DEP 4404
PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
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 phone or e-mail. Nor will the instructor respond to email/phone requests for dates of assignments/exams – that information will be given in class and/or on the course web page. Please put the class name and number in the subject line of all emails.
Office Hours: 9:30 – 10:15 Tuesday & Thursday.
Prerequisites: PSY 2012 or consent of the instructor.
Texts:
1. Lemme, B. H. Development in Adulthood (4th Ed) – Required.
2. Sarton, M. As We are Now – Required.
3. Kay, T. To Dance With The White Dog – 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. One 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 objective: This course is designed to provide the student with a psychological perspective on adulthood and old age within the more general context of lifespan developmental psychology.
Assignments:*
Midterm Examination 75 points
(date to be announced)
Final examination 75 points
(As assigned by the University)
Advanced Directives 5 points
(Due the last day of class before the Final)
Book Reports (each worth 10 points ) 20 points
(Due the last day of class before the Final)
Research participation (10 points)
(If available)
___________
Total: 175 points
Grades:**
A 140-175 points (plus ALL assignments completed)
B 120-139 points (plus ALL assignments completed)
C 90-119 points (plus ALL assignments completed)
D 80- 89 points
F 79 points or less
Class attendance: Class attendance is not mandatory. However, 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 betaken 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.
* A hard (paper) copy of all assignments must be submitted for grading. No electronic copies will be accepted.
**No plus/minus grades will be 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, e-mail, or voice mail. 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 first.
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.
Cheating: All assignments must be completed independently by each student. If a student cheats, or allows another student to use his/her class assignments, one, or both, students will receive a failing (F) grade for the course and the instructor will move to have the student(s)removed immediately from the University of North Florida.
Advanced Directives: These forms should be filled out with the care required of any legal document. This means they must be legible, filled out in ink, and properly witnessed. The directives will be returned at the end of the semester. At that time each student can decide whether to use the directives or to destroy them.
Book Reports: Each book report should be four (4) pages in length, typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and stapled or otherwise bound. Loose, paper-clipped, or 'dog-eared' papers will be penalized five (5) points. I am interested in your thoughts about the books, particularly as they relate to this class and your own personal experiences. You must also convince me that your read each book thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Topical Outline:
INTRODUCTION
I. Definitions.
II. Demographics.
III. The Future.
MODELS OF AGING
I. Social/Anthropological Models.
II. Psychological Models.
WISDOM
I. Definition.
II. Acquisition.
III. Life Dilemmas.
TIME IN OLD AGE
I. Time.
II. Looking Ahead.
III. Looking Back.
MIDLIFE TRANSITION
I. Markers.
II. Daniel Levinson.
III. C. G. Jung.
Read Chapters 1, 2, 3, 8, & 9 for the midterm.
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
RELATIONSHIPS
I. Family.
II. Grandparenting.
III. Sexuality.
IV. Dependency.
SENSATION/PERCEPTION/ COGNITION
I. Model.
II. Sensation.
II. Cognition.
INTELLIGENCE
I. Definition.
II. Research Design.
III. Intelligence Factors.
IV. Survivability.
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
I. Senile Dementias.
II. Acute Confusion.
III. Depression.
IV. Suicide.
CARING FOR YOUR PARENTS
I. Approaching the problems.
II. Living assistance.
III. End-of-life Care.
Read Chapters 4, 5, 6,7, 10, 11, & 12 for the final.
FINAL EXAMINATION
Revised 8/13/07