Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Fall 2024                         

PSYC 200 OLH (CRN 92428)

Developmental Psychology (3 units)

Instructor: Dennis Lynn, Ph.D.

lynnd@smccd.edu

Opportunities for “Presence” in an online course (Regular and Effective Contact):

  1. Conversations: The primary avenue of communication in Canvas is through the Inbox, which is located on the far left side of the course home page. (Note: I am very responsive to your messages. I will typically respond within a few hours and always within a 24-hour period.)
  2. Assignments and Discussion: I will respond to your written assignments and tests with my feedback in a prompt and timely fashion. My efficient response to your assignments is a consistent way that I stay in regular contact with you during the term. I will also be engaged in the course discussions.
  3. Weekly “Office Hours”: Each Monday afternoon, I will be available from 3:30-4:00 if you would like to "chat" through the Chat tab. If you ever want to ask a question, make a comment, or just interact with me about any course-related topic, I am hoping this avenue of communication will be helpful. If an unexpected situation arises and I am not available during this time frame, I will respond to you through the Inbox as soon as I am able.
  4. Course Q and A Discussion Board: I often receive questions through email that pertain to course content or an item in the syllabus, etc. I have realized that my response to an individual student might be helpful to the whole class. I have set up this Question and Answer Discussion Board for you to ask questions here about the course. My answer will be sent to ALL students enrolled in the course. 

If you have a personal question about your specific grade you received or something that does not pertain to the whole class, please submit that question through the Inbox and I will reply to you personally.  I hope this Q and A Discussion Board will be a helpful way for everyone to receive the same answer on a specific question about the course.

 

Required Text:

VERY IMPORTANT: ONLY USE THE 2017 EDITION (also highlighted in yellow); DO NOT USE THE 2019 EDITION

Lifespan Development: A Psychological Perspective

By Martha Lally and Suzanne Valentine-French (Published 2017)

This Open Education Resource (OER) textbook was funded by a grant from the

College of Lake County Foundation and supported by the Business and Social

Sciences Division.

 This textbook can be found at: LifespanDevelopment.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

Please note, the following link has been updated to reflect Lifespan Development, version 2 (2019) http://dept.clcillinois.edu/psy/LifespanDevelopment.pdf Link (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Links to an external site.; we will continue using Lifespan Development, 2017 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Links to an external site. for the semester.

Publication is under the following license:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 unported license to view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0 or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California,  94105, USA.

 

NOTE:  It is strongly recommended that students feel comfortable and are competent participating in an online course.  The instructor will interact with questions related to the course.  Questions or problems related to the technological aspects of an online course can be addressed by accessing information available at the “Student Support” or “Canvas Student Training” tabs on the course homepage.  Be sure to review the Netiquette Guidelines on the Modules page on the course website: https://smccd.instructure.com/courses/7834/pages/netiquette-guidelines?module_item_id=61276

Please note that all email communication coming from your instructor will be going to your my.smccd.edu account. For more information about your my.smccd.edu account please go to http://my.smccd.edu (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

 

PSYC 200 (3 units)

Recommended Preparation: Eligibility for ENGL 100, or equivalent  

 Information about course transferability and degree applicability is updated on an annual basis. For the most current information about course transferability, consult a Skyline College counselor and/or the online transfer information center: http://www.skylinecollege.edu/transfercenter/Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

For the most current information regarding Associate Degree requirements, please consult a Skyline College counselor and/or the Skyline College Catalog: http://skylinecollege.edu/catalog/Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

Course Description and Student Learning Outcomes:  

This survey course examines the physical, cognitive and psychological changes that occur across the life span. Theoretical models, influences effecting development, and research relevant to development across the life span will be discussed.  Upon successful completion of this course, a student will meet the following outcomes:
1. Demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives and empirical findings in the field of human development.
2. Apply human development concepts, theories and research findings to everyday life.
3. Critically evaluate developmental theories as they apply to physical, psychological, and sociocultural development across the lifespan.

Transfer: UC; CSU (D3, E1) 

Specific Instructional Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe techniques and methods used in human development research and the ethical standards involved.
  2. Compare and contrast the different theories of human development.
  3. Examine and analyze how heredity and environment interact from the lifespan perspective of human development.
  4. Analyze the development of human beings in a social, cultural, and historical context.
  5. Describe the sequences of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial developmental change across the lifespan.
  6. Describe prenatal development and birth.
  7. Identify hallmarks of each stage of lifespan development.
  8. Apply knowledge about human development to real-life situations.
  9. Identify and analyze possible causes or sources of developmental change and reasons for disturbances in the developmental process.

