Psychology
Central College
PSYC 2314 – Human Growth and Development: Lifespan
CRN 29636 – Spring 2013
EDC A221 | 10:00am – 11:30am | Mondays and Wednesdays
1.3 Hour Lecture/ 52.5 hours per semester/ (12 weeks)
Instructor:
Laura Renee, M.A.
Instructor Contact Information:
Phone: (713) 718 - 6860
E-mail: Laura.Renee@HCCS.edu
Office location and hours
LRC Suite A (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30pm – 12:30pm
appointment recommended (may also be scheduled for other times)
Instructional Materials
Text: Kathleen Stassen Berger. Invitation to the Lifespan (2010).
New York, New York: Worth.
Course Description
Psychology 2314 is a survey of the basic principles underlying age-related change from
conception to death. The course emphasizes major theories and research findings in the field
of human development. Although we all develop informal theories of human nature as we
interact with others, upon completion of this course, you will have a more comprehensive and
scientific understanding of others' and your own development.
Prerequisite Courses and Skills
This course has a prerequisite/co-requisite: PSYC 2301. If you have enrolled in this course
without having completed PSYC 2301, you may find that you lack the background knowledge
needed to succeed in this course. In addition, both PSYC 2301 and PSYC 2314 require
college-level reading and writing skills. Research indicates that you are most likely to
succeed if you have already taken and passed ENGL 1301. The minimum requirements for
enrollment in PSYC 2301 and PSYC 2314 include placement in college-level reading (or take
GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and placement in college-level writing (or take ENGL
0310/0349 as a co-requisite). If you have enrolled in this course without having satisfied
these prerequisites, you are at higher risk of failure or withdrawal than students who have
done so, and you should carefully read and consider the repeater policy notice that follows.
Course Goals
The goals of all psychology courses at Houston Community College are as follows:
Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to
1. Succeed in advanced psychology courses that include related content and are required for
an undergraduate major in psychology
2. Succeed in advanced psychology and psychology-related courses that include related
content and are required in non-psychology majors such as nursing and education
3. Understand and evaluate psychological concepts that are covered in this course and are
featured in news reports, self-help materials, and as a part of the process of seeking and
engaging in psychotherapy.
INSTRUCTOR POLICIES & STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Email is the primary means of communication between the instructor and students.
2. Students with disabilities who require modifications must notify the instructor of the specific
need as soon as possible after enrollment. To be eligible for modifications, students must
clients of the HCCS office serving students with disabilities or of a comparable department at
their home institution.
3. Instructions for submission of all assignments must be followed. If an assignment
specifies electronic submission of materials, no other format is acceptable. It is in the
student’s best interest to work slightly ahead in case of the inevitable computer problems.
(See #8 below)
4. Students are expected to read the syllabus, read the textbook as assigned, adhere to
specified deadlines and policies, and to keep up with assignments.
5. Students who are dropped from the class for administrative reasons (e.g. transcripts, test
score, failure to pay) may not submit assignments or take exams until documentation of
correction of the problem is provided to the instructor.
6. A grade of "I" (incomplete) will be considered only for those students who have completed
at least 80% of quizzes, exams, and assignments. Only students who are unable to complete
the class because of illness or other extraordinary circumstance may receive an “I”. In
addition, only students who discuss their situation with the instructor prior to the end of the
semester may receive an “I”. In all cases, regardless of circumstances, the instructor
reserves the right to refuse to award an “I”.
7. The instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus at any time during the course.
8. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED!
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:
 Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades
are to be derived
 Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and
lectures
 Description of any special projects or assignments
 Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up
 Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any
special projects or assignments
 Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
 Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
 Read and comprehend the textbook
 Complete the required assignments and exams
 Study 2 – 3 hours outside of class for every hour in class
 Ask for help when there is a question or problem
 Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this
responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it
difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the
learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal. (Failure
to comply will result in the student being asked to leave class and to not return for that day.
Attendance points will be deducted as if the student had not attended class.)
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BE CONSIDERATE!
No cell phones allowed!
No side conversations
No noisy food.
No odorous food
No messy food
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework
has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students.
The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also
for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the
instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with
the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you
are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are
responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course
requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System
officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”:
includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
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Copying from another students’ test paper;
Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of a test that has not been administered;
Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation
of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or
F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be
respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow
students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not
use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or
testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations.
Instructional Methods
I believe the best method for learning is to be an active participant in the process. To that
end I attempt to make my classes as interactive as possible. There will be class activities
and ample opportunity for discussion of major topics.
ASSESSMENT:
EXAMS:
There will be TWO EXAMS (a midterm and a cumulative final exam) over the material
presented in class. Each of the exams will be worth 15 points of your overall grade.
Exams will be largely objective in nature (multiple-choice, matching, and True/False).
Please come on time for class and for exams. Students who arrive late for exams may be
barred from taking the exam, especially if students have already exited the classroom after
completing the exam.
Failure to take an exam: Students are expected to note the exam dates and be present for
all required exams. If it becomes necessary to administer a make-up exam, the student may
expect a grade penalty, an alternative exam format, or both, per the instructor’s discretion.
QUIZES:
Students will be required to take a quiz over each chapter before the lectures. These quizzes
will be available on Eagle Online a week before they are due. Each quiz will be worth a
possible 1 point.
ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS:
Each unit includes an online assignment. These assignments are generally quizzes, surveys
and polls. You are not graded on what you know, but on participating in the assignment.
Each assignment will count 1 point with an additional 1 point awarded for having at least
50% correct on the quiz. The student will need to take a screen shot or print off the results
from the website. The student can earn up to 2 points total for this assignment.
VIDEO SUMMARIES:
Each unit includes an online video. Students are required to summarize each video. The
summaries should include all of the major points in the videos (i.e., theories, research
findings, practical implications, case studies, etc.). In order for students to get full credit for a
video summary, I must be able to tell from their summaries that they have watched the entire
video and grasped everything presented in it. In some cases, it may be necessary to watch a
video more than once to be sure that you have included all the necessary information in your
summary. If you need to watch the videos on campus, you must bring your own headphones
to the lab or library. Summaries will be turned in on blackboard. Each of the summaries will
count up to 3 points.
IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
There will be several in class assignments. Participation in all of the assignments will earn
the student up to 1 point each week.
POSTER PROJECT:
Students will be divided into groups the first week of class. Each group will have a different
stage of development and students will choose a topic relevant to that stage and make an
individual five minute poster presentation on either original research or a literature review. All
presentations will include a minimum three page, typed, double-spaced paper, using a 12point Arial or Times New Roman font with one inch margins. No header is allowed and will
be penalized. All reference information should be on a separate cover page. Students will
submit paper in class and on blackboard. The paper must be at least 60% original as rated
by Safeassign, Dogpile or Turnitin.com to be graded and penalties will be assessed on
anything less than 80% original. No late papers will be accepted.
In addition, each student will work within the group to present a relevant activity to the class
based on the stage of development they are presenting.
The poster presentation will be worth up to 20 points (5/paper, 5/poster, 5/presentation and
5/group activity). Rubrics will be available online.
HCC Behavioral Science Fair
An extra 5 points will be awarded to any student entering the HCC Behavioral Science Fair
and another 5 points if the student’s entry is judged to be one of the wining entries.
You can earn 30 points possible for this assignment.
SERVICE PROJECTS:
Students have the opportunity to earn credit for a service project (non-religious). The student
must contribute 4 hours of documented volunteer service. In addition, the student must
enhance this service by conducting independent work such as a survey, poll or interview.
The student must write a five page paper and present in class the results of their service
learning experience and how it relates to the subject of Lifespan Development. Creativity
counts! The student can earn 2 points for volunteering, or up to 10 points for volunteering
and paper/presenation.
PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE:
Because class discussion and in-class exercises are critical to the learning process,
participation will count for 10 points. Attendance is mandatory for participation. This
provides a relatively easy way for students to earn points toward a higher grade. Five points
will be deducted for any absence and one point for each tardy or for leaving class early.
(Packing up your material before class is OVER counts as leaving early.) You can have
points deducted from your final grade for the course.
