PSYC 211-006 (Developmental Psychology) Spring 2015
Tuesday 7:20 – 10:00 PM
Class Location: Robinson A111
Office Location: Aquia building room 337
Office Hours: Tuesday 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Instructor: Samar Tehrani
Email address: stehran2@gmu.edu
TEXT: The Developing Person Through the Life Span 9th Edition By Kathleen Stassen Berger
ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-8390-8
Other reading materials will be presented throughout the course of the semester, in forms of articles
and book chapters.
Course Description, Goals, and Objectives: This class will provide an understanding of the filed of
Developmental Psychology. The purpose is to gain knowledge of concepts of human development
from conception to death in order for students to apply the knowledge to everyday life. This course
will also provide student with skills and knowledge in analytical thinking and communication using the
concepts of Developmental Psychology.
Course Format:
The course will be primarily lecture and discussion. The goal of class time is to be divided into
two sections one half lecture and the other half is to engage in class discussions for half of the duration
of the class, do small group activities, and watch videos. You are expected to take notes on these
lectures and additional exercises.
Grading:
Your grade will be based on a mid-term a final exam in class. Your final grade will be based on
a percentage of the total points:
Group assignments = 10 Points
Writing assignments = 20 Points
Mid-Term Exam
= 30 Points
Final Exam
= 30 Points
= 100 Points total
Based on Percentage
A+ (4.0) = 100 - 97 A (3.77) = 96 – 93 A - (3.33) 92 - 90
B+ (3.0) = 89 - 87 B (2.77) = 86 – 83 B - (2.33) 82 – 80
C+ (2.0) = 79 - 77 C (1.77) = 76 – 73 C - (1.33) 72- 70
D (1.0) = 69 – 60 F = below 59
Email:
Using email is the best way to contact your professor. You must use your GMU email for
confidential information, but you can use any email account for general questions or comments. Your
emails should always include your name, class, and section.
Blackboard:
Our class has a Blackboard site that we will use for assignments, announcements, and/or in the
event of a college closure.
Mid-Term and Final Exam:
Both exams will be assessed in class. Each exam is 30% of your grade. Both Exams are
multiple choice 60 questions. I will NOT provide a study guide for the exams. Should you need more
time to complete an examination, speak with the instructor prior to exams and arrangements will be
made accordingly. Make up exams will only be permitted in unusual circumstances and must be
arranged with the instructor before the exam is given. After each exam, students can leave and no
instruction will take place that evening.
1st Exam will cover Chapters 1- 13
Final Exam will cover, Chapters 14 -25
Writing assignments:
4 Writing assignments will be assigned. Each will be based on a specific chapter.
1 observational, 2 documentary film, 3 research based, 4 current events.
The writing assignments will be discussed in detail during the first class.
Student Success:
Your success in this class depends on your own behavior. Psychology is a reading-intensive
discipline. Expect to spend 3-6 hours per week outside of class reading, reviewing notes, working on
assignments, studying, etc. It is your responsibility to keep up with readings, assignments, test dates,
etc. The best way to do this is to attend class.
Withdrawals:
Last day to add classes—all individualized section forms due
Last day to drop with no tuition penalty
Tues Jan 27
Last day to drop with a 33% tuition penalty
Tues Feb 10
Final Drop Deadline (67% tuition penalty)
Fri Feb 20
Participation:
I encourage all students to participate. There will be many opportunities to voice your opinions
and questions. I will often break the class into small groups so that people have a greater chance to
participate. Your participation will increase the amount of material that you learn and in my
experience, people who participate more tend to do better on tests.
Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Cheating includes dishonesty of any
kind on quizzes or assignments. Plagiarism includes the failure to give credit to another’s work. Giving
and taking unauthorized help on tests or assignments are both considered cheating. GMU and I regard
these as serious offenses. The minimum sanction for such behavior is an F on the assignment; the
maximum sanction is dismissal from college.
Honor Code:
To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among all members of
the George Mason University community and with the desire for greater academic and personal
achievement, we, the student members of the university community have set forth this honor code:
Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or
lie in matters related to academic work.
Learning Environment:
In psychology classes, we discuss topics that people may be sensitive about. These include such
areas as gender, sexual orientation, child rearing, and race. It is important that we all treat one another
with respect. We will refrain from making negative comments about people or their opinions.
Special Needs and Accommodations:
Please address with the professor any special problems or needs at the beginning of the
semester. If you are seeking accommodations based on a disability, you should provide a disability
data sheet, which can be obtained from the disability services offices.
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see me
and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 703-993-2474. All academic accommodations
must be arranged through that office.
Weather Related or Other Closings:
If classes are cancelled due to weather or other situations, we will stick with the schedule
below. You will be responsible for reading the material for that day. If we miss a test or assignment
due date, it will be on the next class meeting instead.
First day of class January 20 / 2015
Last day of class May 4 / 2015
Spring Break March 9-15 / 2015
First Exam Will be announced
Final Exam Will be announced
Tentative schedule of classes and reading assignments
Week 1 and 2
Week 2 and 3
Week 4 and 5
Week 6 and 7
Week 8 and 9
Week 10 and 11
Week 12 and 13
Week 14 and 15
Part1 The Beginnings
Part 2 The First Two Years
Part 3 Early Childhood
Part 4 Middle childhood
Part 5 Adolescence
Part 6 Emerging Adulthood
Part 7 Adulthood
Part 8 Late adulthood