 

 Last day of attendance/Participation/Drop policy: It is the instructor’s hope that every student will be actively engaged in this course.  Because of federal guidelines related to financial aid, participation is demonstrated by actively completing course activities in Canvas, such as discussions, assignments, and content reinforcement tests. Your participation (or lack of participation) will be influential in determining your last day of participation in the course.

Please note: If you have not actively participated in the course by census verification, you will be dropped from the course.

 Withdrawal Policy: If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must do so using the WebSMART system.  Failure to drop in a timely manner may result in a failing grade. 

 Make-up Exam Policy: In the regular Fall/Spring semester, you will always have a full week to submit the three Content Reinforcement Tests.  In summer session, you will always have at least 48 hours to submit your work. As with other weekly assignments, tests will not be accepted late. The only possible exceptions considered will be emergency-related circumstances such as serious illness or family tragedy. Official documentation of the specific circumstances will likely be required.

 Extra Credit: There are no extra credit options for this course.

 Academic Integrity/Honesty and Student Code of Conduct:

See the Skyline College Catalog, “Student Rights and Responsibilities,” for College policies: http://skylinecollege.edu/catalog/rightsresponsibilities/Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

 Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: “Reasonable accommodations will be provided for eligible students with disabilities. If you do not yet have an accommodation letter, please contact the Disability Resource Center office (DRC) at (650) 738-4123.”  Here is the link to the DRC: http://www.skylinecollege.edu/disabilityresources/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Links to an external site.

 Student Support Resources: A variety of student support services are available to assist you. Here is the link on the course website to take a closer look at these resources: https://smccd.instructure.com/courses/4634

 Title IX Policy Addressing Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Assault

 

SMCCD is committed to maintaining a safe and caring college environment at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College and we do not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, including (but not limited to) sexual assault, sexual coercion, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, cyber-stalking, retaliation, isolation, and other forms of discrimination based on gender and hate crimes based on gender.  SMCCCD has established policies and procedures regarding Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Assault based on  Links to an external site.Title IX Links to an external site.  Links to an external site.and SB 493 Links to an external site.. Links to an external site.  If you have experienced or would like to report sexual harassment/misconduct, please visit http://smccd.edu/titleix Links to an external site.. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

 

 

  Note: Students enrolled in an online course must have a good measure of natural inquiry, self-motivation, discipline and organization.  As in any class, how much a student learns is up to them.  As the facilitator of this online course, I will use a variety of approaches to encourage a positive learning environment. Listed below are the graded aspects of this course: Assignments, Tests, Discussions, and Article Summaries.

Assignments:

To encourage reading and understanding materials presented in the textbook, there will be a regular assignment, essay, personal application, or internet project, that flows from the assigned chapter. Graded assignments will begin the third module of class.  (The first two module assignments will be “practice” with no points assigned.) There will be 15 module assignments worth 10 points each (150 points total).  Points will be deducted for responses less than 100 words.  Points will also be deducted if proper writing form is not used for these academic assignments (capitalizing letters at beginning of sentences, etc.). Only submit assignments in the box provided. DO NOT submit assignments in the “Comments” section.

 Tests:

Additionally, there will be three content reinforcement tests throughout the course.  These are multiple choice tests and you are welcome to use your textbook and any supplemental notes I may have provided to complete the tests. These tests are designed to reinforce key content—not trip you up, surprise you with insignificant trivia, or lower your grade point average.  The three tests cover chapters 1-3, 4-6, and 7-10.  The last test (over chapters 7-10) serves as the final exam. Each test is worth 50 points (150 points total).

 Discussions:

To encourage participation and interchange between students, there will be regular online discussions.  The instructor will launch one or more discussion topics each module.  Students are expected to respond to the ongoing discussion at least one time for each discussion topic. I encourage you to respond to each other’s forum entries. You do not have to start a new discussion thread every time, though you may if you choose to do so. You receive the same participation points whether you start your own discussion thread OR you respond to another student’s comments.

 VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR THIS COURSE, (DURING THE FALL AND SPRING SEMESTERS), YOU WILL HAVE ONE FULL WEEK (168 HOURS) TO READ THE CHAPTER, COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT, TAKE THE THREE TESTS WHEN SCHEDULED, PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION, ETC., (in summer sessions, you will always have at least two full days) BUT ALL WORK MUST BE COMPLETED BY 5:00 PM (PST) ON THE DUE DATE.  NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED.  If non-emergency circumstances arise in which late work is accepted, ½ credit will be received for the major assignment or test (worth 50 points or more).  This does not apply to Module Assignments and Discussions.

Graded discussions will begin the third module of class. There will be 15 discussions worth 10 points each (150 points total).    Further note about Discussions: As an academic endeavor, all writing on the discussions will be polite, nonjudgmental, intelligent and mature.  All words will be completely spelled out (no texting abbreviations, symbols, etc.) and opinions should be supported with substantive information or experiential observation.  Rude, abusive or obscene language is not allowed in this academic community discussion forum. Only submit discussions in the box provided. DO NOT submit assignments in the “Comments” section.

