Life Span Development, PSYC 2130 (3 credit hours)
Course Description: Fall 2021, 15 Week Course
A course presenting a topical approach to human growth and development. The theories of Piaget, Kohlberg,
Erikson, and others are covered, and emphasis is placed upon language, cognition, personality, social behavior,
emotions, and physical development across the life span. Contemporary neuroscience contributions to the study of
development will also be explored.
Learning Outcomes
1. Recognize and differentiate among the various historical and contemporary theorists and theories of human
growth and development, their underlying concepts and the empirical research base pertaining to each
theory.
2. Identify and differentiate among the methods employed by researchers to study the processes underlying
the life-long development of humans.
3. Delineate the respective roles of heredity and environment in establishing the parameters for human growth
and development throughout the lifespan.
4. Identify the etiology, symptom pattern, and management strategies for a variety of developmental and
mental disorders occurring throughout the lifespan, including the factors affecting prenatal development,
with an emphasis on the role of teratogens and their management.
5. Identify and distinguish among the significant factors affecting the physical, cognitive, emotional, and
social development of humans throughout the lifespan.
6. Discuss the dying process in humans, recognizing death as the final component of living, and relate death
to the developmental process.
7. Recognize how “change,” “process” “context” and “bi-directionality” are related in the development
processes throughout the lifespan.
8. Recognize how gender is developed and its influence on developmental processes.
9. Communicate in the terminology of developmental psychology as referenced in textbooks, newspapers, and
periodicals.
Pre-requisites: ACT READ 19, ACT ENGL 18, or
equivalent
Co-requisites: None
Course Topics:
Chapter 1: An Orientation to Lifespan Development
Chapter 2 : Genetics, Prenatal Development, and Birth
Chapter 3: Physical Growth and Aging Across the Lifespan
Chapter 4: Health and Wellness
Chapter 5: Cognitive Growth: Piaget and Vygotsky
Chapter 6: Cognitive Growth: Information Processing Approaches
Chapter 7: Language Development
Chapter 8: Intelligence
Chapter 9: Social and Emotional Development
Chapter 10: Development of the Self
Chapter 11: Moral Development and Aggression
Chapter 12: Gender and Sexuality
Chapter 13: Friends and Family
Chapter 14: Schooling, Culture, and Society:
Living in a Multicultural World
Chapter 15: Death and Grieving: The End of Life
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Textbook: Life Span Development: A Topical Approach, 4th Edition,
Author: Robert Feldman
Specific hardware requirements for this course are detailed on the JSCC website at the following
address:
Instructor Information:
Your current course instructor is listed on your homepage of elearn. For questions, please call the Office of
Humanities and Social Sciences, 731-424-3520.
or the course creator: Vivian Minton, Associate Professor of Psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, JSCC ex.
50206. (Office: C113B)
Instructor Response Time
The course will be attended daily during week days. Instructor will be online with you off and on and will respond
to emailed questions within 24 hours during week days.
Instructor Expectations:
• Students will explore the realm of life span (developmental) psychology through textbook and outside
readings, written assignments, case studies, discussion threads, and module exams.
• Students are expected to follow the course requirements by using the “Content” section to access
assignments and checking the course calendar link on the navigator bar for assignment due dates and exam
dates.
• The “Contents” link will lead you through the specific homework assignments, chapter outlines, study
guides, etc…
• We will utilize the Elearn medium as our main form of communication. Each student and instructor has an
assigned email address. See below for time frame for instructor response.
Student Responsibilities
• Remain up to date with the course schedule. Review course calendar regularly for dates due. If you adhere
to your schedule, you should not have any problems successfully completing the course.
• Turn in assignments on time. These may include quizzes, critiques of articles, handouts or case studies, or
accessing website information. Late assignments will be accepted with an emailed medical excuse that
meets standards as seen in the course catalog. Other late assignments may be accepted at the discretion of
the instructor if circumstances are considered unusual and not repetitive.
