PSY 300
Developmental Psychology
Spring 2015
Course Description: A study of human growth and development
from conception to death. The course deals with physical, social,
emotional, intellectual, moral, and personality development at all
age levels, and the respective theories; the effects of heredity
and environment on the development process.
Prerequisite: PSY 105 or permission of instructor
Class time and place: MWF 9:00-9:50 Room 226S
Instructor: Veronica (Vicki) Will, M. A. (formerly Tinsley)
Office: Science Building, 232 Office Phone: 686-4321
Email: vicki.will@brescia.edu
Cell: 270-929-5265
Office Hours: M 1-3; TTh 1-3; W 1-2; TTh 9-10:30 and by appointment
Required text: Feldman, R. S. (2009). Discovering the life span. 2nd Ed. Pearson: Upper Saddle
River, NJ. ISBN # 978-0-205-23388-5 (If you have a different edition, use the topic title as your
guide rather than the chapter number. The editions are almost the same except for some chapter
organization).
Additional Material: You are required to view the material for each topic on the LMS. There will be
videos and links to relevant material. I will make it clear which are required and which are
supplemental. The required material will be on the exams.
Developmental Psychology and the GER outcomes (see pages 40 – 42 of 2012 – 2014 catalog):
PSY 300 primarily addresses knowledge outcome # 3: Science and Human Behavior. In particular,
upon completion of this course, you should understand theories of human development and
interaction.
Concerning the skills outcomes, as a result of studying developmental psychology, you should
enhance the following skills:
1. Thinking: you will be given practical information and pragmatic problems to solve, which
should help you learn to apply logic to everyday life. By learning and evaluating different
developmental theories and developmental research, you should learn to reason from
hypothesis to conclusion, to interpret data, to identify core issues, and to evaluate
judgments
2. Research: You will be given written assignments that require library and internet research.
You will be given collaborative projects that involve gathering information and drawing
conclusions based on a variety of sources.
3. Communication: The writing assignments are given so that you may learn to produce
organized, purposeful writing in an appropriate style. Large group and small group
discussions encourage you to speak articulately, to listen effectively, and to constructively
interact with others. Reading assignments and discussions should teach you to read with
discernment.
Studying Developmental Psychology should help sensitize you to Brescia University’s values
outcomes:
2. Human Welfare: through a better understanding of human development across the
lifespan, you should be better able to promote justice and appreciate diversity of culture.
Participation in large and small group projects should help cultivate leadership for the
service of others and encourage respect for individual differences. By discussion of the
interaction of the individual and society, this class should encourage you to build
community.
3. Personal Welfare: Topics covered include genetics, care during pregnancy and throughout
the lifespan, drug use, and eating habits. These topics and others should encourage you
to better care for your health. Topics related to cognitive development should result in you
seeking to continue intellectual development.
Class Objectives:
1. To learn the major theories of human development.
2. To develop a knowledge base of human conception, prenatal development, and birth and
factors related to such.
3. To have a general understanding of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial
characteristics of each of the stages of the lifespan.
4. To know and understand the vocabulary used by Developmental Psychologists.
Instructional techniques/Course requirements: To accomplish these outcomes and objectives, the
educational process and classroom environment for PSY 300 will consist of the following:
1. reading of assigned topics
2. Viewing of material presented on LMS for this class
3. attendance, attentiveness, and participation in class activities and discussions
4. review of material covered in readings and class
5. Participation in LMS discussion forums
6. writing assignments
7. A major paper considering self as related to the material learned in class.
8. exams
You are encouraged to take notes as the text is read/view material on website and to jot
down any questions, issues, observations, or comments that you would like to bring up in
class. These notes and jottings will help to form the basis for our time together in class. Class
will consist of small group discussions, large group discussions, and some lecture.
Remember that the classroom is the occasion to clarify, to ask questions about life, to
explore, and to get to know oneself and others better. It is the time to learn to use new tools,
to apply the information learned from the reading to real life situations, to analyze, to
synthesize, to evaluate, and to form critical judgments and decisions. This class is an
opportunity to learn to express ourselves and to form sound opinions.
