Del Mar College

Department of Social Sciences - Psychology

Course Title: Human Growth and Development
 Course Number: PSYC 2314   Section 152

Course Location and Time: HH 110, T Th 1-2:20pm

Course Prerequisites: Psyc 2301, General Psychology

Required Textbook(s) and Materials: The Developing Person through the Life Span, 6^th edition, by Berger (Required)

There is a study guide available to accompany the textbook: Study Guide for The Developing Person Through the Life Span (suggested).

Your text has an extensive website that provides links you can visit to learn more about a topic, allows you to take practice quizzes, and more. I encourage you to take advantage of this learning tool at www.worthpublishers.com/Berger.

Course Description: The course is designed to provide students with surveys research on developmental changes from prenatal development to adulthood. Topics that will be covered include genetic/environmental interactions, prenatal development, development of thinking in childhood, genetic and environmental influences on personality, moral development, physical changes during puberty, romantic relationships in adulthood, childrearing, adjustments of middle adulthood, changes in cognitive skills in adulthood, adjustments of late adulthood, and dealing with dying.

Course Learning Goals/Objectives: We will explore both classic and contemporary research in lifespan development from the prenatal period through adulthood. Each student is expected to display a basic understanding of the principles, theories, and research associated with each of the topics discussed. Furthermore, the course will provide students with an understanding of different theories about and perspectives on developmental changes.

Specific Course Requirements:

Attendance and Drop Policy: Attendance is not required by strongly suggested since lectures will cover additional material not discussed in the textbook. A course drop grade will be assigned in accord with Del Mar College. 

Exams: There will be 4 exams in this class: 3 exams during the semester that cover material from the first three quarters of the course, plus a final comprehensive exam during Finals Week.  Exams giving during the semester will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions each worth 1 point and 5 short essay questions each question worth 2 points. Each exam giving during the semester will be worth 50 points Exam material on the exams will be drawn from both lecture and the readings even if time does not permit us to discuss the readings in class. The fourth exam will be given during Finals Week and will be comprehensive in nature. 50 questions will cover chapters 12-14. The remaining 100 questions will be drawn from the previous chapters.  The final exam will be worth 150 points.  Any student who arrives after the first person has turned in their exam will not be allowed to take the exam.

Written assignments: You will be required to write two short papers. These projects are meant to highlight topics in psychology, and to encourage critical thinking. The projects will be given in class and will be due in class on the day posted on the assignment. Late projects will not be accepted. Students who have absences authorized by the University must contact the instructor one week in advance of the excused absence and arrange with the instructor to turn in the assignment prior to the absence. Failure to comply with these arrangements will void the excused absence. Not attending class and/or missing the assignment are not excuses for incomplete or late assignments. Plan ahead! All assignments must be typewritten. You will be required to turn in both a hard copy and an electronic copy of all assignments. Each writing assignment is worth 25 points.

Tentative Lecture/Topic Schedule:

Grade Calculation:

350 - 315 = A

314 - 280 = B

279 - 245 = C

244 - 210 = D

209 -  0    = F

Make up Exams: Any student who arrives after the first person has turned in their exam will not be allowed to take the exam. Students who miss one of the 3 mid-term exams will take an make-up exam in essay format covering the material of the missed exams on December 6 during the final regular class period of the semester. No other make-up exams will be given. No make-up exams will be scheduled for the Final Exam.

Extra Credit: Students will be given the opportunity to earn extra credit points.  Extra Credit opportunities will not be announced in advanced.  You will have to be present in lecture in order to earn extra credit and obtain the specific information for the extra credit assignment.  No make-ups for missed extra credit opportunities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):  If you are a student who requires accommodations in compliance with the ADA, please consult with me at the beginning of the semester.  As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability.  Your responsibility is to inform me of documentation authorizing the specific accommodation.  Student services at Del Mar include the Office for Students with Disabilities (located in the Harvin Center, 361-698-1298) which is responsible for verifying and implementing accommodations to ensure equal opportunity in all programs and activities.

Student Support Services:  The College supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success.  They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs.  Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Special Services at 361-698-1298 for more information and appropriate referrals.

Academic Honesty:  Academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form at Del Mar College.  All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with the College’s regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.

Library Information: You will find useful research information for psychology at http://library.delmar.edu. For further assistance contact the reference department at (361) 698-1311 or via email refdesk@delmar.edu.

Important Dates to Remember:

 November 24-26      Thanksgiving Holidays

 November 28            Last day for undergraduates to drop Courses

 December 7             Last day of classes

 December 13           Final exam 12:30-3:00pm