• Frequently review the CONTENT link. Course CONTENT link has the specific homework assignment
links plus the textbook chapter study guides, case studies, chapter study outlines, etc…
• Use the following assignment format: Name on and title all written work; use page numbers, double
spacing, and 12 point, Times New Roman or Arial font.
• Use Microsoft Word (WORD) as your preparation program; you may also upload pdf. documents.
• You may need word for some of the documents in elearn. There may be a few you cannot access, and
should contact your professor if you are having problems. Your student email always has Microsoft Office
365 with powerpoint and word for your document creation.
• You will have one APA Style research paper. It is to be submitted in APA (American Psychological
Association) style. If you are unaware of this style, please research it, ask the librarian, or simply look
under the course content for the APA Style Paper “template” for a basic understanding.
• Written work is submitted through the Dropbox function. If you are having difficulty with the Dropbox for
any assignment, then attach the assignment with your email so as not to be late. However, everyone is to
learn and regularly use the Dropbox for full credit on assignments.
• Your grades will be visible by accessing “Go To: Grades.” Grades are submitted to your grade sheet as
assignments are graded throughout the semester. You may use averaging, or email me as needed to
determine your current grade. Midterm grades will be sent to you via JWEB email.
• Class “Discussions” will begin 5 times throughout the semester. Each Discussion will directly relate to the
topics related to chapters being reviewed at that time. On MOST discussions, you post to the discussion by
the end of the first week and post to a classmate by the end of next week. This allows for actual classmate
viewing. Please review all dates listed on the calendar and under content! Chapter 6 discussion, for
example, only lasts one week.
• On discussions, students add a thought/overview/opinion to each discussion topic. Information presented,
including opinions, need support or comparisons to text material. Please include page text page or chapter
numbers or other reference information in your answers when available.
• Additionally, for full discussion credit, you will provide a reply to one or more classmate’s posts and
provide appropriate feedback on the student’s comments. The content of your posts will determine the
overall score on the Discussion section of your grade.
It is not important that we all have the same view about a particular topic. In fact, several topics will be
controversial and thought-provoking.
• Participation in the on-line discussions is part of your grade. You must participate with constructive
discussion on a regular basis. The instructor will have access to any chat and/or message board discussions
and will periodically monitor and engage the communications in order to assess or enhance your
participation. When using the discussion group keep the following in mind:
1. Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the
discussion. Reflect, then respond in a thoughtful and timely manner the first week.
2. Try to maintain threads by using the “Reply” button rather than starting a
new topic.
3. Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other
members of the discussion group. Be respectful of others’ ideas.
4. Be positive and constructive in class discussions.
9. There will be a pre-course quiz. Do not study for this quiz or look up answers. It is to test your basic
knowledge and no grade will be taken. There will be 8 Chapter Quizzes (2 chapters each primarily) during
this term, as well as a short comprehensive Multiple Choice final exam. These are TIMED exams. The
exams will be posted on the calendar and will occur at the end of each Module. There is AMPLE time for
you to answer the questions, but there will not be time to “look up” all of the answers in a text. Also
remember that your time begins when you press the start button and you won’t be able to stop or restart
after you begin taking the quiz/exam.
Assessment (testing) and Grading Scale:
Note on Exams: Several of your exams will be monitored using Respondus Lockdown Browser, which is an
online proctoring service that allows you to take these exams from the comfort of your home. When you are ready
to test, log into D2L, go to your course, and click on your exam. You will need the Respondus Monitoring
Browser downloaded to take the exam. If you are unable to test with Respondus, please immediately let your
course instructor know that you only have a Chromebook, so that you can problem-solve other options (such as
making sure the instructor has activated use of Respondus with Chromebook, using another computer, or a
JSCC computer on campus).
The deadline for each exam will be indicated on the course Calendar and the Weekly Lesson Plan. These dates
indicate the last day and times a test may be taken. All times listed are U.S. Central Time.
