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Lifespan Psychology
3440 - PSYC&200.H1 – Fall 2014
Please print out and read this syllabus
Dr. Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.
Phone: (206) 934-7011
Office hours: 9:30 – 10:00 and 11:00 – 11:30 M,W & F
Online 8:00 – 9:00 T & Th
Office: Rm. IB2327A
E-mail = Please send email for this class through the instructor’s campus email.
robert.atkins@seattlecolleges.edu I do not check the Canvas course website email.
Subject: Include the item # and class you are in (E.g.#9600 PSYC&200.H1)
Class website: https://canvas.northseattle.edu/login
Login material (Write your items in the space below)
User name: _______________________
Your entire student ID number
Password: ______________________
The six (6) letters of your last name. (Repeat if less than six eg. Liuliu)
To register your i>Clicker, go to: http://www1.iclicker.com/register-an-iclicker
i>clicker Technical support =1-866-209-5698
eLearning student support: http://www.virtualcollege.org/
Course schedule:
The Course Calendar in the back of this syllabus gives you a schedule for the quarter.
Grading: Your class grade is based on the four non-cumulative multiple-choice
midterms (50 points each), Course folder (50 points), i>Clicker points (50), and extra
credit (10 pts. – Syllabus Quiz).
My Grades:
Exam #1 _____, Exam #2 _____, Exam #3 _____, Exam #4 _____,
Course folder = ________
i>Clicker points = ________
Extra Credit = ________
Total = ________
(Finding this total on the Grading Scale in this syllabus will give you your final grade).
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Outcome
This course will give you the knowledge to:
* Understand the nature of the individual, of human values and of the relationship
between the self and the community.
* Focus on an individual’s development throughout the lifespan
Note: Often people have had traumatic experiences or have strong feelings on certain
topics. If you feel any of the topics in the text or class will be emotionally damaging to
you, or difficult to learn about or discuss, or would create a “hostile environment” for you
- do not take this course.
Required materials for the course:
1. Text:
Burger – The Developing Person Through the Life Span –9th Edition, Paperback
ISBN# 9781429283939
Using older editions: You may use any edition you wish, however, there
may be some changes from one edition to another.
2. “i>Clicker+”
The “i>Clicker+” student response system can be purchased from the NSCC
bookstore, on Amazon.com, and other sources. Please bring this to class every day to
participate.
How to register your i>Clicker: Go to: http://www1.iclicker.com/register-clicker/
Put in your first name, last name, your NSC student ID number, the remote ID, copy the
image code letters, and click “Register”. Finally, print out the registration information
after you click register.
3. Folder with clear cover and three brads for the course folder
4. “Scan-Tron” sheets, correction fluid, and a pencil are required for taking the exams.
5. Computer: (You will need a computer for this hybrid course)
Your computer needs to be a PC or Mac with a good internet connection, internet
browser, ability to view Power Point, PDF, and MP4 video files. Most computers come
with the ability to view these, if not, you can search for free player downloads for these
items. Search for: “Microsoft Power Point Viewer”, “Adobe PDF reader”, Windows
Media Player MP4” or “Apple QuickTime”.
Google Chrome netbook computers are not recommended.
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Exams:
General description:
The four mid-term exams (50 points each) are not cumulative and cover only the
chapters for that exam. The exams are all multiple-choice, and will test your knowledge
of concepts, terms, and findings. You will also be asked to apply some of the
fundamental concepts to new situations.
Make-up exams
If you miss a scheduled exam, you may take the make-up exam on the last class
day as indicated in the course calendar.
I recommend you take the exams as scheduled, because the make-up exams are
more difficult. The difference is that I "teach to the test" for the scheduled exams.
The make-up exams are only from the text. I ask the computer to randomly select
questions from a database of questions (e.g. randomly select 50 questions from chapters
1-4). These exams look the same (e.g. 50 multiple choice questions), however, they will
have different questions than the originally scheduled exam.
Scoring exams:
The score you receive will be the grade indicated by the computer. I feel this is the
fairest for the largest number of students. While I am glad to discuss the exam with you,
it will not change your score. Any changes in question wording, etc. will be considered
for next quarter, but will not be used to change scores this quarter.
