Bethune-Cookman University

School of Social Sciences 

Psychology Department ______________________________________________________

Instructor: Dr. E.W. Moultrie                                                       Tele: (386) –481-2594

Office: Ranslow Hall Rm 3                                                           Email: Moultrie@cookman.edu

Web Site: http://www4.cookman.edu/faculty/moultrie         Office hours: TBA

SPRING 2008

PS 441 Psychology of Aging

Wednesdays

Required Text: Cavanaugh J.C. & Blanchard-Fields, F  (2006) Adult Development & Aging (5^th Ed). New York: Thomson.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course provides a comprehensive examination of the theories, methods, research and intervention in the study of human aging. This includes age-related changes in social, cognitive and emotional functioning.  The course is designed so that you will receive the information through assigned readings, lectures and video presentations. You are responsible for knowing this information. If there any changes in the topics to be covered, an announcement will be made in class.

Prerequisite: PS 230 or its equivalent and at least three upper level psychology courses, a senior in psychology or gerontology or a second semester junior in the mentioned majors.

Course objectives/outcomes :

Upon Completion of this course students will:

• Have learned the about basic facts and research findings, terminology, principles, and theories important in the various areas of aging.
• Have learned about the primary scientific methods used in the study of aging and  the skills needed and used in observing, analyzing and interpreting behavior (critical thinking,  information use)
• Have gained a basic understanding of the interaction between genetic and  environmental influences on human aging. (critical thinking)
• Have gained a basic understanding of cognitive and social changing in the aging process.
• Have gained a basic understanding of family, play, work, and death and dying as they apply to the aging process. (social and personal responsibility, information use)
• Have learned about the current issues and controversies in the psychology of aging. (critical thinking)
• Have developed critical thinking skills, and written and oral communications skills. (critical thinking, information use)

INSTRUCTIONAL  METHODS:

This course will be taught with an emphasis on using the mini-lecture, class discussions , group work, audiovisual presentations and experiential exercises.

COURSE GROUND RULES:

Students are expected to :

• Use respectful and appropriate language
• Be courteous and allow speakers to complete his/her thought (s) before speaking;
• Be respectful of others opinions, even if there is a disagreement
• Be involved in the discussions and activities but not dominating
• Be considerate and sensitive to the feelings and comments of others and treat them as confidential statements not to be shared outside of class
• And above all be respectful to the instructor, visitors and each other. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance:----- All students are required to maintain regular classroom attendance per the university regulations. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class and is taking into consideration for grading.

Participation:----- You are expected to participate in class discussions. You are to keep up with the readings, take notes from the lectures and audiovisual presentations so that you can participate in class discussions. Class participation is taken into consideration for grading .  Our discussions in class will touch upon various sensitive and personal topic so please be considerate and respectful to each other’s perspectives, experiences and feelings.

Textbook/Readings: You are expected to have a copy of the textbook and are required to read ALL assigned readings specified on the course outline. You are responsible for ALL assigned readings, INCLUDING THOSE NOT DISCUSSED IN CLASS. It is your responsibility to keep up and to read the chapters as indicated on the syllabus.

Written Assignments: assignments are due at the beginning of the class period for which they have been assigned. They are to be APA format and typed, 12-point font, double-spaced, using paragraph format. Each assignment should include your name; date; title of assignment; course name, number and section. Please remember that you are required to adhere to the Academic Honesty policy in the university catalog  (2006-2008)  and your student handbook.

• Aging Interview – details in the addendum  
• Group Power Point Presentation  – details in the addendum  
• Death History & Awareness Activity - details in the addendum  
• Article Reviews: You will choose one research journal study on topics of your choice that relate directly to specific issues in the psychology of aging. You will write a minimum 2-full page review that consists of a summary (minimum 1 full pg) and a critique (minimum 1full pg) from peer refereed academic/professional periodical.  The review must be APA format and typed as stated above. You may choose from selected periodicals listed below or other recognized peer reviewed journals. This does not include newspaper articles, magazine articles or book reviews. If you are not sure about the study you selected, please contact the instructor. The review guidelines on posted on my website listed above. These reviews will be graded on 100% scale. Due date is on or before : 3/1/08.          

Tests: ------------Tests are designed to be learning exercises and are based upon assigned readings, video presentations, class assignments and lectures. Five (5) TESTS will be administered during the semester. Each test will be worth 100 pts. The tests may be a combination of multiple choice, true and false, fill-in-the-blank, essay and/or take-home.  Again, remember that you are required to adhere to the Academic Honesty policy in the university catalog  (2006-2008) and your student handbook.

