Course Syllabus

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Penn State, College of Health and Human Development

HDFS 249N

Adult Development and Aging

Contents

Instructor

  • Instructor: Dr. Kristopher Struckmeyer
  • Email: kms7904@psu.edu (*email is best)
  • Office: 123 Health & Human Development, University Park

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Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change. Instructors will notify students of any changes and students will be responsible for abiding by them. Even if you print this syllabus, please check the online version, especially the course summary (schedule), often.

Course Description

This general education, inter-domain course will introduce students to a variety of issues and topics dealing with adulthood and aging including major developmental theories pertaining to adult development and topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. These topics will include theories and relevant research focused on biological, physiological, psychological, and sociological age-related changes across adulthood. Informed by a life course developmental framework, this course will place these developmental processes in context. Students will become familiar with the theoretical and empirical literature that locates adults’ development in the context of families and family change, social roles, intimate relationships, work, communities, and the larger cultural context within which they are embedded.

  • Prerequisites: None
  • Number of credits: 3 credit hours

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Objectives

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. Articulate the aging process and its variations across historical time, peoples (i.e., cultures, ethnicities, gender, sexual orientation), and contexts.
  2. Critique their current and future aging trajectories based on their knowledge of influential factors in the aging process.
  3. Apply their understanding of the aging process and its influential factors, developmental theories, and current research findings to evaluate others’ aging trajectories.
  4. Incorporate and apply knowledge of the aging process into real world contexts, specifically emergency settings.

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Do Not Suffer in Silence

The last few years have been difficult for all of us – taking its toll on our physical, mental, and emotional health (and many other types of health). Outside of COVID-19, life also happens. Life does not stop when we are in class. So if you are struggling with something, please let your instructor know as soon as possible. We do not want you to suffer in silence. Your instructor does not need to know all the details about what is going on, but letting them know allows us to come up with a plan so you do not miss assignments and are able to successfully complete the course! It is good to know ahead of time that something is up so the plan is in place prior to when assignments are due. The instructor will not reopen closed assignments (unless you can provide documentation).

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Office Hours

Please refer to the Meet the Instructor page in the Course Orientation for detailed-information related to Office Hours.

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Materials

PackBack

The Packback Platform is an app within CANVAS that is required to complete the course and will have to be purchased. Packback will be used for online discussion and polls about class topics. Depending on your preference for course materials, please choose from one of the following options to purchase Packback:

  • World Campus Bookstore: ISBN#: 978-0578986159. This will be purchased through the World Campus Bookstore. Students will receive instructions on how to access Packback at the time of purchasing. *See the following Packback Purchasing Note before purchasing.
  • Through Canvas Course: This will be purchased by accessing the Packback link in the course menu (see assignment instructions for details). Refer to Pricing on Packback Questions Links to an external site. for more information related to costs. *See the following Packback Purchasing Note before purchasing.
    • Refer to the Course Orientation for more information on how to register and access Packback (Note: You will use the Packback link in the course menu to purchase, access, and use PackBack throughout the semester.). You will automatically have an account created and be linked to the checkout page for our class community.
    • Complete checkout, and you will be directed to our course community on Packback where you can begin posting.

*Packback Purchasing Note: Financial aid is ONLY able to be applied when purchasing Packback through the World Campus Bookstore. There is a discount that is applied when using Packback in multiple courses, but the discount is ONLY accessible when purchasing Packback directly through the course website. If students go through the bookstore it does not fall under the discount package.

Note: Whether you purchase Packback from the Bookstore or through the course, you will also likely receive a welcome email from Packback with instructions on how to set up your account. You can register using either method.

Registration: If you need assistance registering with PackBack, refer to the Packback Assignments section in the Course Orientation module for assistance. You will need to register in order to access the system and participate in the Packback discussions and polls. 

Support: If you have ANY questions or concerns regarding purchasing or registering in Packback, please contact the Packback customer support team at help@packback.co!

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Library Services

Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library. The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time for you searching for the information you need.

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Assignments

Basic information about each assignment group is provided in this section. For detailed directions about an individual assignment, see the assignment information in the Modules tab. Additionally, this section will include information related to due dates and late work policies.

Assignment and Grading Overview
Type of Assignment How Many Points for Each Total Points Possible
Syllabus Quiz 1 10 points; required to complete 10 points
PackBack Questions 7

15 points each
(lowest 1 dropped)

 90 points
PackBack Polls 5 15 points each 75 points
Papers 2

1 paper @ 30 pts;
1 paper @ 50pts

 80 points
Exams 3

Exam 1&2, 50 pts each;
Exam 3, 100 pts

 200 points
Course Total     455 points

Syllabus and Orientation Quiz

You are required to take the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz to check your understanding of the syllabus and orientation module.

