DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 4040 (CRN: 80738), Fall 2014, 3 Credits
Lectures: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 am - 12.15 pm. Langdale Hall 523
Instructor:
Nicole Lim, M.S.
Doctoral Candidate, Developmental Psychology
Office:
Urban Life 733
Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm and by appointment
Email:
nlim3@student.gsu.edu
This course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
Course Description
This course will provide an overview of the field of developmental psychology. We will survey
the current clinical practices and research regarding development, focusing primarily, but not
exclusively, on the physical, cognitive and social development of infants and children. Key
themes will integrate information throughout the course of the semester, including the competing
roles of nature and nurture, the contributions of individuals to their own development, and the
influence of social and cultural factors on development.
Course Objectives
By the end of the class, students are expected to 1) have an understanding of characteristic
behaviors that children exhibit at different ages, 2) be able to describe key theories of
development, 3) develop informed opinions on key questions in developmental research, and 4)
have a basic understanding of how to critically evaluate data and claims from research studies
relating to parenting, education and policy decisions involving children.
Additionally, this course will focus on contributing to the following GSU General Objectives for
Undergraduate Courses:
Goal I. Communication
1. Students communicate effectively using appropriate writing conventions and formats.
Goal III. Critical Thinking
2. Students effectively collect appropriate evidence (for research).
3. Students appropriately evaluate claims, arguments, evidence, and hypotheses.
Goal VI. Technology
1. Students effectively use computers and other technology appropriate to the discipline.
Prerequisites
PSYC 1101 – Introduction to General Psychology, with grade of C or higher, or equivalent.
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Harwood, R., Miller, S. A., & Vasta, R. (2008). Child Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John
Wiley & Sons. 5th Edition.
- Students can attain a copy of this book at GSU Bookstore.
Computer Resources
Email Assignments and extra credit should be turned in during class times. If you are
unable to make it to class, you can email me the assignments and extra credit. Also, if you
ever need to contact the instructor for any other reasons, use your GSU email account and
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indicate your full name and the title of this course clearly in the subject of the email.
Desire2Learn is the primary way in which the instructor will share information for this
course. Handouts and other course materials will sometimes be posted on Desire2Learn, it
is your responsibility to check the Desire2Learn site for information and course materials
on a regular basis.
Software Written assignments or extra credit must be submitted in MS Word (*.doc or
*docx) format, unless stated otherwise.
Grading
No exceptions will be made to the grading policy indicated below:
Participation
Attendance is required and is expected of you. Attendance will be taken at random times
throughout the semester and will be worth a total of 20 points (out of a total of 400 points).
Class time will involve supplementing and expanding on textbook readings, lecturing of
material that is not presented in the textbook, and during some classes, small activities and
mini-quizzes (every Thursday) will take place. Reading assignments are listed in the course
calendar and should be completed before the class on the assigned day.
Students are responsible for obtaining all information presented during missed classes from
their classmates.
In Class Exams
Exam 1: Sep 25th
Exam 2: Oct 28th
Exam 3: Dec 11th
There are a total of 3 exams for this course. All of which are not cumulative. Exams are
taken in class with no books or notes. Exams will consist of multiple-choice, true and
false, and fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions. Students are expected to know all
lecture material, notes, textbook readings for the exams.
Research Paper
Due Nov 20th.
You will write a brief research paper (length: 3-4 pages) that discusses children’s
developmental trajectory that includes the following: a developmental theory that was
discussed in class, support for that theory and its implications.
Further details of this assignment will be provided in class.
Students will lose 10% for each day that the paper is late.
Extra Credit
Extra Credit 1: Given on Sep 25th, due on Oct 9th.
Extra Credit 2: Given on Oct 28th, due on Nov 11th.
There are 2 chances to earn extra credit for this class. Extra credit might involve
summarizing a journal article or a video. More details will be given when the extra credit
opportunity arises. Stay tuned!
Extra credit that are turned in late will not be accepted for a grade.
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Grading Review
Any student who has an issue with the grading for a particular assignment (research
paper, extra credit, exam) has one week after the graded assignment is returned to meet
with the instructor and request a grade review. All reviews must be completed with the
original work; no copies will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the student to provide
the original if it has been handed back from the instructor.
Late Work and Missed Assignments
To reiterate:
10% will be deducted for each day that the research paper is turned in late.
Points will not be awarded for extra credit assignments that are turned in late.