Makeup tests, assignments, etc will be given only for written medical, legal and official university excused absences. If it is an emergency please provide proof otherwise you will not be permitted to makeup tests or assignments.  Please review the university catalog under the heading Academic Regulations.  It is the student's responsibility to notify instructor in writing or email as early as possible that he/she knows that he/she will miss an exam or assignment. This too is in the college catalog. All makeup exams must be taken within one week of the original test date.

Academic Honesty:  Bethune-Cookman University embodies a tradition of learning and scholarship that emphasizes conscientious, scholarly effort and a regard for the intellectual and academic contributions of others. This tradition stands at the foundation of most American institutions of higher education. This means more than just imparting knowledge and ideas but to instill in BCU students a sense of integrity about their academic work. Therefore, please remember that you are required to adhere to the Academic Honesty policy in the college catalog  (2006-2008)  and your student handbook.

Types of Academic Dishonesty fall into 2 major categories:

Cheating:

·         Copying or using cribnotes (a.k.a. cheat sheets) in examinations, homework, lab assignments or written works.

·         Submitting papers done entirely or in part by another person

·         Giving to or getting exam answers from another student

Plagiarism

·         Representation of another person’s words or ideas as your own by  not properly citing them such as the “mosaic” (patchwork of readings and snatches of phrases of others people’s word or ideas)  or the “paraphrase” (where you restate someone else’s analysis or conclusion without proper citations or “padding” a bibliography or references with citation you never read. 

The consequences for the discovery of academic dishonesty is contingent upon the severity and type. It will be forwarded to the Department Chair and Dean of Social Sciences for review. This can include a grade of “F” for the course or dismissal for the college.

Grades: Course grades are calculated as an average of your scores on the tests and written assignments and the final exam. Grading will be per university regulations: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = 0-59.  Your midterm grade will be the average of the tests you have taken up to that point. If you miss a test due to an unexcused absence, you will receive a “0”. If you have an excused absence and miss the makeup, you will receive a “0”. In either case the “0” will be averaged in will all your test grades

Bonus Points: ------ Opportunities to earn bonus points will be announced in class/Web CT and are at the discretion of the instructor. If bonus points are earned, they will be averaged in with your overall grade. You need 5 points to raise your overall average by one point.

THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS, OUTLINE, TOPICS AND TESTS DATES ARE SUBJECT CHANGE DURING THE SEMSTER.--- THESE CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS . ---IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK WITH YOUR STUDY/WORK GROUP MEMBERS FOR CHANGES IN THE CLASS SCHEDULE IF YOU MISS CLASS!! 

COURSE OUTLINE

I will be covering approximately one (1) chapter per class period

Part 1

Course overview

Chapter 1 – Studying Adult Development & Aging - Study Guide

Chapter 2 – Physical Changes -Study Guide

Chapter 3 – Longevity, Health & Functioning - Study Guide

Test 1- Jan 30, 2008

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Part 2

Chapter 4 – Clinical Assessment, Mental Health & Mental Disorders

Chapter 5 – Person-Environment Interactions

Chapter 6 – Attention & Perceptual Processes

Test 2 --- Feb 20, 2008

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Part 3

Chapter 7 – Memory

Chapter 8 – Intelligence

Chapter 9 – Social Cognition

Test 3 --- March 19, 2008

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Part 4

Chapter 10 – Personality

Chapter 11 – Relationships

Chapter 12 – Work, Leisure & Retirement

Test 4 --- April 2, 2008

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Part 5

Chapter 13 – Dying & Bereavement

Chapter 14 – Looking Ahead

Test 5 --- April 16, 2008

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Graduating Senior Final Exam -  April 16, 2008

Final Exam  ---April 23, 2008

If you have access to the Internet you can view this syllabus online at my website listed above. 

If you have any questions about your grades or performance in class please let me know. If you are not doing well in class I will speak to you about it or email you. If you need assistance in understanding the subject matter I will be glad to help you. True I am a Psychologist but I can not read your mind so please let me know if you are having problems with class or how much you enjoy the class.

You will be placed in study/work groups!

 A Brief List of Psychology Journals

Some Useful Psychology Web Sites

http://www.apa.org    (American Psychological Association)

http://www.psychologicalscience.org   (American Psychological Society)

http://www.abpsi.org   (The Association of Black Psychologists)

http://www.psych-central.com             (Psychology Online Resource Central)

http://www.socialpsychology.org/cultural.htm  (Cultural Psychology Links)

http://neuroguide.com/index.html         (Neuropsychology research)

http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/GovPubs/PSYCVIOL.HTM       (Psychoactive Substances & Violence)

http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/index.shtml    (Human Intelligence)