 Focused Topics Assignment:

As you can see in the Table of Contents in our textbook, each chapter is divided into several specific topic sections. Because this is a survey course and we breeze by many issues very quickly, this assignment provides the opportunity for you to consider and comment more deeply on specific topics of interest to you. Select five topic sections from any chapters and write a few paragraphs (3-4) about each topic, summarizing key points of the section and what you learned from it (why this topic is interesting or applicable to you). Please include the chapter and topic title of the five topics you summarize and respond to. This assignment (which is to include all 5 topic summaries) is worth 50 points. The summary of all five topics are to be included in one submission (just like the regular weekly assignment). Late work is not accepted. Remember that this assignment is available to work on the beginning of the first day of the term.

  NOTE about Holidays: There are times when Skyline College on-campus courses do not meet on particular holidays.  Because this is an online course and you always have one full week (or at least two full days in summer session) to complete your work at your convenience, your work is due by the posted time even if the 5:00 PM deadline falls on a holiday.  If you do not want to submit work on the holiday, please plan ahead and submit the work on one of the preceding days.

 Grade points:

             Assignments (15 @ 10 points each)                                     150 pts.

            Content Reinforcement Tests (3 @50 points each)               150 pts.

            Discussion Participation (15 @ 10 points each)                     150 pts.

            Focused Topics Assignment (5 topics @10 points each)       50 pts.

                                                                                                            500 pts.

Grading Scale:

A = 475-500    (95%-100%)

B = 450-474    (90%-94%)

C = 425-449    (85%-89%)

D = 400-424    (80%-84%)

F = 399 and below (79% and below)  

NOTE: GRADING IN THIS COURSE IS BASED ONLY ON POINTS EARNED. THIS APPROACH IS TAKEN SO THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS KNOW YOUR TOTAL POINTS THROUGHOUT THE TERM AND THE CORRESPONDING GRADE ON THE GRADING SCALE IN THE SYLLABUS.  (Disregard any percentages that Canvas might display—or simply connect the percentages with the point system in the Grading Scale.)

 

  Course Topics and Schedule

Aug 14                                     Chapter 1: Introduction

                                                Practice discussion 1/Practice  assignment 1 (no points given)

Aug 26                                     Chapter 2: Heredity, Prenatal Development and Birth

                                                Practice discussion 2/Practice assignment 2  (no points given)

Sept 2                                   Chapter 3:  Infancy and Toddlerhood (pages 68-92)

                                                Discussion 3/Assignment 3

Sept 9                                    Chapter 3: Infancy and Toddlerhood (pages 93-103)

                                                Discussion 4/Assignment 4

                                                Content Reinforcement Test #1 (chapters 1-3)

Sept 16                                   Chapter 4:  Early Childhood (pages 110-133)

                                                Discussion 5/Assignment 5                   

Sept 23                                  Chapter 4:  Early Childhood (pages 133-146)

                                                Discussion 6/Assignment 6

Sept 30                                    Chapter 5:  Middle and Late Childhood (pages 153-181)

                                                 Discussion 7/Assignment 7

Oct 7                                      Chapter 5: Middle and Late Childhood (pages 181-193)

                                               Discussion 8/Assignment 8

Oct 14                                     Chapter 6:  Adolescence (pages 201-217)

                                                Discussion 9/Assignment 9

Oct 21                                    Chapter 6:  Adolescence (pages 218-225)

                                                Discussion 10/Assignment 10

                                                Content Reinforcement Test #2 (chapters 4-6)

Oct 28                                    Chapter 7:  Emerging and Early Adulthood (pages 230-248)

                                                Discussion 11/Assignment 11

Nov 4                                    Chapter 7:  Emerging and Early Adulthood (pages 249-275)

                                                Discussion 12/Assignment 12                           

Nov 11                                   Chapter 8:  Middle Adulthood (pages 285-306)

                                                Discussion 13/Assignment 13

                                                Focused Topics Assignment Due                                  

Nov 18                                Chapter 8: Middle Adulthood (pages 307-335)

                                                Discussion 14/Assignment 14

Nov 25                                   Chapter 9:  Late Adulthood (pages 349-375)

                                                Discussion 15/Assignment 15

Dec 2                                  Chapter 9:  Late Adulthood (pages 375-399)

                                                Discussion 16/Assignment 16

Dec 9                                   Chapter 10:  Death and Dying

                                               Discussion 17/Assignment 17

                                                Content Reinforcement Final Exam (chapters 7-10)