Norfolk State University

PSY 228 (90): Developmental Psychology

Barbara Ford Shabazz, Psy.D.

Spring 2014

Department of Psychology Norfolk State University C-127 Brown Memorial Hall (757) 823.8573

Norfolk State University

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSY 228 (90) SPRING SEMESTER 2014 Course Credit: 3 hours

INSTRUCTOR: OFFICE: PHONE: EMAIL:

Dr. Barbara Ford Shabazz C-132 Brown Memorial Hall 757.823.2241 bfshabazz@nsu.edu

PREFERRED METHOD OF COMMUNICATION: instructor email ~ bfshabazz@nsu.edu CYBER OFFICE HOURS: OFFICE HOURS: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 9 a.m. 12 p.m. (online) 12:45 p.m. 1:15 p.m. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. 12:45 p.m. 1:15 p.m.

COURSE SUMMARY COURSE DESCRIPTION Developmental Psychology is a comprehensive study of the psychological development of the individual, including linguistic, social, personality, and cognitive aspects of development from conception through late adulthood. COURSE RATIONALE Developmental Psychology is an elective course in the Psychology curriculum that provides an introduction to the interaction of biological, psychological, and social dynamics in the normal development of the human being over the entire life span. In addition to students majoring in psychology, this course is useful for any other students who are interested in understanding human growth and development. Course Delivery Method This course is delivered entirely online with synchronous and asynchronous activities deployed as required. The primary method of access to this course is the University Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) and may

be supplemented by other online resources. One on-campus meeting during the final examination period is required. The time and place will be announced. PREREQUISITES PSY 210 INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND STRATEGIES The instructional method used will be inductive, going from specific to general. Learners will acquire new knowledge through exposure to new material and ideas, as well as reflecting on these ideas and concepts. The following instructional strategies and methods will be used to achieve the learning objectives: 1. Collaborative learning

2. Class discussions 3. Field projects 4. Internet videos and activities 5. Blackboard (on-line delivery 6. Assigned readings COMPUTER LITERACY REQUIREMENTS To successfully complete this course you must possess: A basic knowledge of computers. For example, understanding files and folders to upload or download course content is absolutely essential. Basic computer literacy classes (CSC-150) are available on campus as elective courses. Students deficient in the necessary computer skills should consider taking such classes. An understanding of the Web and its resources, such as the library and online research tools accessed through a Web browser. Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint; this is absolutely essential for your academic success. Familiarity with NSU's e-mail system to guarantee effective communication with both instructors and classmates. All NSU students have been assigned an e-mail account and are expected to access it regularly via the Web. Knowledge of Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS), which is mandatory for this course.

For those of you not familiar with the Blackboard LMS, an online orientation can be accessed by self- registering in Blackboard. The course name is "Blackboard Student Training." Additional assistance with Blackboard can be obtained through the Blackboard Central Help Desk at bbtechsupport@nsu.edu or by phone at 757-823-2328 M - F 8AM - 6PM at the Lyman Beecher Brooks Library (LBBL), suite 3007. Addressing your computer skills will greatly enhance your learning experience, reducing wasted time and frustration for yourself and your instructors. Please feel free to contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Client Services or the Office of Distance Education for advisement on how to receive assistance with your computer literacy instructional needs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development as an ongoing set of processes.

2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the developing person. 3. Critique research in developmental psychology. 4. Present relevant findings in an appropriate format. 5. Discuss aspects of their own history and their impact on the person that they have become. 6. Articulate, synthesize, and apply concepts of lifespan development. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REQUIRED TEXT Berger, K.S. (2009). Invitation to the Life Span (1st ed.). New York: Worth. ISBN: 978-0716754664 NSU ASSESSMENT POLICY University Assessment Statement As part of NSUs commitment to provide the environment and resources needed for success, you may be required to participate in a number of university-wide assessment activities. These activities may include tests, surveys, focus groups, interviews, and portfolio reviews. The primary purpose of these assessment activities are to determine the extent to which programs and services at NSU are maintaining a high level of quality and meeting students need. Participating students will not be identified in the analysis of results. Unless indicated by the instructor, results from University assessment activities will not be computed in student grades. Late Assignments and Make-up Policy Late assignment submission is strongly discouraged: Our weeks begin on Saturdays at 12:00 a.m. Our weeks end on Fridays at 11:59 p.m. All assignments are due at the end of the week at 11:59 p.m.(unless otherwise noted). Please NOTE the specific assignments and the dates that they are due on the course outline/calendar. In the event that you must submit an assignment after due date (no matter the reason), 20 percentage points will be automatically deducted from your grade, prior to review and grading. Learner Interaction Policy Although you will not be graded on your level of your participation and interaction in the classroom, participating on discussions is encouraged and welcomed! Written Work Criteria All written work is expected to reflect undergraduate level use of grammar, spelling, and organization of material. Work with errors of this nature will be penalized. All presentations must reflect undergraduate level ability to offer information in an explicit and persuasive manner.

