Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

PSY 1100 Lifespan Development (Online)

PSY 1100-30I

Course: PSY 1100-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 32979

Course Description

Lifespan Development is concerned with the biosocial, cognitive/emotional, and psychosocial development of individuals across the lifespan. The course begins examination of human life with conception and continues to examine interactive influences until death. This course focuses on theory, research, and application. Please note that this course is extremely similar to FLHD 1500. It is not recommended that students take both FLHD 1500 and PSY 1100. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Required Texts

Belsky, Janet (2019) Experiencing the Lifespan, 5th edition. Worth Publishers

Learning Outcomes

1. Critical thinking – By the end of the semester you will learn how to apply basic critical thinking skills to developmental psychology, specifically in evaluating theories related to human development.
2. Integrative Learning – By the end of the semester you will be able to make connections between what you are learning in the classroom and how this knowledge can be applied in the real world.  
3. Communication – Through discussions and writing assignments, students will practice expressing their opinions and ideas in a professional, constructive manner. 

Course Requirements

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. 

Course Outline

 | TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES   (Subject to change with advance notice)
| Week | Date Module Opens | Chapter | Topic | Module Assignment (Due dates posted on Canvas)
| 1 | 8/27 | Chapter 1 Chapter 2 pgs. 43-65 | Intro and Syllabus The People and the Field, Prenatal Development | Syllabus Quiz Discussion Board 
| 2 | 9/1 | Chapter 3   | Infancy and Toddlerhood | Chapter Quiz 
| 3 | 9/8 | Chapter 4   | Infancy and Toddlerhood | Chapter Quiz Discussion Board
 | 4 | 9/15 | Chapter 5   | Early Childhood | Chapter Quiz Child Observation Paper
 | 5 | 9/22 | Exam #1:  Chapters 3, 4, 5. Exam will close on 9/27 at 11:59pm 
| 6 | 9/29 | Chapter 6   | Middle Childhood | Chapter Quiz 
| 7 | 10/6 | Chapter 8   | Adolescence | Chapter Quiz Discussion Board
| 8 | 10/13 | Chapter 9   | Adolescence | Chapter Quiz Adolescent Reflection Paper
| 9 | 10/20 | Chapter 10   | Early and Middle Adulthood | Chapter Quiz 
| 10 | 10/27 | Exam #2: Chapters 6, 8, 9, 10. Exam will close on 11/1 at 11:59pm
| 11 | 11/3 |  Chapter 11   | Early and Middle Adulthood | Chapter Quiz
| 12 | 11/10 | Chapter 12   | Early and Middle Adulthood | Chapter Quiz Discussion Board
| 13 | 11/17 | Chapter 13 | Later Life   | Chapter Quiz
|   | 11/24 | Thanksgiving Break
| 14 | 12/1 | Chapter 14  | Later Life | Chapter Quiz Media Portrayal Assignment
| 15 | 12/8 | Final Exam: Exam #3: Chapters 11-14   Exam will close on 12/10 @ 11:59pm

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late assignment submission is not accepted unless there is an SUU approved absence.

Attendance Policy

This is an asynchronous online course and attendance is not taken. Active participation is expected as assignments are open and closed throughout the semester as outlined on Canvas. 

Course Fees

There are no separate course fees.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.