HDF 100 Human Growth and Development

College of Education and Human Services

Central Michigan University Fall 2014

Instructor: Shannon Sexton

Office: EHS 438

Office Phone: (989) 774-2370

You will need to go through door 404 to get to the hallway with my office.

Email: gouge1sl@cmich.edu

Office Hours: Tuesdays 9:00-1:00

Blackboard: http://blackboard.cmich.edu

Course Description
Required Text Book:
Rathus, Spencer A. (2013). HDEV. 3 Wadsworth Publishers.
Course Objectives:
After completing this course students will be able to:
1. Understand the basic principles of human growth and development
2. Describe the ways in which the family as an institution influences human development as well as how the
individual participates in his or her own development
3. Demonstrate an awareness of the concepts of life-span development from the perspective of theory, research and
current issues
4. Demonstrate an understanding of how cultural context, socioeconomic status and historical setting affect the
course of development.
UP Goals:
This class is also designed to meet University Program goals for the III A Social Sciences Category: The social sciences
are defined as those fields of knowledge and study which explore and examine the social dimension (and where
appropriate the physical environment) of human life. In these studies an attempt is made to understand the behavior of
individuals, groups, and institutions and where possible to establish scientifically- validated propositions. Subgroup A.
These studies involve a focus on the analysis of individual human behavior within society. Studies of such phenomena
such as motivation, personality and perception are included.
(http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/Policy/UP_basic_documents_set.pdf)

Course Evaluation:
Tests/Quizzes
Quizzes: There will be in class quizzes and they will be worth 5 points each.
Missed quizzes will not be able to be made up.

Tests: Two multiple choice tests worth 50 points each will be given during the semester covering in-class
discussions, lectures and videotapes and as well as assigned readings. (100 points total)
Final exam: An essay/multiple choice exam comprised of topics covered since the last exam. (100 points)

Class activities:
In class writing There will be multiple unannounced in class writing opportunities where students will be asked
to respond to a class activity in writing. Missed in class writings will not be able to be made up (Each will be
worth 5 points).
Assignments:
1. Research Report Students are required to read and include a written analysis of a research article. There will be
at least three articles, chosen by the instructor, that you have to choose from and they will be available on
Blackboard. Write a full three page double spaced paper. APA format is required for this paper. More details will
be presented later in class and on Blackboard.
(100 points)
2. Behavioral Modification paper Students will be required to give up a learned behavior (for example; drinking
coffee, caffeine, watching TV, smoking, Face book, etc.) for a period of 72 hours and then write a full three page
double spaced paper summary about their experience. The purpose of this assignment is to help get a better
understanding of the physical, social and emotional difficulties experienced in changing a learned behavior. (50
points)
3. Campus Activity Students are expected to attend one academic focused campus activity that relates to HDF 100
(as detailed in class), write a full three page double spaced paper addressing what was learned from the experience.
(50 points)
4. Preschool Observation- Students are required to visit and observe in the CDLL. During the observation each
student will then complete an observation checklist and then write a one page reflection paper to summarize their
experience. More details will be presented later in class and on Blackboard.
(50 points)
5. Discussion board- Students are required to post a response to a discussion board topic posted by the instructor.
Students are also required to reply to a post made by a classmate to extend discussions. (10 points).
6. Participation in a study Student will be given the opportunity to either take part in a study or complete an
alternate assignment for 10 points extra credit..
Writing across the curriculum requirements are met by the following: In class quizzes, reflection questions, online
responses to discussion board questions, behavior modification paper, research report paper, campus activity paper,
reflection papers and essay questions on tests. These various writing components are worth at least 50% of the students
grade.
Grading Scale:
94-100% A
90-93% A87-89% B+
84-86% B
80-83% B77-79% C+

74-76% C
70-73% C67-69% D+
64-66% D
60-63% DLess than 60% E

Grading:
Grades are objectively based on the total points you earn on the required papers, exams, in class activities or
any other assignment given in class. There may be one option for extra credit but that will be it for the
semester. I also look at attendance and participation in class when finalizing grades at the end of the semester.
Course Requirements:
Active class participation: Be prepared to share significant aspects of your readings and experiences in class
discussions. All assigned readings are to be done before class. Students are expected to attend class and to arrive
on time. Dyadic interactions, structured group activities and applied projects will all be used for skill
development and practice. Active class participation also includes checking your e-mail account and
Blackboard on a regular basis. www.blackboard.cmich.edu.

