FLOYD COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Introduction to Human Development

Psychology 2103

Spring 2007

INSTRUCTOR:        Donna Mantooth 

E-MAIL:                    mantoothd@highlands.edu

MESSAGES:             706 368-7617 (office) or E-mail

OFFICE HOURS:    MW - 11:00 - 12:00 AM and TR 9:00 - 12:00 AM and 2:00 – 3:00 PM.  Other hours by appointment

Course Description: This course examines human development across the lifespan from conception to death with an emphasis on normal patterns of physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes. It is a fascinating process, beginning with the rapid metamorphosis of cells at conception and continuing through the intricate changes of growth and aging. This course embraces both scientific discoveries and personal insights. Structured field experiences promote student competency in observation, interpretation and understanding of behavior.

Course Objectives:

To successfully complete this course, students are expected to be able to:

1. Describe development as an ongoing set of processes.
2. Using the three “domains” of development (Biosocial, Cognitive & Psychosocial) & the major theories of development, the student should be able to analyze different developmental events.
3. Explain how research in psychology, which is based on theory, contributes to the understanding of human development.
4. Recall important developmental concepts and be able to recognize and apply these concepts in various situations.
5. Analyze human behavior that results from specific cultural, economic and developmental causes and consequences.
6. Recognize the impact of social institutions (family, education, religion, health care, media, etc.) on the process of development in each period of life.
7. Recognize differing perspectives and points of view.

Statement of Class Policies:

1. Textbook and Reading Assignments

Required Textbook: The Developing Person Through the Life Span, 6^th Edition, Kathleen Stassen Berger, Worth Publishers, Inc., 2004.

Study Guide (Optional): The Developing Person Through the Life Span, Study Guide, 6^th Ed, Worth Publishers.

Each student is responsible for reading and studying all assigned material in the text. While the study guide is not required, it is recommended and exercises in the study guide should be completed. Handouts     from class sessions should be studied thoroughly. The assigned material in the text gives you a background to participate in class sessions and helps prepare you for exams. Assignments will include readings         from the text, field experiences and accompanying written reports, and projects. You should become familiar with all assigned materials to be well prepared.

You will find as we go through this class that a lot of the information and theories that we study may be controversial. I never expect you to agree with everything you read, my comments or those of your            peers. I do expect you to be willing to bring your own ideas, questions, opinions and thoughts to the class and be willing to discuss them openly. Everyone in this class has a right to their own ideas, beliefs,        values and opinions and I ask all my students to be open-minded, respectful of others who have differing opinions and ideas, and willing to listen and discuss your ideas and those of others. It is also very    important to maintain acceptable classroom behavior. Everyone is expected to participate in class discussions, listen when others are talking and HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PERSONAL SIDE CONVERSATIONS           WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR OR ANOTHER STUDENT IS TALKING!

2. Class Meetings:

The class will meet for 2 sessions each week. Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate fully in all class activities. Full participation includes taking part in class discussions, being   involved in group activities, and completion of in and out of class assignments. In order to be successful, you need to come to class having read all assignments, be a participant and complete all assignments.

Attend all classes – Class attendance is required as there will be daily assignments or activities. You are responsible for all material covered in class and should check with the instructor regarding work   missed. If you miss a class it is YOUR responsibility to obtain notes from a classmate and make up any work missed. If you have more than two absences, you will have two (2) points deducted from your          final grade for every absence over two.

It is expected that students will be courteous and not talk while the instructor is talking or other students have the floor in classroom discussions. Excessive talking is disruptive, rude and distracting and      may negatively affect your participation grade.

Students are not permitted to eat or drink in class. See the FLOYD COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK for detailed expectations for student conduct in and out of the classroom.

 4. Field Experience/Assignments

Field experience activities and observations are an important part of this course, provide important learning opportunities, and are based on specific stages in the life span. Students must complete           four (4) field assignments from a total of eight (8) options. It is your responsibility to schedule and complete field assignments and associated written reports in an efficient and timely manner.

