Lifespan Psychology (Psychology 41) Spring 2016
Los Angeles Harbor College
______________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR: Lorrie Kato, Ph.D.
OFFICE:
Science Complex – SCC-249
OFFICE HRS: M: 12:45-2:45, T: 12:45-1:45, TH: 12:45-2:45
EMAIL:
TELEPHONE #:
Section:
katoL@lahc.edu
(310) 233-4674
0145, T/TH, 9:35-11:00
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Santrock, J. W. (2014). Essentials of life-span development (3rd Ed.). New York, NY:The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Psychology 041 surveys the major areas of lifespan developmental psychology- the science of individual human development.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students will gain an understanding of the important methods, concepts, theories and findings in the field of lifespan psychology.
2. Students will learn what the future holds for them. That is, the material in this class will touch students' future and the future of
an aging society.
3. This course will help students dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes and the repetitive "it declines" phenomena for every aspect
of development and aging.
4. Students will be able to make connections between the research discussed in the text and their everyday experiences with others.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate familiarity with the nature and origins of developmental psychology, theoretical perspectives, and historical trends.
2. Analyze the complexity of diversities as they apply to developmental issues
3. Evaluate and apply strategies to age-related and life events.
4. Evaluate empirical research related to lifespan development using APA guidelines.
COURSE EVALUATION
Exams: There will be four examinations (and 1 final), each covering approximately one-fourth of the course. Exams will be based on
information posted in class and will cover all reading assignments. These exams include true-false questions, multiple-choice questions,
and matching definitions. The lowest exam grade will BE DROPPED and replaced with the grade earned on the final exam. If you miss
an exam, you MUST take the final. You will need five scantrons for the class, four 883-E (for the exams) and one 882-E (for the final).
Final Exam: There will be one comprehensive final exam. Students who have completed the four exams and research paper and have an
A average in the course will receive 25 bonus points and are excused from the final. Missing an exam for any reason automatically means
the final exam MUST be taken. The lowest grade on one exam will be dropped and replaced with the final.
Research Paper: There will be one research 3-5 page research paper. Students are expected to integrate relevant research literature,
information from the text and lecture, and personal experience. Papers will be graded in terms of application of course content and
writing quality (including organization, clarity, punctuation, and grammar) and will be graded with the expectation that this is a collegelevel course. Additional information regarding the research paper is available at http://www.drlorriekato.com/. Late Papers: Please note
that assignments not turned in by the due date WILL BE MARKED OFF SEVEN POINTS (1 full grade) per day late.
TEACHING POLICY:
1. Make-up exams: Make-up exams will not be given so plan to take the exams by the scheduled due date. If you miss one
exam, the final exam score will replace it. If two exams are missed then a make-up will not be possible.
2. Plagiarism/Cheating: In line with the Harbor College policy on academic dishonesty, anyone caught cheating during an exam or
turning in someone else's work and claiming it as his/her own will receive an automatic F for the class and may be subjected to
disciplinary action.
a. District Academic Dishonesty Policy 9803.28 Academic Dishonesty: Violations of Academic Integrity include, but
are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper
or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to
more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s
grade.
3. There will be NO opportunities for extra credit offered throughout the class.
Disability Accommodation Statement
Students with a verified disability who may need a reasonable accommodation(s) for this class are encouraged to notify the instructor
and contact the DSPS Office or the Office for Special Services as soon as possible. All information will remain confidential.
CLASSROOM PROTICOL: Lack of participation in the course (e.g., missing exams or assignments, chronic absence) and being
disrespectful or disruptive in class (e.g., conversing during lecture, chronic tardiness) may be basis for being dropped by the professor.
Please turn off all cell phones and do not have them visible on the desk. Texting during class is NOT permitted.
1
GRADING:
Final grades are dependent upon the total number of points earned in the course.
A: 400-360points B: 359-320points C: 319-280points D: 279-240points
F: 239-0points
Exam 1: _____/75 points
Exam 3: _____/75 points
Essay Assignment: _____/75
Exam 2: _____/75 points
Exam 4: _____/75 points
Final:
Total Points:
_____/100 points
______/400
*Remember your lowest exam grade will be dropped. If you have an A average in the course, you will receive
25 bonus points and are excused from the final.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: You are responsible for reading the text, reviewing the lectures, studying the material, taking the
required exams, and completing assigned activities. Lecture content and pacing are based on the expectation that students are familiar
with the material in the chapter reading assigned for that day. Your task of learning psychology however, will be much easier if you
(a) ask me questions about the readings and lecture topics; (b) keep up with the readings; (c) talk to me during office hours. In a 16week semester, this course will require about 15% of your weeks’ time, and more if you are unfamiliar with the material or just
beginning advanced studies. You are ultimately responsible for your learning in this class.
Class Schedule
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Date
Topics
Reading
Assignments
2/9
2/11
2/16
2/18
2/23
2/25
3/1
3/3
3/8
3/10
3/15
3/17
3/22
3/24
3/29
3/31
Course Introduction
Introduction
Introduction (cont.), Biological Beginnings
Biological Beginnings (cont.)
Physical and Cognitive Dev. In Middle and Late Childhood (cont.)
Socioemotional Dev. In Middle and Late Childhood
Socioemotional Dev. In Middle and Late Childhood (cont.), Review
HOLDAY - No Class
SPRING BREAK 4/2-4/9
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
4/12
4/14
4/19
4/21
4/26
4/28
5/3
5/5
5/10
5/12
5/17
5/19
5/24
5/26
6/2
Exam 2 (Chs. 5, 6, 7, 8)
Physical and Cognitive Dev. In Adolescence
Socioemotional Dev. In Adolescence
Phys & Cog. Young Adult, (Research Paper Due, 11:59pm in Turnitin)
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Physical and Cognitive Dev. In Infancy
Phys & Cog in Inf. (cont.),
Chapter 3
Socioemotional Dev. in Infancy
Socioemotional in Infancy cont., Review for Exam
Chapter 4
Exam 1 (Chs. 1, 2, 3, 4)
Phys. & Cog in Early Childhood
Phy & Cog in EC (cont.) Socioemotional Dev. In Early Childhood
Physical and Cognitive Dev. In Middle and Late Childhood (Part 1 Paper Due in Class)
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Phys & Cog. Young Adult, Socioemotional Dev. In Young Adulthood (cont.)
Socioemotional Dev. In Young Adulthood, Review for Exam
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Exam 3 (Chs.9, 10, 11, 12)
Phys & Cog. Dev. In Middle Adulthood
Socioemotional Dev. In Middle Adulthood
Phys & Cog Dev. In Late Adulthood
Socioemotional Dev. In Late Adulthood
Death, Dying, and Grieving, Exam 4 Review
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Complete Exam 4 (Chs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
Final Exam Review (Please note, you must attend to be excused from the final.)
THURSDAY: 10:30-12:30 Final Exam
**The course schedule is subject to change.
2