Fall 2026

PSYC 2314-01

Lifespan Growth and Development

Course Information

Department
GEDS
Instructor
Barbay, Carol
Description
Life-Span Growth and Development is a study of social, emotional, cognitive and physical factors and influences of a developing human from conception to death.
Last Updated
Friday, August 28, 2026 9:01 AM
Course Syllabus
Published Structured Syllabus

PSYC 2314-01

Lifespan Growth and Development
Term
Fall 2026
Instructor
Barbay, Carol
Department
GEDS
Meeting Pattern
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM · MMED 210

Instructor Information

Instructor: Carol Barbay, Ph.D.


Email: barbacm@lamarpa.edu


Phone: 409-984-6311


Office Hours:

MON & WED: 9:00-9:50 AM; 1:30 – 2:40 PM

TUE & THU: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM; 12:30-1:45 PM; 2:00 – 2:30 PM 


Additional Contact Information: Additional office time available by appointment; OFFICE LOCATION: EDUC 1 ROOM 110

Course Description

Life-Span Growth and Development is a study of social, emotional, cognitive and physical factors and influences of a developing human from conception to death.

Required Textbook & Materials

LIFESPAN TEXTBOOK INFORMATION






LINK TO OPENSTAX PDF FOR LIFESPAN TEXTBOOK
 
https://assets.openstax.org/oscms-prodcms/media/documents/Lifespan_Development_-_WEB.pdf
 

 
Lifespan Development TEXTBOOK FOR PSYC 2314
 
 SENIOR CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS DIANA RISER, CATAWBA COLLEGE ROSE SPIELMAN, CONNECTICUT STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DAVID BIEK, MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
  
PUBLICATION INFORMATION OER OPENSTAX REQUIRED TEXTBOOK LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT
COLOR PAPERBACK BOOK ISBN-13 B&W PAPERBACK BOOK ISBN-13   978-1-711472-93-5
BLACK/WHITE PAPERBACK VERSION ISBN 13   978-1-711472-92-8
DIGITAL VERSION ISBN-13   978- 1-961584-53-2
ORIGINAL PUBLICATION YEAR               2024


Textbook Purchasing Statement

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Additional Materials/Resources

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Instructor recommends students purchase an inexpensive hand-held calculator capable of completing the following mathematical calculations, including the following: multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, squaring numerical values and finding the square root of numerical values.

Pre-requisites/Co-requisites

  • ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
  • ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing

Learning Outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES PSYC 2314

Learning outcomes

COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Describe the stages of the developing person at different periods of the life span from birth to death. Measured by course assignments and activities. 

2. Discuss the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that affect the development process of the individual. Measured by course assignments and activities. 

3. Identify factors of responsible personal behavior with regard to issues such as sexual activity, substance abuse, marriage and parenting. Measured by embedded test questions, course assignments and activities. 

4. Explain the biosocial, cognitive and psychological influences throughout the lifespan as an ongoing set of processes, involving both continuity and change. Measured by course assignments and activities 

5. Describe the different developmental perspectives of the major theories of development (i.e. cognitive, learning, humanistic and psychodynamic). Measured by course assignments and activities  

6. Identify examples of some of the cultural and ethnic differences that influence development throughout the lifespan. Measured by embedded test questions, course assignments and activities. 

7. Discuss the various causes or reasons for disturbances in the developmental process. Measured by course assignments and activities. 

8. Calculate current course grade accurately, using information provided by instructor relating to individual scores from projects, assignments, quizzes and exams. Measured by course assignments and activities.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

* 1. Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.
* 2. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
* 3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
* 5. Social Responsibility Skills: Students will demonstrate awareness of necessity to avoid harming the quality of life for members of family and community, residents of their state, and citizens of the earth as well as the necessity to support and contribute to the positive quality of life for these people.


