Faculty Contact Information:
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Consultation:
| Almost any time either before or between scheduled classes by appointment. I will do my best to answer all e-mail within 24-48 hours. E-mail communication will probably be our best mode of communication. However, I can sometimes be reached by phone. I will provide that number as needed when I get it - I have not arrived yet in Italy, so no phone yet. | |
Required Texts and Readings:
| Santrock, J.W. (2004). Life-Span Development. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill. | |
Supplementary Readings:
| All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at http://www.umuc.edu/library/. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students’ research and writing skills. | |
Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
| This course places emphasis on the study of the characteristics of human growth at each stage of development. Special emphasis will be placed on counseling in various settings, including schools. Instruction and practice in the writing of a case study report is also given. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: EDUC 507 or EDCP 605. | |
Course Goals:
| This course is designed to enable students to become familiar with the dynamic aspects of human growth and development over the life span. It will assist students in preparing for the comprehensive exam and will prepare them for professional practice with people of all ages. | |
Course Objectives:
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At the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Identify the main concepts and theories of human development postulated by prominent developmental psychologists.
2. Identify the determinants of physical, cognitive, and social/ psychological human growth and development.
3. Be knowledgeable about the nature and need of the individual at every level of development.
4. Be familiar with current research in the field of human growth and development.
5. Have an understanding of how to work with children, adolescents and adults in any setting. | |
Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A 92%
B 80 – 91%
C 70 – 79%
F Below 70%
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade "F" is used to designate academic failure. "FN" is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog, available in your local Education Center or online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
Participate in classroom discussions..............30%
Write graduate level papers or case studies.......20%
Orally/visually present prepared material.........10%
Complete one or more written examination(s).......40% | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner; this includes being on time for classes. Absences must be requested, or explained, in writing and approval is NOT guaranteed. Missing a significant percentage of classwork (such as more than ONE class day) will require retaking the course.
Write graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment. Plan on committing a large amount of time over the duration of this course to producing professional level deliverables.
Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research or case studies in a professional manner. In a face-to-face course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material.
Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used for this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam and will be critiqued and graded as if it were an actual Comp exam. | |
Course Schedule:
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This schedule presents 16 units or modules, with each unit corresponding to a half-day on weekends.
Initial weekend meeting 27-28 August:
Introductions
Review of syllabus
Clarification of goals, objectives and requirements
Orientation to subject
Second Weekend 24-25 September:
Third Weekend 8-9 October:
A full description of each class along with due dates etc. will be provided prior to, or at the beginning of the first class.
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Academic Policies:
Note: Any written assignment in this course may be submitted to TurnItIn.Com. This statement constitutes prior notice.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: "Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi."
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | | |
Faculty Bio:
| Dr. Brian Nowell has worked in a variety of leadership and education positions for the past 25 years. During those years, he has consulted with many people to help them develop their potential. His B.A., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology are from The University of South Florida and The University of Georgia. Dr. Nowell has taught a wide variety of courses as a lecturer and as a college professor, and he has educated diverse audiences on various topics nationwide in the United States. Dr. Nowell is the managing director of The Development Center, a not-for-profit organization, which provides education and development to individuals, groups and organizations. He has most recently provided psychology classes for UMUC-Asia. Dr. Nowell's current passionate area of psychological interest is the psychology of the stock market, and he has written a practical book on how to use powerful psychological stock market information to increase one's financial prosperity. Dr. Nowell’s personal interests include family history research, multi-focus short and long term history, oil painting, backpacking, optimal learning methods/mastery education, carpentry, horticulture, appropriate technology living, creative problem solving, reading, traveling and sailing. He and his wife, Debby, are the parents of 2 children, and he currently lives near Aviano, Italy with Debby. | |