DEP 2004:  Developmental Psychology

Osceola Campus

Course Syllabus and Classroom Policies

Fall 2024: 8/19/2024 – 12/8/2024

Important Dates During the Fall Semester

August 19^th                     Classes Begin

August 26^th                     Drop/Refund Deadline – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)

Sept. 2^nd                         Labor Day (College Closed)

Aug. 28^th-Sept. 6^thh        No Show Reporting Period

Oct. 25^th                          Student-Initiated Withdrawal Date (“W” Grade) – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)

Nov. 11^th                         Veterans Day (No Classes)

Nov. 27^th-Dec. 1^st           Thanksgiving (College Closed)

Dec. 8^th                           Classes End

Dec. 10^th                         Final Grades Viewable in Atlas

Dec. 23^rd-Jan. 1^st           Winter Break (College Closed)

Required Materials/Textbooks

Santrock, Essentials of Lifespan Development with Connect, 2024 Release, ISBN: 9781266485213

Canvas

Significant portions of this course may take place online using Canvas. It is recommended that you review Canvas tutorials before beginning this material and set up your phone or e-mail to give alerts for Canvas. To access Canvas, go to online.valenciacollege.edu. Enter your Atlas login and password. For details, contact Canvas support: 407-582-5600.

Recommended Supplies

These supplies are not required but are strongly recommended. A student should own or have access to a current edition of a college-level dictionary and thesaurus. If you cannot obtain a copy, you should have access to a computer or smart phone with online capabilities; I can recommend a number of websites to you (www.webster.com, www.wiktionary.org, or www.dictionary.com are excellent starting points). I’d also recommend purchasing a flash drive (small portable USB storage device) to assist in storing papers (this is a helpful tool through the rest of college). You may also want to investigate online cloud-based storage sites like Google Drive.

Course Description

Course Catalog Description/Learning Objectives: This course is designed to examine theory and research on human development from conception through death. The course emphasizes physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural variables which influence human development.

Major Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester, the student will have met the following learning objectives:

1.     Interpret developmental research and the application of the scientific method to the study of human development across the lifespan.

2.     Discuss how cultural influences impact development across the lifespan.

3.     Summarize the ways genetics, the prenatal period, and the birthing process impact development.

4.     Analyze physical development of humans from conception through death.

5.     Analyze cognitive development of humans from conception through death.

6.     Analyze social and emotional development of humans from birth through death.

7.     Analyze the complexities (e.g., ethical, physical, cultural factors) of dying, death, and bereavement and its impact on humans across the lifespan.

Core Competencies of a Valencia Graduate

Valencia’s Student Core Competencies are complex abilities that are considered the essential elements of a successful student. This course will help you develop and demonstrate the abilities to: (1) think clearly, critically, reflectively, and creatively; (2) communicate with others verbally and in written form; (3) make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments; and (4) act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly. Our goal is to provide these global competencies in the context of application; this means that students will be required to understand problems and effectively communicate an appropriate solution.

Evaluation and Course Grading (Subject to Revision - 7/25/24)

Course evaluation is divided into five units of instruction that include a quiz on physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development for each of the five developmental stages, and a final exam.

·       Prenatal Development (10%)

·       Infant Development (10%)

·       Childhood Development (10%)

·       Adolescent Development (10%)

·       Adult Development (10)

·       Quizzes (25%)

·       Final Exam (25%)

Rubrics for assignments and evaluations will be available on Canvas and/or as a handout.

Grading Scale and Evaluation

The sum of points earned throughout the course will determine a letter grade as follows:  

Attendance

Attendance is a major contributing factor to student success; as such, attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend at least 85% of our face-to-face meetings (M/W 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m.). Students are allowed a maximum of four absences in this class. After the fourth absence, a student may be withdrawn from the course. As a student, my expectation of you is that you arrive on time, complete all required assignments, and remain in class for the duration of the class. In the event of an absence, students are responsible for making up any missed work, as well as keeping up with announcements made during class time. Please connect with

one of your classmates to get notes on material covered and/or announcements made during your absence from class.

