Psychology Department



Psychology Department

Psych 403-Adulthood and Aging

Syllabus Spring Semester 2008

Instructor: Peg Racek Location: BR 363

Office/Phone: BR 360 K; 477-2806 Time: 9:00-10:15 T TH

Website: web.mnstate.edu/racek E-mail: racek@mnstate.edu

Office hours: MWF: 10:30 -11:30, M: 2:30-3:30; TTH: 10:30-11:30; 1:15-3:00; and

T: 8:00-9:00. Other times by appointment.

TEXT:

Cavanaugh, J. C., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2006). Adult Development and Aging (5th ed). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. A publisher website accompanies this book. (address inside the textbook)

Chapters from books (packet for sale at Copies Plus, in Comstock Union)

Berger, K. S. (2005). The Developing Person: Through the Lifespan (6th ed).

New York: Worth

Arnett, Jeffery J. (2002). Readings on Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood.

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

Arnett, Jeffery J. (2007). Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach, (3rd Ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

Kirasic, K., C. (2004). Midlife in Context. New York: Mcgraw-Hill.

Annual Editions: Bereavement (AE)

“Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they’re looking for ideas”~ Paula Poundstone

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of adult development. Students will study the nature of adulthood and aging, and the methods used to study the aging processes. Stages of adult development including death and the dying process, along with theories that seek to explain these stages, will be studied.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To gain an understanding of stages of development in adulthood.

2. To gain an understanding of the aging process.

3. To gain an understanding of the influences of cognitive, biological and social factors on individuals as they age and approach death.

“Thiry-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart” ~ Caryn Leschen

STUDENT EVALUATION:

There will be three exams consisting of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions. Each exam will be non-comprehensive. There will be NO makeup exams. If you need to miss an exam due to a major event that is unavoidable, such as extreme illness, family emergency or death in the family, you must talk to me first, and then put your request in writing. Points will be lost if there is an unexcused delay in taking an exam.

“We turn not older with years, but newer every day.” ~ Emily Dickinson

STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS:

Reflection/journal assignments that relate to specific topics in adulthood will be assigned throughout the semester. When assigned, these will be posted on racek website: web.mnstate.edu/racek.

Students will be required to conduct an interview of a person in middle age, as a way to relate information learned in class.

Students will complete a project that relates to material covered in death and dying.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY:

Class: Regular class attendance is recommended, and expected. Participation in class discussion and class activities is expected. Attendance will be taken frequently. It is your responsibility to get notes from others if missing class. Notes and announcements of changes I make will be posted on racek website.

It is important that students read the material before class time to help in participation and class discussion, as reading and discussing concepts will assist with meaningful learning.

Certain topics will be covered in class and in more detail, while other topics will not be discussed in class. Any assigned reading and any material covered in class could be on exams and will be students responsibility.

Respect others by not talking during class, sleeping, or reading of newspapers or other materials. Listen when others are asking questions or making comments in class.

Email and website: I will attempt to respond to email questions within 24 hours, excluding weekends. If there is a more immediate concern, you need to see me directly or call. Due to time constraints in dealing with numerous emails, certain types of messages will not get a response, such as “won’t be in class today”. When missing class, you can talk with me directly the following class period with questions. Questions about many topics such as grades and missing class require more privacy than speaking to me before or after class, so it is better to set up a time to speak with me privately in my office.

Notes and assignment information will be posted on instructor website found at web.mnstate.edu/racek. Any notes that are posted will be available for 1 to 4 days, and then removed. Assignment directions will be posted until date assignment is due. Study guides, if used, may be given out in class or posted for a short period of time on website. Students will need to print any notes or assignment information posted as soon as possible. If problems exist in accessing website material, please see me to make arrangements for printed material.

Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

GRADING:

90-100% of total points = A

80-89% of total points = B

70-79% of total points = C

60-69% of total points = D

less than 60% = F

“Adults are just children who earn money” ~ Kenneth Branagh

This schedule may be subject to change.

Date Topic Read

1/10 Introduction

1/15 Adulthood overview Arnett

1/17 Emerging Adulthood Arnett

1/22 Emerging Adulthood Arnett

1/24 Adulthood Arnett

1/29 Adulthood Arnett; Berger

1/31 Adulthood Berger

2/5 Adulthood Berger

2/7 Adulthood Berger

2/12 EXAM 1

2/14 Middle Adulthood Kirasic

2/19 Middle Adulthood Kirasic

2/21 Middle Adulthood Kirasic

2/26 Middle Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 10

2/28 Middle Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 8

3/3-3/7 SPRING BREAK

3/11 Middle Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 12

3/13 EXAM 2

3/18 Dying and Bereavement Cavanaugh Ch13

3/20 Dying and Bereavement Cavanaugh

3/25 Interview due Dying and Bereavement Cavanaugh

3/27 Dying and Bereavement Cavanaugh

4/1 Dying and Bereavement Annual Editions

4/3 Dying and Bereavement Annual Editions

4/8 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 3

4/10 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 5

4/15 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 9

4/17 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 10

4/22 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 11

4/24 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 11

4/29 Aging/Late Adulthood Cavanaugh Ch 12

5/7 Wednesday @ 9:00 Exam 3 Follows final exam schedule

“Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself” ~ John MacNaughton

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