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Course folder & Discussion groups
Course folder:
To help you think about and apply the course ideas to yourself and others at different
points in their lifespan (children and the elderly) you will be creating a course folder of
your ideas. Each part will be no longer than one page (all single spaced). There are ten
parts, for a total of ten pages plus a cover sheet.
Each completed part of this folder will need to be brought to class as indicated in the
course calendar (most Fridays) to get a stamp and be used in the discussion group.
Course folder template:
Download the “Course folder” template from the “Start Here” topics.
Type your answers into this Word document (up to one page all single spaced), and bring
the completed page for just that day to be stamped and discussed.
Stamps:
To give you credit for completing that portion of the folder, and showing you are ready to
contribute to the discussion group, a stamp will only be put on the fully completed sheets
which you bring to class and use during the discussion. A fully completed sheet has at
least a four-sentence paragraph for each section. See the Course folder cover sheet for
more information. Partially completed sheets will not be stamped. Stamps will not be
given out before or after the class. “I did it, but I left it home.”, or “I will not be in class
tomorrow, but here it is, can I have a stamp?” will not be stamped.
Discussion groups are designed to help you:
1. Share ideas on the topic
2. Understand other students’ viewpoints
3. Develop critical thinking skills
4. Discuss how the topic relates to you and understand how others see it.
5. Add to your own answers to increase your grade on the folder.
Discussion notes should be hand written on your stamped sheet.
Students with no or incomplete sheets who did not receive a stamp may sit in on the
discussion, but they will not receive credit in the course folder.
The entire folder (in a clear cover folder with three brads) containing a completed cover
sheet and one sheet for each of the ten sections is handed in for grading at the end of the
quarter. Please see the course calendar for the exact date.
Grading - These are not graded like an essay exam. Grades are based on my judgment of
the time, thought, and effort put into your answers. More detail, more specifics, greater
mention of the topics in the text and how they apply to yourself, along with more
discussion notes added to your answers all increase your score
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Grading
TOTAL
POINTS
300-270
269-240
239-210
209-180
179-0
%
90
80
70
60
GRADE
"A"
"B"
"C"
"D"
"E"
4.0-3.5
3.4-2.5
2.4-1.5
1.4-0.
0.0
(See the "Grading Scale" page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Exam #1 = 50 pts.
Exam #2 = 50 pts.
Exam #3 = 50 pts.
Exam #4 = 50 pts.
Course folder = 50 pts.
i>Clicker = 50 pts.
Total = 300 pts.
(See the “Grading Scale” page for a more detailed grade distribution)
Extra credit (10pts. for the Syllabus Quiz) is simply added to your total points above.
These extra credit points make up for problems such as, ”I forgot my clicker”,
“The clicker batteries ran out”, “I was in an accident and did not get to class.”,
“My computer had problems”, and all other difficulties.
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Grading Scale
Total
Points
300 (100%)
299
298 4.0
297
296_____
295
294
293 3.9
292
291_____
290
289
288 3.8
287
286
285_____
284
283
282 3.7
281
280_____
279
278
277 3.6
276
275_____
274
273
272 3.5
271
270____(90%)
A
269
268 3.4
267_____
266
265 3.3
264_____
263
262 3.2
261_____
260
259 3.1
258_____
257
256 3.0
255_____
254
253 2.9
252_____
251
250 2.8
249_____
248
247 2.7
246_____
245
244 2.6
243_____
242
241 2.5
240____(80%)
B
239
238 2.4
237_____
236
235 2.3
234_____
233
232 2.2
231_____
230
229 2.1
228_____
227
226 2.0
225_____
224
223 1.9
222_____
221
220 1.8
219_____
218
217 1.7
216_____
215
214 1.6
213_____
212
211 1.5
210____(70%)
C
209
208
207 1.4
206
205
204_____
203
202
201 1.3
200
199
198_____
197
196
195 1.2
194
193
192_____
191
190
189 1.1
188
187
186_____
185
184
183 1.0
182
181
180____(60%)
179 0.0
D
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All students are treated the same:
After all grades are in, or even during the quarter, some students want me to make a new,
grading scale or create exam options just for them that do not apply to the rest of you.
