Course Catalog

PSY247E Lifespan Development (3 credits) 9512

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide the student with an overview of the major theories of human growth and development from a physical, cognitive, psychological, social and spiritual perspective, with particular emphasis on adolescence, adulthood and aging.

LEARNING RESULTS
Through study of the textbook, the student will be able to apply knowledge of the major theories and apply them to analyze structured interviews of individuals in a variety of life stages. In addition, the student will interview a senior citizen and apply his or her knowledge of the major theories of development to the writing of the interview.
The learner will be able to:
• Explain and discuss the major theories of emotional and cognitive development and identify which theorists are associated with the theories
• Understand and recognize examples of theories of development in his/her own life and in others' lives through interviewing a senior citizen and writing a brief biography of that individual
• Choose a controversial topic covered in the textbook and be able to write an essay in defense of his or her position on that topic which includes spiritual and theological points of view, and
• Choose an issue within the lifespan category and write a research paper about that issue which incorporates the spiritual and theological viewpoint of the learner

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
Kail, R.V., and Cavanaugh, J.C. Human Development: A Life-Span View, 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2004.

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
This course integrates with Christianity on many levels. Primarily, the study of human beings is viewed from a developmental perspective across the lifespan as evidence that God demonstrates His creativity and care in the intricate ways He has chosen to form us. These intricate ways that we are constructed have implications for how we grow, how we teach, how we learn, how we interact with others

who are at various points across the lifespan, and how we interact with ourselves and with God.
Furthermore, studying aspects of God's creation, particularly His human creation, is an important means to understanding God. Because He has created humans in His image, we have much to learn about God through learning about the one aspect of His creation He clearly states that He created in His image: people. Because of the Fall, however, all aspects of creation have been adversely affected. Human development is one of the aspects of creation that was affected by the Fall; consequently, there are disabilities, disorders, problems in relationships and that are a direct result of living as people made in God's image in a fallen and often very broken world.
An informed understanding of human development across the lifespan may lead to better parenting, teaching, understanding and interacting with others. Improvements in these areas may then, in turn, lead to more healthy children who are free to become productive and responsible members of society and who may relate in healthier ways toward God. It is the hope that these children, who will grow up to be parents, teachers, and have other roles in people's lives, will be better equipped to produce positive fruit in other's lives.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:

Assignment #1 - Exam #1 - 100 points
Assignment #2 - Exam #2 - 100 points
Assignment #3 - Exam #3 - 100 points
Assignment #4 - Essay - 100 points
Assignment #5 - Research Paper - 200 points
Assignment #6 - Biographical Interview Paper - 200 points
There are 6 lessons and 3 examinations for this course.