DEP 2004:  Developmental Psychology (Online)

Winter Park Campus

Course Syllabus and Classroom Policies

Spring 2025 1/6/2025 – 4/27/2025

Important Dates During the Spring 2025 Semester

Jan. 6^th                           Classes Begin

Jan. 13^th                         Drop/Refund Deadline (by 11:59 p.m. ET)

Jan. 15^th–24^th                 No Show Reporting Period

Jan. 20^th                         Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (College Closed)

Jan. 24^th                         Change of Program of Study Deadline

Feb. 7^th                           Learning Day (College Closed)

March 14^th                      Graduation Application Deadline

March 14^th                      Student-Initiated Withdrawal Date (“W” Grade) – (by 11:59 p.m. ET)

March 17^th-23^rd              Spring Break (College Closed)

April 27^th                         Classes End

April 29^th                         Grades Viewable in Atlas

May 4^th                           Commencement

Required Materials/Textbooks

Santrock, Lifespan Development with Connect, 2024 Release, ISBN: 9781264538416.

Canvas

This course is being conducted completely 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..

Course Description

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.

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

Course evaluation is based on seven units of instruction that include the five developmental stages in the lifespan, and analyses of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development for each of the five developmental stages. Final grades will be  calculated as follows:

·       Connect Assignments (20%)

·       Developmental Stage Case Study Analyses (15%)

·       Discussion Participation (15%)

·       Module Quizzes (20%)

·       Developmental Stage Application Project (10%)

·       Final Exam (20%)

Grading Scale and Evaluation

Final grades are based on the weighted averages for course work, and will be assigned the appropriate letter grade:

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance & No Show Policy:

Class attendance is required for online classes. Students who are not actively participating in an online class and/or do not submit the required attendance activity or assignment by the scheduled due date (Tuesday, January 14^th by 11:59 p.m.) will be reported to the College as “no show”. Appropriate action will be taken by designated Valencia College administrators to address students’ responsibility for payment of tuition.

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. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.

Communication

Please be aware that students are expected to be able to communicate in a professional manner with the professor and fellow students. This includes in-class interactions as well as phone messages, emails, and online discussions. E-mails must include the professor’s name, student’s name, course information (e.g. General Psych online), and use proper grammar. 

Netiquette

When posting on the discussion boards and chat rooms it is important to understand how to interact with one another online. Here are some basic points for communicating online: 

·       Be respectful of other’s views and opinions. If you disagree with someone’s opinion, do so in a polite manner.

·       Be sensitive to the fact that there will be people of different cultural, linguistic, religious, and political backgrounds. Respecting diversity is a must. 

·       Use good taste when posting your responses. Avoid profanity and slang. 

·       Do not use all capital letters when composing responses. This is the equivalent of “shouting” on the internet and it is rude. Additionally, this text can be hard on the eyes for others trying to read your message. 

·       Use good grammar and punctuation. Please refrain from text talk and shortcuts. 

You can read more about the core rules of netiquette at: https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/netiquette-guidelines-every-online-student-needs-to-know/Links to an external site.

Announcements

Announcements will be posted in Canvas on a regular basis. They will appear on your Canvas dashboard when you log in and/or will be sent to you directly through your preferred method of notification from Canvas. Please make certain to check them regularly, as they will contain important information about upcoming assignments, deadlines, or class concerns. 

Homework Assignments

This course requires the use of publisher materials. You will need to use your access code to register with Connect in order to complete the assignments for this class. Each week there will be a homework assignment within the chapter. These assignments require students to use critical thinking and to consider practical applications of psychological concepts.

Academic Integrity

Valencia College (“College”) is dedicated to engaging in intellectual activity and maintaining an academic environment consistent with high academic standards including a shared commitment to transparency, integrity, and creating the right conditions for learning. In all areas of academic and instructional endeavors, the College expects work to be the result of individual knowledge, thoughts, research, effort, and self-expression or that appropriate citation/credit is given for the origin of the work. For more on Valencia's Academic Integrity policy and procedure, click here: Valencia Policy 6Hx28:8-11: Academic Dishonesty.

Expectations and Responsibilities:

1. Original Work: All work submitted by students must be their own original effort, unless other expectations are explicitly stated otherwise by the instructor. This includes assignments, papers, exams, and any other academic exercises.

2. Citing Sources: Proper attribution of sources is essential. Whenever students use ideas, words, data, or other intellectual property from external sources, they must appropriately cite these sources following the conventions of the discipline. In this course, you will be expected to use APA-style citations.

3. Collaboration: Collaboration can be a valuable learning tool, but it must always be conducted ethically. Students must adhere to the collaboration guidelines set forth by their instructors, which may vary by course and assignment.

4. Assignments, Quizzes, and Examinations: During graded assignments, quizzes, and examinations, students are expected to adhere strictly to the rules and guidelines provided by the instructor. Any form of cheating, plagiarism, or unauthorized assistance is strictly prohibited.

5. Consequences of Violations: Violations of academic integrity, including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, falsification of data, and unauthorized collaboration, are serious offenses that may result in disciplinary sanctions and academic consequences. Students will have a reasonable opportunity to respond to allegations of an academic integrity violation  and will be notified of the assigned penalty, if any.

Use of "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) Tools:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools allowed when specified: The use of AI tools, including, but not limited to, automated essay generators, content generators/synthesizers (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Gemini, etc.), translation tools, external grammar checkers (e.g., Grammarly), and plagiarism detection algorithms,, may be authorized for specific assignments within this course with instructor notice and approval. Content generated by such tools must be acknowledged and cited correctly. Approval of the use of AI for one assignment does not provide blanket approval for other assignments. The instructor will provide clear instructions about assignment requirements.

Resources and Support:

The College provides resources and support to help students understand and uphold principles of academic integrity. These resources may include workshops, tutorials, and access to Success Coaches who can provide guidance on ethical academic practices. By embracing the principles of academic integrity, students not only fulfill their educational responsibilities but also contribute to a culture of honesty and intellectual rigor within the College community. Upholding academic integrity is a shared commitment that enhances the value of the educational experience and prepares students for success in their future endeavors.

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.

Late Work Policy

Assignments turned in after the due date/time will be assessed a five (5) point deduction for each day beyond the due date.

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/winter-park/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.

HB 7 Florida Educational Equity Act

As a registered student in this class, you assume the responsibility for conducting yourself in a manner that contributes positively to Valencia’s learning community as described in the Student Code of Conduct. My role as an instructor is to facilitate academic discussions and promote critical thinking about sometimes challenging and uncomfortable facts and ideas. Your peers and instructor may share diverse ideas and viewpoints, or we may differ in our ideas and viewpoints, but we will always be respectful of other opinions as provided by the law and as expected in an academic environment. No lesson is intended to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, compel a particular feeling, perception, viewpoint, or belief in a concept. Concepts as presented are not endorsed by the instructor but are presented as part of the larger course of instruction. Should a student feel uncomfortable with how course content is presented or discussed, please contact the instructor for further conversation.

 Course Schedule

Disclaimer

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

DEP2004-CRN 21023/SPR2025/EJBJ