In order to access material after Lesson 01 in this course, you must complete this Syllabus and Orientation Quiz. You will need to answer a few key questions on the syllabus and orientation (10 questions). The quiz is graded, and will be factored into the final course grade.

If you have any questions about the quiz, you should reach out to the course instructor.

Notes for Syllabus and Orientation Quiz:

  • Course content after Lesson 1 will NOT be visible to you until you complete and receive a 100% on the quiz.
  • We do NOT recommend taking quizzes using the Canvas mobile app; use the web version of Canvas.
  • Your work will automatically be saved as you complete the quiz. If you experience technical difficulties, contact the HelpDesk and the instructor immediately. You should also contact your instructor.

Packback Questions

Participation is a requirement for this course, and the Packback Questions platform will be used for online discussion about class topics. Packback Questions is an online community where you can be fearlessly curious and ask open-ended questions to build on top of what we are covering in this course and relate topics to real-world applications. 

Packback Discussion Requirements

PackBack assignments will be graded and will count towards about 20% of your overall course grade. In order to receive full credit, you should submit the following per each deadline period: 

  • Ask 1 open-ended question of your own
  • Respond to 2 of your classmate’s questions

Your questions and responses must have a minimum Curiosity score of 70. Questions are worth 9 points, both responses are worth 3 points each (15 total points per Packback discussion). Your lowest Packback Question score will be dropped - only 6 will count towards your final grade. 

Make sure you take some time to review Packback information in the Course Orientation module to familiarize yourself with the platform, including:

  • assignment goals,
  • grading requirements,
  • posting requirements and guidelines.

Detailed instructions, including registering for Packback and how to get help from the Packback Team will be provided in the Course Orientation module.

Packback Discussion Assignment Listing on Calendar, Access, and Grading:

There will be 2 parts to each Packback Assignment, an Initial Question/Posting, and an Answer/Response. The Initial Question/Posting and Answer/Response will each have a separate due date. For example, on the course calendar:

  1. Initial Question Postings: The initial question posting for the Lesson 02 Packback Discussion assignment will be listed as L02 Packback Discussion Initial Question. Initial Question Postings are due on Thursdays by 11:59 p.m.
  2. Answering/Responding to Peers: Responding to peers for the Lesson 02 Packback Discussion assignment will be listed as L02 Packback Discussion. Responses to peers are due on Sundays by 11:59 p.m.

You will complete each part of the assignment within the Packback platform. To do this, click on the Packback link in the course menu.

The overall grading for the question/posting assignment and the answer/response assignment will be aggregated in the Packback platform. After the due date, grades will be imported into Canvas and can be viewed in the Canvas gradebook.

This will be the same format that will be used throughout the course for all Packback assignments, unless stated otherwise.

Check the course calendar for due dates.

Packback Polls

The Packback Homework Discussion Polls will be used to engage students in online debates as a way to integrate and apply course concepts throughout the semester. You can access Packback Homework Discussion Polls by clicking on the Packback Questions link in the course menu. Once you are within the Packback platform, you can access the polls from the main Community Feed (similar to Packback Discussions) as well as from the Discussion Polls tab in the navigation menu.

Packback Poll Requirements

Packback assignments will be graded and will count towards about 16% of your overall course grade. In order to receive full credit, you should submit the following per each deadline period: 

  • Part 1: Select your poll choice and defend your response.
  • Part 2: Respond to one student's selection/response.
  • Part 3: Post a reflection/create a question.

Each part of the Packback Poll assignment must have a minimum Curiosity score of 70. Part 1: Initial Selection/Response is worth 3 points, Part 2: Response to Peer is worth 3 points, Part 3: Pose Reflection is worth 9 points (15 total points per Packback poll). No Packback Polls scores will be dropped. 

Make sure you take some time to review Packback information, including the Packback Discussion Poll Assignments section, in the Course Orientation module to familiarize yourself with the platform and for completing Packback Poll assignments.