Lecture Topics Outline

PSYC 2314 LECTURE TOPICS OUTLINE

LECTURE TOPICS OUTLINE PSYC 2314


MODULE 1

SYLLABUS

Chapter 1 Introduction to Development

Chapter 2 Genetic, Prenatal and Perinatal Health

Chapter 3 Physical and Cognitive Development-Infancy

Chapter 4 Socioemotional Development - Infancy


MODULE 2

Chapter 5 Physical and Cognitive Development - Preschool

Chapter 6 Socioemotional Development - Preschool

Chapter 7 Physical and Cognitive Development - Elementary School

Chapter 8 Socioemotional Development Elementary School




MODULE 3

Chapter 9 Physical and Cognitive Development - Adolescence

Chapter 10 Socioemotional Development - Adolescence

Chapter 11 Physical and Cognitive Development Early Adulthood

Chapter 12 Socioemotional Development - Early Adulthood                      


MODULE 4

Chapter 13 Physical and Cognitive Development - Middle Adulthood

Chapter 14 Socioemotional Development - Middle Adulthood

Chapter 15 Physical and Cognitive Development - Late Adulthood

Chapter 16 Socioemotional Development - Late Adulthood

Chapter 17 Death, Dying and Grieving

Major Assignments Schedule

MAJOR ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES 16 WEEKS CLASS - DUE DATES MAY BE CHANGED AS NEEDED  



MODULE 1 PSYC 2314


WEEK 1- BONUS Course Pretest Online ____SUN__AUG 30 ____


WEEK 2 Required Attendance Assignments 1 and 2; WED__SEP 2______20


WEEK 2 Optional Bonus ICC Opinion Survey Assignment__MON SEP 14___


WEEK 2 Required Preview Version 1 Psychology Core Assignment; THU _FRI SEP 11______10


WEEK 2 Required Regular Assignment 1 _WED SEP 2______25


WEEK 3 Required Special RQA Assignment 1 __WED SEP 2 ____10


WEEK 3 Required TED Talk Assignment 1; __WED SEP 9___20


WEEK 3 Bonus Module 1 SOAR Assignment WED ___WED SEP 9__


WEEK 4 Required Quiz 1 - Chapters 1,2, 3,4 – Online SUN _SEP 20 _25


WEEK 4 Required Exam 1 Chapters 1,2, 3,4, - Online SUN _SEP 20___100



MODULE 2 PSYC 2314


WEEK 5 MODULE 2 Optional Bonus ICC Opinion Survey  WED__MON SEP 21____


WEEK 5 Required Preview Version 2 Psychology Core Assignment; __TUE SEP 22__10


WEEK 5 Required Regular Assignment 2; __WED SEP 23___25


WEEK 5 Required Special Assignment 2; _ WED SEP 23_10


WEEK 6 Required Attendance Assignments 3 and 4; __MON SEP 28____20


WEEK 6 Optional BONUS Grade Calculation Assignment 1 TUE _WED OCT 2_


WEEK 6 Required TED Talk Assignment 2 ; WED ___SEP 30___20


WEEK 7 Bonus Module 2 SOAR Assignment; WED ___SEP 30__


WEEK 8 Bonus Mid-Semester Bonus Quiz SUN __OCT 18__


WEEK 8 Required Quiz 2 Chapters 3,6,7,8; ONLINE SUN ___OCT 18___25


WEEK 8 Required Exam 2 - Chapters 3,6,7,8; ONLINE SUN _OCT 18____100


WEEK 8 Bonus Syllabus/BB Module 2 Quiz Online __SUN _OCT 18__



MODULE 3 PSYC 2314


WEEK 9 MODULE 3 Bonus ICC Opinion Survey Assignment - 3___WED_OCT 21_____


WEEK 10 Required Attendance Assignments 5 and 6; __FRI OCT 30___20

 

WEEK 10 Required Regular Assignment 3; THU __FRI OCT 30___25


 WEEK 10 Required Special Assignment 3 THU ___ FRI OCT 30     ___10


WEEK 11 Required TED Talk Assignment 3 ; WED ___NOV 4__20


WEEK 11 Bonus SOAR Assignment 3 __WED NOV 4___ 


WEEK 14 Bonus Orientation Assignment 1 FRI _NOV 27__


WEEK 12 Required Quiz 3 – Chapters 9,10,11,12; Online SUN __NOV 15__25


WEEK 12 Required Exam 3; Chapters 9,10,11,12; Online SUN ___NOV 15__100


MODULE 4 PSYC 2314


WEEK 13 Required Regular Assignment 4; _MON NOV 16____25 


WEEK 13 Required Special Assignment 4 __MON NOV 16 __20 


WEEK 13 MODULE 4 Bonus ICC Opinion Survey Assignment 4___MON NOV 16___


WEEK 13 Bonus BAA 123 Assignment ___WED NOV 18


WEEK 13 Required Preview Version 3 Core Assignment; __FRI NOV 20___10


WEEK 14 Required Attendance Assignment 7 MON _NOV 23_ _ 10


 

