DEP 3054

LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENTAL

PSYCHOLOGY

Fall, 2007

Instructor:            Dr. Russac

Office:                   51/3433

Phone:                   620-1637

E-mail: rrussac@unf.edu. Personal information, e.g., code numbers or grades, can not be obtained by e-mail or phone. Nor will the instructor respond to email/phone requests for dates of assignments/exams. Please put the class number in the subject line of all emails.

Office hours:         9:30 – 10:15 Tuesday & Thursday.

Prerequisites:       PSY 2012 or consent of the instructor.

Text: Vander Zanden et al., Human Development, 8th Edition (required).

Web Page: The course web page contains the class syllabus, topical outlines, copies of class handouts, and links to other related web sites. Visiting the course web page is a must for students who want to do well in the course. The most direct route to my home page is http://www.unf.edu/~rrussac/rrussac.htm. Once there, find your course in the drop-down list and click on it.

Course Objectives: The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with development across the lifespan of the human organism – that is, with the developmental process from conception to death. Emphasis will be placed on theory rather than practical application. However, the perceptive student will find much that can be applied to parenting and education from the theories presented.

Assignments:

1.         Midterm Examination                                     75 points

            (Date TBA)

2.         Piagetian Field Project*                                  15 points

            (Last day of class before the day 

            of the final exam)

3.         Kohlberg Moral Dilemma*                             5 points

            (Date TBA)

4.         Final Examination                                           75 points

            (As scheduled by the University)

5.         Research Participation (If available)               (10 points)

                                                                                ____________

                                                TOTAL:                    170 points

Grading Criteria:* *

            A 150-170 points (plus ALL assignments completed)

            B 130-149 points (plus ALL assignments completed)

            C 100-129 points (plus ALL assignments completed)

            D 85-99 points

            F 84 points or less  

Attendance: Class attendance is not mandatory. However, the course is presented in lecture format and the student is responsible for all information presented in class.

Examinations: Examinations consist primarily of fill-in-the-blank and short-answer completion questions and are NOT cumulative. Students must be in their seats within five (5) minutes of the

scheduled starting time for each examination. A ten (10) point penalty will be assessed for ALL exams begun after the five minute 'grace period.' The midterm examination can be made up within one week of the assigned date in well-justified situations. All make-up exams must be taken during the instructor’s office hours (see above). However, a ten (10) point penalty will be assessed for ALL late assignments, regardless of circumstance. The Final Examination must be completed on the date and at the time assigned by the University. Please check your schedule now to be sure you have no conflicts with the final examination date. If calculations are required, a calculator may be used – cell phones or Ipods cannot.

* A hard (paper) copy of all assignments must be submitted for grading. No electronic copies will be accepted.

** Plus/minus grades are not given in this course.

Disabled Services: Students using Disabled Services are responsible for the following: (a) Arrangements must be made with Dr. Russac the week (within 5 calendar days) of the examination either by written note handed to the instructor, e-mail, or voice mail. Notes or phone messages left with secretaries or others will not be accepted. (b) The examination must be taken at the same time and on the same day as the class takes the test. Students who take the test after the class will receive a late penalty. (c) The reader for the examination must be assigned by Disabled Services. All deviations from these requirements must be cleared with the instructor.

Cheating: All assignments must be completed independently by each student. If a student cheats, or allows another student to use his/her class assignments, the student(s) will receive a failing (F) grade for the course and the instructor will take appropriate action to have the student(s) immediately expelled from the University of North Florida.

Beepers/Cell Phones: Beepers, cell phones, and similar devices MUST be turned off or put on vibrate during class. If a beeper, cell phone or similar device goes off in class, there will be an automatic 5-point grade deduction.

Piagetian Project: See Handout (copies are available on the course web page).

Kohlberg Assignment: Handout provided later in the semester (copies are available on the course web page).

Course Outline:

            Introduction

            Prenatal Stage

            Neonatal Stage

             Infancy

            Early Childhood

   Midterm Examination       (Read Chapters 1-8 of text)

            Late Childhood

            Adolescence

             Youth

            Adulthood

            Aging

   Final Examination              (Read Chapters 9-19 of text)

Revised 08/13/07