COURSE POLICIES

Tardiness and Other Class Disruptions

Students are expected to be in class on time. Please try to avoid any scheduling conflicts with this course. Special instructions for current assignments are often given at the beginning of class, so it is best to arrive at least five minutes early. If tardiness is excessive, a direct intervention and plan may be required. It is understandable that we are occasionally faced with circumstances beyond our

control. Persistent tardiness is considered rude so please try to be on time to every class. Students who persist in being tardy or leaving early will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Do not engage in private conversations with other students while class is in session unless it is related to classroom learning activities. Do not use profanity, hostile gestures, or confrontational comments during class. Please give your classmates and yourself the full opportunity to learn. Do not use class time to read other books or do homework or assignments for other courses. Sleeping in class is unacceptable and causes a distraction to your classmates. The instructor reserves the right to dismiss a student who is disrupting the classroom learning environment. 

Class Preparation

Please come to class prepared, meaning that you have a utensil or device for taking notes, have all required course materials, and are prepared to be actively engaged in the class. Reading assignments should be completed prior to the class period where they will be discussed. All assignments must be submitted by designated deadlines.

Participation in class discussions is encouraged, however, class domination is discouraged. Please give ALL students the opportunity to contribute. Recognize that not all students may share your opinion. Consequently, state your opinions in a way that is not offensive to anyone of a different race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation. Please be aware that participation doesn’t just mean participation in classroom discussions. Participation includes being attentive, joining in group work, and communicating with your professor.

Improper Technology Usage

While you are allowed to use technology as a resource in class, it is expected that you will use the resource in an appropriate manner. Please try to avoid using your cell phone for personal reasons during class time. The occasional emergency is understandable: please leave class to check your phone if that is necessary. Otherwise, it is extremely disrespectful to the professor and your fellow classmates to answer phones during class time. Texting, using social media, playing digital games during class, or any other inappropriate activities may result in you being removed from the class for the day and marked absent.

Expected Student Conduct

Valencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling in Valencia College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty.  Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty to leave the class.  Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from

Valencia.  Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions.  You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.

Academic Integrity

As with any college course, students are expected to exhibit academic integrity. No form of cheating will be tolerated. Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarizing will be given a 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 files. When referring to someone else’s writing, be sure to give credit to that author, otherwise you are plagiarizing. Any evidence of cheating – in or out of the classroom – will result in an “F” grade.

Make-up Exams

Make-up exams are rarely offered for this course. The exception to this policy is in the event of situations that are unavoidable and well documented, and that the instructor has been notified in advance of the scheduled exam. Such an occurrence (e.g., jury duty, military service) requires presentation of official documentation, after which, at the discretion of the instructor, arrangements will be made for an alternative exam to be proctored by the Testing Center.

Special Needs and Learning Support Services

Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), and must discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The OSD determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. OSD resources may be found at their website http://valenciacollege.edu/office-for-students-with-disabilities/default.cfm

Learning Support Services provides students with academic support through tutoring, library services and resources. Tutoring is offered in most academic disciplines including math, science, and coursework specific to each campus. Assistance with library research can be accessed in-person or online through Atlas. Students also have access to resources such as calculators, laptops, iPads, group study rooms and quiet study rooms within the Learning Support areas. For campus specific information, please visit the Osceola Campus Student Services website at https://valenciacollege.edu/locations/osceola/student-services.php

BayCare Student Assistance Services

Valencia College has contracted with a private and confidential counseling service to provide short-term assistance to credit students who need to resolve problems that are affecting their college performance. Examples might include stress, relationship/family issues, alcohol/drug problems, eating disorders, depression, and gender issues. Students who are experiencing any of these issues and who are enrolled in credit classes at Valencia should call the toll-free number 1-800-878-5470 to speak to a professional counselor. If needed, the counselor may refer the student to appropriate resources, or to speak face-to-face with a licensed counselor. For more information, call or visit a Counselor in the Advising Center on any campus.

Note to International Students (F-1or J-1Visa)

Please be advised that withdrawal from this course due to attendance may result in the termination of your visa status if you fall below the full-time enrollment requirements of 12 credit hours. Consult the International Student Service office for more information.

Disclaimer

The syllabus, assignments, and due dates are subject to change at the discretion of the professor.