These requests sound like this: “Can I take the exam again, I didn’t like my score.” “I
only need one more point to get the next higher grade … please.” “I am failing the
class, so don’t give me the grade I earned, give me an NC (or an Incomplete) instead.”
“If you give me the grade I earned, I can not get into the university.” “I need a 2.0, or I
will be deported.” “I will lose my financial aid.” “I forgot to take the test (or do an
activity) when it was scheduled with everyone else, so can I take it now (several days
later)?” “I tried (or I learned a lot) so you should give me a higher grade.” “I did not
know I was registered in the class and did absolutely nothing, so I should not receive a
0.0 grade.” “I had personal problems during the quarter, so you should increase my grade
(or any deadlines should not apply to me).” “I did not remember it was due then, so can I
turn it in now?” I cannot grade based on any of these factors. You need to do the best
you possibly can from the first day of class, and feel confident the grade you receive at
the end was the best you are capable of.
Here is an example of an email sent to a student explaining my thoughts on this matter.
“I receive many mails from students wanting me to make an exception because of their
personal situations. It would not be fair to other students to make individual decisions
allowing one student to do something others were not allowed to do (based on the syllabus
they received the first day). I have no doubt that what you say is true. However, I cannot
make grading or changes in the syllabus based on each student's difficult situation. Many
students have families, take a heavy course load, and work long hours, have family
emergencies in another country, get sick and have other situations during the quarter.
I do not believe you would be happy if you learned I allowed someone to retake an exam
and not you because I liked his or her story more than yours. As a result, I attempt to treat
all students fairly and equally based on the syllabus.”
If you need help with anything, please see me. I want you to do very well in class and
have established many items to help you do so. These include:
(1) “How To Study” sheet in this syllabus,
(2) Class Presentations
(3) Power point slides,
(4) The text
(5) Study Guides,
(6) Chapter Diagrams
(7) My office hours if you need additional help understanding the material.
With all this support, please remember, all students are treated the same.
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**Instructor created support materials:
Class Presentations (Videos):
To view the presentation, click on the file. After the introductory slide appears, click on
the right pointing triangle to start the presentation. Be certain the volume is on (mute
turned off) and the volume is turned up to a comfortable level. You may then simply sit
back and listen to the presentation as if you were attending the class which created these
presentations. However, you have the advantage of being able to pause or rewind and
review the presentation using the controls at the bottom of the screen.
These recordings have been made “live” in class.
When listening to the recordings and watching the slides, it is good to have the Study
Guide, Chapter Diagram, and text in front of you to use as guides to what will be on the
exam. If you wish to print out the slides, they are available in a file entitled “Power Point
Slides”.
These recordings, and the related Power Point slides, have been included for the
following reasons:
1. It gives you a feeling of being in class, complete with stories, examples, and
comments.
2. You get to know your instructor on a more personal level
3. You get to hear explanations of topics that may be difficult to comprehend
otherwise.
A fun way to listen to the videos:
Rather than listening to the videos alone, if you have friends in the course it may
be more fun to get together with pizza and popcorn and listen to them (like going to the
movies). Pause the tape at the “Do You Remember” questions and discuss them among
yourselves to see if you understand them. This is also a good time to take a break before
continuing.
“Do You Remember?” questions:
The videos have “Do You Remember?” questions to help you review the material
immediately after it has been presented. If you cannot remember the answers to these
questions, then is a good time to go back and immediately review them to reinforce your
memory. These slides have also been duplicated in a Word document for each exam, and
are in a file under the “Start Here” videos. Print these out and complete the answers when
listening to the videos. You can then use these to study for the exams.
Also, since the videos can be long, I suggest you take a break when you get to these
questions. You can walk around, or get something to drink. This will reset your
attention span, which will help you to refocus and start remembering the material again.
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Power Point slides:
The Power Point slides are not “canned” from the textbook, they have been made by your
instructor specifically to help you with the exams, and are the same ones used in the class
presentations.
