CVCC - HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

PSY 230 (02) – Developmental Psychology Course Outline/Syllabus

MWF 9:00 – 9:50 Amherst 2207

Instructor’s Name:        Cynthia R. Lofaso M.A. Semester:    Fall           Year:    2005

Office Hours and Location:

                        Office -  Room 2109G Amherst Hall                   

Phone – 832-7783

Email address: lofasoc@cvcc.vccs.edu

Web Address    http://courses.cvcc.vccs.edu/Psychology_Lofaso

Office Hours:    MW 11:00-12:00

TR 10:00-11:00, 12:30-3:00 and by appointment

Course Catalog Description:  Studies the development of the individual from conception to death. Follows a life-span perspective on the developmental tasks of the person's physical, cognitive, and psychosocial growth.

Credit Hours:    3                      Contact Hours: 3

Prerequisites:   None

Basic Textbook(s) and Workbook(s):

Development Through the Lifespan, 3rd edition, by Laura E. Berk

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASS WITHOUT PENALTY:  Wednesday October 26^th    

Instruction Method:  Lecture with class participation in discussion and question and answer sessions; small group discussion, computer and video media presentations.

Course Objectives:

1. Demonstrate a general knowledge of the basic concepts of human development from conception to death.
2. Analyze current issues and controversies in the field of developmental psychology.
3. Gain a basic understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental influences on human development.
4. Learn and understand scientific evidence and research findings, terminology, principles and theories regarding various areas of lifespan development.
5. Develop skills and techniques for understanding and analyzing human behavior using a scientific approach
6. Explore current issues and controversies in the field of development psychology.
7. Practice and develop critical thinking skills and written and oral communication skills.

Policies:

1.     ATTENDANCE is mandatory and will be calculated into your final grade as follows.  For each class session that you attend, you will receive 1 point (40 points possible total).  The Virginia Community College System requires that you attend at least 80% of classroom sessions to receive a passing grade.  Failure to attend at least 80% will constitute your being dropped from the course.  I do not differentiate between excused or unexcused absences.  If you are in class, you will receive credit for that day. 

2.     You are expected to be in class on time and not leave until class is over.  If you must be late, please do not disrupt the class upon your arrival and be sure to see me after class.  A role sheet will be distributed at the beginning of each class session.  It is your responsibility to make sure that you have signed this sheet.  A lack of signature will constitute an absence.

3.     CLASS PARTICIPATION , including actively listening, note taking and/or relevant discussion, is required.  In order to receive credit for attending class, you must actively participate throughout the entire session.  Please be sure that cell phones are turned off before entering the classroom.  Listening devices (anything with headphones) will not be permitted.  I do not mind snack and drinks in class, but please do not bring anything that would be distracting to the rest of the group unless you plan to share.

4.     READING ASSIGNMENTS are mandatory and should be completed before class begins. 

5.     QUIZZES on reading assignments may be given approximately once per week and cannot be made up.   A total of 100 points maximum is possible on the quizzes during the semester.  

6.     Four TESTS covering four chapters each will be given.  Make up exams must be completed within one week after the exam has been given.  If you have not taken the make up exam within one week, you will receive a 0 on the exam.  Make up exams will be taken in the Learning Lab in Bedford Hall.

7.     There will be two written Projects to be completed for this course that are due on the day assigned.  Late papers will receive a five-point reduction in grade for each school day late up to one week. No papers will be accepted which are handed in over one week late. Papers must be submitted to me personally.  No email submissions will be accepted.

8.     The FINAL EXAM is scheduled for Wednesday December 14^th from 8:00 am to 10:30 am and will be a comprehensive examination (covers all material).  A final review guide will be available for you before the exam date to help you prepare.

9.     FINAL GRADES will be calculated using the following formula:

Attendance & Participation         40 pts

Quizzes                         100 pts

4 chapter tests                          180 pts (45 pts. each)

Projects                                    100 pts

Final                                         80 pts.

10.  Grade Distribution is as follows

90-100 = A,  80-89 = B,  70-79 = C,  60-69 = D,  59 and below = F

            11.  Academic Honesty Policy - Any student found cheating (using books, notes,

observation) will automatically receive a non-droppable grade of “0” and may result in failure of the course.  Any work that has            been copied all or in part from that of another student or written source will receive an automatic non-droppable grade of “0” and may result in failure from the course.  Should a cheating or plagiarism incident occur more than once in the course, the student will automatically receive an “F” in course and may be subject to academic review and suspension from the college.

Course Schedule:

This syllabus is a guide and is subject to modification by the instructor.  Students are responsible for reading the syllabus and for meeting all the requirements of the course, both as written and stated in class.