WEEK 14 Bonus SOAR Assignment 4  __WED NOV 25 ___  


WEEK 14 Module 4 Required TED Talk Assignment 4; _WED NOV 25__40



WEEK 14 Bonus PERMA Assignment FRI __FRI NOV 27__


WEEK 15 Required Final Version Core Assignment TUE _DEC 1___130


WEEK 15 Required Quiz 4 – Chapters 13,14,15,16,17; Online SUN __DEC 6__25


WEEK 15 Required Exam 4; Chapters 13,14,15,16,17; Online SUN _DEC 6__100

 

 

Final Exam Date

WEDNESDAY DEC 2, 2026 12:00 AM THROUGH SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 2026 AT 11:59 PM

Grading Scale

90 - 100=A 

80 - 89=B

70 - 79=C

60 - 69=D

Below 59 = F


NOTE: THE NUMERICAL VALUES IN THE TABLE ABOVE REFER TO APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGES OF 1000 REQUIRED COURSE POINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COURSE

Determination of Final Grade

DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADE

Your FINAL course letter grade will be based on an approximate percentage of 1000 total possible points as follows. REMEMBER FINAL GRADE IS DETERMINED BY A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL POINTS ONLY. FINAL GRADES DO NOT REPRESENT ANY AVERAGE VALUES.


Letter Grades                   Point Totals                  Approximate Percentages


A                             900-1000+                   90%+

B                             800-899                    80-89%

C                             700-799                    70-79%

D                             600-699                    60-69%

F                             599 and lower                59% and below


HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR GRADE AT ANY TIME DURING THE SEMESTER

1. Add all of the points you have earned as of today's date, excluding any points from practice activities.

2. Request current required total course points from instructor.

3. Divide your total points by the total number of required points as of today's date.

4. For your final semester grade divide your current total by 1000 or use the grade chart above.

5. Your final grade or interim grade will be calculated based on total points only, NOT AN "AVERAGE" GRADE.

6. Remember a request for an AVERAGE GRADE IS MEANINGLESS and should be avoided.

7. Your grade at any time during the time of the semester is based on a percentage of total earned points relative to total required points at the time of calculation



 CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR FINAL GRADE FROM REQUIRED POINT SOURCES
REQUIRED EXAMS = 400/100 = 40%
REQUIRED QUIZZES = 100/1000 = 10%
REQUIRED REGULAR ASSIGNMENTS = 100/1000 = 10%
REQUIRED SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS = 50/1000 = 5%
REQUIRED CORE ASSIGNMENT = 160/1000 = 16%
REQUIRED TED ASSIGNMENTS = 100/1000 = 10%
REQUIRED GRADE CALCULATION = 20/1000 = 2%
REQUIRED ATTENDANCE ASSIGNMENTS = 70/1000 = 7%

TOTAL 1000/1000 REQUIRED POINTS = 100%


Instructor Policies

INSTRUCTOR COURSE POLICIES
THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE CHANGED AS NECESSARY DURING THE SEMESTER *For further details about assignments, see additional information using link in Blackboard section of this course.


1. This course will be a 16-week course.

2. Please consider this message your invitation to explore the MID SEMESTER REVIEW  section of this course once you have access to the course as well as a welcome to this course.

3. The MID-SEMESTER REVIEW  section has useful information for assisting you in being more successful in online courses in general and in this course specifically.

4. In this course we will explore lifespan human growth and development. .

 5. The emphasis in this course will be on scientific study of social, emotional, cognitive and physical factors and influences on developing humans from conception to death. .

6. This course is a partially online course with regular in-person face-to-face meetings, discussing topics listed in the lecture topics outline. 

7. All assignments, projects, quizzes, exams and other course activities will be completed online.

8. In order to complete this course you will need a reliable computer with a reliable connection to the internet in order to complete the course activities.

9. If you do not have a computer with reliable connection to the internet, you will need to arrange access to these resources.

10. You should have basic computer-related skills as described in Step Five of the MID-SEMESTER REVIEW  section of the course (Technical Requirements for the Course).

11. Because this course is a partially online course, you will need computer-related skills and a reliable connection to the internet.

12. There will be an orientation meeting during the semester, probably during the first or second week of the semester

13. If you cannot attend the orientation meeting, please get in touch with me if you have questions about the course. 

14. During this orientation meeting, we discuss the syllabus for the course as well as course policies and procedures.

15. The required written assignments and optional written project documents will be graded as they are received. There will be no re-submissions or corrected documents accepted.

16. You will have 2 opportunities to complete each required quiz and exam. The higher of the 2 grades for each required quiz and exam will be used as the recorded score for purposes of calculating your final course grade.