Academic Integrity Standards Papers are to be free of plagiarism; if any of your papers is found to be plagiarized, you will receive a deduction. Attendance Policy You must attend at least 85% of the class sessions. You initial login must be within in the first two weeks to be considered an active participant of this class. Special Instructions & Policies Disability Statement In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if you have a disability or think you have a disability, we ask that you please contact the Supporting Students through Disability Services (SDSS) office. Location: 1st floor / Student Services Center, Suite 110 Contact Person: Mrs. Beverly Harris, Disability Services Coordinator Telephone: 757.823.2014 Required Software Minimum requirements to take this course are a Windows 7, Word 2007, Outlook 2007, and internet access. You will also need to sign to the course at NSU to have access to blackboard. Blackboard Instructions You will need to begin your course by selecting START here this will give you information regarding the course. All other navigational buttons will provide you with information on how to use the system and allow you to proceed with the rest of the course. It is important that you familiarize yourself with all of the navigational buttons and controls of the Blackboard system. COMMUNICATION Blackboard Announcements Area The Blackboard announcements area is specifically designed for communicating with students in this course. Whenever there are special instructions to all students in this class, such as a class cancellation, a change in schedule or assignments, etc. a message will be sent via the announcement page. Please note that the announcements area is a messaging system that relates only to the members of this class. Announcements for other courses will be contained in the respective courses announcements area. You can access your announcements by selecting the announcements button, located on the main page menu. You are required to check the announcements page daily for any new information.

Email Policy NSU email is the only email system to be used for this course; private email addresses cannot be used. Always title your messages; be sure the subject line reflects the topic of discussion. Email messages should always be courteous and follow etiquette protocols. You should be respectful to those who are receiving your email; never send SPAM to other classmates. Remember that these documents are never deleted from the system and nothing is ever private. Also, always check your spelling before sending a message. Discussion Boards As part of your NSU online experience you will be using the Blackboard Discussion Forum. A good way of entering a discussion board or chat is to briefly introduce yourself with Virtual Bios. It is important to keep your questions and comments relevant to the topic of the discussion. ASSIGNMENTS Mastery of the critical competencies will be assessed on the basis of the following:

VIRTUAL BIOS (5% of grade): What is a 'Virtual Bio'? Since we do not meet face to face, the virtual bio serves as a virtual snapshot of each classmate. It contains the following four (4) pieces of information: (1) Name, (2) Major, (3) One interesting fact about you, and (4) One thing that you would like to learn about the developing human. After posting your 'Virtual Bio', feel free to review the others and get acquainted with your classmates.

DIAGNOSTIC QUIZZES (DQs - 40% of grade): Diagnostic quizzes are designed to inspire student interest and involvement in a topic. They offer focus for the most important talking points, demand reflection, and serve as a useful tool in highlighting challenging concepts. Diagnostic quizzes should be submitted by the due dates given on the syllabus. They will NOT be available after the due date is passed for submission. The lowest one (3) DQ grade will be dropped.

MY HUMAN (4) (40% of grade): The My Human activity allows you to create a hypothetical person. As an individual you have the freedom to monitor their development at all stages birth to late adulthood. After introducing your human to the group (as a whole), you will give updates based on the following domains three (3) times during the semester: Biosocial Development Cognitive Development Psychosocial Development

So, as you read each section of the textbook and learn about the stages of development, think of your unique human in the context of what you read. The person you create can be as much like you, or dissimilar, as you prefer. The question that you ultimately want to answer for the class when you give your update is: What significant changes have I observed in the 3 domains of development since the last update?

A brief summary should be submitted to the designated My human update____ forum on blackboard. This brief summary should state your rationale for the points of development that were discussed.

