Life Span Psychology
141PSY205.007
Fall 2013
Class location and time: Sugar Grove Campus Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove Il
60554
Room APC190
Instructor: Miss Jane Hirsch, MA, LPC
E-mail: jhirsch@waubonsee.edu
Phone extension: 630/801-7900 EXT 3447
Office Hours: By Request Only
Location: TBA
Required course materials:
Textbook: Kail, Robert V. & Cavanaugh, John C., (2013). Human Development: A Life-Span
View (6th edition). Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
Course Description: This course provides an introduction to current theory and research on the
physiological, cognitive, personality, and social development of individuals from conception through
childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and older adulthood. Normal development
is emphasized; however, special human circumstances are also explored.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify historical aspects of research methodology employed when studying lifespan
development.
2. Explain developmental theories.
3. Discuss the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of lifespan development including:
infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood,
and late adulthood.
4. Discuss current topics and research in the field of lifespan psychology, including
intergenerational relationships, and the issues and concerns related to aging.
General Student Outcomes (Waubonsee’s TOP MEASURE)
All college courses provide evidence to support the measurement of the general student outcomes listed in
the TOP MEASURE.
Managing Human Interaction: the ability to make and navigate relationships
Expanding Knowledge: the ability to build on one’s own knowledge base
Adapting Concepts: the ability to build upon a concept
Shaping the Future: the ability to use knowledge for change
Utilizing Facts: the ability to apply a fact to a new situation
Reflecting: the ability to think about one’s own thinking and learning
Exploring: the ability to search for the purpose of discovery
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Grading Criteria
Exams: There will be four (4) exams each worth 50 points for a total of 200 points
Research Paper: Worth 70 total points (Break down of points: topic is worth five (5) points, outline is
worth ten (10) points and final paper is worth fifty-five (55) points)
Class participation and Attendance: 2 point for each class (starts the second week of class) for a total
of 30 points
Grading scale and point distribution: A= (269-300 points) 90- 100%, B= (239-268 points) 80- 89%,
C= (209-238 points) 70 -79%, D= (179-208 points) 60-69%, F= (178 points and below) below 60%.
Course Policies
Attendance policy: Instructor will take attendance. Regular attendance is necessary. The vast majority
of students will not succeed in this course without attending lecture. If there is an emergency, please
email me as soon as possible.
Research Project: A research paper on a topic appropriate for this course and approved by this instructor
will be required of all students and is worth a total of seventy possible points. The topic must be a half to
one-page, double-spaced, typed, and include what you want to learn from this research paper. The
outline must include the resources you wish to use, the points you want to make, and the points
included in this syllabus (research paper content criteria). This paper must be typed, double-spaced,
contain at least five sources (they need to be used as equally as possible in the paper), and be between
five (5) and seven (7) pages in length. It is also necessary to follow APA format for this paper. Library
instruction will be provided in order to facilitate the skills needed to complete this research paper. The
following is an outline of the due dates, points, and appropriate sources available for this paper:
Topic due (5 points) on September 6, 2013
Outline Due (10 points) on October 11, 2013
Research Paper (55 points) due on November 8, 2013
Appropriate Sources:
https://library.waubonsee.edu/databases
ONE internet website only (.gov or .edu only)
Books found in the library (our book does NOT count as one of the 5 sources)
Research Paper Content Criteria:
 Clearly stated topic/main focus
 Paper order must be logical
 Citations and ideas must relate back to the main topic
 Sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling all must be correct
 Research must be presented appropriately (including APA format)
 Relation to the material presented in class and/or book
 Relevance of knowledge to real life
 Reason for choosing topic
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Make-up Exams: Exams are to be taken during scheduled times. Students must e-mail to notify the
instructor prior to missing the scheduled exam time. If the student has an exceptional reason for
missing the exam, then the instructor may decide to allow a make-up exam to be taken. The instructor
will determine the make-up exam times and length for exam. The make-up test will be held in the
Center for Learning Assessment only. For the Sugar Grove Campus the hours of operation are:
8:00am -8:00pm M-W and 8:00am – 4:30pm Th & Fri. The Center for Learning Assessment’s
phone number is 630/466-7900 EXT 5700)
Technology Usage: Absolutely NO texting or cell-phone use in class. You are allowed to bring in a
laptop, but abuse of that privilege will not be tolerated, please do not use the Internet during class while
on your laptop. If you are interested in finding out a grade for an exam or in the course, it will only be
sent to your Waubonsee e-mail address. Any other questions or comments can be sent from whatever email you typically use.
Withdrawals: It is college policy that if you have not attended class, as of midterm, I am required to drop
you from this course and you will receive a W grade (considered a withdrawal on your transcript). If you
stop attending class after the midterm, you will receive an “F” in the class, unless otherwise discussed
with me before the end of the semester. The last day to drop this course is November 25, 2013. Please
refer to the following link for other important college dates:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/admission/dates/academicCalendar/index.php
Access and Accommodation Statement: I wish to fully include persons with disabilities in the course.
Please inform me or the Access Center for Students with Disabilities if you need any special
accommodations in the curriculum, instruction, or assessments of this course to enable you to fully
participate. I will try to maintain the confidentiality of the information you share with me.
Academic Integrity Statement: Waubonsee Community College believes that all members of the
community have a responsibility to participate in learning with honesty and integrity. Fundamentally, this
principle asserts that all of us – teachers, students, staff, and administrators –
must fulfill the commitments we make as we enter our academic endeavors, and we must respect the
learning process. This respect includes but is not limited to the following:

