REQUIRED TEXTS:  

Bee, H.L, & Bjorklund, B.R. (2004). The Journal of Adulthood. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.  

Lawton, M.P., & Salthouse, T.A. (1998). Essential Papers on the Psychology of Aging. New York: NYU Press.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will examine the psychological development of young adults through late adulthood. Facets of the course include the development of intelligence, memory and dementia, personality, interpersonal relationships, and sexuality in older adults. The course will challenge popular stereotypes of older adults and discuss how culture influences adult development.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

You will be required to check your email on a regular basis for schedule updates and assignments.

1. Exams: There will be 3 exams. Exams will consist of short answer, and essay questions. Make-up exams will ONLY be given in the case of serious illness and MUST be accompanied by a doctor's note.

2. Discussion Leads/Debates: Every week one student and a partner will lead discussion on an article in the Lawton & Salthouse (L & S) "Essential Papers..." text and/or a debate (between 2 pairs of students) will take place centered around some controversial aging topic.

Discussion Leads: You should plan to spend about 20-30 mins total discussing the intro, method, results, and discussion/implications. We'll assign partners and choose articles the 1st week of class. The purpose is 2-fold: to improve communication skills when dealing with complex topics and to get you thinking more critically about important research in the field of aging.

Presentation Format

Regardless of which students are presenting every student is required to read the article being discussed. Note that the articles will be sometimes be technical and you may have to reread the whole article or sections of it 2 or 3 times before you understand it. Science is much more complicated now than it was twenty years ago -- I sometimes still reread sections of atricle 3 times before I get it. Discussion Questions: On days when students are leading discussion on an article in L & S, you will be required to submit two thoughtful questions/comments for the article being discussed at the start of class (no late questions will be accepted).

Debates: you'll be required to read and research your topic and present a logical, coherent argument (based on facts/research) to support your case. You should have about 20 mins worth of argument prepared.

3. Assignments: Other minor assignments may be given during the semester.

4. Experiential Journal: As we'll discuss in class, how one ages depends largely on the type of environment they are exposed to. "Experience" is thus paramount in aging. My discussing the aging process in class is only one way of explaining aging to you. A potentially more valuable lesson can be had from simply talking to older adults. So, starting the 2nd week of the term, you will be required to visit The Mayflower retirement home one hour per week and talk with older people. You will keep a journal of what you've learned from them and turn it in at the end of the term.

5. Class Participation: This is a very small class and so active participation from everyone in the class is essential. I expect that you will have read the material and are prepared to discuss it. This course will be about what your lives are now and how they will be in the future -- questions and comments should be flowing.

Grading: Your grade will reflect your performance on the above requirements. The breakdown is as follows
 

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF

Late Work Policy

All Late work will receive a letter grade per day reduction (weekends included). Students who have conflicts associated with official university activities (concerts, athletic contests, and the like) should arrange to hand in material early.

Honor System

We assume that all work done in this course, unless explicitly indicated otherwise by us, will be the student's own work. A pledge should appear on all work handed in; however, we will assume all work is pledged.

Students needing Accomodation

If you are student requiring accomodation on assignments, exams, etc. Please bring me your accomodation form before the first assignment/exam.