Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
CHDV1410-03: DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: ADULTHOOD & AGING (3.0 units)
Monday and Wednesday 12:15pm-1:30pm
Instructor: Natalie Belcher, MA
Email: npfost2@calstatela.edu
Online Office: Zoom (zoom info on canvas)
Office Hours: Thursday 12pm-1pm or by appointment
Health, Safety, and Community Agreement: We need to take care of each other.
1. All individuals indoors are required to wear masks when in the classroom and around others. Masks will be
widely available on campus.
2. Everyone should engage in regular health self-screenings and stay home if you have any symptoms. Symptoms of
COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath (more details can be found on CDC website). If you
experience these symptoms, you should get tested for COVID.
3. If you come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, we recommend you get tested
yourself.
4. If you test positive for COVID, please:
a. Stay home and avoid contact with others, except for seeking medical care if needed.
b. We urge students who test positive for COVID-19 to contact the Student Health Center at (323) 343-3302. The
SHC will do contact tracing and notify students and faculty who may have been in contact with you.
c. Students may seek medical care from the Student Health Center (SHC). Please call first at (323) 343-3300 before
visiting the SHC. The SHC is following the guidelines of Public Health in assessing and caring for patients
presenting with symptoms. For other information and hours of operation, please visit the Student Health Center
webpage. If students have questions about their symptoms, they can call 323-343-3302.
d. Separate yourself from other people in your home and avoid sharing personal items. According to L.A. County
Public Health Guidelines, you must stay home until:
i. At least 5-7 days have passed since your symptoms first started or you first tested positive and
ii. You do not have a fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) and
iii. Your symptoms improve.
e. Seek urgent medical care for serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or inability to keep fluids down. f.
L.A. County Public Health offers more detailed guidance on what to do if you are sick with COVID-19.
5. If the instructor tests positive, they will inform the Department, and the university will conduct contact tracing.
Also, if the instructor gets sick, the in-person classes will turn to remote instructions or be canceled.
6. Please stay up to date with requirements and changes to vaccinations:
https://www.calstatela.edu/healthwatch/covid-19-vaccination-faq
7. For more information, please contact the COVID-19 Hotline (323) 343-3385 or see the Cal State LA Health
Watch website: https://www.calstatela.edu/healthwatch
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
Please read: Even if you do not have COVID (received a negative test) but you have symptoms of sickness please
stay home. Since I am pregnant, this is a very risky time for me to get sick. For the safety of others and myself, If
you have any symptoms of sickness please do not come to class. As long as you communicate with me, I will be
happy to provide you with an extension on the missed activity. Please make sure to only say you are sick if you are
actually sick. If you say you are sick multiple times throughout the semester, a makeup activity will not be allowed
unless there is a unique circumstance.
Required Text: Berger, K.S. (2020) The Developing Person through the Life Span, 11th edition. New York, NY:
Worth Publishers.
Course Description: Study of adult development from emerging adulthood through the end of life in dynamic and
diverse contexts; examination of interaction among biological, social/cultural, and psychological domains from a
developmental perspective
Course Goals:
· Study developmental phenomena from adulthood to aging regarding ethics of research, classic research studies,
methodology, interpretation, and applicability to diverse populations.
· Use information learned in this course to better understand one's own and others’ experiences of development
across the life span.
· Learn developmental theories that incorporate the importance of place, time, and culture in shaping development.
· Understand that the development of individuals is shaped by their membership in families and communities
embedded in larger society and historical/political/physical environments.