CUMULATIVE FINAL PAPER PROJECT My Developmental Journey (1 15% of grade): When we think about human development, we often do so in terms of a persons life story. When we read a summary of someones experiences, it creates an image of whom they are and of the road they traveled to get where they are. Our interest in human behavior is generated by the history each one of us has, and the role it has played in creating the individuals that we are. o Instructions: Each student will be responsible for completing a cumulative paper at the conclusion of this course. The cumulative paper will be used to evaluate your ability to respond to the most salient/relevant concepts reviewed. The final paper will include at least 15 developmental psychology concepts from chapters 1 15. You will be asked to write about something you know well yourself. You will be asked to write your own life journey. How would your story be written up to this point in your life? What is your background, and what have you experienced that would tell the story of who you have become? In your writing, please include at least 15 developmental psychology concepts. Highlight each concept (in yellow) and cite the page on which they were found. Example: I was born in Norfolk, VA. My mother has always told me stories about how I was born prematurely, right after the age of viability (p.61), at 23 weeks. The doctors were very concerned, so my mother had to endure weeks of bed rest prior to my arrival. Although many of you have not reached the end of your developmental journey (the last few chapters of the book that we will study), you may have persons who are near and dear to you, who are negotiating their developmental tasks at these stages. Their journey may have a direct impact on your current development. So please, in your writing feel free to be creative, expressive, and authentic.

GRADE SCALE 93 100% 90 92% 86 89% 83 85% A A B + B 80 82% 76 79% 73 75% 70 72% B C + C C 66 69% 63 65% 60 62% < 59% D + D D F

Incomplete grade policy: Students are expected to complete all course requirements by the end of the semester. A grade of I may be assigned when the student has maintained a passing average and good attendance but due to extenuating circumstances, is unable to complete the course requirements. A grade of incomplete is not intended for a student who is failing the class. The decision to give an I is made by the instructor. Consideration will be given to the quantity of the unfinished work. Generally, at least 75% of the course requirements must have been satisfactorily completed. If the incomplete work is substantial, the instructor may determine that the student needs to repeat the course, even if the student is currently passing. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements to make up the I grade. The instructor will set a time limit, usually not later than the Friday before midterm of the next semester, for the removal of the I. After that time period, the I grade will automatically change to a default grade, which is the grade that the student would have originally earned in the course. A contract specifying the deadline and work to be completed must be signed by the student and the instructor before a grade of Incomplete may be given. Extra credit should not be requested or expected.

SUCCESS TIPS
Ask questions Review the syllabus frequently. It is your GUIDE. Be respectful of your peers, their worldviews, and unique beliefs. Submit all assignments by their due dates. Check Bb and email daily for important announcements, updates, and grades. Contribute: No social loafing! READ. To be successful in this class, you will have to develop a consistent pattern of studying/reading the material.

QUOTES to remember this semester: Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure ~ Don Wilder and Bill Rechin There is no MAGIC at the end of the semester! No effort = No Achievement. ~ Dr. J. P. Kannarkat, Ph.D.

* Based on the progression of the course, assignment, policies, and scheduled topics are subject to change at the discretion of this instructor.

CALENDAR / COURSE OUTLINE COURSE OUTLINE / CALENDAR OUR WEEKS BEGIN ON SATURDAYS (at 12 A.M.) and END ON FRIDAYS 11:59 P.M. Please submit ALL assignments on Bb (Exception = Final Paper)

DATE

ASSIGNMENT

DUE by 11:59 p.m.

January 11 January 17

Introduction to Developmental Psychology Virtual BIOS Chapter 1 / My human Introductions January 17 January 17 January 24 January 31 February 7 February 14 February 21 February 28 March 7

January 18 January 24 January 25 January 31 February 1 February 7 February 8 February 14 February 15 February 21 February 22 February 28 March 1 March 7 March 8 March 14 March 15 March 21 March 22 March 28 March 29 April 4 April 5 April 11 April 12 April 18 April 19 April 25 April 26 May 2 May 3 May 9

Chapter 2 / DQ #2 Chapter 3 / DQ #3 Chapter 4 / DQ#4 / My human updates #1 Chapter 5 / DQ #5 Chapter 6 / DQ #6 Chapter 7 / DQ #7 Chapter 8 / DQ #8 / My human update #2 Spring Break Chapter 9 / DQ #9 Chapter 10 / DQ #10 Chapter 11 / DQ #11

March 21 March 28 April 4

Chapter 12 / DQ #12 / My human update #3 April 11 Chapter 13 / DQ #13 Chapter 14 / DQ #14 April 18 April 25

Chapter 15 / DQ #15/ My human update #4 May 2 Final Paper Project / Final Examination Week TBA

* Final Examination Schedule dates and times are subject to change. Visit the NSU website at www.nsu.edu/registrar/finalexam for the most recent updates.

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