To be fair to students who have submitted assignments in on time, late assignments will be accepted
with a 10% per day deduction including weekends. Anticipate that illness, emergencies, uncooperative
computers, and other unexpected events will happen, so complete work ahead of the due date

Students are expected to attend all classes and are responsible for class work, lecture notes and reading
assignments whether they are present in class or not. Plan to attend class on time. Late arrivals cause a
disruption for fellow students. A student who is arriving late or leaving may be considered absent for
the day.

No cell phones and or texting may be used in class; please turn phones off and store them properly. If
texting or cell phone use is used during an exam no credit will be given for the exam.

Organized, accurate note-taking of lecture and readings is essential to learning and comprehending the
course material. Outlines of notes of each chapter will be available online for you prior to the start of
each class the chapter will be covered. I do not post or give out full copies of notes. If you miss class
and need the notes I would recommend asking a classmate or to use the textbook to see if you can fill in
the note outline that is provided on Blackboard.

E-mail etiquette: All email correspondence with me must be from your c-mich account. Please be sure
to include your first and last name with each email. I attempt to answer emails as quickly as I can but
you may not receive a response for up to 24 hours.

Assignments and papers will not be accepted via email. Assignments and papers will not be accepted
underneath my office door. I do not go to my office each day and your paper could be there for days
without my knowledge. Assignments will also not be accepted during class. All assignments need to
be turned in through Blackboard.

Problems with any of these issues will be noted by the instructor privately.
Repeat offenders will be required to meet with the instructor and will lose points.

Course and University Policies:

Policy on Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is an absolute expectation. Any student that appears to be guilty of
violating academic standards related to cheating or plagiarism will be required to meet with the instructor. Students found
guilty of academic dishonesty will receive a penalty in the course (from E on the assignment to an E for course) and will
be reported to the Office of Student Life. All work completed for this class must be your own original work. Dishonesty
about activities completed, using materials from a previous semester, or inappropriate use of words on papers without
quotation marks or citations are all examples of academic dishonesty. All students are encouraged to read the CMU
Academic Integrity Policy as Appendix II in the CMU Undergraduate Bulletin.

Accommodations:
CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities, or
services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in class activities or meet course requirements
should first register with the Office of Student Disability Services (120 Park Library; telephone: 774.3018;
telecommunications Device for the Deaf: 774.2568) and then contact me as soon as possible. Students with documented
disabilities should talk with me as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term about the accommodations,
emergency medical information, or/and special arrangements in the event of an evacuation. In order to arrange alternative
testing, the student should make the request at least one week in advance of the test.

Tentative Course Schedule

Start of semester
No Class Labor Day
Exam 1 Chapters 1-5
Research Paper
Campus Activity Paper
Exam 2 Chapters 6-11
Preschool Observation Paper
Behavior Modification Paper
No Class Thanksgiving
Last day of class
Final Exam Chapters 12-19

August 25th
September 1st
October 1st
October 8th
October 29th
November 3rd
November 5th
November 26th
November 28th
December 5th
9:00 class exam December 8th 8:00-9:50 am
10:00 class exam December 8th 10:00-11:50 am

Preschool Lab Schedule:

Each student needs to observe in the CDLL on campus during their scheduled time. You have
eight days to choose from during the time frames of 8:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday. The
preschool lab is closed on Friday. Please do not miss your time frame and ask to observe
during a different time frame. There are a lot of students needing to observe and the schedule
needs to be stuck to.
If your last name starts with the letter:
A-H you will observe during the weeks of September 15th September 25th
I-Q you will observe during the weeks of September 29th October 9th
R-Z you will observe during the weeks of October 13th October 23rd