Ψ Syllabus
Lifespan Growth & Development
PSYC 2314
Cisco College - 2018
Professor: Robert C. Gates
Use e-mail. - rcgates@rcgates.com
Web Page: www.rcgates.com
Psychology 2314: Lifespan Growth & Development
Course Description: Life-Span Growth and Development is a study of social, emotional, cognitive and physical
factors and influences of a developing human from conception to death. Three lecture hours per week.
Credit: 3 Semester Hours
Prerequisite: Required: College level ready in Reading. Transferability: Yes
Course Structure: This course will meet for 1.5 hours twice a week ( days ) or for 3 hours once a week for 16
weeks in a standard semester.
Required Textbooks and Materials: The Developing Person Throughout the Life Span, Berger, 9th or 10th edition
Recommended Optional Materials & Library Resources: Internet search for current concepts
Purpose & Goal of the course as related to the College Mission: To offer a transferable comprehensive course in the
social sciences which helps the student to form the basis of an understanding of individual human behavior.
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Describe the stages of the developing person at different periods of the life span from birth to death.
Discuss the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that affect the development process of the individual.
Identify factors of responsible personal behavior with regard to issues such as sexual activity, substance abuse,
marriage and parenting.
Explain the biosocial, cognitive and psychological influences throughout the lifespan as an ongoing set of processes,
involving both continuity and change.
Describe the different developmental perspectives of the major theories of development (i.e. cognitive, learning,
humanistic and psychodynamic).
Identify examples of some of the cultural and ethnic differences that influence development throughout the lifespan.
Discuss the various causes or reasons for disturbances in the developmental process.
Core Objectives:
Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and
visual communication
Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting
in informed conclusions
Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared
purpose or goal
Personal Responsibility - to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making
Social Responsibility - to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage
effectively in regional, national, and global communities
Methods of Assessment / Grading Policy
New Average of unit tests(4) - 60%
Unit test format: multiple choice - Time limit: 30 minutes
Student Project - 20%
New Final exam - 20% - All tests must be completed before a student can take the final.
Doing the self testing on the instructors web site is an integral part of this course! Always take the self tests
provided for you, it will enhance your chance of doing well on course tests.
Major Units of Study:
Beginnings, Theories of Development, Heredity & Environment, Prenatal & Birth, Biosocial Development, Cognitive
Development, Psychosocial Development, Death & Dying.
Student Conduct, Notices and College Policies Students are expected to follow all classroom policies listed in the
course syllabus. College-wide policies can be found in the College Catalog and the Student Handbook. Inappropriate
behavior in the classroom shall result, at a minimum, in a request to leave class. The Student Handbook contains a list
of specific prohibitions. (Faculty may add reference to program handbooks.)
Policies
Course Content College-level courses may include controversial, sensitive, and/or adult material. Students are
expected to have the readiness for college-level rigor and content.
Academic Integrity It is the intent of Cisco College to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of
integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work they have not honestly performed is regarded
by the faculty and administration as a serious offense and subjects the offender to disciplinary action. The Student
Handbook contains a list of academic integrity definitions and violations.
Cross-Listed Course Sections For reasons of pedagogy and course management, this course may be cross-listed
with one or more other course sections on Canvas. Cross-listed course sections may interact. (Applicable to
cross-listed sections of any format.
Changes to the Syllabus The schedule and procedures in this syllabus are subject to change if deemed appropriate
by the instructor.
Students with Special Needs Students who qualify for specific accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) should notify the instructor the first week of class. It is the students responsibility to provide the necessary
documentation to the Special Populations Coordinator.
Title IX Harassment of any nature occurring on the premises of Cisco College will not be tolerated. Should a student be
subjected to any form of harassment, the matter may be reported to the Title IX Director (254-442-5022 or 325-794-4439),
Dean of Students (254-442-5173), Provost (325-994-4401) or any counselor.
HB 1508 For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could
keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please
speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation
letter from the applicable licensing agency. (Applicable to courses in programs that lead to state licensing.)
Attendance Policy
Prompt & regular class attendance is considered necessary for satisfactory work. See College Catalog for full class
attendance policy.
Ψ IF you leave class without prior permission while it is in session, you will receive an unexcused absence!
Late Work/Extra Credit Policy
If a student has an absence on a test day, the student will make up the test before the next test is given or receive a zero
for that test grade. No makeups will be allowed during final test week! Make up tests will be taken in the classroom, by
appointment only! A Doctors written excuse for the class day of the scheduled exam must be presented in order to
take the make-up test.
Note: Makeup tests may be alternate versions of the test given to the class.
There is not, nor will there be made any provision for re-tests in this class.
There is not, nor will there be made any provision for extra credit work in this class.
Student Technology Use in Classroom Use of communication devices is prohibited during class. Exception to this policy
may occur due to college-wide emergency notification or at the discretion of the instructor. In order to protect the privacy
of other students and to encourage open discussion, covert digital recording is prohibited in the classroom. Students are
expected to follow the Student IT Policy as stated in the Student Handbook
Student Help & Resources Students are encouraged to utilize the Canvas and online learning resources provided on the
Distance Education webpage and the Student Resources provided on Canvas. Students may contact canvashelp@cisco.edu
or call 325-794-4480 for Canvas assistance, or email helpdesk@students.cisco.edu for assistance with college computers,
software and email.