Syllabus

This course will provide students with an overview of theories and research on the social-emotional side of human development, with a focus on the years of infancy through adolescence. The knowledge gained in the course will help students to understand the social processes involved in their own personal development and that of those around them.

This is a fully online course in which all of the instructional materials, activities, and exams are delivered through Canvas, and/or other internet-based media.  This course requires participation and engagement with the professor and with other students through the online format to foster critical examination and application of course concepts. Additionally, the course includes activities that provide practice with key terms and knowledge about adult development.

Please review the FIU's Policies and Netiquette webpage. The policies webpage contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FIU, as well as additional information about acceptable netiquette for online courses.

As a member of the FIU community you are expected to be knowledgeable about the behavioral expectations set forth in the FIU Student Code of Conduct.

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate proficiency using a computer. Please go to the "What's Required" webpage to find out more information on this subject.

Privacy Policy Statements for Partners and Vendors

• Canvas
• Microsoft
• Adobe
• Adobe Connect
• Respondus LockDown Browser

Please visit our Technical Requirements webpage for additional information.

The Disability Resource Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, and community members to create diverse learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. The DRC provides FIU students with disabilities the necessary support to successfully complete their education and participate in activities available to all students. If you have a diagnosed disability and plan to utilize academic accommodations, please contact the Center at 305-348-3532 or visit them at the Graham Center GC 190.

For additional assistance please contact FIU's Disability Resource Center.

Web Accessibility Statements for Partners and Vendors 

• Canvas
• Microsoft
• Adobe

Please visit our ADA Compliance webpage for additional information about accessibility involving the tools used in this course.

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

Academic Misconduct includes: Cheating – The unauthorized use of books, notes, aids, electronic sources; or assistance from another person with respect to examinations, course assignments, field service reports, class recitations; or the unauthorized possession of examination papers or course materials, whether originally authorized or not. Plagiarism – The use and appropriation of another’s work without any indication of the source and the representation of such work as the student’s own. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas, expressions or materials taken from another source, including internet sources, is responsible for plagiarism.

Learn more about the academic integrity policies and procedures as well as student resources that can help you prepare for a successful semester.

There are no prerequisites for this course.

If you are looking for help for yourself or a fellow classmate, Panthers Care encourages you to express any concerns you may come across as it relates to any personal behavior concerns or worries you have, for the classmate’s well-being or yours; you are encouraged to share your concerns with FIU’s Panthers Care website.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers free and confidential help for anxiety, depression, stress, and other concerns that life brings. Professional counselors are available for same-day appointments. Don’t wait to call 305-348-2277 to set up a time to talk or visit the online self-help portal.

This is an online course, which means most (if not all) of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same for a traditional course. In fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills which can make these courses more demanding for some students.

Tips for Success in your online course, click here. Online Etiquette, click here.

Students are expected to:

• Review the how to get started information located in the course content
• Introduce yourself to the class during the first day by posting a self-introduction in the appropriate discussion forum
• Take the practice quiz to ensure that your computer is compatible with Canvas
• Interact online with instructor/s and peers
• Review and follow the course calendar
• Log in to the course a minimum of 3 times per week. 
• Respond to discussion board posts within 1 - 3 days
• Respond to professor emails within 1 - 3 days
• Submit assignments by the deadline

The professor will:

• Log in to the course a minimum of 5 times per week
• Respond to emails within 2 days
• Grade discussion posts and other items within 7 business days of the due date

Communication in this course will take place via the Canvas Inbox. Check out the Canvas Conversations Tutorial or Canvas Guide to learn how to communicate with your instructor and peers using Announcements, Discussions, and the Inbox. I will respond to all correspondences within 2 days.

During most weeks throughout the semester, (see syllabus calendar), you participate in an application activity and discussion. You will complete various activities (self-assessment, watch video, reflect on material) and participate in a discussion with classmates on the discussion forum. Posts should reference the course material and should demonstrate that you read and understand the assigned textbook chapter. Grading Rubrics (see below) will be posted in the discussion forum. You will earn up to 4 points for each discussion assignment, based on your quality and quantity of participation, for a total of 48 points. Your discussion grade will be posted within a week of the due date. Discussion posts are due on their designated week on Sunday at 11:59 PM ET. LATE POSTS WILL NOT BE GRADED.

Keep in mind that forum discussions are public, and care should be taken when determining what to post.

Discussion Board Grading Rubric

Most weeks you will participate in the StudyMate Game activity based on the readings.  The games will help prepare you for the exams.  You will earn 1 point for each crossword puzzle for a total of 12 points.  Games are due on Sunday at 11:59pm of the week in which they are assigned. Note: You are only required to choose one type of game (i.e., crossword puzzle, flashcards, etc.) but you are welcome to utilize additional types of games for study purposes.  You will not “submit” anything.  The system tracks your participation (behind the scenes).

IMPORTANT: There is a StudyMate app available and it is a great for STUDY purposes BUT it does NOT track your progress.  You must play at least ONE ACTIVITY through the Canvas COURSE in a web browser (you may be able to log in to the course through your phone browser).  The external App is great but I will not be able to assign a grade if it is all you use to play the games.

In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.

All assessments will auto-submit when (1) the timer runs out OR (2) the closing date/time is reached, whichever happens first. For example, if a quiz has a closing time of 5:00 pm but the student begins the exam at 4:55 pm, the student will only have 5 minutes to complete the quiz.

Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Online Support Services.

Syllabus/Website Quiz (Extra Credit)

During the first week of the semester, you will take a quiz based on the course requirements. You will have two 1-hour attempts to take this quiz. The purpose is to ensure that you clearly understand the course requirements. This quiz is worth 1 point. (Do not confuse with the practice quiz).

Exams

Exams Expectations: The purpose of all required quizzes and exams is to ensure your understanding of key facts and concepts.

Exam Duration: You will have 100 minutes to complete 60 multiple choice, matching, and true/false questions pertaining to the textbook and course material. When the time has run out, the exam is submitted automatically with whatever answers have been saved at that point. Start your exam early enough that you can finish it by the cutoff at 11:59 pm!

Exam Attempts: You are allowed only one attempt for each exam. Do not enter the exam until you are ready to take it.

Exam Results:

1. You will be able to see your exam grade as soon as you submit the exam.
2. You will be able to see your answers after the availability period has ended (Sunday at 11:59 pm, except for Exam 3).
3. Your lowest exam score will be dropped when your final course grade is calculated.

This course course requires the use of the Respondus LockDown Browser to take assessments. 

1. Review the Respondus LockDown Browser Instructions on how to install, access your assessments and view your grades.
2. After installing the browser, please take the Practice Quiz to familiarize yourself with the testing environment and to ensure that you have downloaded the Respondus Lockdown Browser correctly.

You may earn up to 3 extra credit points added to your final course grade by watching an optional course video and composing a one-page summary and reaction paper, single spaced and in 12-point font. Each summary must be a well-composed full page that provides a review and critique of the video.  You will submit to the Extra Credit Dropbox.  The videos will be found at the bottom of the Course Content page in the “Extra Credit” folder.​

Due to the necessity for sequential mastery of material, no make-ups will be permitted. Due dates are firm. Anticipate challenges to your schedule by working ahead (for example, out-of-town trips for work). Please note that the lowest exam grade is dropped.  If you miss an exam, that 0 will be your dropped grade.