Southwest Baptist University

Department of Extended Learning

PSY 3063 - Human Growth and Development

©2008-2010

 

Richard L. Brewer, Psy.D.

209 Gott Educational Center        

1600 University Avenue                                                                            

Bolivar, MO   65613-2597

 

Office Phone: 417.328.1726

rbrewer@sbuniv.edu

 

Disability Disclaimer:

 

It is the desire of Southwest Baptist University to provide all students with optimum learning experiences.  If there are circumstances, due to disability, that may impact your learning in this course, it is necessary for you to inform your instructor within one week of official enrollment (as determined by the Department of Extended Learning) in this course.  If you do not notify your instructor, it will be assumed that you do not require special assistance.

 

Course Text Disclaimer:

The texts used in this course are written from a worldview rather than a Christian view. Therefore, some of the content may not reflect the views of SBU or of the instructor.

 

 

Required Textbooks:

 

Berger, K.S. (2008). The developing person through the lifespan, (7th. Ed.). NY: Worth Publishers.  ISBN: Cloth ISBN: Cloth 0-7167-6072-X or ISBN-13: 978-0-716-76072-6, Paper ISBN: 0-7167-6080-0 or ISBN-13: 978-0-716-76080-1. The textbook is infinitely readable, extremely engaging, and well illustrated. Berger has refined and honed her text through this, the 7th edition. It tightly integrates theory and application. I believe you will find reading the book very enjoyable. And, I can envision your making her textbook a permanent part of your library.

 

Straub, R.O. (2008). Study guide. To accompany, Berger, K.S. (2008). The developing person through the life span, 7th ed.). NY: Worth Publishers. ISBN-10: 0-7167-6092-4 ISBN-13: 978-0-716-76092-4

 

Description:

 

Human Growth and Development is a "life-span" (womb to tomb; sperm to worm) study of the human growth and developmental processes including physiological; psychological; and sociological, including multicultural influences and effects. The course begins with an overview of the beginnings re: the study of the lifespan and theories of development. It then proceeds to coverage of heredity and environment and finally to prenatal development through death and dying.

 

Prerequisites:  Psychology 1013 or Education 2113

 

Course Goals:

 

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

 

1.         Identify major theorists and theories in Developmental Psychology.

2.         Recognize and analyze age-level characteristics of the human from birth to old age.

3.         Evaluate and interpret research concerning life-span development.

4.            Understand the processes involved in dying and death.

5.            Begin to integrate one’s Christian faith in one’s understanding of lifespan development.

 

Major Topics:

 

1.           Studying the lifespan

2.           Theorists and Theories

 3.        Heredity and environment

 4.        Prenatal Development and Birth

 5.        The First Two Years

 6.        The Play Years

 7.        The School Years

8.           Adolescence

 9.        Emerging Adulthood

10.       Adulthood

11.       Late Adulthood

12.       Death and Hope

 

Course Requirements:

 

1.         Careful reading of the textbook.

 

2.         Completion of online examinations.  Eight (75 multiple choice questions each) will be given. (600 points possible).  A seventy-five minute time limit has been established for each exam. See exam access information within course. You will be provided immediate feedback as to your score (final score only).

a.         1.         Chapters 1-4: The Beginnings                                         

            2.         Chapters 5-7: The First Two Years

3.         Chapters 8-10: The Play Years

4.         Chapters 11-13: The School Years

5.         Chapters 14-16: Adolescence

6.         Chapters 17-19: Emerging Adulthood

7.         Chapters 20-22: Adulthood

8.         Chapters 23-Epilogue: Late Adulthood and Epilogue

 

b.         Exams should be taken only after a thorough study of the assigned chapters and completion of the relevant portions of the study guide.

 

c.         For the purposes of review and preparation for unit exams, there are Chapter Practice Quizzes. You may take these as many times as you wish (no points) as you will see new questions at each attempt.

 

            3.         Complete workbook:  (200 points possible).

a.         To be submitted to the instructor at least one week or sooner after taking exam eight..

b.         All sections must be essentially completed to receive full credit.

