Syllabi for Dr. Model
Developmental Psychology
Spring Term 2012
DEP 2004 – M/W 8:30am
Professor: Dr. Eric D. Model
Email: emodel@valenciacollege.edu
Office: Building 11-206
Office Hours: M/W 10-11:30
T/R 8-8:30 and 12:45-1:15
Phone - 407-582-5105
Course Description:
“This course is designed to provide students with an overview of theory and research in the area of developmental psychology: Prerequisite: PSY 1012. Designed to survey theory and research on development from conception through death. Emphasizes biological, and social variables, which influence human behavior. This factual and conceptual foundation in psychology will help students understand behavior and apply psychological principles in a variety of settings and to their own lives”
Objectives and General Purpose of the Course
The general purpose of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the following:
- An applied and theoretical basis of developmental psychology
- How multiple psychological factors are interdependent and intertwined within the psychological forces influencing our psyche
- Various theories presented on developmental psychology, and their impact/application on our everyday lives.
- Practical understanding of the various psychological principles in all facets of our lives i.e., interpersonal relationships, social behaviors
- Introduction and promotion of the CLAST, General Learning Outcomes, and Valencia Core Competencies
Communication
Please be aware that students are expected to be able to communicate in a professional manner with the professor. This includes in-class interactions as well as phone messages and emails. Specifically, emails must include the professors name, students name, course information (e.g. General Psych T&R 8:30-9:45) and use proper English (no texting abbreviations etc), any email that does not conform to these requirements may be ignored.
Attendance Policies
Tardiness- Being late or early will not directly impact your grade in this class. However, repeatedly leaving early or being late (tardiness) will result in not being allowed to continue in the class. Tardiness rules are as follows:
- 1 Tardy – exempt
- 2 Tardies will constitute a verbal warning to resolve the issue
- 3 Tardies will count as a full absence on your record
- 4 Tardies will result in not being allowed to continue in the class
Absences – There is no direct grade impact from an absence in this class. However, any combination above 4 hours worth of absences (including absences resulting from Tardiness) will result in not being allowed to continue in the class.
There are no excused absences for this class! This includes medical, dental, or any other “emergency” situations that may arise. Should an emergency arise during the course, notification of said emergency will not excuse the absence from class. No exceptions.
If 4 plus hours have been accrued, you will be responsible for withdrawing yourself from the class (or informing the instructor via email if after the drop deadline has passed). The professor will not withdraw you automatically! If you do not follow this policy, the professor will assign a grade of F at the end of the term.
Required Textbooks
Berk, L.E. (2007). Development through the life span (5th ed.) Allyn and Bacon.
Class Exams
Class Exams will be developed both from the required readings (see above) and lecture material, including any material that is discussed or presented by guest speakers, or which is presented in video format. Exams will be multiple choice and will be administered during class time. For the final exam, if there is any question of grading the scantron answers will be used as the master answers (not hard copy).
-You must take all of the regular class exams, no exceptions.
-No makeup exams or alternative exams are offered for this course, failure to take a class exam will result in a 0 grade being assigned by the professor except under the following condition.
Missing an Exam Conditions
If a conflict is known prior to an exam date and the professor is notified in person or in writing and a verbal or written response is received, the exam will be placed in the testing center for an alternate date of testing. This is the only allowance for class examinations.
Final Exam
The final exam will be a cumulative/comprehensive exam and will be weighted on the material covered during the entire semester. Missing the final exam will result in a 0 grade. However, the final exam may exempted from if you fit the following criteria (below). If you take the final comprehensive exam, the lowest score from your regular class exams will be dropped (the final exam will not be dropped as a low score). Scantron sheets will be the official record of final exam grades.
Final Exam Exemption Criteria
-You have not missed above 4 plus hours of absences
-You have taken all of the regular class exams
-You have earned an 80% (average) on all regular class exams
-You hand in an adequate term paper/Virtual Child assignment (per the requirements)
-The professor has not told you that you must take the comprehensive final
Student Evaluation
a. Class Exam 1 22.5%
b. Class Exam 2 22.5%
c. Class Exam 3 22.5%
d. Class Exam 4 22.5%
e. Final Exam 22.5%
f. Virtual Child 10 %
Virtual Child is an online learning tool whereby you will raise a child from birth to 18 years of age. The assignment must be completed and submitted online by the last day of regular class. No late exceptions will be permitted.
***Plan to take the Final Exam during the scheduled time. DO NOT MAKE PLANS TO LEAVE FOR THE BREAK BEFORE THE EXAM, OR YOU WILL MISS THE FINAL EXAM AND WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO FOR THE COURSE.
Final Grades: The final grade in the course will be assigned according to the following percentages of the total points possible. Rounding will not be factored into your grade.
A - 90%-100%
B - 80% - 89.9%
C - 70% - 79.9%
D - 60% - 69.9%
F - 0% - 59.9%
In general, only the above grades will be given. Grades of “WP”, “WF”,“I”, “X”, “H”, or “N” will not be given under any circumstances. Further, students cannot withdraw themselves after the withdrawal deadline (Valencia Withdrawal policy 2010), students who fail to withdraw before the deadline and are ineligible to continue in the class, will receive an overall grade of F for the course.
Other Information
Information for Students with Disabilities:
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the appropriate office. The disabilities office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.
Academic Honesty:
No form of cheating will be tolerated. Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarizing will be given the grade of F for the course. In case of such an event, a written statement detailing the incident will be attached to the student's official College and University files. Students must also adhere to the following Honor Code:
Course Communication and Behavior Policies:
1. Cell phone usage is not permitted in class
2. Text messaging is not permitted in class
3. Computers are only permitted if WIFI is disabled and the student sits in the front row
Failure to comply with these rules will result as follows:
1. First offense - cell phone will be confiscated for class
2. Second offense - student will be asked to leave class and absence will be recorded
3. Third offense - student will not be allowed to continue in the class and will be required to withdraw themselves or receive an F in the course
Course Style and Participation
This course will be taught from an applied perspective and the professor will attempt to utilize book examples, video examples as well as real life and/or everyday examples to provide an interactive and comprehensive presentation of the information in this course. As discussions arise, further topics may be explored to allow students to explore critical thinking skills and understand the application of the material. Some of the covered material will include the following: Gender, Birth and Death, Sexuality, Ageism, Divorce and other as appropriate.
If you are uncomfortable with any of these topics you may inform the instructor at any time, and time out of class during these lectures will be provided. If assistance is needed regarding course content or any other matter (personal problems, questions, etc.) I (Eric Model) may be contacted at any time.
Participation is always welcome but never required in this class. Please participate to your own comfort level.
Developmental Psychology Outline
NOTE: The schedule of events is tentative and subject to change at any time during the course of the semester. Several planned interactions and exercises will accompany the text material at various times during the course of the semester, which may influence the rate at which other material is covered.
Date Chapter Breakdown:
January
9 Meet and Greet – Guidelines and Expectations
11 Class Orientation – Psychology Intro & Philosophy
16 No Class Today – College Closed
18 1
23 1
25 3/4
30 3/4
February
1 4/5
6 4/5
8 Exam #1
13 6
15 6
20 8
22 8
27 9
29 Exam #2
March
5 No Classes – Spring Break
7 No Classes – Spring Break
12 11
14 11
19 12/13
21 12/13
26 14
28 14
April
2 Exam # 3
4 15
9 17
11 17/18
16 18/19
18 Exam #4 - Virtual Child must be completed.
Final Exam: April 25th 2012 8:30am