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 CVCC - HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

PSY 230  – Developmental Psychology Course Outline/Syllabus

MWF 10:00 – 10:50 Amherst 2205

Instructor’s Name:        Cynthia R. Lofaso M.A. Semester:    Spring       Year:    2007

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:    MWF 11:00-12:00, MW 1:00-3:00

TR 11:00-2:00 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): 

Life-Span Development 10^th edition by John Santrock 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM CLASS WITHOUT PENALTY:  Friday, March 16^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.    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.  You are allowed 5 absences throughout the semester.  If you miss class after those 5 absences, you will begin to lose points.  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.  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 will be taken online using Blackboard.  There are 5 quizzes scheduled during the semester.  Each quiz will cover an average of 2 chapters     

6.     Four TESTS covering four chapters each will be given.  Make up exams will be given on an assigned day at the end of the semester.  If you do not take the make up exam on the make up day, you will receive a 0 on the exam.  The time, date and location will be determined towards the end of the semester. 

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.  Detailed instructions on the projects will be handed out in class.  

8.     The FINAL EXAM is scheduled for Friday May 4^th and will be a comprehensive examination (covers all material).  A final review 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         25 pts 

Quizzes                                    75 pts 

4 chapter tests                          200pts (50 pts. each) 

Projects                                    150 pts 

Final                                         75 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.