PSYCHOLOGY 2314 INTERNET

LIFESPAN AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

STEPHEN H. “CHIP” CHILTON, LMFT

MASTER SYLLABUS (revision: 5/1/07)

 

Office: Room 132, Gibbs Building

Phone: 675.6329 (Office)

Email: Bateson25@aol.com. cchilton@tvcc.edu.    NOTE: Include course number under email heading. 

Classroom: A1o7

Office Hours: As posted or by appointment.

Course Syllabus

PSYC 2314 LIFESPAN AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Catalog Description: This course is a detailed study of human growth and development from conception until death. This course covers in depth the theories, history, disciplines, and major theorists that inform the field of modern Developmental Psychology.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of THEA or equivalent.

Required Texts: Feldman, Robert S., Development Across the Lifespan, 4th Ed, ISBN #0131925385; Study Guide for this text, ISBN # 0131925415. I strongly recommend – based on past student problems – purchasing this text through the TVCC Athens Campus Bookstore.

 

Semester Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours per Week: 3
Contact Hours per Semester: 48
State Approval Code: 4201015100

Course Subject/Catalog Number: PSYC 2314
Course Title: Lifespan and Human Development

Core Curriculum:   State Criteria

Basic Intellectual Competencies (Those marked with a √ reflect the state-mandated competencies taught in this course.)

[X]Reading
[X]Writing
[ ]Speaking
[X]Listening
[X]Critical Thinking
[ ]Computer Literacy

Exemplary Objectives (Those marked with a √ reflect state-mandated exemplary objectives taught in this course.)

Social and Behavioral Sciences:   The objective of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events, and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity.

  1. [X]To employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  2. [X]To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures.
  3. [X]To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  4. [X]To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.
  5. [X]To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the area under study.
  6. [ ]To comprehend the origins and evolution of U.S. and Texas political systems, with a focus on the growth of political institutions, the constitutions of the U.S. and Texas, federalism, civil liberties, and civil and human rights.
  7. [ ]To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world.
  8. [ ]To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical) and differing points of view.
  9. [X]To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research.
  10. [ ]To analyze, critically assess, and develop creative solutions to public policy problems.
  11. [X]To recognize and assume one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse, and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy.
  12. [X]To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.

Instructional Goals and Purposes:

Trinity Valley Community College’s instructional goals include 1) creating an academic atmosphere in which students may develop their intellects and skills through dialogue and the Socratic Method 2) providing that encourage students to earn a certificate/an associate degree or transfer to a senior institution that offers baccalaureate degrees.  

General Course Objectives:

  1. To acquire knowledge of the course content.
  2. To be able to use that content for the betterment of themselves and society.  
  3. To provide a superior level of instruction that embraces a systemic view                            ( Bateson, 1978)
  4. To gain an appreciation for the cultural and gender diversity in human behavior.
  5. To gain the capacity to use psychological principles in the maintenance of personal health and well-being.
  6. To gain the ability to utilize psychological principles to facilitate the formation of personal values to make informed and ethical decisions as responsible members of society.  
  7. To understand that human behaviors and mental processes are complex, almost always caused by multiple factors, and almost never explained in a simple manner.

Specific Course Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate the following as determined by multiple choice/short answer, essay questions, quizzes, and writing assignments:   1) acquisition of the knowledge of psychological principles, concepts, theories, and methods as outlined below under Course Content ; 2) familiarity with the history and contributions of major figures in psychology; 3) ability to analyze human behavior using a scientific approach; 4) ability to compare and contrast, apply, evaluate, and otherwise think critically about psychological principles, concepts, and theories; 5) conceptualization of multi-level analyses of human behavior; and, 6) ability to use reason and logic in analyzing issues and controversies in the field of psychology.
  2. Demonstrate skills in written expression and intellectual inquiry (i.e., finding, comprehending, and synthesizing information from multiple sources into scholarly written work).   These skills will be measured by assignments that require students to locate information, integrate the material, and write about it in a meaningful way (e.g., research and thesis papers, book reviews, journal article analyses, essay questions.)
  3. Demonstrate reading and listening skills.   Since lecture and textbook assignments are primary delivery systems for this course, successful completion requires the ability to grasp the lectures and comprehend the text.   As such, scores on quizzes and examinations will reflect reading and listening skills.

 

Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:

This course is offered through the Virtual College of Texas (VCT). This is an intensive course of instruction that will require a moderate level of computer literacy. Tests (see “Testing” below) will be administered by the test proctor at the registered campus. Communication with the students will be handled by phone, computer bulletin board and e-mail. A grade will be given for student’s participation in e-media discussions.

Distance learning is also available for students whose schedules prohibit traditional classroom instruction and who are capable of the self-discipline necessary to complete the course in a relatively non-structured situation.   Reading the textbook and other supplemental materials, communication via e-mail, and on-line discussion are the primary delivery systems for the distance learning courses.

Testing:

       1.              Absolutely no home testing. All tests will be proctored.  Proctors will have a   password that will allow you to begin testing.

       2. You cannot directly sign in to the exam. Click the title of the exam. The proctor    password must be entered before you can begin the exam. After the password has been entered by the proctor, click “begin exam”.         

       3. TVCC students may test at Terrell (LRC), Palestine (LRC), or Athens (Testing             Center or at night, in the LRC)

       4.   VCT students must test at their testing centers. Proctor passwords will be sent to the listed testing contact. If your              home college has branch campuses, proctor     passwords will be sent to all listed testing contacts.

Assessment:

Faculty will assign activities to evaluate students' knowledge and abilities.   Faculty may choose from the following assessment methods:

  • E-media participation
  • Internet assignments
  • Exams/tests/quizzes
  • Homework 
  • Journal assignments
  • Library assignments at host college
  • Readings
  • Research papers
  • Written assignments

 

Course Grade:

Students' grades are determined by their percentage of the points earned.   A minimum of 68% of the total points possible will be required for successful completion of the course.

Honor Code:

 

“I will not lie, cheat, or steal; and I will discourage others from such actions.” (Culver Military Academy Honor Code, 19o2)

 

Violations of this code will be dealt with quickly and discreetly. The penalty for plagiarism (One form of honor violation.) in this class is a zero (“0”) on the exam in question and the loss of one whole final grade.

 

Test Dates: TBA