Participation:
Participation is a crucial element of this class. Please read and/or view the assigned topic
before the class meets. It is strongly advised that you take notes of the material from the assigned
readings and projects to bring to class. Your participation will be evaluated on a continuous basis
as an important part of your grade. You will be graded on both pre-reading and contribution to
discussions and activities.
Participation points will be assigned as follows:
Excellent participation
100 pts
Average participation 70 pts
Above average participation
90 pts Minimal participation 60 pts
Good participation
80 pts Disruptive participation 0 pts
The student earning 100 points will be actively involved in discussions and activities. His
or her conduct will be courteous to other group members, respecting their questions, opinions, etc.
This student will contribute to the best of his/her ability, yet will refrain from monopolizing
discussions. He/she will read assigned material so that appropriate questions and discussions
related to the topic can occur.
Disruptive participation is considered as deliberate actions in the classroom that in any
way interfere with the learning and/or well-being of the other students.
Discussion Forum on LMS: Questions will be posted periodically on the LMS. Please respond
thoroughly with complete sentences, punctuation, and grammar. You will be graded based on
depth and quality of answer as well as grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You must respond to
at least one additional post other than mine. You may earn up to 30 points per discussion.
Attendance: The attendance policy is stated on pages 46 of the 2014-2016 Brescia University
catalog:
“Students are expected to attend all classes. A student missing 20 per cent or more of the
scheduled class meetings for a course may be denied credit for that course unless there are
extenuating circumstances and the student demonstrates adequate comprehension of course
content.
Missing more than 20% of the classes may result in failure of the course unless the
student has demonstrated that the absences were unavoidable and that the course material was
mastered.
Please realize that since participation is a crucial component of the course, excessive
absences will negatively affect your participation score.
Make-up exams: Make-up exams are strongly discouraged. In the case of a medical emergency
or illness, you may arrange to take a make-up exam. Written proof of medical emergency or illness
must be furnished. Notice of reason for absence must be provided before the next class period.
No penalty of points will occur when legitimate proof of emergency is furnished.
In the event of a missed exam for other than major emergencies, a make-up exam may be
given at the instructor’s discretion. Should this occur, there will be a 10% reduction in points on the
make-up exam. Please note that it is very likely that the make-up exam will be entirely essay.
Please note that you must notify me before the next class period (preferably no later than
the day of the test) in the event of an absence on a test date. Should notification not occur, an
automatic zero will be given as the test grade.
If test dates conflict with previously scheduled commitments, which cannot be changed,
see me at least one week before the test to arrange early testing. Early testing does not result in
any penalty of points.
You must take the final to receive a grade for the course.
*Please note that all graded exams will be collected by the instructor after you have had a chance
to review them during class. Exams are kept for one semester and then are destroyed.
Late assignments: Late assignments will receive a 10% reduction in points.
Tardiness: Tardiness is considered rude and disrupting to both the instructor and to other class
members. Please arrive on time.
Plagiarism: Representing someone else’s work as your own, whether in a paper or on an exam, is
considered plagiarism. Work that is plagiarized will result in a zero for that particular assignment.
In addition, the academic dean will be notified of cases of plagiarism.
Classroom conduct: The classroom should be an environment conducive to learning and
intellectual exchange. Cell phones should be turned off or put on vibrate prior to beginning class.
Should you have an urgent call, please quietly leave the room before beginning a conversation.
Courteous and respectful behavior is expected. If your behavior is such that it interferes with other
students’ learning, you may be asked to leave class. Cell phones or other electronic devices must
be put away during all exams.
Technology and Assignments:
You must access the LMS to succeed in this class. All writing assignments will be submitted on
the LMS. You will find all class resources on the LMS, including study guides, supplemental
materials, practice exams, and PowerPoints.