All in-class work, activities, mini-quizzes should be turned during class time (except
during thanksgiving break, of which it will be turned in online) any of these that are
turned in late will not be accepted for a grade.
The student will be awarded 0 points for any research paper, mini-quizzes, and extra
credit that are missed.
Assignments and deadlines are stated clearly on this syllabus, as such, kindly plan
accordingly and turn in work on the scheduled date.
Make-up exams
Make-up examinations will only be given under extraordinary circumstances (e.g. serious
illness). Medical proof will be needed. The instructor should be informed before the
exam, preferably as soon as the issue arises. Make-up exams will be in the same format
with similar difficulty as in-class exams.
All make-up exams (for exams 1, 2 and 3) have to be taken on December 9th 2014.
Course assignments and due dates
Course Requirement
400 points (420 points possible)
Exam 1
100
Exam 2
100
Exam 3
100
Research Paper
50
Participation (Attendance)
Mini Quizzes (15 @ 2 points each)
Extra Credit ( 2 @ 10 points each)
PSYC 4040 Developmental Psychology, Fall 2014
20
30
20
Due Date
Sep 25th
Oct 28th
Dec 11th
Nov 20th
Random times throughout
semester
Every Thursday
Oct 9th and Nov 11th
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Letter Grades
Final grades will be assigned based on the following scale, based on the number of points
earned on exams, research paper, participation, mini-quizzes and extra credit:
Percentage
Grade
Points Earned
100 – 97
A+
400 - 388
96 – 93
A
384 - 372
92 – 90
A368 - 360
89 – 87
B+
356 - 348
86 – 83
B
344 - 332
82 - 80
B328 - 320
79 - 77
C+
316 - 308
76 - 73
C
304 - 292
72 - 70
C288 - 280
69 - 60
D
276 - 240
59 - 0
F
236 - 0
In the event that a student has a final score that is not a whole number (e.g., 92.x), the
number will be rounded to the nearest integer for the purpose of assigning a final grade.
As such, a score of 92.5 will be rounded up to a 93 (A), whereas a score of 92.4 will be
rounded down to a 92 (A-).
In order to earn a particular letter grade, you must earn the minimum number of points
listed for that grade, based on this rounding policy. There are no exceptions to this.
Attendance Policy
General Attendance. As mentioned above, attendance will be taken randomly throughout the
semester and its points (20) will go towards the total grade. Attendance will only be awarded if
you attend class on time (that is, no later than 11:00 am), and leave only when you are dismissed
(12:15 pm). If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student,
which includes any course content covered in class and any changes to the course or
announcements made.
Veterans’ Attendance. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires that institutions of higher
learning immediately report to them when a student discontinues attendance. Veterans who are
receiving benefits to fund their education will be reported to the DVA if they do not attend class
for a period of two weeks or more.
Policy on Academic Honesty
For a full explanation of academic dishonesty, see the GSU student code of conduct at:
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/codeofconduct.html
The most common types of academic dishonesty are plagiarism, cheating on assessments, and
unauthorized collaboration.
GSU Department of Psychology Definition of Plagiarism:
If a student uses or relies on others’ work in preparing any academic materials (e.g. written
assignments, posters, presentations) the student must cite the source correctly according to the
directions provided by the instructor. Failure to do so is plagiarism. Copying and pasting even
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part of a sentence or phrase is plagiarism, even when the source is cited correctly. Paraphrasing a
source in a way that copies the phrase or sentence structure of a source is also plagiarism. To
avoid plagiarism, students are expected to properly paraphrase others’ ideas.
Quotes in scientific writing should only be used when the wording of the original source is
critical to the student’s argument. Whether quoting is appropriate in a given instance is at the
discretion of the instructor, not the student.
Departmental Policy on Cheating and Unauthorized Collaboration:
Cheating includes the use or sharing of any unauthorized materials and/or assistance before,
during, or after an assessment (e.g. exams, tests, quizzes). Unless otherwise specified by your
instructor, you may not discuss an assessment or share materials or information with any other
student at any time. Unauthorized collaboration occurs under the same circumstances as
cheating, but involves assignments outside of the classroom (e.g. papers, projects, presentations)
rather than assessments.
Violations of this policy will result, at a minimum, in a final grade of F in this course. Lack of
knowledge regarding this and the University’s policy on honesty standards does not excuse
misconduct.