· Apply theories and concepts of the development person
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course:
1. Students understand the study of development as a scientific and theory-driven process (Foundational knowledge)
a) Students can identify the basic steps of scientific inquiry
b) Students can define and apply key terms related to developmental research, such as experimental, correlational,
longitudinal, observational.
c) Students are familiar with some classic examples of developmental research and their significance for current
understandings of development
d) Students can describe the key elements of major developmental theories and apply them to examples of adult
development
2. Students develop awareness of the major social, cognitive, and physical changes in adults from early/emerging
adulthood through the end of life and the factors that influences that development (Foundational knowledge)
a) Students can describe general developmental features of different age periods, such as emerging adults, middle
adulthood, older adults
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
b) Students can discuss the influences of genetic inheritance and environmental experiences on human development
c) Students are aware of risk factors and protective factors that influence human development through adulthood
d) Students are aware of the changing social contexts throughout lifespan development, including changes in family
structures, and needs and opportunities for health care and social support
e) Students understand the role of larger contexts, such as ethnicity and culture, in shaping development and
experiences within communities throughout adult development
3. Students can use information learned in this course to better understand their own past and future experiences, and
to interpret information in daily life (Integration)
a) Students consider experiences with their own parents and/or grandparents with respect to knowledge about adult
development
b) Students may reflect on course material to consider their own future developmental tasks, such as long-term
relationships with family members, friends, and community members; changing health status;
c) Students are knowledgeable consumers of popular media information about adulthood, able to interpret reports of
research findings or news stories with their knowledge of development
4. Students can demonstrate their learning through successful performance in assessments of multiple types
(Learning How to Learn)
a) Students develop effective study habits for reading textbook material and reviewing key concepts
b) Students select appropriate responses to multiple-choice questions on course content
c) Students communicate information learned in the course through clear written prose
d) Students assess their own knowledge and use their assessment to guide their study behavior and assistanceseeking
Course Work
1. Activities: There will be various activities throughout this class to ensure participation, punctuality, critical
thinking, reading, and preparation for course assignments and the final. These activities may consist of
individual or group work during class. Students must be present in class in order to receive points for
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
activities. These activities cannot be made up unless there is an excusable absence based on CSULA
guidelines.
● Students will receive a zero for any missing activities and ½ off if the activity is incomplete
● worth 30% of your overall grade
● must be completed during class time and you must be in class to complete activities (if you
submit an activity but were not in class it will be result in a Zero)
● Must be completed during time allowed for activities (when lecture is over and you are
dismissed to work on the activity) if you complete the activity during the lecture and
submit to leave class early it will result in a Zero.
2. Individual Sustainability Plan Paper: As students in a postish-pandemic world, self-care and coping
strategies are more important than ever. For this paper, you will develop a plan on how to cope with internal and
external stressors and focus on self care to remain or get back into your resiliency zone. The goal is to refer to
this paper when experiencing stress as a student trying to complete multiple assignments or any other stressors
that can arise.
2. Interview Papers: Students will interview three different individuals one for each age group and will write
a paper based off of each interview. This will provide students the opportunity to develop academic writing
skills and to explore course topics in more depth. Details will be posted on Canvas.
3. Group Presentation: Students will present on one life phase of one developmental domain. They will have
to present on a current issue within that age and developmental domain and will provide a solution.
Presentations will be recorded via Zoom and posted in a discussion board for peers to view and comment.
4. Midterm: A multiple-choice test on the 9th week will be taken. Questions will be on everything covered up
to the 9th week. The test will be online and not timed. It will open at 12am and close at 11;59pm. Any use
of textbook, powerpoint slides, and notes are allowed.
5. Final exam: An cumulative multiple-choice test will be taken during finals week. The test will be online
and not timed. Any use of textbook, powerpoint slides, and notes are allowed.
6. Readings: You are expected to read the textbook chapter before we cover the Powerpoint material during
class. What chapter you should read will be under the assignments column the class before.
Course Policies
1. Classroom Community: We will be covering a lot of material quickly throughout this course. We will be
exploring and expressing ideas, discussing theories and current events, as well as examining issues in human
development.
● Students are expected to be on time and stay until the end of class in order to fully participate in
lectures and activities during the scheduled time of instruction.
● Students will be asked to participate in class
● An absence does not excuse missed or late work for activities. In order for an absence to be
approved and for work to be made up, there must be communication for why the day was missed,
preferably before missing class or within one week after missing the class.
● Students are expected to be respectful of others opinions and be courteous of others.
2.
Electronic Devices:
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
● Outside of class: it is required that you have access to a computer (there are computers available to you
free at the library) to submit assignments and complete exams on Canvas
● During class: You will be asked to complete activities during every class. If you have access to a
computer or electronic notepad or ipad please bring it to every class period to submit your activities on
Canvas. Please only use the computer only if it is for notes, having the slides in front of you, or
submitting on canvas. Using the computer for anything other than for the class is extremely distracting
for other students.
● Phones; If you are using your phone to complete activities or have slides in front of you to take notes it
is ok to use your phone. If you need to send a quick text message please be discrete so it is not
distracting to your peers. If you need to have a back and forth conversation please step outside to text or
call that person instead. Whatever material is missed while leaving the class you are responsible for
learning. If you miss the beginning of the activity because of stepping out of class you will not be given
more time.
● Throughout the semester, you will be asked to collaborate with other peers in the classroom. Please be
respectful of each other by listening to others’ opinions and responding respectfully without using all
caps if communicating through email or discussion board.
1. Missed/Late assignments: All online submission links close at the designated times. Missed/late activities
and exams will not be accepted. If students miss these assignments they will be accepting a grade of zero
for that assignment. Therefore, please plan accordingly.
● We are now in a basically paperless world. Most students do not own printers and the price for
printing at the library adds up therefore, everything will be submitted on Canvas
● When submitting assignments, students must upload the correct assignment in order to receive
a grade. Anything other than the correct assignment will result in a zero.
● Please use the text entry or google/word doc for activities and a google/word doc for big
assignments (no PDFs or pages format will be accepted)
● Papers (individual sustainability plan and interview papers) submitted after the deadline are
late. Students will lose 5% for the late submission and continue to lose 5% each day it is late.
Late papers will only be accepted within 7 days of its due date.
In the rare case of an emergency (with written documentation) or for excused absences, make-up work can
be negotiated with the instructor. Please note that work is not an excuse to miss class.
○ Excused Absences: Students may have valid reasons to miss a class. These include:
● Illness or injury to the student
● Death, injury, or serious illness of an immediate family member or the like
● Religious reasons (California Education Code section 89320)
● Jury duty or government obligation
● University sanctioned or approved activities (examples include artistic performances,
forensics presentations, participation in research conferences, intercollegiate athletic
activities, etc.
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
2. Grading Disputes: If you wish to dispute the grade assigned to a graded assignment, you must do so IN
WRITING via email within 48 hours after the assignment has been returned. Email must have appropriate
email etiquette and be respectful. If the rebuttal is not within 48 hours or is not polite then it will not be
reviewed. You must include a specific rationale for why your assignment deserves a higher grade. After
receiving your rationale, I will be happy to review the dispute and consider its merits. Please note that more
careful consideration of your work may result in either lowering or raising the disputed grade.
3. Classroom Resources & Technology: Assignment guidelines and grades will be posted on Canvas. You
must log in by the end of the first week of classes. You are expected to check Canvas on a regular basis
and get assistance early with any issues you may encounter. All assignments are submitted via canvas.
4. E-mail Communication: You must use your @calstatela.edu email when emailing the instructor. The
instructor is not responsible for replying to e-mails from personal e-mail accounts (e.g. yahoo, gmail, etc.)
as they often go into junk mail and are not received. You may also send a message via Canvas however,
email is more preferrred. Canvas sends information to your @calstatela.edu, any message, notice, or
reminder the instructor sends through canvas will be on canvas and go directly to your @calstatela.edu
account. Check your settings on canvas to set the frequency of your canvas messages (I suggest a setting of
immediate).
5. When writing an email to your instructor, include the class name and section, along with a description, in the
subject line. For example: COM 206.01 RE: Design Project.
6.
Use a signature with your full name at the end of your emails.
7. Students can expect a response within 48 hours during the week (Monday- Friday). I do not
typically check e-mail/canvas messages on the weekends. Please plan accordingly.
