PSYCH 200

LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY

 

Time and Place:
Instructor: Section:	Matthew Jacobson PSYC&200. Sec HY
Office:	IB 2423C#9
Office hours:	By appointment
Email:	Matthew.Jacobson@seattlecolleges.edu
Phone:	206-934-4553

 

REQUIRED READING:

Arnett, Jeffery Jensen (2012) Human Development: A Cultural Approach. Pearson.

ISBN: 13:978-0-205-59526-6

Additional articles/videos/power points will be posted on CANVAS.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The class is a survey of human physical, psychological, and social development from conception through death. The emphasis is on major developmental theories, research and research methods of studying life-span development. Prereq: PSYC& 100. Transfer class.

 

HYBRID GUIDELINES

The hybrid format of this class means that you have only one third of the normal class time for a 5-credit class. That means that you are expected to do three times the amount of work at home and for each class. It is essential that you have prepared the assigned material for each class and you will be expected to be able to participate in discussions about that material.

Exams will be taken on-line and cover the text material that is outlined on the study guides.

Important: Class time will not be spent reviewing the text material chapter by chapter. You will be responsible for following the study guides and preparing them before you come to class. You have access to all the power points in your file section on CANVAS. Class time will be spent answering questions. The primary use of class time will be to discuss the questions about our discussion topics and group research.

 

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES

1. No cell phone calls or texting usage. If an ongoing emergency situation necessitates having access to your phone, keep it on vibrate, and inform me before class starts.
2. Disability accommodations: To request academic accommodations due to a disability, contact Disability Services (Room CC2445B). Provide me with a letter from DS indicating the accommodations required, so that we can discuss your needs for the class.

3. Discussions in class are to be conducted with respect for the diversity of opinions which exist about developmental issues. Everyone is expected to speak only for themselves and allow room for everyone to share classroom discussion time. Questions for classmates are open ended and will not identify anyone in class with any particular gender, race or class. How each member of class identifies themselves is their choice and will be respected.

CANVAS:

https://canvas.northseattle.edu/login

 

This class will use CANVAS to outline weekly content, to communicate with your instructor, keep all files, submit all assignments, post grades, make announcements and conduct online discussions. In other words everything that is a part of the structure of the class will be accessible through CANVAS so familiarize yourself immediately and let me know if you are having any problems.

To login use your student number and first six letters of your last name. If you have a short last name just repeat it until you have six letters Use the CANVAS website for: course readings, assignments, exam preparation and additional resource information.

 

COURSE CONTENT AND FORMAT

Lectures: You will be responsible for all material covered in class. You must take good notes to do well on the exams. If you miss class it is your responsibility to get the notes from another classmate and all handouts.

Reading: Be prepared! There is a lot of reading material that must be prepared for each class that you will be expected to be able to discuss.

Participation: Discussions in class are essential to demonstrate your understanding of the material and your ability to critically evaluate what you are learning and thinking. An important part of academic learning is to be able to express your ideas verbally and discuss these ideas with your classmates.

 

GRADING

1. EXAMS (4)   (10% each)                                                                  Total = 40%

Tests will cover all reading material, lectures, films, etc. Missing an exam without prior permission will result in a zero score. There will be no make-up exams.

2. REACTION PAPERS (5)    (4% each)                                               Total = 20%

Reaction papers are due at 10:00am on Mondays and are designed to give you a chance to express your thoughts about videos, articles and assignments that are a warm-up to the week’s discussion topics. They should be at minimum 250 words and be submitted in a word document on CANVAS. No late papers will be accepted,

 

3. RESEARCH PROJECT: HOW INEQUALITY IMPACTS LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT Total = 25%  

The class as a whole will study the general topic of how increasing inequality is impacting Seattle residents. In the first week of class we will discuss the question of how increasing inequality is impacting psychological development over the life span. As a class we will identify areas in which we can investigate the impacts of inequality and some of the solutions that might be proposed to improve psychological development of our Seattle residents. The class will divide into interest groups and then set up a research strategy to focus on depending on the topic.

Phase A: Research Proposal       (2.5%)                                                                  

Each group will submit a one-page summary describing the specific topic, a central question and sub-questions, the social relevance and three initial resources (articles) that will form the basis for your investigation.

Phase B: Presentation               (7.5%)

Your group will be assigned a date corresponding to your topic to present your paper. Presentations will be staggered throughout the end of the quarter. You will make a 10-minute presentation on power point of your research and conduct a brief 5-10 minute discussion of your results and conclusions.

Phase C: Final Paper                   (15%)

Your final paper is due a week after your presentation complete with APA style citations. You will receive feedback from your presentations that you will be expected to integrate into your final presentations.

 

4. PARTICIPATION                                                                     Total = 15%

Psychology is about being able to critically discuss and debate the content of the class in relations to others opinions and ideas. You will need to able to express your opinions in discussions online, small group and large group sessions as a requirement for full participation points. Showing up on time and being prepared is a commitment to yourself and your classmates that you are making the effort necessary to create a stimulating and worthwhile classroom experience. If you know you are going to miss class let me know ahead of time.

 

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Date               Topic                                   Assigned Reading            Assignments Due

Week 1	Foundations                                  Chapter 1
Week 2	Prenatal   Birth	Chapter 2   Chapter 3		RP 1 DUE   EXAM 1 (Due 11:59pm Sunday)
Week 3	Infancy     Toddlerhood	Chapters 4     Chapter 5		RP 2 DUE
Week 4	Early Childhood     Middle Childhood	Chapter 6     Chapter 7		RP 3 DUE     EXAM 2 (Due 11:59pm)
Week 5     Week 6	Adolescence Emerging Adulthood   Young Adulthood	Chapter 8 Chapter 9   Chapter 10		RP 4 DUE

 

Week 7   Week 8	Middle Adulthood   Late  Adulthood	Chapter 11   Chapter 12	RP 5 DUE     EXAM 3 (Due 11:59pm  SUNDAY)
Week 9      Week 10	Research Presentations   Research Presentations
Week 11    Week 12	Death/Dying   FINAL	Chapter 13   1-3 pm	FINAL PAPER DUE   FINAL EXAM 4