Attendance
This is an online course with no formal meeting schedule. No attendance will be taken. However, this course is not self-paced and students are expected to consistently participate in order to maximize their ability to learn the content. In general, the course follows a weekly format and modules are opened at the beginning of the week, similar to an in-person course.
Chapter Quizzes 50 points (10 Quizzes x 5 points each)
After completing a chapter, students will be assigned a brief reading quiz. The reading quiz is a low-stakes activity that will assess students’ understanding of material. There are 11 quizzes scheduled, therefore, the lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Discussion Board Assignment 20 points
There will be discussion board activities frequently throughout the course. The topics will vary depending on the content in the course. Specific instructions will be posted within each discussion board. When assigned, be sure to complete the discussion board activity by the deadline.
Exams 150 points (50 points for each of 3 exams)
There will be 3 exams during the semester. These exams are all available online and students must complete the exam by the deadline. The exam will be open for approximately one week, students must take the exam within this timeline. No late exams are offered. Exams are timed; students must complete the exam in one session; be sure to take the exam during a time you will not face interruptions. Students must complete exams independently. Students who provide information about exam material, or receive information about exam material, will be subject to procedures outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy (SUU 6.33). Students with disabilities who are eligible for accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor to make arrangements.
Observation, Reflection, and Media Papers 60 points Total
● Observation Paper (20 points): Following ethical guidelines, you will observe a child in a public space and describe a developmental concept we’ve learned about. You will clearly describe how your observation fits with something we have learned about. You may also include how there are unanswered questions, or ways a single theory does not fully explain your observation. Information regarding ethical observations and assignment guidelines will be posted on Canvas. Approximately 2-3 pages.
● Reflection Paper (20 points): For this assignment you will reflect on your own adolescence and describe one difference between the cognitive or social functioning you had then compared to now. Relate this to a specific theory or principle we learned about in class. As we will discuss, behavior in adolescence varies widely, so please only use examples from your adolescence you feel comfortable sharing. You do not need to include sensitive information. Sometimes benign examples are the best because they show the subtle (or not so subtle) changes across development. Further information will be posted on Canvas. Approximately 2-3 pages.
● Media Assignment (20 points): For this assignment, you will select an example of how later life is portrayed in the media. This could be based on a character in a movie, t.v. series, etc. The emphasis on this assignment is to describe how this stage of life is portrayed in the media versus what we have learned about this stage of life during class. You could base your media portrayal on one specific character or several examples. Further information will be posted on Canvas. Approximately 2-3 pages.