Field assignments must be typed, double-spaced and use 1 inch margins all around to allow for the instructor’s comments. Papers which do not follow the above format will be returned, ungraded, to        the student. Observation and interview notes should be attached to the typed report and can be handwritten. They are primarily used to aid the student in typing their report and will not add to or        take away from your grade.

NOTE:

It is important to submit all field and project reports when they are due. Students will be penalized ten points for each class day they are submitted late. Assignments submitted more than four class           days late will not be accepted. For instance a report due Monday would not be accepted on Friday.

If you are unable to give your report directly to the instructor, you may turn it in at the Social and Cultural Studies office. Your report must be dated, including the time, and initialed by one of the         secretaries or a faculty member if it is after office hours. It may then be placed in my mailbox in the Social and Cultural Studies office.

5. Tests

Tests will be given at intervals throughout the semester. A copy of the test schedule is attached. Tests will be based on materials from class sessions, textbook and other reading assignments, field   experiences and any other assigned materials. Tests must be taken on the date scheduled. Make up exams will only be given under extreme circumstances and must be approved by the instructor.           The instructor must be notified by voice mail or e-mail no later than the day of the test if you must miss an exam. If approved, the make-up exam must be taken during the division test makeup              sessions. One test grade may be dropped, unless you miss a test, then that becomes the dropped grade.

ETHICS

 Academic honesty is expected at all times in this class. Please refer to the College’s “Student Rights and Responsibilities” document. This can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.floyd.edu/subwebs/academicintegritypolicy.htm

Disability Statement: “Any student who feels they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with the College Access Center (706 802-5003) to        coordinate reasonable accommodations. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your specific needs.”

This message applies only to students receiving financial aid: Federal regulations state that if a student did not attend classes and received failing grades, then the grades were not earned and financial              aid needs to be reduced accordingly. Please be advised that any student receiving a 0.00 GPA will be required to prove that the 0.00 GPA was earned by attending classes or completing requirements for        each class. Students who have earned at least one passing grade for the semester will not be affected by this regulation. If a student has properly withdrawn from all classes, the student’s financial aid            should be adjusted from the time they signed the withdrawal form.

Grading System:

Unit  Exams (8) ..........………..…………… 100 points = 800 points

Field Assignments (4)… …...……………..100 points = 400 points

Class Participation, quizzes & activities...100 points = 100 points

Total……………………….........................….1300 possible points

 Students receiving a grade of:

1151-1300 points an A

1001-1150 points a B

851 -1000 points a C

701-850 points a D

Below 700 points an F

 8. April 23 – May 02                           Unit VIII Chapters 23-25Late Adulthood           May 02, 2007

Important Dates:

January 08-10              Drop/Add Dates

March 01                        Last day to withdraw and receive a “W” (midterm)

January 13-15               Martin Luther King Holidays

March 19-25                  Spring Break

April 30                           Classes end

May 02                            Final Exam     2:00PM

Field Experience Assignment Instructions:

Read the Field Experience Assignment and Instructions.

Read the corresponding chapters in the textbook before you begin the assignment.  The reports must be typed and double-spaced. One-inch margins should be allowed on all sides for the instructor’s

comments. All of the report should be in complete sentences. Attach your copy of the assignment to the report. Use a cover page on the report and include your topic, name, date, course name and

instructor’s name on the cover page. Papers must be stapled together, unfolded and NOT in a report cover.

Five (5) points will be deducted for each class day the report is late and a report more than four (4) class days late will not be accepted.

Field Experience Assignments: Choose 4 of the 8 to complete: 

 1. Infancy 

2. Toddlerhood

3. The Play Years                                           

4. The School Years

5. Adolescence                                                           

6. Early Adulthood

7. Middle Adulthood

8. Late Adulthood

FIELD ASSIGNMENT                       DUE DATE

Number One                                  January 29, 2007

Number Two                                   February 28, 2007

Number Three                                March 28, 2007

Number Four                                  April 25, 2007