You will receive an email instructing you about how to access the LMS. Be sure to keep the log-in
information, including your password where you can find them. Should you have difficulties logging
in, contact Jeff Barnette at Jeffrey.barnette@brescia.edu. The LMS can be located at
bu.learninghouse.com. Your email address is the username and, unless you have changed it, the
password is the numbers on your ID.
Additional Comments:
Brescia University is committed to providing equal access to education for all students. If you have
a documented disability and wish to receive academic accommodations, please contact George
Gray at George.gray@brescia.edu as soon as possible.
Should you have any special needs or concerns about this course, please contact me early in the
semester so we can make any necessary arrangements. You may always email me, contact me
by phone, or, best, stop by my office. My philosophy is that I am here to help you learn and I will
do whatever I can to help you do that. However, it is up to you to let me know of your needs.
Grade/Point System:
Points will be assigned to participation as well as each assignment, project, and exam. Grades will
be based on the following percentages of points earned.
Percentage
90% - 100%
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
< 60%
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Developmental Psychology
Order of Topics
Syllabus and Introductions
Chapter 1.1: Beginnings
Chapter 1.2: Theoretical perspectives
Chapter 1.2: Theoretical Perspectives
Chapter 1.3: Research methods
Chapter 1.3: Research methods
Exam 1
Chapter 2.1: Prenatal Development
Chapter 2.1: Prenatal Development
Chapter 2.2: Prenatal Growth and Change
Chapter 2:3: Birth and Newborn Infant
Chapter 2.3: birth and the newborn infant
Exam 2
Chapter 3.1: physical development in infancy
Chapter 3.2: cognitive development in infancy
Chapter 3.2:: cognitive development in infancy
Chapter 3.3: social and personality development in infancy
Chapter 3.3: social and personality development in infancy
Exam 3
Chapter 4.1: physical development in preschool years
Chapter 4.2: cognitive development in the preschool years
Chapter 4.2: cognitive development in the preschool years
Chapter 4.3: social and personality development in the preschool
Chapter 4.3: social and personality development in the preschool years
Chapter 5.1/5.2: Physical and cognitive development in middle childhood
Chapter 5.3: social and personality development in middle childhood
Exam 4
Chapter 6.1: physical development in adolescence
Chapter 6.2: cognitive development during adolescence
Chapter 6.3: social and personality development during adolescence
Chapter 6.3: social and personality development during adolescence
Chapter 7.1: Physical development in early adulthood
Chapter 7.2/7.3: cognitive, social and personality development in early adulthood
Exam 5
Chapter 8.1/8.2: Physical and cognitive development in middle adulthood
Chapter 8.3: social and personality development in middle adulthood
Chapter 9.1/9.2: physical and cognitive development in late adulthood
Chapter 9.2/9.3: Cognitive, Social & Personality development in late adulthood
Chapter 9.3: Social and personality development in late adulthood
Chapter 10.1/10.2/10.3: Death and Dying
Final Exam on May 6th
Please note that the syllabus may change due to unexpected circumstances. For instance, if we
are unable to complete all scheduled chapters, the number of tests may change.
Tips for succeeding in this class
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Read and view the assigned material before class. This will make the material familiar
to you and more meaningful during class. Material will be posted on the Learning House
website that will help you prepare for class.
Take notes. During class, keep a running summary of topics covered in class. Jot down
key points.
Review notes shortly after class and once again before next class. This helps
strengthen the memory trace and helps refresh your memory of the information for the next
class.
Actively participate in class. Try to connect the new material to what you already know.
Ask questions, discuss, and make the material your own. Not only will class be more
enjoyable, it will help you retain the information for a longer period of time.
Come to class. By hearing about the material and discussing it in class, you will develop
a better understanding and will do better on the tests.
Arrive on time. When you come in late, you may miss important announcements and
information given at the beginning of class.
Get excited about the material. My guess is that you are a human.  This means the
material you will be learning is about you, your family, and your friends… The more
meaningful you can make the material to yourself, the more you will enjoy it—and
remember it.
I want this to be you:
Not this: