Syllabus for PSY-211



The study of the life span, the subject of  Developmental Psychology intrigues us all. Each of us, and everyone we care about, is constantly developing. We see development in childhood more readily because rapid changes take place in physical size, knowledge, and social interactions. Heightened public awareness of the problems of aging in our contemporary society has led to new information on the processes of growth and change taking place in middle and late adulthood as well. This course includes both scientific discoveries and personal insights.


After completing this course, you should be able to:  

  1. Describe the life span as an ongoing developmental process, or set of processes, involving both continuity and change, by giving examples from the literature, including physical, social, cognitive, and personality development.
  2. Analyze different developmental events from the perspectives of the four major theories of development--cognitive, learning, psychoanalytic, and humanistic--and recognize those theories when used by others to analyze events.
  3. Explain how research contributes to the understanding of development.
  4. Identify important developmental concepts and apply these concepts in various situations.
  5. Formulate relevant questions about developmental processes and events, and use standardized techniques for gathering objective answers to these questions.



Required Textbook

ISBN-13: 978-0-7167-6080-1


Study Guide

ISBN-13: 978-0-7167-6092-4

Additional Resource


Developmental Psychology is a three-credit online course, consisting of eleven (11) modules. Modules include study materials and activities.



Consult the course Calendar for due dates.

Discussion Forums




Written Assignments

You are required to complete six (6) written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.  Each assignment consists of four or five questions dealing with material from the textbook or Study Guide, and you are required to answer two (2) of these questions. Many students find it helpful to read over the assignment questions for a module before beginning the reading for the module.

Please answer the questions you choose as completely as possible. When you use material from your readings, be sure to cite it properly (i.e., using footnotes or endnotes). Do not merely copy answers from your reading materials. Formulate answers in your own words, citing text materials where it strengthens your answer.

Your answers to each question should be in the range of 500-700 words, or the equivalent of one to two typed, double-spaced pages. Be sure to look over your answers carefully before you transmit them. Be sure that you have answered completely all parts of each question. Check your final draft for accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Make sure that all sentences are complete and that your paragraphs are appropriate.


You are required to take two (2) proctored online examinations: a midterm and a final. The midterm covers material from Modules 1–5; the final covers all reading and assignments from Modules 6-11.  Both exams consist of identification and essay questions; are two hours in duration; and require that you use the College's Online Proctor Service (OPS). Please refer to the "Examinations and Proctors" section of the Online Student Handbook (see General Information area of the course Web site) for further information about scheduling and taking online exams and for all exam policies and procedures. You are strongly advised to schedule your exam within the first week of the semester.



Statement about Cheating




Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:































Below 60



First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:




Academic Dishonesty











Examples of Unintentional Plagiarism 

When to Quote and When to Paraphrase

Writing Assistance at Smarthinking

Originality Report Checking at Turnitin


Disciplinary Process

