The information contained on this page is designed to give students a representative example of material covered in the course. Any information related to course assignments, dates, or course materials is illustrative only. For a definitive list of materials, please check the online catalog 3-4 weeks before the course start date.
HDFS 249 Adult Development and Aging (3): Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age.
The purpose of this course is to provide you with important knowledge about how and why we grow old. In particular, we will be examining how we develop and age psychologically, socially, and biologically. We will explore and understand the concepts and processes of adult development and aging.
Want to know more about how this will work?
The World Campus has a student orientation resource called "World Campus 101" designed to help you become more acquainted with online learning. Before you begin the course, I recommend that you work your way through World Campus 101!
To understand how we study adult development and aging, what we know about aging, and what we still need to know;
To understand how biological, psychological, and social processes intersect and interact to influence how we age;
To consider how this knowledge can be applied to our personal and social lives, our professional goals, and the development of effective programs and policies for older adults in the future.
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full
advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Web access is required in order to complete this course. We recommend the minimum World Campus
technical requirements listed below:
Computer
Operating System
Windows 2000, ME, or XP
Macintosh OS X (10.2 or higher)
Processor
500 MHz or higher
Memory
128 MB of RAM
Hard Drive Space
500 MB free disk space
Browser
Mac OS X: Firefox 1.0 or higher
Windows: Firefox 1.0 or higher
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled.
Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State web sites.
Due to nonstandard handling of CSS, JavaScript and caching, we do not recommend using Internet Explorer 6 as your browser.
You will need to secure a proctor in order to take exams in this course. A proctor will not automatically be assigned to you; rather, you must make the necessary contacts to secure a professional who will serve in this capacity.
Student Services must approve your proctor before any exams can be taken. Please see instructions for securing a suitable proctor. While many proctors will serve on a voluntary basis, you are responsible for paying any expenses incurred in retaining a proctor.
You must submit your proctor for approval or schedule your exams at a testing center using our online proctored exam portal. You will need to enter your proctor's contact information and submit proctor verification documentation. If you have any questions about using the procted exam portal, please visit the how-to guide. Note: If your proctor has been previously approved by the World Campus during a prior course within two years, you do not need to obtain verification. World Campus retains proctor information on file for two years.
If your proctor does not meet the required specifications, Student Services will notify you within 5 to 7 business days.
Students registered with Student Disability Resources who are receiving exam accommodations are responsible for providing their letter of accommodation to both faculty/instructors and exam proctors prior to scheduling exams.
If you are a graduating senior requesting a final exam, please see additional information about early deadlines for course completion and exam scheduling.
Unless you have received permission to take your exam at an alternative time, your proctor will only allow you to take the exam during dates specified in your course.
NOTE: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor.
This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation
deadlines. More information regarding graduation policies can be found on our Student Services graduation Web
page.
Unit
Activity
Lesson 1: Getting Started
Please complete the following assignments in the order listed below:
Read Lesson 1.
Complete and submit Lesson 1 Assignment.
Lesson 2: Themes and Issues in Adult Development and Aging
Please complete the following assignments in the order listed below:
Read Chapter 1 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 2 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 2 Assignment.
Complete and submit your proctor verification information.
Lesson 3: Models of Development: Nature and Nurture in Adulthood
Please complete the following assignments in the order listed below:
Read Chapter 2 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 3 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 3 Assignment.
Lesson 4: Research Methods
Complete the following assignments in the order listed below:
Read Chapter 3 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 4 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 4 Assignment.
Lesson 5: Physical and Sensory Changes in Adulthood and Old Age
Complete the following assignments in the order listed below:
Read Chapter 4 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 5 in your Study Guide.
Complete and submit Lesson 5 Assignment. Complete and submit Mid-Course Exam Request Form.
Lesson 6: Health and Preventions
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 5 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 6 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 6 Assignment.
Lesson 7: Basic Cognitive Functions: Information Processing, Attention and Memory
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 6 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 7 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 7 Assignment.
EXAM #1
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Review your course materials in preparation for the mid-course exam.
Complete your mid-course exam and have your proctor submit it to World Campus
Lesson 9: Language, Problem-Solving, and Intelligence
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 7 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 9 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 9 Assignment
Lesson 10: Personality and Patterns of Coping
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 8 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 10 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 10 Assignment.
Lesson 11: Relationships
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 9 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 11 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 11 Assignment.
Lesson 12: Work, Retirement, and Leisure Patterns
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 10 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 12 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 12 Assignment. Complete and submit Final Exam Request Form.
Lesson 13: Mental Health Issues and Treatment
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 11 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 13 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 13 Assignment.
Lesson 14: Treatment Sites for Chronic Disorders in Adulthood
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapter 12 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 14 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 14 Assignment.
Lesson 15: Death and Dying; Successful Aging and Creativity
Complete the following tasks in the order listed below.
Read Chapters 13 and 14 in your textbook.
Read Lesson 15 Commentary.
Complete and submit Lesson 15 Assignment.
EXAM #2
Review your course materials in preparation for the final exam.
Complete your final exam and have your proctor submit it to World Campus.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. However, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year from the day the course began.
The World Campus follows the same grading system as the Penn State resident program. The grades of A, B, C, D, and F indicate the following qualities of academic performance:
A = (Excellent) Indicates exceptional achievement
B = (Good) Indicates extensive achievement
C = (Satisfactory) Indicates acceptable achievement
D = (Poor) Indicates only minimal achievement
F = (Failure) Indicates inadequate achievement necessitating a repetition of the course in order to secure credit
Academic integrity — scholarship free of fraud and deception — is an
important educational objective of Penn State. Academic dishonesty can
lead to a failing grade or referral to the Office of Student Conduct.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
cheating
plagiarism
fabrication of information or citations
facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others
unauthorized prior possession of examinations
submitting the work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor and securing written approval
tampering with the academic work of other students
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of
suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of
enrolling in a course, please contact us.
Additionally,
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, and a civil community.
For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State
Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following URLs:
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any
such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.
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