Psychology 200 OLH Sondra Saterfield, Professor

Developmental Psychology Office: 13-128 Phone: 650 306-3288

Time/Date: Online by Arrangement Office Hours: Email-FRI

Orientation: August 18 Rm: 17-103 E-mail: saterfield@smccd.net

FALL 2008 http://www.smccd.net/accounts/saterfield

Course Description: This course provides a board overview of psychological variables contributing to human development from birth through old age. Its content covers biological, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur during the human lifespan from pre-natal stages through dying and death. Students will be introduced to underlying processes of human development and the interrelatedness of many contributing disciplines with particular focus on research studies that illustrate principles of developmental psychology. Course activities are designed to promote the interplay between biology and environment, highlighting culture and social issues, while emphasizing the lifespan perspective of development. Classic and emerging theories are presented with a multitude of research-based, real-world, and cross-cultural examples.

Requirements:

Required Text: Development through the Lifespan by Laura E. Berk, 4^rd Edition with Other reading assignments as indicated online

Internet access and a valid E-mail address

Access to eCOLLEGE: http://online.smccd.net

Course Requirements:

Basically, you are required to submit online on eCOLLEGE

Three written activities:

1) Family History Report: A two page written single spaced paper identifying your siblings, parents, family background, and grandparent’s background will be required the second week of course.

2) Journal Article: You are required to write a summation of a Psychology journal articles on a related topic to human development. The summary is to be no more than three (4) pages and a link to article must be included on the reference page. Psychological or related journal, newsletter, or professional association magazine articles must be scholarly, refereed and peer review. The summary of the article must be written in APA style. Late submission of journal article summaries will result in points deducted.

3) Research Activity: You will be given a specific activity to research and complete on a perspective of Developmental Psychology. You are to write a three-six page research report about your activity.

Discussion group questions: For each weeks lesson you are to post a response to questions for discussion. Your posted response must be at least 5 to 6 sentences and specific to the topic. You are also expected to write a reply to two of your online classmate’s responses. Remember the discussion board is an online discussion with your classmates and the instructor very much like you would have in class. Think of replying to a classmate as class participation.

Quizzes: Each week (except for final exam week) your will take a quiz on that weeks lesson.

Final Exam: A comprehensive multiple-choice exam is given the last week of this summer session.

You will receive 5% reduction in points for every day you are late with an assignment at the instructor’s discretion. Assignments that are more than a week late will not be accepted. You must complete each week’s assignments, quizzes, discussion board posting/replies, and activities by 9 PM PST on Friday. For example, Lesson 1 is the introduction and overview of the course and you most post your introductory statement by 9PM PST Friday August 22. (For students who have added late the deadline is extended to 8/29).

Grading:

Note that all assignments must be completed in order to satisfactorily complete the course (receive a grade of C or better). However, this does not mean that the mere completion of the assignments ensures that you will receive a ‘C’. The quality of your work will determine your grade for the course.

Required assignments:

Weekly Quiz 375 pts

Final 100 pts

Family History Activity 50 pts

Journal Article Activity 100 pts

Research Activity 150 pts

Discussion Board 300 pts

Discussion Board Replies (Class Participation) 60 pts

TOTAL POINTS 1130 PTS

Grading Rubric

90-100% = A

77-89% = B

60-76% = C

40-59% = D

Below 39% = F

Important Policies:

Students take sole and complete responsibility for withdrawal procedures from this course.

All examinations must be taken at the regularly scheduled times. Communicate with the professor before exam about problems. There are no make-up examinations.

Students with disabilities who have special needs and may need test accommodations must report to the Disabled Students Center at the beginning of the course. Contact the DSPS office at 306-3259.

The Professor will retain all exams, papers, and records of cumulative points for six weeks into the succeeding semester, if the student wishes to question their course grade. After that period, all student course materials will be discarded.

Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

* Describe the development of human beings in a social, cultural, and historical context.

* Depict the methods used in developmental research and the ethical standards involved.

* Distinguish among the different theories of human development.

* Describe the impact of heredity and environment on human development.

* Describe prenatal development and the birth process.

* Describe neonatal development.

* Describe development during infancy, early childhood, middle and later childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood.

* Study particular developmental events from the perspectives of the major developmental theories and identify those theories when used by others to analyze events.

* Explain how research contributes to the understanding of development, and critically evaluate how research fits with particular developmental theories.

* Apply knowledge about development to real-life situations.