TIMES: W 5-7:40
INSTRUCTOR: Michael E. Oakes, Ph.D.
OFFICE & OFFICE HOURS: 10:00-11:00 am: M, W, F: AMH 218 (or
by appointment)
PHONE: 941-7895
E-MAIL: oakesm2@uofs.edu
WEB ADDRESS: http://academic.scranton.edu/faculty/oakesm2/
REQUIRED TEXT:
Thorson, J. A. (2000). Aging in a Changing Society (2nd
edition). Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/Mazel.
Cox (2002/2003) Annual Editions: Aging (14th edition). Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw Hill.
DESCRIPTION:
This course will provide a survey of psychological research dealing
with the age-graded aspects of behavior in adulthood. The course
will consider the physical, cognitive, and social aspects of the aging
process from late adolescence to death. Topics include occupation
selection, marriage, parenthood, middle age, retirement, and dying.
OBJECTIVES:
Students will:
(1) Gain factual knowledge of terminology, methods, and trends within
this area.
(2) Learn fundamental theories of adult development, and be able to
critique them.
(3) Learn how professionals in this field go about gathering data and
altering theories.
(4) Discover how the course material relates to them by increasing
their awareness of the aging process and how they feel about it.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
QUIZZES: Seven quizzes will be given, each worth 10 points. These
may include multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions. All quiz
questions will be over the assigned readings. You may make up a missed
quiz or replace a low quiz score by completing one of the individual projects
described below. However, you can make up or replace only one quiz
in this way. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES. Also, I may
deduct quiz points if you show up late for a quiz. Further, if you
are more than 4-5 minutes late you will not be allowed to take the quiz.
EXAMS: A total of three regular exams will be given. Each will be worth 100 points. These exams may include multiple choice as well as essay questions. The chapters each exam covers, as well as tentative exam dates, are on the attached schedule. Please note that the third exam (given during finals week) will not be comprehensive. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP EXAMS. If the student is absent, he/she will receive a score of zero for that exam, unless a sufficiently compelling reason for the absence is presented (i.e., a doctor’s note or copy of a police report for an accident). In such a case, the student will be allowed to take a cumulative exam at the same time as the final. The grade on the cumulative test will be allowed as a replacement for the exam that was missed. If you do not present a sufficiently compelling reason for your absence from the test, you will NOT be allowed to take the cumulative exam. If a student does not miss any of the regular exams, but wishes to take the cumulative exam to replace an earlier grade, he/she will be allowed to do so. If the score on the cumulative exam is higher than a previous exam score (i.e., for exam 1 or 2), the higher score will be counted toward the final grade. NOTE: Anyone caught cheating on a test will receive a score of zero for that test, and other actions may be taken (I will follow the university’s policy on academic dishonesty).
ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be taken periodically throughout the semester. Those who miss class should contact other students in the class and request to copy their notes. After two recorded absences, your course grade will be lowered by one letter grade (e.g., from a B to a B-). ALSO, STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING OUT ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE SYLLABUS THAT ARE MADE DURING CLASS.
PARTICIPATION: Readings will be assigned from Aging, (Annual Editions).
These readings will be used for two purposes: (1) to stimulate class
participation; (2) quiz and test questions will be based on the readings.
On the day the readings are assigned, come to class prepared to discuss
the readings--your reactions to them, any examples from "real life" that
you want to contribute, etc. I guarantee that I can fill up the time
with lecture, so if you want participation, it is your responsibility to
contribute.
Points will be awarded in the following manner.
At the end of the semester, each student will rate the entire class for
participation. You may award the class zero to five points for participation.
I will then average across all of your ratings. I will also rate
the class, on the same scale. Thus, my evaluation of the amount of
participation counts for half of your total participation points.
You may receive up to 10 points for participation. NOTE: If
you are absent, you can't participate in class. Thus, I will have
to take into account frequent absences and dock your participation points
(either the entire class or individuals may lose participation points).
Also, if you NEVER contribute during class, you will receive fewer participation
points.
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT:
This is an optional project that can be used to replace a missed or
low quiz score or for extra credit. Thus, you can do a maximum of
two projects. For this project (worth a maximum of 10 points each),
you must take on one of the following disabilities and write a report of
your experience. Please note that you may NOT turn in a paper from
another class (or re-use a paper, if you are taking this class over again)
or use someone else’s paper for this assignment. The last date that
you can turn in a project will be Wednesday, May 1st. Each paper
should be a minimum of two double spaced pages in length. If you
are interested in doing a project, you must see me for the materials.
Disabilities: Hearing loss (cotton balls in ears)
Glaucoma (mask restricting visual field)
Cataracts (layered iridescent cellophane tissue)
Sensory loss (rubber gloves with cotton balls in the fingertips)
Corns (popcorn or rice in your shoe)
YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
REPORT:
(1) Briefly describe the process that leads to your chosen disabilities
(include references). Be able to demonstrate an awareness of what
the disability entails, how it progresses, treatment process (some may
have no course of treatment), and what the end result is if not treated.
(2) How did you feel when you “un-simulated” (that is, when you took
off your apparati)?
(3) You must also perform the following activities:
(a) you must leave the immediate area (i.e., the classroom)
(b) try to read a bulletin board if you have a visual disability
(c) take and fill out a scantron form, esp. those who have chosen visual
and sensory losses
(d) eat something
(e) talk to someone you don’t know
(f) use a vending machine or pay telephone
(4) Describe your experiences (if anyone gives you a hard time, just
tell them it’s your crazy psychology professor’s fault…)
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OPERATE ANY SORT OF MOTORIZED VEHICLE WHILE YOU ARE WEARING YOUR “APPARATI.” You must also use extra caution in crossing streets and negotiating curbs and steps. If you have chosen sensory loss, use extra caution in handling mugs of hot liquid, running/testing hot water, and smoking (don’t set yourself on fire!).
EXTRA CREDIT:
A student can earn up to ten course points (i.e., the maximum) by completing
one of the individual projects. At various times during the semester
other opportunities may be available for students to earn these points
of extra credit.
GRADES:
There will be a total of 370 points that can be earned. Grades
will be assigned based on the scale below:
A = 93% & above B+= 87% - 89%
C+= 77% - 79% D+= 67% - 69%
A-= 90% - 92% B =
83% - 86% C = 73% - 76%
D = 60% - 66%
B-= 80% - 82% C-= 70% - 72%