COURSE OUTLINE
SCHOOL OF NURSING
COURSE NAME:
Lifespan Development
COURSE CODE:
GSSC 1057
CREDIT HOURS:
42 hours (3 hours/week)
PREREQUISITES: NONE
COREQUISITES:
NONE
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 2023
PROFESSOR:
Alison Ross
EMAIL:
alisonross@georgebrown.ca
PLAR ELIGIBLE:
YES ( )
NO
(X)
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Academic Departments at George Brown College will NOT retain
historical copies of Course Outlines. We urge you to retain this Course Outline for your
future reference.
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
ORIGINATOR:____A.MacKenzie Rivers________________________________September 2003_________
SIGNATURE
DATE
CHAIR:_________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
EQUITY STATEMENT: George Brown College values the talents and contributions of its students, staff and community
partners and seeks to create a welcoming environment where equity, diversity and safety of all groups are fundamental.
Language or activities which are inconsistent with this philosophy violate the College policy on the Prevention of
Discrimination
Harassment
and will
not be tolerated.
The commitment and cooperation of all students and staff are
DATE OFand
REVISION:
C. McNairn
September
2013
required to maintain this environment. Information and assistance are available through your Chair, Student Affairs, the
Student Association or the Human Rights Advisor.
George Brown College is dedicated to providing equal access to students with disabilities. If you require academic
accommodations visit the Disability Services Office or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Office on your campus.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students should obtain a copy of the Student Handbook and refer to it for additional
information regarding the grading system, withdrawals, exemptions, class assignments, missed tests and exams,
supplemental privileges, and academic dishonesty. Students are required to apply themselves diligently to the course of
study, and to prepare class and homework assignments as given. Past student performance shows a strong relationship
between regular attendance and success.
COURSE NAME: Life Span Development
GSSC 1057
PAGE: 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Lifespan Development presents a holistic view of human growth and development across the
lifespan. Particular attention is focused on the interaction of cognitive, social and personality
development. Primary theories will be introduced to explain human development. The influence
of environment and genetics on development will also be explored. From infancy to late
adulthood, human development will be presented in a “stage” theory approach. Application of
the theory will be explored using case studies and interviews.
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS:
As mandated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities essential employability skills
(EES) will be addressed throughout all programs of study. Students will have the opportunity to learn
(L) specific skills, to practice (P) these skills, and/or be evaluated (E) on the EES outcomes in a
variety of courses. The EES include communication, numeracy, critical thinking & problem solving,
information management, interpersonal and personal skills. The faculty for this course has indicated
which of the EES are either Learned (L), Practiced (P) or Evaluated (E) in this course:
Skill
1. communicate clearly, concisely and
correctly in the written, spoken and
visual form that fulfills the purpose
and meets the needs of the audience
2. respond to written, spoken or visual
messages in a manner that ensures
effective communication
L
P
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
3. execute mathematical operations
accurately
4. apply a systematic approach to
solve problems
5. use a variety of thinking skills to
anticipate and solve problems
6. analyze, evaluate, and apply
relevant information from a variety
of sources
COURSE NAME: Life Span Development
GSSC 1057
Skill
X
X
locate, select, organize and
document information using
appropriate technology and
information sources
8. show respect for the diverse
opinions, values, belief
systems, and contributions
of others
9. interact with others in groups
or teams in ways that
contribute to effective
working relationships and
the achievement of goals
10. manage the use of time and
other resources to complete
projects
11. take responsibility for one’s
own actions, decisions and
consequences
L
P
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
7.
X
X
PAGE: 2
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the
ability to:
1. Define life span development and indicate its application to professional and personal
life.
2. Distinguish among the dominant theories and theorists of life span development
3. Explain cognitive, social, and personality development in each stage of the life span, and
the factors that impact the development.
4. Recognize the interaction of hereditary and environment in determining patterns of
development across the life span
5. Identify areas within life span that could be issues of social concern and describe
approaches for addressing these issues.
6. Identify factors at each stage of the life span that foster wellness.
DELIVERY METHODS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Online modules, cooperative learning activities, videos, social media tools, readings, current
events and Blackboard will be used to enhance the understanding of concepts.
LIST OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS:
Required:
E-Textbook:
• Boyd, D., Johnson, P., Bee, H. (2021). Lifespan Development (7th Canadian Edition).
Canada: Pearson.