Students will be evaluated using 8 (2 Chapter) Quizzes and a Final Exam, Discussion Board Postings, and other
chapter assignments. Student grade sheets provide grades as assignment grades are posted. Course points are as
follows:
300 Total points for all Assignments (chapter assignments)
75 Total points for Discussion Board (5 @ 15 points each)
100 Total points for Concept Application paper (APA style-final submission)
300 Total points for 9 Quizzes (20 points per chapter-15 chapters)
40 Comprehensive (Final) Exam
815 Total Points in course
A=92% B=82% C=70% D=60% F= Below 60%
Assignments and Participation
Eight (8) of the 9 quizzes are over 2 chapters so you will see 2 chapters available to you at one time so that you may
work ahead if the dates allow you. You may dropbox assignments early if you want to. You are expected to
participate in all interactive aspects of the course. For example, you must communicate with others students via
Elearn discussion board exchanges. You are expected to communicate with your instructor as needed and
please respond to instructor emails in a timely manner. You are encouraged to work at your own pace; however,
deadlines are placed on class activities, assignments, quizzes and exams. You will usually be able to work on four
chapters (an entire Module) at a time. It is important to become familiar with the class CALENDAR to determine
when materials are due and adjust your study schedule accordingly. Once a deadline has passed, you will be
“locked” out of dropbox or other testing materials.
Course Ground Rules
Assignments will be presented as noted in the Contents section. You will have until the due date on the calendar to
complete each assignment. You are expected to communicate with others in discussions, learn how to navigate in
Elearn, and stay aware of course announcements. Students may use their assigned Elearn email addresses and “ask
the professor” discussion for communication and should address any technical problems to your instructor
immediately. Students observe course etiquette at all times. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic
dishonesty are prohibited and will result in course and college disciplinary action. All work is to be completed by
the student enrolled in PSYC 2130. Work done by anyone else will be considered cheating and will result in a grade
of “F” for the assignment.
Guidelines for Communication
When using email keep the following in mind:
• Always include a subject line with the assignment name and number or subject of the communication. Do
not use reply (re:) to start a new correspondence.
• Students are to use complete sentences and good grammar in all correspondence. Use of initials for words,
such as text “shorthand” is discouraged (e.g., u r not 2 do this type of thing, omg!)
• Remember your reader cannot see you, without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong
way. Be careful in wording your emails.
• Use of emoticons 🙂 might be helpful in some cases.
• Respect the privacy of other class members.
Library Resources
Jackson State’s Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in a class at JSCC. Information on the Library
Databases is found on the homepage. Also see the “Resources” tab on the library website for more writing help.
There is also a “Ask the Librarian” discussion board to be used as needed!
Writing Center
The WRITING CENTER is also available (it’s in the library) for those of you who need assistance
with writing assignments.
ADA Statement
STUDENTS WITH DISABLING CONDITIONS: Jackson State does not discriminate on the basis of disability in
admission and access to academic programs, services or employment. Students with disabilities should inform the
instructor and contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) inside the Counseling Office so that appropriate
accommodations can be made, based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the responsibility of the student to
provide current, documented evidence of their disability to the DRC. Contact Linda Nickell in Student Services, at
ext. 354 for additional ADA information, or go to the JSCC website at http://www.jscc.edu/studentservices/disabled-student-services/the-disabled-student.html.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes in course materials, requirements and content. Any changes will
be made known to you with an email and will be posted on the course pages.
*The last day to drop this class or withdraw from a Fall 2021 semester course is October 29, 2021
Please Note: This syllabus sets forth the expectations for the course content, work, and grading as well as
expectations for student performance and conduct. The syllabus does not constitute a contract between the student
and the instructor or the College. The information contained here is subject to change at any time. Students will be
notified if any changes are made. Though changes are possible, it is expected that the course will be conducted as
described in this syllabus.
