East Los Angeles College
Psychology Department
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Payal Jain, MA
Course: Section 3191, Lifespan Development, Psych 41, 3.00 Units (UC: CSU)
Best way to contact is via e-mail: Jainp@elac.edu
Location: Monday-Thursday, F7 224, 6:50 TO 9:20 PM
Office Hours: F7-224, 6-6:50 PM or by appointment
Description:
“This course explores the scientific principles of psychology, and applies scientific
research to aid the student in understanding the development of personality and the
achievement of a fulfilling life style. Insight is acquired into emotional patterns, mental
health and illness, human relationships, the functioning of intelligence, learning, problem
solving, motivation, and the physiological basis of behavior.” (ELAC General Catalog).
Student Learning Outcomes:
1) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during
infancy.
2) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during early
childhood.
3) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during
middle and late
childhood.
4) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during
adolescence.
5) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during early
adulthood.
6) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during
middle adulthood.
7) Students will examine biological, cognitive, and socioemotional processes during late
adulthood.
Required Materials:
Required Textbook: Santrock: Essentials of Lifespan Development, third edition
Publisher: McGraw Hill
ISBN: 9781259425707
Class Book Website:
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0078035325/information_center_view0/index.htm
l
Accessing Class Website for Resources, Syllabus, Lecture powerpoints:
Psychjain.weebly.com
Course Materials:
Observations, Discussion Groups, Guest Speaker, Internet, Lectures, Exams, Films,
Student Presentations
Course Requirements:
Examinations: You will receive four multiple choice. The exams will cover all assigned
readings, class discussion, lecture, videos or other media presented in class and student
presentations. Format will be primarily objective test items (multiple choice). Exams may
be open book or take home tests. Please bring a scantron for all exams.
Written Assignment: The Good/Bad Old Days Assignment: Write a 5 page paper
reviewing your experiences during adolescence. Your paper should address significant
issues and life events that you experienced during adolescence and the effect these events
and issues had on you at the time and may currently still have. (Issues that should
be addressed include alcohol/drug use, peer pressure, sexuality, body image,
family dynamics, etc.) How did issues of diversity affect your adolescence?
Discussion of at least 2 developmental Theories (Freud, Erickson, Piaget, Bandura,
Kohlberg, Gilligan) must be integrated into your paper. Show how the theories can be
used to explain your behavior. For example, you may want to discuss how social learning
theory may explain your involvement with certain friends. References should be used in
regard to your discussion of theories. Use APA style of referencing. A reference list must
be included.
Papers graded with an "A" will contain the following elements:
 Effective integration of information from class readings, lectures and outside
readings.
 A creative, engaging writing style.
 APA format, typed, with at least 2 references, with one reference being an article.
APA FORMAT HELP:
http://psychology.about.com/od/apastyle/ig/APA-Format-Examples/
Group Assignment: Students (in groups of eight) will pick one developmental theory
and explain how it connects or applies to a cultural event. Students will then present in
class for 10-15 minutes on an age-graded cultural ceremony, tradition, celebration, or
period of mourning.
Requirements
Groups will answer the following questions:
1. What culture/religion/group of people participate in this ceremony?
2. What is its meaning to the community?
3. What ages participate? In what ways?
4. Is there any special preparation for the ceremony?
5. What happens during the ceremony? What happens after? Is there variation in how
people do things?
6. Does the ceremony grant the participant and new status or privileges?
7. Where did this ceremony come from?
8. What do you think about the ceremony?
Must be engaging, using power-point, and give a one page summary to instructor.
Methods of Evaluation
Exams
Group Assignment
Written Assignment
Total
900-1000
A
800-890
B
700-790
C
600-690
D
400
300
300
1000 points
590 and below F
Disclaimer






Extra credit opportunities may arise during the course of the semester. I do not
provide “ad hoc” extra credit at the end of the semester because you realize that
your grade is not what you wanted it to be.
Students are expected to have all assignments read prior to class.
Cheating is unacceptable. Any student involved with cheating in class or
plagiarizing will result in an immediate Fail on the assignment. A second offense
will result in dismissal from the class and referral to Academic Affairs.
Important guidelines and regulations- Standards and guidelines of conduct are
given in the schedule of classes. It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to all
deadlines dates to drop a class no longer being attended.
There may be videos, discussion topics or other materials that may be construed
as offensive to others.
It is at the instructor’s discretion regarding any policy changes to the syllabus due
to special circumstances.



I do not take any late essays or written assignments unless it is excused prior.
Use of laptops and netbooks are permitted for the purpose of note taking or
following along with the Powerpoint and taking notes. You will lose participation
points if you are using these devices for any other purposes. You must sit towards
the front of the classroom if you would like to use such devices. Use of cell
phones, pagers, iPods, etc., are not allowed in class. Students are not to check to
see if they have text messages, voicemails, etc. You may not leave class to take
calls, texts, etc… If a student is found texting or listening to an MP3 player in
class, they will lose participation points for that day. If you have an emergency
situation which might require the use of your phone, please discuss this situation
with me before class begins.
If you are having difficulty with the course, please come and see me immediately.
Additionally, if you are having other issues that are impeding your success in this
class, please consider speaking to me, visiting the Counseling Department (323265-8751, in the A2 bungalows) for academic concerns, the Student Health
Center (323-265-8651, in G8-111) for personal psychological counseling, or the
Women and Men’s Support Center(323-780-6754 in G8-127) for domestic
violence, stalking, and sexual assault issues. Finally, if you anticipate or
experience any difficulties in studying for this course, it is recommended that you
make use of ELAC’s free tutoring and computer lab services at the Learning
Assistance Center (323-265-8762, F5 building).
Important Dates:



Last day to submit add or audit full term classes: 1/6/16
Last day to drop classes without having to pay fees in person: 1/6/16
Last day to drop classes with a “W” in person: 1/27/16
Schedule:
Tentative course schedule (subject to change, any changes will be discussed in class)
Date of
Presentations
To be read before
Exam
class
1/5
Chapter 1
Introduction
1/6
Chapter 2
Biological Beginnings
1/7
Chapter 3
Prenatal
Development and
Birth
1/11
Chapter 4
Physical Development
in Infancy
1/12
1/13
Exam (1-4)
Chapter 5
Cognitive
Development in
Infancy
1/14
Chapter 6
Socioemotional
Development in
Infancy
1/18
1/19
HOLIDAY
Chapter 7
Physical and
Cognitive
Development in Early
Childhood
1/20
Chapter 8
Exam (5-7)
Socioemotional
Development in Early
Childhood
1/21
Chapter 9
Physical and
Cognitive
Development in
Middle and Late
Childhood
1/25
Chapter 10
Socioemotional
Development in
Adolescence
1/26
Chapter 11
Physical and
Cognitive
Development in Early
Adulthood
1/27
1/28
Exam (8-11)
Chapter 12
Socioemotional
Development in
Adolescence
2/1
Chapter 13 and 14
Physical and
Cognitive
Development in
Middle Adulthood
2/2
Group 1 and 2
Chapter 15 and 16
Physical and
Socioemotional
Development in Late
Adulthood
2/3
Groups 3 and 4
Chapter 17
Physical Development
in Late Adulthood
/4
Groups 5 and 6
Final Papers
Due/Extra Credit
Due
Exam (12-17)