S199
PSY 306-01
M-W-F
12-12:50 pm
COLLEGE OF MOUNT ST. JOSEPH
Adult Development and Aging
Psy 306-01
Dr. Mary Kay Jordan Fleming
Instructor: Mary Kay Jordan Fleming, Ph.D. (www.msj.edu/fleming)
Office: Classroom 12
Office Hours: Monday 10-12, Wednesday 11-12, Friday 10-12, or by appointment
Phones: office 244-4945, home 331-0991 (3-9 pm only, please)
E-mail: mary_kay_fleming@mail.msj.edu
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of PSY 103 or equivalent.
Required Text: The Journey of Adulthood, 3rd ed., by Helen Bee. 1996. Prentice-Hall.
Course Goals and Objectives
Human development is an exciting and dynamic process that begins at conception and continues until death. In this course, we will examine the second part of the lifespan--adulthood. Adult Development and Aging includes the scientific study of changes in the body, intellect, personality, and relationships. It is my hope that this course will help you to understand yourself and others better. Upon completion of the course, you should be able to:
(1) describe and offer examples of development as an ongoing process involving both continuity and change, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors;
(2) compare and contrast the major approaches to and theories of adult development;
(3) identify major developmental milestones of adult life in the areas of physical functioning, intelligence, cognition, memory, personality, relationships and social roles, work and leisure, and spirituality,
(4) evaluate and interpret research related to development;
(5) examine how knowledge of development can and should contribute to decision-making within the individual, the family, the community, and the health and human service systems;
(6) identify, in autobiographical/biographical writing, the subject's "starting points," significant life events, and life trajectory; and
(7) apply your learning in order to make informed observations about the quality of life and care in various types of senior facilities.
Teaching Methods/Format
Class will feature a variety of methods including lecture, guest presentations, small- and large-group discussions and projects, media, and field trips. Reading assignments, from the text and/or library-reserve materials, will be made for each class period. In order for you to accept responsibility for your own learning and contribute toward others' learning, it is necessary that you read and comprehend assigned readings before coming to class, and that you attend class everyday.
Course Requirements
As mentioned above, daily class participation is important. In addition, there will be a few occasions when there will be a small-group discussion/activity which will include a peer evaluation of participation. Peer evaluations contribute to your Class Participation grade (see below). Class participation helps you realize Course Objectives 1-5.
On 10 or so occasions during the semester, you will be asked to write extemporaneously on a given topic during the first 5 minutes of class. This requirement is an attempt to integrate writing with the study of development, as well as an attempt to discourage procrastination. J Each topic will involve something recently discussed in class or read as a homework assignment. Here are the ground rules:
The text material has been grouped into four units of 3-4 chapters per unit. There will be a 30- to 50-point quiz (multiple-choice and short-answer) covering the readings and discussions on each unit. Each quiz includes one or two bonus (extra-credit) questions. The quizzes address Course Objectives 1-5.
A 30- to 50-pt. Final Exam, while not "comprehensive," will require that you synthesize material about adulthood and aging. It will cover selected, pre-announced topics, and will have primarily short-answer and essay format. The identification of Exam topics ahead of time will allow you to organize your thoughts and prepare your responses. Then during the Exam period, you will write extemporaneously on the assigned topics. The Final Exam addresses Course Objectives 1-5.
This assignment will be described in detail in a subsequent handout. Basically, it involves analyzing and writing about a life -- your own or someone else's -- from a developmental psychology perspective. An informal oral presentation is required at the end of the semester. This assignment is used to assess mastery of Course Objective 6.
Two short trips will be taken this semester. Participation is required. Your observations about the sites (Course Objective 7) will be solicited on the Unit Quiz following each trip.
Make-up Policy
As mentioned above, 5-min. Writings cannot be made up but two can be skipped during the semester without penalty. Hopefully, this allows for the family and transportation emergencies that we all experience on occasion. Written assignments are not accepted late but, in the case of your absence from class, can be faxed to me. Call me for details. Field trips that are missed must be made up individually by private arrangement with the facility. Tests should be missed only for the most serious emergencies. In these cases, you must call me on the day of the test. Every effort will be made to schedule a make-up test (alternate form) at our earliest opportunity. If I do not hear from you on the day of the test, then you must wait until the end of the semester to take a make-up test (without bonus points).
Grading System
Each test and assignment for this course carries some point value; your final course grade is determined by the total number of points you earn. Grades are assigned according to the following scale:
A = 93-100% B=85-92% C=70-84% D=60-69% F<60%
Please recognize that I consider C to represent average performance; As and Bs are awarded for excellent and very good performance, respectively.