8. If you have a question on an assignment please visit office hours or email me with enough time to
respond. If you email me at 8pm with a question and the paper is due at 11:59pm you might not get a
response in time. Please plan accordingly
9. Professional email etiquette when emailing the teacher is expected. All emails should begin with a
greeting, then explaining the questions or reason for email, then ending and what course you are
from after signing your name. Practicing professionalism when emailing is an important skill to
develop especially when emailing a future employer.
10. Please see the example below of a professional email.
○ Good afternoon Natalie,
I hope you are having a wonderful day so far. The reason for my email is that I noticed I
received a zero on my Activity #5. I worked with my partner and she turned it in. Her
name is Jessica Boan. Can you please review the grade I received at your soonest
convenience? Thank you so much for your time.
Best,
Julie West
11. Student Conduct: The Department of Child and Family Studies assumes that all students will conduct
themselves in accordance with University policies and regulations. Inappropriate conduct is subject to
discipline as provided for in Title 5, California Code of Regulations (see student conduct: rights and
responsibilities, and student discipline, CSULA General Catalog). Academic honesty is expected of all
students in accordance with University policy. There are established university reporting procedures if a
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
student is suspected of committing an academically dishonest act. Please make sure that you are familiar
with CSULA’s Academic Honesty Policy available at
http://www.calstatela.edu/academicsenate/handbook/ch5a This policy defines academic honesty and
policies and procedures associated with it. Note: Engaging in plagiarism violates the academic honesty
policy and will be reported to the office of judicial affairs.
○ Plagiarism includes using the words or ideas of another as one’s own, either on purpose or
unintentionally. This includes, but is not limited to, copying whole, portions, or the paraphrasing
(rewording) of passages or information from any source in any academic exercise (written, digital, or
oral) without giving credit to the author or source using an appropriate citation style. You must be able to
prove that your work is your own.
○ Penalties for Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism (using someone’s work without acknowledging the
source from which it came) constitutes academic dishonesty. There are established university reporting
procedures if a student is suspected of committing an academically dishonest act. The penalty may range
from no credit for an assignment, up to, and including exclusion, and/or a “F” grade for the course. All
incidents will be reported to the office of judicial affairs.
12. Statement of Reasonable Accommodation: The instructor will provide reasonable accommodation to any
student with a disability who is registered with the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD) who needs
and requests accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may involve allowing a student to use an
interpreter, note taker, or reader: accommodation may be needed during class sessions and for
administration of examinations. For more information about the University’s policy on accommodation for
students with disabilities, please see the OSD policy at http://www.calstatela.edu/osd/how-register-osdstudent
13. Dropping and Adding: Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about
adding and dropping courses, academic renewals, etc. For more information please visit the Registrar:
https://get.calstatela.edu/registrar.htm
14. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Taking multiple courses can be challenging to balance
while managing other stressors. If you need therapy or a psychiatrist, Cal State LA offers free sessions.
Please see CAPS at: Counseling and Psychological Services | Cal State LA After hours support
323.343.3300
15. Writing center: Since this is a writing intensive course, your ability to write proficiently by connecting
concepts to course material, grammar, and APA will be evaluated. Written assignments are worth 40% of
your grade. Please use grammarly (which is free for Cal State LA students) and use the writing center for
extra support for your papers. Please see the writing center at:
Center for Academic Success | Cal State LA
16. Being successful in this course: If you attend class, review the rubric and follow the prompts, read the
textbook, turn in assignments, ask questions for clarity, and attend office hours and the writing center when
needed, you should be able to pass this course. If you are registered with OSD please use your
accommodations to support you during this course. I try my absolute best to be an accommodating and
supportive teacher and communication with me is key in order to do that.
.
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
17. Items on syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to best suit the needs of the class.
Check this google doc that will be updated for changes.
Grading Criteria
Your final grade will be calculated as follows
%
Assignment Breakdown
Individual Sustainability Plan paper
8
In Class Activities
30
Interview Papers
30
Group presentation
15
Midterm
7
Final Exam
10
Total
100
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE
Class: Every Monday -Wednesday unless specified below Make sure to read the assigned chapter before class
Wee Date
Lecture
Readings/Assignments
k
1
Jan 23
Course Overview and assignment overview.
