Syllabus
PSYC 348
Maturity and Age
by
Dr. David O. Robbins
Office: Phillips 52B
Phone: 3800-1
REQUIRED TEXT: Adult Development and Aging, 4th Edition (2002) by Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
As a society we are aging rapidly, the number of elderly is increasing dramatically, they are living longer, and they are often displaced from their primary care givers, their relatives. The political, social, and economic consequences of an aging society are significant not only to the society but also to individuals experiencing enhanced longevity. Evidence gathered from numerous studies demonstrates a widespread ignorance both within the lay and professional population about the aging process. This course is intended to dispel many of the myths about what hopefully we will all experience and enjoy, our own aging. Aging will be addressed from a physical, psychological, economical and social perspective as well as from a theoretical point of view.
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Chapter
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Reading
Assignment
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Exam
Date
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Chapter 1
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Studying Adult Development and Aging |
[Date]
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Chapter 2
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Physical Changes |
[Date]
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Chapter 3
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Longevity, Health, and Functioning |
[Date]
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Chapter 6
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Attention and Perceptual Processing |
[Date]
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Chapter 7
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Memory |
[Date]
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Chapter 8
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Intelligence |
[Date]
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Exam #1
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Chapters 1-3, 6, 8 |
[Date]
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Chapter 10
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Personality |
[Date]
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Chapter 11
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Relationships |
[Date]
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Chapter 12
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Work, Leisure, and Retirement |
[Date]
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Chapter 5
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Person - Environment Interactions and Optimal Aging |
[Date]
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Chapter 4
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Clinical Assesment, Mental Health, and Mental Disorders |
[Date]
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Chapter 13
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Dying and Breavement |
[Date]
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Final Exam
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Comprehensive Chapters 1-8, 10-13 |
Exam Week
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CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis and to contribute to class discussions. Unexcused absences will be viewed as a sign of little interest and involvement in the course and could adversely affect grade decisions. Optional help sessions will be announced in class and all students experiencing difficulties or wishing additional instruction are strongly encouraged to attend.
EXAMINATION POLICY:
All examinations must be taken on the date and time scheduled. Students who miss a scheduled examination because of illness or other unavoidable cause MUST NOTIFY the instructor PRIOR to the time and date of the examination. Students who have an excused absence must be prepared to take a written or oral makeup examination on the next scheduled class period. A later makeup exam will be given only in cases of prolonged, documented illness. Another exam on the same date, lack of preparedness, or nonacademic conflicts do NOT constitute a defensible reason for postponement of an examination. If a student does have an outside commitment which conflicts with the scheduled examination he/she may petition for the exam to be given PRIOR to the normally scheduled time.
COMPUTATION OF FINAL GRADE:
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Exam
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20 %
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Final Exam
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20 %
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Elective Assignments
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40 %
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100 %
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ELECTIVE ASSIGNMENTS:
Any two of the following four elective assignments may be completed. The first elective assignment is due on November 10th and the second is due on November 27th.
Option #1 Video Tape Previews
Satisfactory completion worth a total of 20% of final grade
Six videotapes for your viewing are available in the A/V room of the library. You are to view each of them and summarize their contents on the forms provided. Each video review will be graded (marked with a Ö +, Ö, or Ö- ). A Ö + will be computed as a 100%, a Ö as an 80%, or Ö- as a 60% for that assignment. Please view each tape at the time we are studying their content area and turn them in on the forms provided. The names of the tapes and appropriate viewing times are:
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Seasons of Life: Middle and Late Adulthood
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The Mind - Biological Basis of Aging
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Can’t Afford Growing Old
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The Tarnished Years
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Maintaining Youth
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Discovering Psychology Aging
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Option #2 Term Paper
Satisfactory completion worth a total of 20% of final grade
The typewritten paper (5-7 pages) may cover any area of gerontology including the social, political, psychological, medical or economical aspects of aging. The instructor prior to the submission deadline, however, must approve topics for the term paper.
Option #3 Research Paper
Satisfactory completion worth a total of 20% of final grade
You might also choose to temporarily take on some of the physical and/or psychological restraints that confront the elderly and from this experience keep a log and develop an introspective approach to a paper. For example, you could try spending a day in a wheel chair, try getting around with auditory or visual impairments, or wearing gloves to inhibit feeling and dexterity of your finger. The instructor prior to the submission deadline, however, must approve nature of the experience.
Option #4 Community Project
Satisfactory completion worth a total of 20% of final grade
The Delaware community is home to over a half dozen nursing homes, a community meals-on-wheels program, a senior citizen center, several low-income senior citizen residential facilities, and a retirement center. In nearby Columbus many other different agencies and facilities exist for the aged. Many of these facilities and agencies welcome visitors as a means for providing companionship for their senior citizens. As an example, The Arbors at Delaware has welcomed pet visits (dog, cat) as an enrichment activity for their patients. Wintersong Village, also a nursing home, is interested in pairing residents with OWU students in order to keep patients socialized and up on world events. Other nursing homes may do the same - most all would welcome visitors to talk or read to their patients. Satisfactory completion of this project includes 6-8 hours of volunteer work plus a 1-2 page paper describing your experiences and verifying your service with a signature from a representative of the organization. Check with instructor regarding this option.