LIFESPAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
4 credits, introductory, liberal
Gen Ed: Social Science
Spring 2009
Dr. Judith Gerardi
jgerardi@esc.edu
646 230-1245 Tuesday and Thursday
LEARNING CONTRACT
The purpose of this study is to bring understanding of the various influences on human
development throughout the lifespan, typical age related patterns, and ways in which knowledge
about human development can enhance your encounters at the workplace, at home, and in the
community. You also will learn about the discipline of psychology: its methods of gathering
information through research and using that information to build theory.
Learning Activities
1. Read textbook: J. W. Vander Zanden, T.L. Crandell, & C.H. Crandell (2009) Human
Development (9th edition) McGraw Hill. Keep a double entry journal to which to refer during
discussions and for me to review. In your journal, for each chapter, summarize main topics, write
6-10 thought provoking points or quotes (note page number), and comment on each point/quote:
why does it interest you? How is it significant to your particular academic or career interest? Do
you challenge the concept or the point of view of the authors? If so, state your challenge and
offer support for it.
2. Read opposing views on the question of parenting and gender roles as presented in each of
two distributed articles. Evaluate the arguments in each article in terms of standards of social
science research.
- What evidence do the two authors give for their positions?
- How is that evidence solid and how is it weak?
- Identify and define key terms. Are the definitions clear?
- Various research studies are reported. Select one and identify independent (predictor)
variables and dependent (outcome) variables.
- Evaluate the design of the research study reported in previous item. Is the approach a
fair test of the predicted relationship between the independent and dependent variables? Why?
If not fair, how would you improve the design?
Oral and written report. Bring written report to class for group discussion. You can add to your
report based on that, but it will be submitted to me the same day. Due February 17.
3. Conduct a virtual library search for an article (seven pages or longer) on a topic of interest
concerning middle childhood or adolescence (chapter 10, 11, or 12). Use Empire State College’s
virtual library. Submit a summary following handout to be distributed. Due March 17.
4. Plan and write a paper on a topic addressed in the textbook. You will receive a guide for
preparing the paper. You will indicate references on which information is based, and your paper
will be clearly presented and organized. You may select a topic that is considered across stages
(for example, cognition, emotion, culture) or a topic specific to adulthood (life partners, aging).
Due April 21.
Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on quality of completion of learning activities, awareness of stages of
human development, of issues cutting across stages, and on influence of stage issues on topics
selected for further study and presentation in papers. Generally, the evaluative criteria for an
introductory study such as this one are level of grasp of textbook material, clarity and organization
of oral and written work, and contributions to discussions. If all work is completed and is
satisfactory, grade is C. If work is good, grade is B. If excellent, grade is A.
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Feb. 3
Feb. 17
Mar. 3
Mar. 17
Mar. 31
Apr. 7
Apr. 21
Introduction to each other and to lifespan developmental psychology
Chapters 1-2
Ch. 5, 6
Ch. 7, 8; oral and written report evaluating research (#2 above)
Ch. 9-11
Ch. 12-14; article review (#3 above)
Ch. 15, 16
Ch. 17, 18
Ch. 19; topic paper due (#4 above)
Read in textbook:
Ch. 1, 2, 5, 6
Ch. 7 - sections on cognitive development, information processing, moral development; 7 th ed.
pages 230-250 or 9th ed. pages 223-241
Ch. 8
Ch. 9 – section on cognitive development; 7th ed. 305-324 or 9th ed. 289-307
Ch. 10, 11
Ch. 12 – sections on identity, peers, family; 7th 799-409 or 9th 382-394
Ch. 13 – sections on cogn devt, moral devt; 7th 455-459 or 9th 439-445
Ch. 14
Ch. 15 – sections on cogn devt, moral devt; 7th 519-527 or 9th 508-514
Ch. 16
Ch. 17 – sections on aging, cogn, moral devt; 7th 564-572 + 581-592 or 9th 552-560 + 571-582
Ch. 18
Ch. 19 – section on healthy dying; 7th 626-636 or 9th 620-631