• Access to and ability to use Blackboard
TESTING POLICY:
If the student arrives late for a test:
• Students must notify the Professor as soon as they are aware that they are going to be
late, via voicemail or email
• Students will be permitted to write the test as long as no other students have completed
and submitted their test
• No additional time will be allotted for students who arrive late to a test whether in the
classroom or Testing Centre
A student who is absent from any Practical Nursing, Personal Support Worker or PSW Pathway
Program class on the day when a test is to be written must notify the Course Professor prior to
the start of the class. The student should notify the Professor by voice mail and/or e-mail.
Messages must include:
• The student’s full name and ID number.
• The student’s phone number and where he/she can be reached that day.
• The date and time of the call.
• The reason for the absence.
• The name of the course and section.
Deferred Tests/Exam:
COURSE NAME: Life Span Development
GSSC 1057
PAGE: 3
A deferred examination privilege may be granted for circumstances arising on compassionate
grounds, such as a death in a family, illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.
The student must provide documentation of the extenuating circumstances. The responsibility to
grant deferred examination rests with the Chair or the Chair’s designate.
A student who misses a scheduled test due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness,
bereavement, recent traumatic event) who has notified the Professor of his/her absence prior to
the start of class, will be permitted to write a make-up test or perform a make-up presentation at
the end of the course during final exam week.
• Make up tests will be short answer or essay.
• A student must provide documentation of the extenuating circumstances (E.g. Medical
certification, death certificate) one week after the missed test.
o The appropriate medical certification must state the student’s name, the date, the reason
why the student was unable to complete the assignment. The documentation must clearly
state the physician’s name and address and physician’s signature.
Arrangements for makeup tests are as follows:
• Students will reconfirm via email on the Monday of Week 14 that they are still planning
to write the missed test during exam week.
• Students who miss a test are not permitted to attend class during take-up of the missed
test
• Failure to adhere to the above criteria will result in a grade of zero for the test that was
missed.
Note: All of the above policies apply to students writing in the test accommodation centre as
well.
See: School of Nursing Program Policies
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
• Students must submit their papers online through blackboard as well as a paper
copy during class time the day it is due. Students must keep a duplicate of assignments
that are submitted, including handwritten assignments.
• Assignments must be submitted on the designated date during class time to the professor
at the beginning of class prior to lecture starting. See course outline for further details
• Assignments will not be proofread by the professor prior to submission.
• In the event that multiple versions of the assignment are submitted, the first version of the
assignment submitted will be graded. There are no opportunities to resubmit an
assignment after submission or after marking.
• All required course assignments and tests must be completed to pass the course.
Late Assignments:
• Assignments submitted after class will be subject to a late penalty for each business day
the assignment or presentation is outstanding. After 5 business days, a grade of zero will
be given for the assignment. The required completed assignment still needs to be handed
in to pass the course.
• Assignments submitted to the drop box on the 7th floor rather than in class are subject to a
late penalty as the drop box is not emptied until 08:00 the next business day.
• Technical difficulties will not be accepted as an excuse for late submission of
assignments.
Students are expected to refer to the School of Nursing Program Policies for detailed information
related to clinical practicum policies.
COURSE NAME: Life Span Development
GSSC 1057
PAGE: 4
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Assessment Tool:
Description:
Outcome(s) EES
assessed:
assessed:
Date /
Week:
Quizzes
4 quizzes worth 15% each
1-6
Week 3,
6, 10, 13
Group Activity:
Tackling a Ted
Talk
Group Reflections
Guided questions for Ted
Talk video.
1-6
Week 7
15%
Reflective questions to be
completed as groups in
Discussion Boards.
Worth 2% each
Case Study – to be
completed in small groups.
1-6
Weeks 3,
6, 9, 11,
13
10%
Week 14
15%
Final Group Case
Study
4, 5, 6, 7,
10, 11
1-6
1,2,4,5,6,
7,
% of
Final
Grade:
60%
TOTAL: 100%
GRADING SYSTEM
The passing grade for this course is: ____D 50%____
A+
A
A-
90-100
86-89
80-85
4.0
4.0
3.7
B+
B
B-
77-79
73-76
70-72
3.3
3.0
2.7
C+
C
C-
67-69
63-66
60-62
2.3
2.0
1.7
D+
D
57-59
50-56
1.3
1.0
Below 50
F
0.0
Excerpt from the College Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
The minimal consequence for submitting a plagiarized, purchased, contracted, or in any manner inappropriately
negotiated or falsified assignment, test, essay, project, or any evaluated material will be a grade of zero on that material.
To view George Brown College policies please go to www.georgebrown.ca/policies
COURSE NAME: Life Span Development
GSSC 1057
PAGE: 5