Developmental Psychology

Course Details

Course Number: PSYC 3233  Section Number: X40

Summer II 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: Internet Section

Days & Times:

Internet section

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Human development: a life-span view   ISBN: 978-0-495-60037-4
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Don Knox   
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Course Objectives

This course will be an introductory look at the psychological development of human beings across the life span.  Focus of this course is on the major domains of development, including the (1) Physical, (2) Cognitive, and (3) Psychological/Emotional domains.  The emphasis will be upon the latter two domains, with less attention given to the physical aspects of development, maturity, and aging.  The course will also give more weight to the "outcomes" of development, being less concerned with the detailed steps of the developmental process.  Course material will essentially follow the outline of your textbook, but additional material may be presented from time to time.  Thus, keeping up with the readings (about one chapter per week, sometimes more) AND class attendance will be important for success.  Study material is available on Blackboard.


Course Expectations

Grades will be based primarily upon four tests, given each week – starting with week 2.  Chapters to be covered will be clearly stated, and the type of test will also be made known in advance, though most likely multiple choice, short answer, objective questions will make up the bulk of test items.  Each exam is worth 150 points.  Exams open on Monday and close on Thursday.  Missed exams cannot be made up.

 

All exams will be web based, which means that you will take the exam on the net. On the scheduled date, the exam will be posted for a period of time during which you may log on and take the exam. You may not log on before or after the specified time. Once you log on you have 60 minutes (~1 minute per question) to take the exam. Questions will appear one at a time and you cannot backtrack.  Please do not try to backtrack or print the questions.  The exam is designed to lock up if you do those things.  If you go over the allotted time, one point will be deducted from the exam grade for each minute that you are over the allotted time for the first 5 minutes. Five points per minute for the next five minutes will be deducted and then 15 points per minute after that point. Additional instructions may be posted before the exam date.

 

A fifth grade, 100 points, will be awarded based upon completion of a paper.  The paper will be 5-7 typewritten, double-spaced pages addressing a major topic or issue in developmental psychology, as it applies to you, or someone you know.  The paper will be due July 27th.  Because the Department of Psychology at MSU emphasizes the importance of written work, these papers will be read critically.  Please allow yourself enough time to review and perhaps re-draft the paper before turning it in.  That is, you must write well to do well.  Title page, abstract and bibliography do not count in the page total.  (12 point Times New Roman font – 1” margins).  This paper will be submitted through WebCT and should be written in first or third person.  Late work will not be graded.

 

A sixth grade of 200 points will be awarded based upon completion of four journal article reviews (50 points each).  I will provide the journal articles via WebCT.  Reviews will be at least three pages in length not counting name and bibliographic information.  Articles will be turned in using WebCT.  1 inch margins, double spaced, 12 point Arial font. Due dates are listed in WebCT in the assignments folder.  These are due on Mondays starting 7/9. Late work will not be graded.

 

The last part of your grade is on the discussion board.  Each discussion question is worth 20 points.  Late responses, for any reason, do not count.


Grading Standards

900 - 1000 A

800 - 899 B

700 - 799 C

600 - 699 D

< 600 F


Final Exam8/3/2012  1:00 PM

Submission Format Policy

All papers will be turned in electronically using WebCT



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Late work is not accepted


 


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

This is an Internet course.  Your discussion board entries, exams, journal reviews and paper are open for more than one day.  Missed work is just like an unexcused absence.  Get it done early.  Late work will not be graded and missed exams cannot be made up.


Other Policies

Given the nature, scope, and intensity of this course, it is essential that each student keep up.  It is the responsibility of each student to seek assistance when needed.

 

Academic Dishonesty:  Please do not cheat or plagiarize.  The MSU policy on cheating and plagiarism is in the MSU Student Handbook and Activities Calendar (Code of Student Conduct, Item 11) and I encourage you to review it. Additional information regarding the Academic Dishonesty policy is available from the Dean of Students office, in Clark Student Center. Cheating or engaging in plagiarism will result in a grade of zero (0) and/or a letter grade of “F” for the course!!!!!!! If you find yourself even thinking about cheating on an exam or copying someone else’s work, please talk to me instead of doing it!!!

 

Test 1 – Chapters 1 – 5

Test 2 - Chapters 6 – 9

Test 3 – Chapters 10 – 12

Test 4 – Chapters 13 - 16

 


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.