Chapter Diagrams:
Chapter diagrams are “Concept Maps” of the key concepts being discussed in
lecture, test, and exams. The theory behind these maps is that you can remember a
diagram (or photograph or drawing) better than written text or an outline. This is
particularly true of visual learners.
How to use them:
The best way to use these is to print them out on a color printer and have them in
front of you (along with the study guides) when you listen to the lectures. When listening
to the lectures, or reading the text, you can take notes and transfer the key ideas to the
concept diagrams for later study.
When writing the notes into your diagram, ask yourself if you understand them;
then explain it to yourself (or someone else). It will work even better if you can say this
aloud to yourself so you can hear it.
How to study with them:
1. Add any notes you want to the diagram
2. Develop a mental image of the diagram
3. Try to reproduce that image on a blank piece of paper without looking at the
original diagram.
4. Compare your diagram to the original.
A. The missing items are the ones you need to concentrate on
B. Repeat this process.
Finally, these are just study aids. You do not need to use them if you do not want, and
there is nothing to complete or hand in.
Study Guides:
This file gives you a study guide for each chapter. These are designed directly from the
exams. While you read the text, listen to the class presentations, and view the Power
Point slides, keep these sheets with you, and work toward being able to answer each of
the questions. These will then help you during the exams.
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How to study:
Look at the course calendar to see what materials need to be covered that day.
Class materials (for each chapter):
1. Print out the study materials. This includes the power points (3 to a page), chapter
diagrams, the study guide, and the “Do You Remember” questions.
This will help you focus your studying on the most important items.
2. Spread out the text and all the materials in front of you, then listen to the lecture video.
Pause the video to make notes on the study materials.
This will help you recall the lecture material.
3. In the text, highlight and review the Summary and Key Terms at the back of the
chapter that are covered in the power points. Also, read that section of the chapter for a
more detailed discussion of each item.
Use the text as a reference book, do not read page after page.
This will help you review the class material, and see how it relates to the text.
4. After listening to the video and reading the text:
A. Add to any notes you may have made on the power points, diagrams, etc.
B. Complete the study guide questions. They do not need to be handed in.
This will help you further understand the material presented in the video and
focus your study time on what is most apt to be on the exam.
Each day:
Take about fifteen minutes per chapter to review the materials presented since the last
exam.
Learning research tells us that many short reviews helps you remember the
material much better than one long review.
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Miscellaneous items
Extra credit: Please take the syllabus quiz for ten points extra credit. This cannot be
made-up.
Incompletes: No “Incomplete” (I) grades will be given.
No Credit “NC” grades and Withdrawals: You must request an "NC" grade or
withdraw by the “last day to withdraw” indicated on the course calendar. If you
have not, you will receive a decimal grade for this course.
************************************************************************
When the Registrar’s office says you can get an “NC” grade up until the end of the
quarter, they mean they will process it. What they tend not to tell you is that you
can only receive an NC if requested by the instructor based on the criteria for
assigning an NC grade. My criteria are that you can only receive an NC grade if it
is requested prior to the last day to withdraw. After that date you will receive a
decimal grade. Do not tell me the Registrar said you could get an NC grade up until
the end of the quarter – you cannot.
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Cheating: Any cheating on exams will result in a score of zero (“0”) for that exam (which
can not be retaken). Copying an exam, sending or showing an exam to another student,
or keeping an exam is considered cheating. Facilitating the cheating of another student is
also considered cheating, and both parties will receive a zero. Being with another student
in the same class while taking the exam will be considered collaborating on answering
the exam questions, and will be considered cheating.
i>clicker cheating: Using another student’s clicker to respond for them when they are not
in class is cheating. This will result in the owners of both students receiving a zero in the
clicker portion of the entire grade.
Posting Final Grades: Final grades will not be posted. You may check your grades via
the internet at: NSCC home page > Online Services > Look Up Your Grades.
Guidelines for Student Conduct: Students are expected to comply with student conduct
policy and procedures. Information on student responsibilities and rights is available at
the following website: www.seattlecolleges.com/services
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodation
because of a disability; you must contact Disability Services at phone 527-3697, or TTY:
526-0079 or on the web at http://access.northseattle.edu/services/ds.htm
Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is highly valued at NSCC. A student must
always submit work that represents his/her original words or ideas.
