Instructor:
Dr. E.W. Moultrie
Tele: (386)481-2594
Office:
Cookman Hall 117
Email: Moultrie@cookman.edu
Web
Site: http://www.cookman.edu/faculty/moultrie
Office hours: 11-12noon, 4:30-5:30pm by appointment
 |
Required Text: Belsky, Janet (1999) The Psychology of Aging: Theory, research & interventions (3rd Ed). New York: Brooks/Cole.
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,
Course goals and objectives :
Students are expected meet the following in this course:
 | Learn and gain mastery over the basic facts and research findings, terminology, principles, and theories important in the various areas of aging. |
| Demonstrate knowledge of 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) |
| Demonstrate a basic understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental influences on human aging. (critical thinking) |
| Demonstrate a basic understanding of cognitive and social changing in the aging process. |
| Gain a basic understanding of family, play, work, and death and dying as they apply to the aging process. (social and personal responsibility, information use) |
| Analyze current issues and controversies in the psychology of aging. (critical thinking) |
| Practice and develop critical thinking skills, and written and oral communications skills. (critical thinking, information use) |
TEACHING STRATEGIES:
This course will be taught with an emphasis on using the lecture. There will also be class discussions, audiovisual presentations and experiential exercises.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance:----- All students are required to maintain regular classroom attendance per the college regulations. In addition, students missing, 2 consecutive classes before midterm or more than 10% of the total number of classes by March 16, 2005 will be dropped from the course. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class and is taking into consideration for bonus points.
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 in grading for bonus points. Our discussions will touch upon various sensitive and personal topic so please be considerate and respectful to each others 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 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 college catalog (2004-2006) and your student handbook.
| Aging Interview details TBA in class |
| Group Presentation on a topic Psychology of Aging details TBA in class |
| Article Reviews: You will choose two research journal studies on topics of your choice that relate directly to specific issues in the psychology of aging. You will write a minimum 2-page review that consists of a summary (minimum 1 pg) and a critique (minimum 1 pg) from an academic/professional periodical. Both reviews must be typed as stated above. You may choose from any of the 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. I will provide you with a Review Guideline. These reviews will be graded on 100% scale. Due dates are as follows: Review One 2/15/05, Review Two 4/5/05. |
Tests: ------------Tests are designed to be learning exercises and are based upon assigned readings, video presentations, class assignments and lectures. Six (6) TESTS, and a FINAL EXAM 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 college catalog (2004-2006) and your student handbook.
Makeup tests, assignments, etc will be given only for written medical, legal and official college excused absences. If it is an emergency please provide proof otherwise you will not be permitted to makeup tests or assignments. Please review the college catalog under the heading Academic Regulations. The makeup test must be taken no later than the next class period from the original test date. 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.
The final examination is cumulative (covers all semester material) and
worth a total of 100 pts.
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. If your average is
an A grade for all tests excluding bonus points, you do not have to take
the Final Exam.
Bonus Points: ------ Opportunities to earn bonus points will be announced in class 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 AND POSTED ON MY
WEB SITE. ---IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK FOR CHANGES IN THE CLASS
SCHEDULE IF YOU MISS CLASS!!
COURSE
OUTLINE
Part
1: The Framework
Course overview
Chapter 1 The People and The Field
************************************************************************
Part
2: The Physical Dimension
Chapter
3 Normal Aging and Disease Prevention
Chapter
4 Sensory and Motor Functioning
Test 2 --- Feb 15, 2005 **********************************************************************
Part
3: The Cognitive Dimension
Chapter
6 Intelligence
Chapter
7 Memory and Dementia
Test 3 --- March 15, 2005 ***********************************************************************
Part 4: The Emotional Dimension
Chapter
8 Personality
Chapter
9 - Psychopathology
Test 4 --- March 29, 2005 *************************************************************************
Part
5: The Social Dimension
Chapter
10 The Older Family
Chapter
11 Life Transitions: Retirement and Widowhood
Test 5 --- April 12, 2005 ***********************************************************************
Part
6: Conclusions
Chapter
12 Death and Dying
Final Exam ---April 26, 2005
If
you have access to the Internet you can view this syllabus online at my web site
listed above or just go the Bethune-Cookman College web site look for faculty
pages locate my name and click it on.
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. 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.
I STRONGLY URGE YOU
TO STUDY IN GROUPS OR WITH A PARTNER!!!
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)
http://www.thebody.com
(the Body An Aids and HIV Information Resource)