17. All quizzes and exams in this course will be completed online using the Blackboard Learning System. Students must use a wired, dedicated connection to the internet for completing exams and quizzes, which will be timed activities. . This requirement means that difficulties because of dropped internet connections associated with wireless connections will not be used as a reason for extended quiz or exam availability time.

18. All submitted assignments will be graded and marked with the number of points assigned. An explanation for the grading details result will be available by email request. The purpose of this policy is to encourage more effective two-way communication between the course instructor and individual students.

19. All late assignments will be assigned a point credit of 1 point. Late reception of assignments will be defined as reception by the Blackboard system after the due date and due time. There will be a 60 minute grace period after the due date and due time, during which there will be no late penalty assessed.

20. All assignments created by students must be saved doc or docx file format. Using any other file format will result in a 1-point penalty for each assignment not created in doc or docx file format. Any document submitted in pages file format (default format for Apple devices, such as imac notebooks, ipads and iphones) will receive zero points credit. 

21. GRIEVANCES, COMPLAINTS, AND CONCERNS REGARDING THIS COURSE: If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that cannot be resolved through discussion with the instructor, please consult GEDS Department Chair. Physical location: EDUC 1- Room 131-133. DR. STEVEN ZANI; EMAIL: ZANISJ@LAMARPA.EDU; OFFICE PHONE: 409-984-6431


 
 





22. Research has shown a strong positive relationship between attendance, participation and college success.

23. I STRONGLY recommend regular participation in this course, both mental and physical. Participation will help you succeed in this course!! Caution: I will not automatically drop your name from the class roll because you do not participate in class activities.

24. MAKEUP POLICIES - There are limited opportunities to make up missed work in this course.
A. Required assignments, quizzes and exams may be submitted late by instructor approval.
B. Students who have missed required work because of official college business and who can provide verification from a college official such as an athletic coach or student organization sponsor may turn in required work late for credit such as an assignment, quiz or exam. Bonus or extra credit work may not be submitted late for any reason.
C. No other justification will be accepted for turning in or completing work after the published due date.
D. If there is a technical problem with BlackBoard which affects all students, such as the system not working properly, there may be an extension of the availability for the quiz or exam or due date for a required assignment.
E. All students are responsible for reading and understanding these guidelines.
F. All students are responsible for maintaining a reliable connection to the internet for completing work in this course.
G. Failure to complete an exam or study guide quiz because of a failed wireless connection is not an acceptable reason for an extension of quiz or exam
H. All work will be graded as submitted.
I. The instructor will accept NO re-submissions or corrected documents. 
J. The instructor will consider an assignment submission with no document attached as an incomplete and incorrect submission. 

25. Instructor agrees to grade all assignments submitted in Blackboard within 14 calendar days after the stated due date in course syllabus.

26. Students will not bring drinks or drink containers into face-to-face meetings for this course without instructor permission.

27. Students may partially compensate for lost course points by completing bonus course activities.

28. Students may complete practice versions of course written assignments and submit them via email attachments to the instructor a minimum of 48 hours before the due dates for those assignments and receive comments from the instructor for making necessary changes to the assignment documents. These practice versions carry no course credit and serve information purposes only. 


Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Research has shown a strong positive relationship between attendance, active participation and college success.


I STRONGLY recommend regular participation in this course, both mental and physical. Participation will help you succeed in this course!!


Caution: I will not automatically drop your name from the class roll because you do not participate in class activities.

  

Additional Information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL COURSES


MON AUG 24, 2026 – First class day

MON SEP 7, 2026 -- LABOR DAY HOLIDAY CAMPUS CLOSED

WED SEP 9, 2026 - Census Date (12th class day)  

MON SEP 28, 2026 - Last day to drop a course or withdraw without academic penalty 

MON NOV 23, 2026 - Last day to drop a course or withdraw with academic penalty

WED NOV 25, 2026 ENERGY CONSERVATION DAY - NO IN-PERSON CLASSES; CAMPUS CLOSED

THU- FRI NOV 26-27, 2026 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY; NO INPERSON CLASSES; CAMPUS CLOSED

 THU DEC 10, 2026  Last class day

THU DEC 10, 2026 - Final grades for graduates due by 4:00 pm

FRI DEC 11, 2026 - Final grades for all others due at noon

FRI DEC 11, 2026 – Commencement, 11:00 AM AND 5:30 PM

MyLSCPA

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

ADA Considerations

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

Facility Policies

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

HB 2504

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.