Tools

HD 101 Section 050: Life Span Human Develpment

Summer 2011

3 Credit Hours
Primary Instructor: Dr. Corrie Harris
Core Designation: Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Prerequisites

From the Student Records System

No prerequisites found.

Course Description

HD 101 is an introductory survey course of the basic principles of development across the life span.  The developmental principles will be studied within the framework of growth and change in the basic domains of the physical, cognitive, and social self.  Upon completion of the course, students should have a better understanding of general developmental principles and their own course of development.

Student Learning Outcomes

Through full participation in class activities and assignments, students will have the opportunity to:

  1. Investigate a broad range of theories which can be useful for helping explain how human beings develop, grow, behave, and change over time;
  2. Develop an understanding of human growth and behavior in the context of culture and family;
  3. Acquire knowledge about the experiences of individuals from backgrounds different from one’s own;
  4. Articulate links among developmental changes occurring sometimes simultaneously within our physical, cognitive, and social selves;
  5. Consider, based on new knowledge and understandings, how to shape one’s own developmental path in positive ways.

Outline of Topics

Course Schedule (subject to change):

 

May 31

Course Introduction, Start Chapter 1—The Study of Human Development

June 1

Finish Chapter 1, Intro Chapter 2—Biological Foundations

June 2

Finish Chapter 2, Intro Chapter 3—Tools for Exploring the World

June 3

Finish Chapter 3, Intro Chapter 4—The Emergence of Thought and Language

June 6

Finish Chapter 4

June 7

Interview assignment due (will discuss these in class) & Quiz 1

June 8

Chapter 5—Entering the Social World

June 9

Chapter 6—Off to School

June 10

Chapter 7—Expanding Social Horizons

June 13

Chapter 8—Rites of Passage

June 14

Developmental Case Study due; Review for mid-term

June 15

Mid-term exam

June 16

Chapter 9—Moving into the Adult Social World

June 17

Chapter 10—Becoming an Adult

June 20

Chapter 11—Being with Others

June 21

Chapter 12—Work & Leisure & Quiz 2

June 22

Chapter 13—Making it in Midlife

June 23

Chapter 14—The Personal Context of Later Life

June 24

Chapter 15—Social Aspects of Later Life

June 27

Chapter 16—The Final Passage

June 28

Wrap-up/Review

June 29

Final Exam (2:00—4:30pm)

 

Exams and Assignments

Tests:  Textbook material and resource material from the text website are both good study aids.  Tests consist of 50 multiple choice items, many of which are application-based.  Therefore, it is to your benefit to study for a deep understanding of concepts vs. strict memorization of terms and definitions.  How does one study for deep understanding?  Here are a few ideas:

  • Try paraphrasing or summarizing the content in your own words
  • Consider studying with classmates, and try “teaching” the content to one another, using your own examples, questions, and applications
  • Focus on connections between ideas; i.e., how is the information best organized?  Why does it make sense to organize it that way?  What do the various pieces of information have in common?  How do they contrast?
  • Use the textbook’s accompanying website for practice tests, etc.
 

Developmental Case Study Paper:

Using yourself as a subject, utilize the knowledge you’ve gained of developmental theories and processes to write a case study of your physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development up to your current life stage (adolescence, early adulthood, middle age, etc.)  Describe your own personality and what cultural and familial aspects have affected who you are today.  Include information about your:

  1. birth and infancy (gathered from parents/relatives)
  2. early childhood (including earliest memories)
  3. type of parenting experienced
  4. early environment size/location of home, family practices, etc.
  5. sibling experiences
  6. best friends & school/peer experiences
  7. puberty experiences, including dating
  8. work experience
  9. particular life crises, if any
  10. personal philosophy of life
 

*Address how your development compares to the information from your text and/or material discussed in class (citing examples of alignment with particular theories and/or the work of scientists who have shaped our understanding of human development.)  Your document should be 3-5 typed, double-spaced pages.  Be sure to proofread your paper for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your paper is well-organized with introductory and conclusion paragraphs and logical flow in between.

 

Interview Homework Assignment:

Interview an older relative or family friend (at least your parents’ age, preferably older.)  Find out information about them such as the origin of their names, their childhood, experiences during the Great Depression and/or other major events in history (this will be different from person to person based on the relative’s age), and relationships with parents, wedding, marriage, early family years, etc.  Be sure to include ALL of the following items regarding your relative:

 
  1. birth and infancy
  2. early childhood (including earliest memories)
  3. type of parenting experienced
  4. early environment size/location of home, family practices, etc.
  5. sibling experiences
  6. best friends & school/peer experiences
  7. adolescence experiences, including dating
  8. work experience
  9. particular life crises, if any
  10. personal philosophy of life
 

Type a 1-2 page double-spaced SYNOPSIS (not a replay of your dialogue) of what you learned in talking with this individual.  Bring to class to discuss and turn in on June 7.

Grading Policy

Grades:  Grades will be derived from the following components:

2 tests (mid-term and final), each worth 25%         50%

Developmental Case Study Paper                            20%

In-Class Assignments & Homework                        10%

Quizzes                                                                            10%

Discussion/Participation                                             10%

Total                                                                               100%

Grades will be determined as follows:

A+ =       97 – 100                                C+ =        77-79                     F = 59 and below

A =          93 – 96                                  C =          73 – 76

A-=         90 – 92                                  C- =        70-72

B+ =        87 – 89                                  D+ =       67 – 69

B =          83 – 86                                  D =          63 - 66

B- =        80 – 82                                  D- =        60 - 62

 
 

Policy on Missed Exams & Coursework

Policy on Late/Make-up Work:  I will only accept late assignments when students are absent from class due to a university recognized excuse (e.g., illness with doctor’s excuse, or travel related to participation in official University-related events.)  I will not accept late assignments or give makeup tests or quizzes to students who do not have officially recognized excuses. **When absences are excused, students should contact the instructor via email within 24 hours of the absence to set up arrangements for a make-up test or submission of missed assignments.  Otherwise, a late penalty will be assessed.

Attendance Policy

Attendance Policy:   Summer classes move quickly; we will cover approximately one chapter per day.  In addition to attending class every day, I expect you to come prepared to discuss the material by keeping up with the reading.  If you accrue no more than 2 unexcused absences, I will add 5 bonus points to your final test grade.

Required Texts

UA Supply Store Textbook Information

  • KAIL / HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
    (Choose One)
  • KAIL (RENTAL) / (RENTAL) HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
    (RENTAL)
  • KAIL / HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ADVANTAGE SERIES (LOOSE-LEAF)
    (Choose One)

Extra Credit Opportunities

Extra Credit Opportunities:  There may be a few opportunities to gain extra credit through participating in campus and/or community events related to course content,  through participation in online discussion boards through e-Learning, or through bonus items on tests or quizzes.  These opportunities will be discussed in more detail in class and/or via email.

Policy on Academic Misconduct

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

Disability Statement

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

Severe Weather Protocol

In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar, sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.

UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.

When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:

  • Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
  • Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED--faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
  • Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
  • Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
  • Weather advisories are broadcast via WUOA/WVUA-TV, which can be viewed across Central Alabama. Also, visit wvuatv.com for up-to-the-minute weather information. A mobile Web site is also available for your convenience.