1.         Three to four sentences are sufficient for discussion questions.

2.         Chapter reviews.

3.         Progress tests:  Multiple-choice and true-false.

4.         Thinking critically questions.

c.            The workbook will serve as excellent preparation for exams.

d.            You will notice that answers are provided in the study guide. It would be wise to attempt answers before referring to the answers provided. To shortcut the process will minimize the value of the study guide for exam preparation.

 

4.         Project:  (200 points possible).

 

a.         To be submitted at anytime prior to exam 6. Submit through the course Drop Box. Do not submit as email attachment.

b.         To be typed in an acceptable manuscript style. 

1.         1” margins

2.         Pagination

3.         All submitted reports must be typed (MLA or APA manuscript style), with correct spelling, punctuation, etc. 

4.         Eight pages, of text, minimum: excluding title page and reference page(s).

5.         The projects are to be submitted through your coursed. See course for instructions

5.         Choose from one of the following:

            a).        Parallel spiritual development with that of Piaget’s cognitive theory of development and Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.

            b).        Support, for or against, the notion for deepened spirituality near the end of the lifespan.

            c).        Observe a wedding or funeral ceremony. Note the developmental milestones and reactions of the generations attending. Note specifically the emotional display or inhibitions of those in attendance. Make note specifically, how faith/spiritual issues are, or are not addressed.  Lastly, include a section re: your personal cognitive, affective, and spiritual reactions.

            d).        Observe a public school classroom, preschool, or daycare. Describe the setting and delivery of curriculum and discipline as to how it meets, or fails to meet, the developmental milestones as described by Berger in regard to that particular age range.

            e).        Develop a program for teaching spiritual principles to preschool, grade school aged, or adolescence.

            f).         Using Naturalistic Observation, do an in depth study of a selected age level noting physical, cognitive and psychosocial specifics.  This can include infancy, preschool children, adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, late adulthood, or a terminally ill individual. You must be granted permission from the parent(s) or individual(s) observed.

            g).        Visit a Nursing Home, carefully noting such things as staffing, cleanliness, physical care of residents, psychological support provided to residents, etc.  Residents should be studied relative to physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual characteristics and how those various developmental needs are, or are not, being addressed and met.

            h).       Argue for and against Euthanasia—both active and passive forms and how this relates to your concept of morality and spirituality.

            i).         Attend a funeral. Record the reactions of the bereaved, the way the funeral is conducted, your personal reactions to the funeral, and your feelings toward those who have been bereaved.

            j).         Any other project that interests you. This must be pre-approved.

Grades:

 

Assignment of final grades will be based on the total number of points earned from the requirements listed. The following scale will be used to determine the final grade for the course:

 

900-1000 = A                                    700-799 = C

800-899 = B                          600-699 = D

 

Angel

 

Angel will be the primary vehicle used to provide information, exams, submission of your project, and scores. Exams are to be scheduled through the Department of Extended Learning and taken on Angel. Scores earned toward the exams, project, study guide, and final grade will be posted there.  I will make every effort to report your scores within a two-day period after receiving them. It would be helpful to me for you to inform me that you have posted your paper by emailing me at rbrewer@sbuniv.edu so I will know to check your course.

 

It is hoped that you will find the resources on Angel to be helpful, challenging, and that they will enhance your learning experience.  There is a course survey that you will be completing after the completion of the course. Please provide candid feedback as to what you like about the course, dislike about the course, and specific suggestions for improvement should you have any. Your responses will be invaluable to the continual development and enhancement of this course. 

 

Again, welcome to this course

 Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have questions or concerns. (Email: rbrewer@sbuniv.edu. Phone: (417-328-1726).

 

Some of the material is difficult. Plan to spend a good deal of time on those sections. Remember, there is no substitute for careful reading. Use the study guide to assist you in your study. Resist the temptation to use the study guide, outlines, and PowerPoints as substitutes for reading the textbook. Also, resist the temptation to look up answers in the study guide. Rather, spend time working to discover the answers on your own. That will insure greater learning, greater retention, and greater performance on the exams.

 

Updated 10-10-08