PSYC 203 H U M A N D E V E L O P M E N T SYLLABUS
Dr. John Harris Office LA 2126 Hours: M,W,F 8:30am – 9:45 Phone 410-704-2401 x2 Email –
jharris@towson .edu
Description & Objectives
This course is a study of the Huma n experience, developmentally spea king, from conception through adva nced age and death. W hile the course
and the text are strong ly influenc ed by and o riented to the Psycho- Social approach (that is they integ rate the influence of biology, psychology an d
environment) the issues and methods discussed will be app licable i n the fields of psychiatry, psycholo gy, clinical social work and teaching.
Our goals will be to gain an understanding of t he human de velopmental process and theory by examining in some deta il the influence and
contributions made by such signific ant theore ticians as Freud, Pia get and Eri ckson. Addit ionally you will be encouraged to consider how this
understanding can positive ly influenc e your thi nking in i t’s applica tion to "Human Service " practice.
Required Reading
Newman, B.M., & Newman, P.R., (2009) . Development Through Life (10 th ed.), Brooks/Cole.
Recommended Reading
Newman, B.M., & Newman, P.R., (2009) . Study Guide to Deve lopment Thr ough LIFE . Brooks/Cole.
Calderoni, Mary, How to Talk to Your Children About Sex.
Karen, Robert, (1994). Becoming Att ached. Oxfo rd Press.
Grading
Your course g rade will be computed based on the average of scores you receive on four (4)exams. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and
short essay questions. A missed exam can be made up ONLY with the instructor’s prior appr oval or docu mentation of extreme circumstan ces and m ay not
be a duplicat e of the in class exam. Als o, attendance , which wi ll be taken on an inte rmittent basis, and classroom participat ion, will be considered in the
event of a marginal or borderline grade. EXTRA credit i s not requir ed but an extra credit project will be accepted later in the co urse. Cou rse grades will
be based on the following scale :
below 60% = Failing, 60 % - 69% = D, 70% - 79% = C, 80% - 89% = B, 90% - 100% = A.
The + (PLUS) & - (MINUS) grade distinc tion will be awarded when a final grade is within 2 pts of the next higher or lower let ter grade. For
example a final average of 88.0 will earn a B+ and an 91. 99 will ea rn an A-.
Attendance
Your attendance in class is essenti al for a successful completion of the co urse. Muc h of the material presented i n lecture will not be found in the
text. You will be respon sible for lecture as well as assigned read ing material and ANY in formation presented in class. I DO NOT PROVIDE CLASS
NOTES. It is your respons ibility to obtain notes and ANY ot her informat ion dispensed in cl ass from a fellow st udent should you miss a class.
Honor System
The course is conducted in accordance with univers ity policy concerning cheating an d plagiarism as stated under the Student Code of Conduct in
The Compass.
Problems
While I s incerely hope you enjoy "Human Developm ent" and learn much, problems do happen. Please feel free to contact me should you need to
discuss some problem or situation that is impairing your progress through the course.
Merit & Demerit Points
Mer it points can be ac cumulated by any student for unusual or excelle nt contributions in class, completion of any extra credit projects, etc .
Deme rit Points will be deducted from a students point total for clas sroom violations such as disrupti ng class by arriving late, conversation with a
fellow student , or ANY behavior that distracts from the lecture or class process.
The use ANY electr onic device such as an Ipod or ce ll phone (including te xt messagin g) in cla ss is STRICKLY PROHIBITED and will result i n
demerits. Computers may be use d for N OTE TAKING ONLY so long as their use does not disturb other students.
NOTE: Any stu dent who accumulates 10 Demerit poi nts will receive a failing grade for the cour se.
