Course Description
This course examines human growth and development across the lifespan, from conception through late adulthood. Students explore patterns of age-related change in the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional domains and examine how biological, environmental, cultural, and social influences interact to shape development. The course emphasizes major developmental theories, contemporary research findings, and methods used to study developmental change. Students will consider historical and contemporary perspectives on key issues in developmental psychology, including stability and change, continuity and discontinuity, individual differences, and the relative influence of nature and nurture. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- PSY 101: Psychology
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Apply, analyze, and evaluate developmental psychology theories and perspectives to understand physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development across the lifespan.
- Apply developmental psychology concepts and scientific reasoning to analyze real-world issues and distinguish between scientific findings and unsupported claims.
- Communicate developmental psychology concepts through clear, organized, and evidence-based written communication.
- Synthesize information from developmental psychology research, primary sources, and secondary sources to support conclusions about human development.
- Analyze and explain developmental phenomena using psychological theories, research findings, and empirical evidence.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1 - 8) | 20% |
Stages of Development Assignments (Weeks 2, 4, 6) | 20% |
Journal Assignments (Weeks 3, 5, 7) | 15% |
Assignments (Weeks 5, 6, 8) | 15% |
Cumulative Project (Week 8) | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Santrock, J.W. (2022). Essentials of Life-Span Development. 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Additional Resources
- Supplemental readings may be distributed by the instructor.
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1-5 | Topics: Conception and Infancy - Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 1-4
- Review Video: Child’s development from fertilization to birth
- Review Video: Experiences Build Brain Architecture
| - Read assigned chapters
- Review assigned videos
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 1 – Cumulative Project: ‘The Story of My Life’ assignment
|
2 | 1-5 | Topics: Early Childhood
- Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 5 and 6
- Review Video: Molly Wright: How Every Child Can Thrive by Five
- Review Video: How Children and Adults Can Build Core Capabilities for Life
| - Read assigned chapters
- Review assigned videos
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 2 – Stages of Development - Assignment 1
|
3 | 1-5 | Topic: Middle and Late Childhood - Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 7 and 8
- Read Article: Bullying in Children: Impact on Child Health
- Review Lyrics to the “Supertramp” song
- Review Video: The Workings of the Adolescent Brain
| - Read assigned chapters and materials
- Review assigned video
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 3 – Journal 1 assignment
|
4 | 1-4 | Topic: Adolescence - Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 9 and 10
- Review Video: Growth and Development of Adolescents, Young Adults, Middle Adults, and Mature Adults
- Review Video: James Marcia's Adolescent Identity Development
| - Read assigned chapters
- Review assigned videos
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 4 – Stages of Development - Assignment 2
- Begin work on the Week 6 – Visualizing Developmental Changes assignment
|
5 | 1-5 | Topic: Early Adulthood - Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 11 and 12
- Review Website: Lyrics for "100 Years" - Google Search
- Review Report: The landscape of marriage and cohabitation in the U.S.
- Review Video: Brain Development and Maturation in Young Adults
| - Read assigned chapters and materials
- Review assigned video
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 5 – Analyzing ‘100 Years’ by Five for Fighting assignment
- Submit the Week 5 – Journal 2 assignment
- Continue work on the Week 6 – Visualizing Developmental Changes assignment
|
6 | 1-5 | Topics: Middle Adulthood
- Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 13 and 14
- Read Article: Empty Nesting: The Upsides, Downsides and Tips for a Fresh Chapter Mindset
- Read Article: Help Guide to having a Midlife Crisis Help Guide to having a Midlife Crisis
- Review Video: Managing Empty Next Syndrome wit Dr. Gail Saltz
- Review Video: Dealing with 'Empty Nester Syndrome' as the Kids go off to School
| - Read assigned chapters and materials
- Review assigned videos
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 6 – Visualizing Developmental Changes assignment
|
7 | 1-5 | Topic: Late Adulthood - Read and Review:
- Read Chapters 15 and 16
- Review Video: The Formula for Successful Aging | Gary Small | TEDxUCLA
- Review Video: 7 Years Old - By: Lukas Graham (LYRICS)
- Review Video: Lukas Graham - 7 Years [Official Music Video]
| - Read assigned chapters
- Review assigned videos
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 7 – Stages of Development – Assignment 3
- Submit the Week 7 – Journal 3 assignment
|
8 | 1-5 | Topic: Death, Dying and Grieving - Read and Review:
- Read Chapter 17
- Review Video: Dying for Beginners | Dr Kathryn Mannix
- Review Video: What Happens As We Die? | Kathryn Mannix | TED
- Review Video: Disenfranchised Grief with Dr. Ken Doka
- Review Video: Palliative Care and Hospice Care: What is the difference?
| - Read assigned chapter
- Review assigned videos
- Review the Lecture materials
- Participate in the Discussions
- Submit the Week 8 – Cumulative Project: ‘The Story of My Life’ assignment
- Submit the Week 8 – Exploring Death, Dying, and Grieving assignment
- Complete Course Evaluation
|
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.
