VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY & COUNSELING

PSYC 2700: Human Growth & Development

3 CREDIT HOURS

CLASS TIME AND LOCATION

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:30 – 10:45 am (Sect.A),                                            Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30 – 1:45 pm (Sect. C)

EC 81 (Education Center)                                                                                EC 267 (Education Center)

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. (2003).  Life-Span human development. (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, 

 CA: Brooks/Cole.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a course in lifespan developmental psychology which overviews normal human development from conception through late-old age. Human development is described and theoretical explanations for changes are presented for physical growth, thinking, personality (e.g. emotions, adaptation, and stress reactions), and social processes (e.g. family, culture, and community).

 

The College of Education (COE) Conceptual Framework Principles

Principle 2:     The teacher understands how students learn and develop, and provides learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.

 

Principle 3:     The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.      Name and discuss the major theories of development including primary scientists/theorists: Piaget, Cognitive Processing, Erikson, Kohlberg, Perceptual Learning, Behavorism, and Freud (principles 2 & 3).

 

2.      Differentiate among research methods used in human growth and development (principle 2).

 

3.      Discuss critical issues defining developmental change and tasks associated with such change (principles 2 & 3).

 

4.      State appropriate behavioral expectations for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly (principles 2 & 3).

 

5.      Articulate the basic issues concerning nature verses nurture question (principle 2).

 

6.      Describe prenatal and postnatal events found to be crucial to subsequent development (principle 2).

7.      Describe and discuss changes in the traditional family over the last two decades to issues of delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and suicide (principle 2).

 

8.      Name and discuss normative age-related changes for elders and relate these changes to independence, control over the environment, and successful aging (principle 2).

 

9.      Articulate basic issues concerning gender roles and cultural-diversity across the lifespan (principle 2).

 

ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Activities

A.  Lecture/Discussion

  1. In-class Small Group Exercises
  2. Videos

 

Requirements

a.    Examinations: A total of five (5) exams will be given over the course of the semester with each exam consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions will be based on chapter objectives and topics discussed in class.

 

b.   Quiz: A total of ten (10) announced and unannounced quizzes from the chapter readings will be given over the course of the semester. Announced quizzes are given online.

 

c.    Classroom Participation: Students are expected to fully participate in the class discussion and the group exercise provided by the instructor. Since the students’ active participation requires their regular attendance to class, an attendance roster may be called periodically throughout the semester.

 

COURSE EVALUATION

Evaluation Instruments/Methods

Activity                                                           Grade Value

Quizzes..……………………………………  100 points

Exam I ……………………………………..  100 points

Exam II ……………………………………   100 points

Exam III ………………………………….     100 points

Exam IV …………………………………..    100 points

Exam V ……………………………………   100 points

Participation ………………………………..  50 points

TOTAL                                                           650 points

 

Grading Scale

                        Grade              Points                          Percent

                        A                     585 – 650                    90 – 100%

                        B                     520 – 584                    80 – 89%

                        C                     455 – 519                    70 –79%

                        D                     390 – 454                    60 –69%

                        F                      less than 390                below 60%

 

                                                               i.      Extra credits can be earned throughout the semester by research participation.

 

 

Schedule of Evaluation

            Midterm Exam Date and Time – Thursday, October 9th  

            Final Exam Date and Time – Thursday, December 11th

 

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Karen D. Rowland, Ph.D., NCC, LPC, Assistant Professor     

Department of Psychology and Counseling

Office: Room 3 (POB) Psychology Building                 

Telephone: 333-5930 or 259-5078

Email: kathomps@valdosta.edu

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10:00 – 12:00PM; Tuesday and Thursday 11:00  – 12PM and 2:00 – 4:00PM; Friday by appointment only.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Valdosta State University policy requires class attendance. A student who misses more than 20% of the scheduled classes of a course will be subject to receiving a failing grade in the course.

 

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT

Valdosta State University, in accordance with the American Disabilities Act, will make arrangements for students who require special assistance due to a disability. If you require some assistance, do not hesitate to advise the instructor. Additionally, if you are not registered with Special Services Programs, you must contact the Special Services Office in Nevins Hall, or call 245-2498.

 

Tentative Class Schedule

 

Date                                                                            Topic/Activity

August 19 & 21                                                Syllabus, Introductions (group exercise), chapter 1

 

August 26 & 28                                                Chapters 2

 

September 2 & 4                                              Chapter 3

 

September 9                                                     Class Exercise and Chapters 1 – 3 Review

 

September 11                                                   TEST I (Chapters 1 – 3)

 

September 16 & 18                                          Chapters 4 and 5

 

September 23 & 25                                          Chapters 6 and 7

 

September 30                                                   Video and Chapters 4 - 7 Review

 

October 2                                                        TEST II (Chapters 4 – 7)

 

October 7 & 9                                                 Chapters 8 and 9

 

October 14 & 16                                             Chapter 10

 

October 21                                                      Class Exercise and Chapters 8 – 10 Review

 

October 23                                                      TEST III (Chapters 8 – 10)

 

October 28 & 30                                             Chapters 11 and 12

 

November 4 & 6                                              Chapters 13 and 14

 

November 11                                                   Class Exercise and Chapters 11 – 14 Review

 

November 13                                                   TEST IV (Chapters 11 – 14)

 

November 18 & 20                                          Chapter 15 and 16

 

November 25 & 27                                          THANKSGIVING

 

December 2                                                    Chapter 17

 

December 4                                                     TEST V

 

 

PSYC 2700 Human Growth & Development Outcomes Matrix

 

Course Outcome

Students will:

 

Activity

Instructor will:

Evaluation

Students will:

Name and discuss the major theories of development including primary scientists/theorists: Piaget, Cognitive Processing, Erikson, Kohlberg, Perceptual Learning, Behavorism, and Freud (principles 2 & 3).

 

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam I

Group Exercise

Differentiate among research methods used in human growth and development (principle 2).

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam I

Group Exercise

Discuss critical issues defining developmental change and tasks associated with such change (principles 2 & 3).

 

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam II

Group Exercise

State appropriate behavioral expectations for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly (principles 2 & 3).

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam II

Group Exercise

Articulate the basic issues concerning nature verses nurture question (principle 2).

 

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

Exam III

Group Exercise

Describe prenatal and postnatal events found to be crucial to subsequent development (principle 2).

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam III

Group Exercise

Describe and discuss changes in the traditional family over the last two decades to issues of delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and suicide (principle 2).

 

 

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam IV

Group Exercise

Name and discuss normative age-related changes for elders and relate these changes to independence, control over the environment, and successful aging (principle 2).

 

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam IV

Group Exercise

Articulate basic issues concerning gender roles and cultural-diversity across the lifespan (principle 2).

Lecture

Discussion

Videos

 

 

Exam V

Group Exercise