4 Unit Quizzes + Final Exam (30-45 pts. each) 180 pts. 60% of grade
Autobiog/Biography (written work = 65 pts.; oral = 10 pts.) 75 pts. 25% of grade
Class Partic'n (total 5' wrtgs = 20 pts.; peer evalns = 25 pts.) 45 pts. 15% of grade
300 pts.100%
Academic Honesty
I support the College policy on academic honesty as outlined on pp. 29-31 of the current Catalog. Read that statement and ask me if you have questions. I reserve the right to invoke any of the Procedures and Restitution Options outlined on p. 31 in cases of academic dishonesty.
Evaluation of Course and Instructor
Yes, you do get to turn the tables. J On two occasions during the semester, I will ask you to write your opinions of readings, lectures, assignments, tests, etc. Your suggestions are appreciated and will be used to improve the quality and relevance of the course. I am open to discussion and change of course requirements at any time -- please feel free to talk with me about them.
Special Learning Needs
If you need any modifications in the classroom environment or in my style of teaching in order to participate more fully, please ask. I am happy to help you.
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Please note: Any part of this syllabus or calendar may be modified at the discretion of the instructor. Changes will be announced and discussed in class.
TENTATIVE CALENDAR
Date Topic / Reading Assignment
M 8-24 Welcome
W 8-26 Defining the Journey: Some Assumptions, Defs., Methods / Chapter 1
F 8-28 Ch. 1 (continued)
M 8-31 The Journey Takes Shape: Starting Points / Ch.2, plus pp. 440-452
W 9-2 Theories of Adult Change or Development / Ch. 3
F 9-4 The Periods or Stages of Adult Life / Ch. 13
M 9-7 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
W 9-9 Ch. 13 (continued)
F 9-11 Quiz 1: Chs. 1, 2, 3, 13
M 9-14 Physical Changes / Ch. 4
W 9-16 Guest Presentation -- Judi Sauerbrey / "The Best of All Stories"
on reserve in library
F 9-18 Changes in Health and Health Habits / Ch. 5
M 9-21 Ch. 5 (cont'd)
W 9-23 Intellectual Changes / Ch. 6
F 9-25 Field Trip #1
M 9-28 Changes in Personality and Motivation / Ch. 10
W 9-30 Quiz 2: Chs. 4, 5, 6, 10 + Field Trip #1
F 10-2 Social Roles in Adulthood / Ch. 7
M 10-5 Panel Discussion of Social Roles
W 10-7 Development of Relationships / Ch. 8, pp. 220-245
F 10-9 Discussion of attachment relationships in adulthood /
"Attachment Style as a Predictor of Adult Romantic Relationships"
on reserve in library
M 10-12 Discussion of "Family Ties" (on reserve in library) and Ch. 8 pp. 245-253
W 10-14 Viewing and discussion of "Your Mythic Journey"
F 10-16 MID-SEMESTER HOLIDAY
M 10-19 Work and Work Roles in Adulthood / Ch. 9
W 10-21 Guest Presentation on career development
F 10-23 Quiz 3: Chs. 7, 8, 9
M 10-26 The Growth of Meaning / Ch. 11
W 10-28 Meaning (cont'd) / "Don't Act Your Age" on reserve in library
F 10-30 Field Trip #2
M 11-2 Dealing With the Stresses of Adult Life / Ch. 12
W 11-4 Ch. 12 (cont'd)
F 11-6 Discussion and debate of Taking Sides, pp. 130-151,
Issue 7: "Does Divorce Create Long-Term Negative Effects for
Children?" on reserve in library
Deadline for submission of rough draft of autobiography (optional)
M 11-9 The Final Stage: Death and Dying / Ch. 14
W 11-11 Pathways Through Adulthood / Ch. 15
F 11-13 Guest Presentation on living arrangements/options for the elderly
Janie Krechting
M 11-16 Ch. 15 (continued)
W 11-18 In-class writing assistance (optional attendance)
F 11-20 Quiz 4: Chs. 11, 12, 14, 15 + Field Trip #2
M 11-23 Autobiography-biography Assignment due
W 11-25 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
F 11-27 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
M 11-30 Presentation of Autobiography/Biography --
Group 1 (1st half of alphabet)
W 12-2 Presentation of Autobiography/Biography --
Group 2 (2nd half of alphabet)
F 12-4 Review session for Final Exam
Tu 12-8 Final Exam (10:30-12:20)