Developmental Psychology                                                             Instructor:  Donette Steele, M.A.

Fall 2009                                                                                          Phone: (562) 856-8122

                                                                                                         Email: donette.steele@verizon.net

REQUIRED TEXT:  Experiencing the Lifespan by Janet Belsky

RECOMMENDED TEXT: Study Guide for Experiencing the Lifespan by Janet Belsky

ASSIGNMENTS                    TOPICS                    MEETING DATES

Chapter 1                     The People and the Field         Aug. 18 & 20

Chapter 2                      Prenatal Development             Aug.  25 & 27   

Chapter 3              Infancy: Physical and Cognitive Dev.      Sept.  1 & 3

Exam 1                         Chapters 1, 2 & 3                         Sept.  8

Chapter 4                   Infancy:  Socioemotional  Dev.          Sept.  10 & 15

Chapter 5                 Childhood: Physical and Cognitive       Sept  17 & 22   

Chapter 6                  Childhood: Socioemotional Dev.         Sept.  24 & 29

Chapter  7                 Settings for Development                   Oct.  1 & 6

Exam 2                    Chapters 5, 6 & 7                              Oct.  8

Chapter  8                 Physical Development                       Oct.  13 & 15

Chapter 9         Adolescence: Cognitive and Socioemotional     Oct. 20 & 22

Chapter 10             Constructing an Adult Life                      Oct. 27 & 29

Exam 3                      Chapters  8, 9, & 10                          Nov. 3

Chapter 11              Relationships and Roles                        Nov.  5 & 10

Chapter 12                   Midlife                                             Nov.  12 & 17

Exam 4                      Chapters  11 & 12                              Nov. 19    

Chapter 13                 Later Life                                          Nov. 24 & Dec. 1

Chapter 14                Physical Challenges           Dec.  3, 8 & 10                      

Final                         Chapter 13 & 14                                 To Be Announced  

COMMUNICATION/OFFICE HOURS:  I will be available by appointment.  I may also be reached at (562) 856-8122.  I do not use the Cerritos Voice Mail or Email system, contact me at the above phone number or at donette.steele@verizon.net.  I will not receive any communications outside of the two listed.  Leave a return phone number if you call me and the best times to reach you.  The best way to reach me is by email.  I return email promptly. Do not call the Social Science Department with messages for me.  The department does not accept messages.  Do not call or leave me a message if you miss a class, or to tell me you will not be in class, this is your responsibility and not mine.  Do not call me and ask me what the assignments are, the assignments are announced in class.  Pair up with another student and exchange phone numbers and/or email addresses and work with them to exchange needed information.  Do not ask me, if you miss a class, if you missed anything important, as it is all IMPORTANT!  Note: I do not return calls to students whose phones block private numbers.

EXAMS :   You will be taking five multiple choice exams.  All materials are subject to inclusion in the exam.  This includes the text, lectures, films and readings (if assigned).  You will be able to drop your lowest exam score. 

FIRST EXAM:  On the back of your Scantron for the first exam you must list three other students, their phone number, and their email addresses.  Failure to do this will lower your first exam score by 25%.  These will be your contacts for the class, use them.

MISSED EXAMS:  There are no make-up exams.  Do not ask me as the answer is no.  You are able to drop your lowest exam score.  If you miss an exam, that exam will be a zero (0) and will be dropped as your lowest exam score.  If you miss more than one exam it will seriously impact the possibility of successfully completing the course.  

EXTRA CREDIT:  Each exam will have extra credit writing assignments and will enable you to increase your exam scores should you decide to complete them.  Extra credit assignments will be announced in class.   Extra credit needs to be turned in with your Scantron at the end of the exam.  No late extra credit is accepted.  Do not ask if you can turn it in late as the answer is no.  Do not ask me at the end of the semester if there is any extra credit or assignment you can do in order to pass the class.  The answer is no.  If you do not have a passing grade in the class you do not have the basic knowledge of the subject necessary to pass the course.

SEMESTER GRADE:  You semester grade will be based on your four highest exam score.  Each exam will count 25% towards your semester grade.  Letter Grades are based on the following: 90+ = A, 80+ = B, 70+ = C, 60+ = D,  Below 60% = F. 

CELL PHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY: Cell Phones should be turned off or set to vibrate mode in class.  Texting is not allowed in class.   If you text during class I will ask you to leave the class at that time. If you text while taking an exam I will assign you the score of zero (0) on the exam.  Electronic devices  of any kind  are not  allowed  to be used  in an exam.  Electronic dictionaries are not allowed in an exam.   If you don’t understand a term in a question or don’t understand the question you are allowed to speak with me and I will attempt to help you to understand the question.  Do not ask another student for information during an exam.  If you speak during an exam I will assign you a score of zero (0) on the exam.  If you do not cover your exam with your Scantron (except for the answer you are working on) I will pick up your exam and assign you the score of (0) on the exam. 

ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is mandatory according to academic policy.  If you miss more than 20% of the course meetings the Instructor may drop you or lower your semester grade.  If you are late to class, enter through the back door.  Do not walk in front of the Instructor during lecture.  Keep disruption to a minimum.    If role has been taken and you are not present you must (hand write) the Instructor, your name, class and the reason for being late or you will be counted as absent.  The Instructor monitors and tracks absences and late students and this may lower your semester grade.

DROPPING THE COURSE:  The Instructor will only drop students not attending the first day of class.  If you should decide to drop the course you will need to complete the paperwork necessary to withdraw.

The Instructor will assign you the grade of F (Failing) if you do not officially withdraw from the course.  This is the student’s responsibility.  If your name is on the computerized grade sheet at the end of the semester the Instructor is not allowed to assign a W (Withdraw) and must assign a letter grade.