MASTER COURSE OUTLINE
Big Bend Community College
Date: March 2008
DEPT: PSYC&
NO: 200
(Formerly: PSY 210)
COURSE TITLE: Lifespan Psychology
CIP Code: 42.0701
Intent Code: 11
SIS Code: N/A
Distribution Desig.:
Social Science
CREDITS:
5
Total Contact Hours Per Qtr: 55
Lecture Hours Per Qtr:
55
Lab Hours Per Qtr:
Other Hours Per Qtr:
PREPARED BY: Theresa Faust
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines the physical, intellectual, emotional, and
social growth and development that occurs throughout the human lifespan.
PREREQUISITE(S): PSYC& 100--General Psychology
TEXT: Berger, K. S. (2008). The developing person: Through the lifespan (7th edition). New
York: Worth Publishing.
COURSE GOALS: The goals of this course are to provide a conceptual framework for studying
human development; to expose students to the major developmental theories used in the study of
human growth and development; and to identify the significant developmental tasks appropriate
for the various age groups.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1)
Define developmental psychology.
2)
List the research methods (observation, case study, survey and experiment) and designs
(longitudinal, cross-sectional and cross-sequential). Discuss the strengths and weaknesses
of each type of research method and design used in the study of human development.
3)
Explain the theoretical issues in development: heredity vs. environment; growth,
maturation and learning; continuity and discontinuity; active and passive perspectives.
4)
Identify the major assumptions of psychosexual, psychosocial, cognitive, behavioral,
social learning, epigenetic, and sociocultural theories of development.
5)
Describe, and compare and contrast the theories of development listed above.
6)
Explain genetic principles and how these principles are related to disease, sex-linked
characteristics, and physical and psychological characteristics.
7)
Describe fetal development during each trimester of pregnancy including how factors like
teratogens and nutrition can influence prenatal development.
8)
Describe the physical, cognitive and social development of the individual in all
developmental periods.
9)
Discuss the development of morality.
10)
Define: attachment, parenting styles and temperament. Discuss the interaction between
these factors and how biological and social influences may affect them.
11)
Define bereavement and grief; discuss the idiosyncratic nature of grief.
12)
Critically relate developmental constructs to life.
COURSE CONTENT
Introduction
Research Methods and designs
Theories of Development
Citations and References - APA
Genes and Environment
Prenatal development
Physical, cognitive and social development throughout the lifespan
Death and Bereavement
EVALUATION METHODS/GRADING PROCEDURES: Students will be evaluated on the
combination of the following areas: exams, a comprehensive final, quizzes, homework, in-class
assignments (individual and group), a major written paper and participation.
PLANNED TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING STRATEGIES:
X Lecture
Laboratory
Supervised Clinical
X Small Group Discussion
X Audiovisual
Individualized Instruction
Special Project
X Other (group projects)
Division Chair Approval