CALCULATING YOUR GRADE:
The grade will be the sum of the points received. If you only attempt 70 points then you can
not earn a grade higher than a “C.” It is up to the student to keep track of the points they
have attempted and earned. Total points earned will be posted on Eagle Online
Grading
HCCS Grading Scale
A = 100 – 90: …………………………………………………………4 points per semester hour
B = 89 – 80: …………………………………………………………3 points per semester hour
C = 79 – 70: …………………………………………………………2 points per semester hour
D = 69 – 60: …………………………………………………………1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F …………………………………………………….0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) ………………………………………………………0 points per semester hour
W(Withdrawn) .………………………………………………………..0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete) .………………………………………………………...0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit) .…………………………………………………………..0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to
receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of
semester hours attempted. The grades “IP,” “COM” and “I” do not affect GPA.
HCC Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best
way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in
student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to
succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs regularly. You are responsible for
materials covered during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is
your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop
you for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is
discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after
accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours of instruction. The six hours of class time
would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class early.
You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the decision
not to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class. However, if this
happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have “lost” the class.
Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including
the first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or
a buddy in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in
paper if you unavoidably miss a class.
Class attendance equals class success
HCC Policy Statement - ADA
Services to Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC
Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is
authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services
Office. Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the
appropriate DSS counselor for assistance
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course
prior to the final date of withdrawal. Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the
time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor
may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course.
Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law
limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout
their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
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 HCC counselors that you might fail
a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your
responsibility to visit with 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.
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact a HCC counselor or your
professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR
to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. **Final withdrawal deadlines
vary each semester and/or depending on class length, 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 24-hour
response time when communicating via email and/or telephone with a professor
and/or counselor. Do not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a
day before the deadline. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the
grade that you are making in the class as your final grade.
The deadline is: Monday, April 1, 2013 by 4:30.
International Students: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student
visa. Once a W is given for the course, it will not be changed to an F for the purpose of
maintaining an international student’s visa. Please contact the International Student Office at
713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed
classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than
twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage
students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher
tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are
considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your
instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing
homework, test taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or
other assistance that might be available.
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs
for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston
Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
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.
CLASS CALENDAR
(You are responsible for any and all schedule changes.)
Houston Community College
PSYC 2314
Spring 2013
January 14:
INTRODUCTION TO CLASS
Week 1
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January 21:
BASIC CONCEPTS
Week 2
Read Chapter 1 (pp. 1 - 41)
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapter 1 Quiz
Online Assignment I
Photos of Ancestors
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January 28:
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES
Week 3
No Assigned Reading
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Photos of Ancestors
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February 4:
PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT
Week 4
Read Chapter 2 (pp. 42 - 93)
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapter 2 Quiz
Online Video I Summary
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February 11:
CHILDBIRTH
Week 5
No Assigned Readings
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Online Video II Summary
Online Assignment II
February 18:
INFANCY
Chapters 3 & 4 (pp. 83 - 155)
Week 6
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapters 3 & 4 Quiz
Online Video III Summary
Online Assignment III
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Februrary 25:
CHILDHOOD
Week 7
Chapter 5, 6,7 & 8 (pp. 157 - 305)
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8 Quiz
Online Assignment IV
Online Video IV Summary
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March 4:
MID-TERM
Week 8
March 6:
POSTER WORK
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March 11:
SPRING BREAK
Week 9
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March 18:
ADOLESCENCE
Week 10
Chapter 9 & 10 (pp. 307 - 381)
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapter 9 & 10 Quiz
Online Assignment V
Online Video V Summary
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March 25:
ADULTHOOD
Week 11
Chapter 11, 12 & 13 (pp. 384 - 493)
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapter 11, 12 & 13 Quiz
Online Video VI Summary
Online Assignment VI
Holland Career Inventory
Online Assignment VII
Online Video VII Summary
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April 1:
POSTERS DUE!
Week 12
April 8:
LATE ADULTHOOD
Chapter 14 and 15 (pp. 495 - 563 )
Week 13
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Chapters 14, 15 Quizzes
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April 15:
END OF LIFE
Epilogue (pp. 564 - 589)
Week 14
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Epilogue Quiz
Online Assignment VIII
Online Video VIII Summary
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April 22:
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Week 15
DUE BEFORE CLASS
Paper submitted online
LAST WORK ACCEPTED FOR GRADING!
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April 29:
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Week 16
AND
SERVICE PROJECTS
FINAL EXAM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8