Faculty Syllabus

Course requirements for this 8-week Hybrid Course

1. Attend the in-class meetings on RRC, and complete asynchronous online portion of the course through Blackboard.
2. Have access to appropriate technology/internet access to facilitate participation in this course. If needed, utilize a local ACC campus for technology/internet access.
3. Complete online homework/assignments, as assigned. (No late work)
4. Read the textbook that follows the course schedule, watch assigned videos within each chapter, and complete the weekly comprehensive chapter exams.
5. Use ACC e-mail system as the e-mail tool for student-instructor communication.
6. Establish access to Blackboard and regularly check for announcements and monitor your progress in class. (To set up your Blackboard log-in: http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/stlogin.html)

Exams and Assignments

Grading Scale for your final course grade:

A = 185-200+ points

B = 165-184 points

C = 145-164 points

D = 125-144 points

F = 124 points and below

Your final course grade is based on points from the following sources:

1.  Exams (100 points)

• There are ten exams given during the semester. Each exam is worth 10 points.
• There are no make-up exams.
• Due dates for the exams are in the syllabus which is posted in Blackboard.

2.  Chapter Notes Assignments (50 points)

• There are 10 chapter notes assignments required for the assigned readings. These are worth 5 points each.
• Chapter note assignments will be completed asynchronously and turned in on Blackboard. See the class calendar for due dates.
• No late work will be accepted.

3.  Weekly Journal Assignments (50 points)

• There are ten journal assignments worth 5 points each.
• Details for these assignments will be given during class within Blackboard.

4.  Summative Written Reflection/Final (20 points)

• The summative written reflection will serve as the final for this course.
• This submission will be made in Blackboard.
• Detailed requirements for this submission will be found in Blackboard.

Students will receive a final grade of F if found to violate any of the rules/guidelines listed in the ACC “scholastic dishonesty” paragraph. This policy and where to access it will be reviewed on the first day of class.

Textbook

• Human Development: The Human Development Teaching & Learning Group, Portland State University.
• This is a FREE online textbook published through the OER Commons: Open Educational Resources with a Creative Commons Attribution.
• OER: https://pdx.pressbooks.pub/humandevelopment/
• For online reading, web view is recommended.
• The eBook can be downloaded from the textbook website and viewed as a PDF file, if desired.
• Citation
• Portland State University. Human Development Teaching and Learning Group, "Human Development" (2021). PDXOpen: Open Educational Resources. 35.
  https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/pdxopen/35
  10.15760/pdxopen-42

Students are expected to read the textbook, watch the chapter videos, and complete the textbook chapter quizzes. The course schedule will be available to student within Blackboard.

COURSE RATIONAL AND /OR PURPOSE:

The purpose of the course is to learn a deeper understanding of human growth and development from birth to death. The study of psychology and human development is ever-evolving and limitless.  It is the study of who we are, where we have been, and how we can continue to flourish.  This course is well suited for those who wish to pursue college or graduate study as well as anyone who wishes to work with children, adults, and/or the elderly.

COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES/ STUDENT OUTCOMES:

The students in this course will be able:

• To discuss biological development throughout the entire lifespan, from prenatal development through death and dying.
• To discuss cognitive development throughout the entire lifespan, from prenatal development through death and dying.
• To discuss psychological/psychosocial development throughout the entire lifespan, from prenatal development through death and dying.

Census Date & Withdrawal Policy

Census/Official Reporting Date: The last day to drop without a grade or "W" is March 30, 2026.

It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is May 11, 2026. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

There is a “No late work” policy for this course. Things do come up, but this course is designed on a point-based system. If you miss an assignment there are opportunities to gather additional points. Attendance and participation are key to success in this course. 

General Awareness

This course may require students to engage with challenging and conceivably sensitive/controversial required course material. We will be exploring these topics with critical thinking, thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and empathy through civil discourse. This may be difficult, frustrating, and, at times, upsetting. Students are encouraged to take care of their well-being and seek support if needed. Students with a personal/family history of trauma are encouraged to reach out to the instructor and/or a counselor for support as we cover potentially triggering material in class.

Incompletes

Incompletes are not given in this course. 

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR

The course outline/calendar is available within the syllabus and Blackboard. Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

AI policy

Introduction: This policy outlines the expectations for using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools in this course. My goal is to foster an academic environment that values authentic learning, critical thinking, and ethical engagement with new technologies. Please read this policy carefully and understand your responsibilities.

Definition of Generative AI: For this course, Generative AI (GAI) refers to any technology or software that can automatically generate text, images, code, or other media based on a given prompt or input. Examples include, but are not limited to, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, DALL-E, Midjourney, and GitHub Copilot.

Rationale: Permitted Rationale: Generative AI is a powerful tool that is becoming increasingly integrated into many professional fields. This course will treat GAI as a resource, much like a calculator or a word processor, to help you with [e.g., brainstorming, drafting, editing]. The goal is to teach you how to use GAI effectively and ethically as a supplement to, but not a replacement for, your own critical thinking and original work.

Permitted Usage

• Permitted Activities: You are allowed to use GAI for the following purposes, provided it is properly cited and acknowledged:
• Brainstorming and Ideation: Generating initial ideas or outlines.
• Drafting Support: Helping to rephrase sentences or suggest alternative wording.
• Syntax and Grammar: Assisting with minor edits and proofreading for clarity and correctness.

Prohibited Activities: You may not use GAI to:

• Generate a full draft of a paper, essay, or any other assignment.
• Create or solve problems, code, or data without your own original intellectual contribution.
• Pass off GAI-generated content as your own original work.

Assessment: Your submitted work will be assessed primarily on your critical analysis, original thought, and the synthesis of course materials. Proper use of GAI will be considered as part of your process. If you use GAI, you must include a citation in a footnote or a separate "Methods" section detailing how you used the tool. For example: "I used [GAI tool name, e.g., ChatGPT] to brainstorm ideas for the introduction."

Penalties and Exceptions

Consequences of Violating the Policy

Violation of this GAI policy will be considered an act of academic dishonesty. This may result in a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade for the course, and/or further disciplinary action as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy. If you have questions about whether a particular use of GAI is acceptable, please ask me before you submit your work.

Exceptions

Any exceptions to this policy must be discussed with and approved by the instructor in advance. Examples of potential exceptions include:

Accommodations: If you have academic accommodations that would benefit from the use of GAI, please discuss this with me and the [e.g., Disability Services Office].