DEP 2000 COURSE DESCRIPTION AND SYALLABUS:
Spring Mini-Term
2005
Classroom: Bldg. 2 Room: 2114
Class Time: 9:40 AM to 10:50 AM W, W & F
INSTRUCTOR: R. Beneckson
305-495-1331
Course Reference No: 271886
This course is a study of the major developmental
theories that modern psychology has to offer. Developmental psychology is concerned with the
way human beings change and grow over time and seeks to understand the forces
underlying that growth and change. We will seek to understand and apply the
theories, and also to understand criticisms of the theories. As we study each
theory we will attempt to apply what we are learning to understanding our own
development so that the material becomes “real” and not merely academic
research distant from our own experience.
Textbook: Feldman, Robert S., Development Across the Life Span, third edition. Prentice-Hall,
2003.
Basic Requirements:
This course will be taught through study of the
textbooks, lecture, video programs, discussion, student presentations, and
dialogue. Class participation will be highly emphasized and rewarded, and
attendance is required and roll will be taken. There will be 3 exams, with
multiple choice and/or true/false questions and essay questions.
Each student will be required to work on a set of
developmental analysis journals that will take the entire semester. This
project will be explained in more detail at the first class. In addition each student will be required to
develop a 10 minute class presentation based on a topic of interest chosen from
a specific chapter.
Grading: Your
final grade in the course is based on the total of the 3 exams, the
developmental analysis project, plus any extra credit points, and class
participation. Exams are worth 100 points each. The developmental analysis
project is worth a maximum of 50 points.
The class presentation is worth a maximum of 10 points. Extra credit points depend on the specific
project, but generally are between 2 and 10 points. Your final grade is based on your total
number of points according to the chart below.
A = 310+
B-=
275-279 D+= 240-244
A-=
305-309 C+=
270-274 D = 220-239
B+=
300-304 C =
250-269 D-= 215-219
B =
280-299 C-=
245-249 F = 0-214
Course
Policies: Please be aware of the
following course policies as they can have an effect on your grade in the
course.
Exam
policy: Do not arrive late or fail to show up for an exam. If you
arrive 15 minutes after the exam has started you will not be allowed to take it.
In the event of medical emergency, you must provide an official notice from
your physician, if accepted, alternative arrangements will be made. See the
instructor for permission to make up an exam.
Academic
dishonesty: Instances of cheating will be not be
tolerated and will be dealt with in accordance with policies established by
Classroom
conduct: Arriving late, leaving early, or otherwise being disruptive
during lectures will not be tolerated. If you know in advance that you will
arrive late/leave early, notify the instructor prior to class. Please turn off
cell phones and beepers during class.
Related
concerns: If at anytime during the semester you are concerned about
your progress, please feel free to speak to me about it.
Extra Credit: There
will be the opportunity to earn extra credit by doing short research papers
with the permission of the instructor. See
the instructor for more information.
Course
Outline: Below are the scheduled
lecture topics and corresponding textbook chapters. Please make every effort to
read the chapter prior to lecture. Lectures will also present material not
found in the textbook. This schedule is subject to change based on the progress
of the class. Therefore, it is essential that you come to class regularly to
keep abreast of any changes.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Topic: Textbook: Feldman
Section 1:
Chapter
1, Introduction to Development and Personality Test:
Chapter
2, Prenatal Development
Chapter
3, Birth and the Newborn
Chapter
4, Infancy: Physical Development
Chapter
5, Infancy: Cognitive Development
Chapter
6, Infancy: Social and Personality Development
Review
Test 1
Section 2:
Chapter
7, Preschool Years: Physical and Cognitive Development
Chapter
8, Preschool Years: Social and Personality Development
Chapter
9, Middle Childhood: Physical and Cognitive Development
Chapter
10, Middle Childhood: Social and Personality Development
Chapter
11, Adolescence: Physical and Cognitive Development
Chapter
12, Adolescence: Social and Personality Development
Review
Test 2
Section 3:
Chapter
13, Early Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development
Chapter
14, Early Adulthood: Social and Personality Development
Chapter
15, Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development
Chapter
16, Middle Adulthood: Social and Personality Development
Chapter
17, Late Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development
Chapter
18, Late Adulthood: Social and Personality Development
Chapter
19, Death and Dying
Review
Test 3
Please,
when you write your journals, leave two spaces between sentences. Also, when using “quotation marks,” make sure
that any periods or commas are included within the “marks,” understand? This is
proper English usage in writing.