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Inappropriate use of devices: Devices such as laptop computers, smart phones and
similar devices may only be used for class related activities. If you are caught texting,
playing games, or other inappropriate non-class activity you will be asked to leave for the
remainder of the period. Your attendance in the class indicates you have already agreed
to leave when asked.
How to check your internet browser if you are having problems
1. Go to the class website and log in.
3. Often, simply turning off “pop-up blockers” on your web browser will solve problems.
4. Another way to check your browser is to try all the class activities, such as the Power
Points, the recordings, and the class materials. If these all work, you are ok. If you still
have questions, contact the eLearning office on the first page of this syllabus.
How to see your final course grade:
You may check your grades via the internet at: NSCC home page > Online
Services > Look Up Your Grades. Put in your Student ID and Student PIN, then click on
“Get My Transcript”.
How to withdraw from the course:
You may withdraw from a course via the internet at: NSCC home page > Services >
Online Services > Register/Add/Drop Classes, and follow the directions
The Cornell note taking system:
This system and template are in the “Start Here” folder. You do not need to use
this system. It is a famous system for note taking, so I have included it here, because I
feel it can help you.
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Course Calendar
3440-PSYC&200.H1- Fall 2014
Listen to the video for that class before coming to class that day.
Date
September 22
24
26
Class Presentation Videos
Review syllabus and orient yourself to the
class
Ch. 1 – Introduction
Ch. 2 – Theories of Development
Course folder topics to be stamped
Discussions help you think about & add to
your answers before grading.
Introduction
3
Ch. 3 – Heredity and Environment
Syllabus quiz (Extra Credit)
Ch. 4 – Prenatal Development and Birth
Ch. 5 – The First Two Years: Biosocial
6
8
10
Ch. 6 - The First Two Years: Cognitive
Ch. 7 - The First Two Years: Psychosocial
Exam #1
Part II – The First Two Years (Ch. 5-7)
********************************
13
15
17
Ch. 8 – Early Childhood: Biosocial
Ch. 9 – Early Childhood: Cognitive
Ch. 10 – Early Childhood: Psychosocial-1&2
Part III – Early Childhood (Ch. 8-10)
20
22
24
Ch. 11 – Middle Childhood: Biosocial
Ch. 12 – Middle Childhood: Cognitive
Ch. 13 – Middle Childhood: Psychosocial
27
29
31
Exam #2
Ch. 14 – Adolescence: Biosocial
Ch. 15 – Adolescence: Cognitive
29
October 1
Part I – The Beginnings (Ch. 1-4)
Part IV – Middle Childhood (Ch. 11-13)
Part V – Adolescence (Ch. 14-16)
November 3
5
7
Ch. 16 – Adolescence: Psychosocial
Ch. 17 – Emerging Adulthood: Biosocial
Ch. 18 – Emerging Adulthood: Cognitive
Part VI – Emerging Adulthood (Ch. 17-19)
10
12
14
Ch. 19 – Emerging Adult: Psychosocial
Exam #3
Ch. 20 – Adulthood: Biosocial Development
Part VII – Adulthood (Ch. 20-22)
17
19
21
Ch. 21 – Adulthood: Cognitive
Ch. 22 – Adulthood: Psychosocial
Ch. 23 – Late Adulthood: Biosocial
Part VIII – Late Adulthood (Ch. 23-25)
14
24
26
28
Ch. 24 – Late Adulthood: Cognitive
Ch. 25 – Late Adulthood: Psychosocial
Thanksgiving – No Class
December 1
Epilogue – Death & Dying (Not on exam)
3
5
Exam #4
Make-up exams–If the exam was never taken.
End of class – No final exam
November 14th. is the last day to withdraw
********************************
Epilogue – Death & Dying
Folders are due today
Received on Dec. 2-3 = 10 points off
Received on Dec. 4-5 = 20 points off
After Dec.5, no credit – Don’t hand it in
Any late folders must have a date and time
stamp put on it by the secretary to receive
any credit.
Course folders returned
The extra credit syllabus quiz cannot be made up later because I want you to know the
syllabus after the first week.