Policy on Disruptive Behavior
http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwsen/minutes/2002-2003/disrupt2.html
All members of the class are expected to treat each other in a respectful, civil manner. Students
who exhibit behaviors that I consider obstructive or disruptive to the class or its learning
activities will be treated according to the GSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior
(http://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/faculty-staff-resources/disruptive-student-conduct/). Disruptive
students will first receive a verbal warning. Continued violations will result in the student being
removed from the classroom, a meeting with the Chair of the Department of Psychology, and
finally formal disciplinary action at the University level. Any student who engages in disruptive
behavior may be assessed point deductions from the final grade or administratively withdrawn
from the course.
Kindly turn off or set on silent mode all mobile phones, pagers and like devices while in class.
Making or receiving phone calls or pages while in class is prohibited.” Disruptive students will
first receive a verbal warning. Continued violations will result in the student being removed from
the classroom, a meeting with the Chair of the Department of Psychology, and finally formal
disciplinary action at the University level. If there are special circumstances that require you to
receive a phone call during class, (e.g., emergency phone call), please notify me before class.
Disability Services
Georgia State University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans
with Disabilities Act. Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by
registering with the Office of Disability Services located in Suite 230 of the New Student Center.
Students may only be accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a
signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors
of all classes in which an accommodation is sought.
Any student who has a documented disabling condition that requires accommodations in this
class or on assignments must provide the appropriate documentation from the Office of
Disability Services by the end of the first week of class. If your condition is identified during the
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semester, please see me within one week of receiving the relevant supporting documentation
so we can make arrangements to accommodate you for the remainder of the term.
Consideration for a disabling condition will not be made retroactively; no grades will be changed
or make up assignments offered because a student with a disabling condition chose not to
utilize the full extent of the resources available to him/her when completing (a particular
assignment for) this course.
Withdrawal Date
The last day to withdraw from this class in order to be eligible for a possible grade of “W” is Oct
15, 2014. A “W” is awarded only if you are doing passing work. Any student who is failing the
class at the time of withdrawal (even if the withdrawal is by the withdrawal date) will receive a
grade of “WF” in accordance with university policy. Withdrawal from this course is the
responsibility of the student.
Contacting me
If you are having trouble with the course material, require clarification on course assignments, or
need to speak to me for any other reasons, kindly send me an email and also feel free to drop by
my office during office hours on Tuesdays & Thursdays between 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm.
Alternatively, you could schedule a time to meet with me.
Course Feedback
At the end of this course, kindly fill out the online course evaluation, your constructive
assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at Georgia State
University.
Course Schedule
The following course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be
necessary and I reserve the right to make changes to the schedule as needed. Any changes will be
announced in class and on Desire2Learn.
The readings/assignments listed should be done before the date for which they are assigned, so
that we can discuss them in class. You are responsible for knowing about any schedule changes
and completing any necessary work accordingly.
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Course Schedule
Day
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
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Th
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Th
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Th
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Th
Date
8/26
8/28
9/2
9/4
9/9
9/11
9/16
9/18
9/23
9/25
9/30
10/2
10/7
10/9
10/14
10/16
10/21
10/23
10/28
10/30
11/4
11/6
11/11
11/13
11/18
11/20
11/25
11/27
12/2
12/4
12/9
12/11
Topic
Course Introduction, Frameworks for Development
Developmental Methods
Biological Context of Development
Prenatal Development
Prenatal Development
Infancy - Motor Development
Infancy - Sensation & Perception
Brain, Physical Growth & Health
Brain, Physical Growth & Health
Exam 1 in class
Piaget & Developmental Theories
Piaget & Developmental Theories
Information Processing & Core Knowledge Approaches
Intelligence and IQ Testing Extra Credit 1 Due
Language and Communication
Language and Communication
Social and Emotional Development
Social and Emotional Development
Exam 2 in class
Self & Identity
Self & Identity
Sex Differences and Gender Role Development
Sex Differences and Gender Role Development Extra Credit 2 Due
Moral Development
Peer relationships
Peer relationships Research Paper Due
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break
Families & Society
Families & Society
Exam Make-ups
Exam 3
PSYC 4040 Developmental Psychology, Fall 2014
Readings
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 1-6
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
Ch. 7-11
Ch. 12
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
Ch. 14
Ch. 15
Ch. 15
Mini-Quiz
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 online
Ch. 16
Ch. 16
Ch.12-16
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15