Syllabus
Psychology 244 - Adulthood and Aging
9:30 - 10:55 TTh in AC-230
Instructor - James H. Shaffer
Fall 1998
Required Text - Cavanaugh, John C. (1997). Adult Development and Aging. (3rd ed.). Brooks/Cole.
Course Description - This course is primarily focused upon age-related changes in psychological functioning that occur as a result of primary aging. Information processing, memory, intelligence, personality, and psychological disorders and their treatment will be stressed. Changes in physiology, health, the senses, moral development, relationships, and death and dying will also be examined.
Reading Assignments
Ch. 1 - Studying Adult Development and Aging
Ch. 2 - Diversity in Adulthood
Ch. 3 - Physiological Changes
Ch. 4 - Longevity, Health, and Prevention
Exam #1
Ch. 5 - Information Processing
Ch. 6 - Memory
Ch. 7 - Intelligence
Ch. 8 - Personality And Social Cognition
Exam #2
Ch. 9 - Mental Health and Intervention
Ch. 10 - Relationships
Ch. 11 - Work, Leisure, and Retirement
Ch. 13 - Death and Bereavement
Exam #3
Grading - Your grade will be based upon the percentage of total points in thge course that you acquire: A=90-100; B=80-90; C=70-80; D=60-70; and F=less than 60. Your grade will be based upon three hour exams, two short papers, a family tree exercise, Internet activities, and extra credit.
Hour Exams - 100 points each. Based on four chapters. A combination of objective, definition, and short-answer essay questions.
Papers - 30 points each. Three to five pages and a minimum of three references. The papers should be on topics related to aging effects (e.g., primary or secondary), cohort effects, or time of measurement effects.
Family Tree - 30 points. Trace one side of your mother’s or father’s family for three to five generaltions. This project should include a family tree diagram and a two to three page description of your relatives. Include date of birth and death, education and vocation, martical partner(s), number of children, etc.
Internet Activities - 10 points each with a maximum of 50 points. Topics to be assigned. You should hand in a one-page paper summarizing the information contained in the web site and cite its address.
Extra Credit - As assigned. Will count a maximum of one letter grade.
Relevant Internet Sites
Search engine for ERIC database
Senior News Network Contains magazines and newspapers related to aging
Division 20, Adult Development and Aging, of the American Psychological Association
Selected Internet Resources on Aging and Gerontology
Attendance Policy and Make-Up Policy- You are expected to attend class regularly. While your grade will not automatically be lowered for missing class, you will not be allowed to hand in any assignment that was due on a day that you were not in class (e.g.,
Internet Activites and Extra Credit Opportunities), unless you have a good excuse.. If you are going to miss an exam, you must notify me in advance in order to arrange for a make up. Good excuses include family obligations and representing Thiel College.
Cheating Policy - Cheating is well defined in the College Catalog and sanctions are specified in the Student Handbook. Cheating includes copying homework, using unauthorized sources during quizzes and exams, copying or accepting answers from classmates, and plagiarizing on writing assignments.
Office Hours - My office is AC-257 (next to the elevator). Scheduled office hours are 10:00-11:50 MWF and 1:00-1:50 TTh. If these times are inconvenient, you can also schedule an appointment at a mutually convenient time.