Developmental Psychology

Spring 2003

Dr. Travis Langley

Office: McBrien 301-F, 230-5222.

Required Textbook:

Santrock, J.W. Life-Span Development (8th ed.).

SCHEDULE

UNIT 1 EXAM: Tuesday, February 18

Chapters 2, 4, 6, 7.

Optional: 1, 3, 5.

UNIT 2 EXAM: Tuesday, March 11

Chapters 8-11.

Optional: Physical development sections of 8, 10.

UNIT 3 EXAM: Tuesday, April 15

Chapters 12-15.

Optional: Physical development sections of 12, 14.

FINAL Half cumulative, half on Unit 4. EXAM: Check spring schedule.

UNIT 4 Chapters 16-17, 19-21.

Optional: 18; physical development section of 16.

EXAMS

Each unit will conclude with a 40-item multiple choice exam covering lecture notes, assigned readings, and class discussion. Bring number 2 pencils for every test. If you have trouble erasing mistakes completely, bring Liquid Paper or similar correction fluid to cover your erasures. Any answer marked wrong due to an incomplete erasure is simply wrong.

On every test, you can earn one extra point by putting your name and ID on the front of the answer sheet and on the back of your test. Follow instructions to put your test and answer sheet face down and in the right stack; otherwise the Scantron machine might grade the back of your answer sheet or grade it according to the wrong answer key.

There will be NO makeup tests, so don't even ask. As long as you do not miss any tests, your lowest test will be dropped, even if it is the final exam. If you do miss one but have an excused absence, the missing test will be the one that gets dropped. Because the 80-question final will be cumulative, it is strongly advised that you do not miss any exams if you can help it. The final will weigh the same as any other test in figuring your grade.

GRADING

Test questions range in difficulty to get an accurate idea of exactly how much you know and understand about the course material. I don't feel it is right to base a curve on the highest grade in the class, in which case only one score would determine everyone's grade. The scale on the 40-point tests (although bonus credit makes them worth more than 40) is simply this:

A 35.1 --> B 30.1 - 35.0 C 25.1 - 30.0 D 20.1 - 25.0 F <-- 20.0

On every multiple‑choice test, you can earn one extra point by spelling psychology correctly on the Subject line of the answer sheet. To get this point, you must put your name and ID number on the front of the answer sheet and on the back of your test. Carefully follow all instructions when taking the test and when turning it in.

Your professor reserves the right to assign other values for these grade cutoffs. The professor also reserves the right to subtract any number of points from the grade of someone who disrupts class, or to assign a course grade of F to someone caught cheating.

Anyone who misses two tests may be dropped for absenteeism. The professor reserves the right to drop any student for a pattern of profound absenteeism. The professor does take roll once in awhile, so that if someone has a borderline grade at the end of the term, attendance might be taken into consideration.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS

In groups of three or four, you will all make presentations before the class at some point during the semester. Those who make their presentations earliest will be graded slightly more leniently. Grades for the presentations will be based on quality of presentations, educational value, and amount of work reflected. Each presentation will be worth 40 points, the same as a test.

Not all members of the group have to get up and talk, as long as everyone in the group feels that all have pulled their weight. A group grade will be assigned, with adjustments for individual quality of presentation.

Point value for presentations:

A+ 40 B+ 34 C+ 28 D+ 22 E+ 16 F 6

A 38 B 32 C 26 D 20 E 14 0 0

A- 36 B- 30 C- 24 D- 18 E- 12

Examples of group presentation topics:

aggression

anxiety disorders of childhood

birth defects

bonding

child abuse

childhood fears

courtship rituals

daycare

death and dying

disruptive behavior disorders

divorce

early sexuality

emotional development

family therapy

family violence

gender differences

gender roles

juvenile delinquency

language development

learning disorders

marriage

mental retardation

midlife crisis

neglect

parenting

personality development

personality disorders

senility

sexual abuse

sexual disorders

sibling rivalry

sudden infant death syndrome

suicide

terminally ill children