a commitment to working hard at learning, both in class and out of class;

a sense of the value that all members of the learning community can bring;

an honest undertaking of all tasks related to the college community.
For more information, please visit the following link to Waubonsee’s Academic Integrity Resources:
http://ctlt.waubonsee.edu/files/PDF/collegewide/Integrity%20Statement%20for%20Waubonsee%20Com
munity%20College.pdf
Cheating/Plagiarism Policy: The college is firmly committed to upholding sound principles of academic
integrity and responsibility. Plagiarism, one form of academic dishonesty and misrepresentation, is a
serious breach of academic integrity, and, as such, is considered a breach of the Code of Student
conduct. Any student found violating this policy will receive and “F” in the course and will be reported
to the Student Conduct Board.
For more information, please visit the following link to Waubonsee’s Plagiarism Resources:
http://ctlt.waubonsee.edu/files/PDF/collegewide/plagiarismstatement0805.pdf
The instructor reserves the right to adjust this course syllabus as needed. Revisions to course
policies will be communicated via college e-mail.
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Weekly Course Schedule
Dates
August 23
August 30
Course Schedule
Introduction, Syllabus, Chapter 1 (The Study of Human Development)
Chapter 2 (Biological Foundations)
September
6
Chapter 3 (Tools for Exploring the World)
September
13
September
20
Topic Due by 8:00am
Chapter 4 (The Emergence of Thought and Language)
Chapter 5 (Entering the Social World)
September
27
EXAM 1 (Chapters 1-5) / Chapter 6 (Off to School)
October 4
October 11
Chapter 7 (Expanding Social Horizons)
Chapter 8 (Rites of Passages)
October 18
October 25
November
1
November
8
November
15
November
22
November
25-29
December
6
December
13
Outline for Research Project Due
EXAM 2 (Chapters 6-8) / Chapter 9 (Moving Into the Adult Social World)
Chapter 9 continued / Chapter 10 (Becoming an Adult)
Chapter 11 (Being with Others)
Chapter 12 (Work and Leisure)
Research Project Due
EXAM 3 (Chapters 9-12) / Chapter 13 (Making It in Midlife)
Chapter 14 (The Personal Context of Later Life) / Chapter 15 (Social Aspects of Later Life)
Thanksgiving Break – NO CLASSES
Chapter 16 (The Final Passage)
EXAM 4 (Chapters 13-16)
Resources
The following links are useful resources that are available to you as a student at Waubonsee Community
College:
Access Center for Students with Disabilities:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/learning/academicSupport/access/
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Career Services Center:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/experience/services/career/
Center for Learning Assessment:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/learning/success/assessment/
Counseling:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/experience/services/counseling/
Emergency Preparedness and Safety Guide:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/downloads/pdf/safety/Emergency_Preparedness_and_Safety_Guide.pdf
Financial Aid:
http://www.waubonsee.edu/admission/financialAid/index.php
Student Handbook (includes Student Code of Conduct):
https://mywcc.waubonsee.edu/_resources_/portlets/144/attachments/11-12_StudentHandbook.pdf
Todd Library:
https://library.waubonsee.edu/
Tutoring and Study Skills (Learning Enhancement Center):
http://www.waubonsee.edu/learning/success/learning/
Waubonsee Community College Campus Information:
Sugar Grove Campus
Route 47 at Waubonsee
Drive
Sugar Grove, IL 605549454
(630) 466-7900
Aurora Campus
18 South River
Street
Aurora, IL 605064178
(630) 801-7900
Copley Campus
2060 Ogden Avenue
Aurora, IL 605047222
(630) 585-7900
Plano Campus
100 Waubonsee
Drive
Plano, IL 605452276
(630) 552-7900
www.waubonsee.edu
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