First activity: get to know each other
1
Jan 25
Chapter 1: The Study of human development
Read Chapter 1
2
Jan 30
No class today Asynchronous lecture on:
Chapter 2: Theories and methods of
Developmen
Read Chapter 2
2
Feb 1
Intersectionality
Crenshaw, K (2015) Why intersectionality can’t
wait
Watch entire video: Understanding my
Privilege
3
Feb 6
3
Feb 8
4
Continue Intersectionality
Will pick your topic for the group presentation
and work on group contract
Chapter 17: Emerging Adulthood: Biosocial
Development
Individual Sustainability Plan
Paper due Mon Feb 6 11:59pm
Chapter 17: Emerging Adulthood: Biosocial
Development
Read Chapter 18
Group contract due Friday Feb
17th 11:59pm
Read Chapter 17
Feb 13
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
4
Feb 15
5
Feb 20
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
Chapter 18: Emerging Adulthood Cognitive
Development
No class today Asynchronous lecture on:
Chapter 18: Emerging Adulthood Cognitive
Development and APA lecture if you haven’t
already
5
Feb 22
Read Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Emerging Adulthood: Psychosocial
Development
6
6
Feb 27
March 1
Chapter 19: Emerging Adulthood: Psychosocial
development
Paper #1 Due Feb 27 at
11:59pm
Chapter 17-19 presentations groups must
submit presentation video and slides before
class ends
Discussion board responding to
peers presentations due Friday
4th 11:59pm
If you presented peer review
due by Friday 4th 11:59pm
Read Chapter 20
7
March 6
Upload presentation video to discussion board
for peers to view
Chapter 20: Adulthood: Biosocial Development
7
March 8
Chapter 20: Adulthood: Biosocial Development
8
March 13
Chapter 21: Adulthood: Cognitive Development
8
March 15
No class today! Instead, you will be taking your
midterm
Midterm Due will open at 12am
and close and 11:59pm
9
March 20
Chapter 22: Adulthood: Cognitive Development
Read Chapter 21
9
March 22
10
March 2729
April 3
Chapter 22 Adulthood: Psychosocial
development
No class this week ! Enjoy your spring break!
10
April 5
Chapter 22: Adulthood: Psychosocial
Development
Chapter 20-22 presentations groups must
submit video and slides before class ends
Upload presentation video to discussion board
for peers to view
11
April 10
Chapter 23: Late Adulthood: Biosocial
Development
11
April 12
Chapter 23: Late Adulthood: Biosocial
Development
12
April 17
Read Chapter 22
Paper #2 Due April 3rd at
11:59pm
Discussion board responding to
peers presentations due Friday
7th 11:59pm
If you presented: peer review
due Friday 7th 11:59pm
Read Chapter 23
Read Chapter 24
Child & Family Studies Department
Cal State University, Los Angeles
Spring 2023
CHDV 1410-03
Chapter 24: Late Adulthood: Cognitive
Development
12
April 19
Chapter 24: Late Adulthood: Cognitive
Development
13
April 24
Chapter 25: Late Adulthood: Psychosocial
Development
Read Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Late Adulthood Psychosocial
development
Paper #3 Due Friday April 28 at
11:59pm
13
April 26
14
May 1
Chapter 17-19 presentations groups must
submit video and slides before class ends
14
May 3
Upload presentation video to discussion board
for peers to view
No class today! Asynchronous lecture on: the
Epilogue
Final activity due by 11:59pm
Discussion board responding to
peers presentations due Friday
May 5th 11:59pm
If you presented: peer review
due Friday 5th 11:59pm
15
May 8
No class today! Use this time to complete
course evaluation and begin preparing for your
final
15
May 10
No class today! Prepare for your final
May 15 or
May 17
TBD
Online multiple choice final
16
Final Exam is multiple choice
and will be submitted online. It
will open at 12am and close at
11:59pm