade you earn in the class (including 0’s on all missing assignments). Because a counselor or your instructor must process the paperwork for the drop (you cannot drop yourself), please allow adequate time before the drop date for them to do this.

Regarding daily attendance: it is important that you come to class. It has been my experience that poor attendance records tend to correlate highly with poor grades. An instructor may according to the rules of the college, drop a student after he/she has missed six (6) hours of class time, provided that the six hours are missed prior to the official drop date.

 

Because this is a shortened session, each class period is the equivalent of 1 week during the regular term.  It is essential that you attend class in order to learn the material.  If you need to come in late, please notify me ahead of time unless there is an emergency.  Please come in quietly and sit in the back.

MY POLICY IS:

I will not drop any student. It is the student's responsibility to notify me that they wish to withdraw from this course. Do not just stop attending classes. If a student remains on my class roll past the last date for Administrative & Student Withdrawals, a letter grade will be assigned based on all grades for the course (including 0s for missing assignments).

NOTICE:  Students who repeat a course for a third or more times will face significant tution/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.

MAKE-UP/Late work POLICY: There are no make-up tests.  You can drop your lowest test grade.  Late work will not be accepted and will result in a zero for that assignment.

Academic Honesty: 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)

 

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.

Guests and 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.

 

Course Schedule

 

 

WEEKS                     DATES                                  ASSIGNMENT

 

1                                  10/28-10/30                           Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

2                                  11/4-11/6                               Essay Paper #1 is due (11/04)

Chapters 6, 7

Test #1 – Chapters 1-7 (11/06)

Quizzes – Chapters 1-7 (11/06)

Chapters 8, 9

 

3                                  11/11-11/13                           Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13

                                                                                    Essay Paper #2 is due (11/13)

 

4                                  11/18-11/20                           Test #2 – Chapters 8-13 (11/18)

Quizzes – Chapters 8-13 (11/18)

Chapter 14, 15, 16, 17

 

5                                  11/25                                      Essay Paper #3 is due (11/25)

Chapters 18, 19

Thanksgiving Holiday (11/27)

 

6                                  12/2-12/4                               Test #3 – Chapters 14-19 (12/2)

Quizzes – Chapters 14-19 (12/2)

Chapters 20, 21

 

7                                  12/9-12/11                             Chapters 22- Epilogue

                                                                                    Essay Paper #4 is due (12/11)

 

8                                  12/16                                      Test #4 – Chapters 20-Epilogue

Quizzes – Chapters 20-Epilogue

 

Key Concepts for Psyc 2314

2008-2009 Concept List for Psychology 2314:

Berger, K. S., The Developing Person Through the Lifespan, (7^th ed.)

 

	Berger
PART I: THE BEGINNINGS
Developmental psychology	3
life-span perspective	3-6
cohort	9
cross-sectional and longitudinal research	21-24
systems theory	5-6
Freud's Psychosexual Theory	35-36
Erikson's Psychosocial Theory	36-37
learning theory	38-42
Piaget’s theory of cognitive development	43-45
Vygotsky's theory (see also Play Years)	46-49
epigenetic systems theory	49-54
nature/nurture controversy	55-57
Gene and chromosome	61-63
process of reproduction	63-64
multiple births	69-72
dominant and recessive genes	67-69, 81, 84
genetic research	67
behavior genetics	73-78
genetic counseling	84-87
Stages of prenatal development	91-96
teratogens	97-104
prenatal abnormalities	98-108
preterm and low birth weight	113-115
Part II: THE FIRST TWO YEARS: INFANTS AND TODDLERS
Brain development (Page Guide to Coverage of Brain Development through the Life Span in Preface (p. xix)	129-135	Page Guide to Coverage of Brain Development through the Life Span in Preface (p. xix)
SIDS	146-148
role of nutrition	148-151
including breastfeeding in development	148-150
Sensorimotor intelligence	136-143, 155-161
object permanence	157-158, 158-159