Packback Discussion Poll Assignment Listing on Calendar, Access, and Grading:

The Discussion Poll will be completed in three parts (Part 1 Initial Response, Part 2 Peer Response, and Part 3 Reflection) and will all take place within the Part 1 Discussion Poll Initial Response assignment area, but will each have a separate due date. For example, on the course calendar:

  1. Part 1 - Selection/Response to Homework Discussion Poll Question: The selection and response posting for Lesson 03 Packback Discussion Poll assignment will be listed as L03 Part 1 Packback Discussion Poll Initial Response. Part 1 of the poll assignment are due on Thursdays by 11:59 p.m.
  2. Part 2 - Reply to Homework Discussion Poll (respond to 1 peer): Responding to peers for the Lesson 03 Packback Discussion Poll assignment will be listed as L03 Part 2 Packback Discussion Poll PEER Response. Part 2 of the assignment are due on Sundays by 11:59 p.m.
  3. Part 3 - Post a Reflection/Create a Question to Homework Discussion Poll: Posting your reflection based on your experience with the Lesson 03 Packback Discussion Poll assignment will be listed as L03 Part 3 Packback Discussion Poll Reflection. Part 3 of the poll assignment are due on Sundays by 11:59 p.m.

You will complete each part of the assignment within the Packback platform. To do this, click on the Packback Questions link in the course menu.

The overall grading for all parts of the poll assignment will be aggregated in the Packback platform. After the due date, grades will be imported into Canvas and can be viewed in the Canvas gradebook.

This will be the same format that will be used throughout the course for all Packback assignments, unless stated otherwise.

Check the course calendar for due dates.

Written Paper Assignments

Over the course of the semester, you will have two written paper assignments. Detailed instructions, expectations, and grading rubrics can be found within each of the paper assignments.

  • So, You Think You Know About Aging? We have all had experience that have shaped our beliefs, attitudes, and expectations regarding our old age (and the time between now and then). No matter what those particular perspectives are, they influence how we approach aging. The purpose of this paper is to help you to uncover these biases. 
  • You Learned About Aging, Now What? Throughout the course, we will discuss how the aging process should unfold (i.e., normative aging). Along the way, we will discuss various ways that we can improve our own aging processes. Before you leave the course, you will discuss how your perspectives on aging have changed and you will identify concrete behaviors that you can do to help improve your aging process. 

Exams

Exams will assess your knowledge, comprehension, and integration of course content, written assignments, videos, and assigned reading materials. There are three (3) exams in this course.

  1. Exam 1: This exam covers Lessons 1-5.
  2. Exam 2: This exam covers Lessons 6-9.
  3. Exam 3: This exam covers Lessons 10-12 as well as information from the rest of the course (Lessons 1-9).

The first two exams will be 50 points each. The third exam will be a comprehensive final (meaning anything you have learned in the course may appear on the final exam) that will be worth 100 points. Exams are NOT timed.

Exams consist of of multiple-choice, true/false, and matching questions.

Please take note that the exams in this course are NOT proctored.

These exams are OPEN-BOOK and OPEN-NOTE. You are allowed to use course content, written assignments, videos, and assigned reading materials. It is recommended, however, that you prepare for the exam as if you would not have access to these materials.

Exams are available to take for several days and must be submitted by the due date. Because exams are offered for several days, there will be no makeups offered except in the most severe of circumstances. Due to this flexibility of when to complete the exam, makeup exams are likely unnecessary; however, if a situation arises and the exam needs to be completed outside of the time determined for this course, contact your instructor who will coordinate an opportunity to complete the exam. Refer to the Course Calendar for due dates.

You will have only one (1) attempt to complete each exam, so once you click on the exam, you will NOT be able to resume at a later time. Refer to each exam for specific instructions. Make sure you plan to start the exam well before the due date so you have enough time to take it.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have reliable internet access for the duration of the exam, and it is your responsibility to take the exam far enough ahead of the due date that any unplanned events cannot cause you to be unable to submit the exam on time.

Refer to the corresponding exam module for each exam as it will provide more detailed information for each exam (i.e., specific content that will be covered, length of exam, question type, etc.).

You will be able to view your responses to the questions, including any questions you answered incorrectly, once you submit the exam (Note: You will only have access to view your responses once after submission.). You will NOT be able to see the correct answers.

Notes:

  1. We do NOT recommend taking exams using the Canvas mobile app; use the web version of Canvas.
  2. Your work will automatically be saved as you complete the exam. If you experience technical difficulties, contact the HelpDesk Links to an external site. immediately. You should also contact your instructor.

Check Yourself Activities (optional)

In addition to the required assignments, there are optional Check Yourself Activities throughout the course. These activities are designed to help make sure that you understand key course concepts before you complete graded activities. They will help prepare you to complete graded activities and exams.

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar unless noted otherwise. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide Links to an external site..

Late Assignments

Late submissions made within 24 hours of the stated deadline will be accepted at no late penalty (with no questions asked). In other words, everyone is entitled to the 24-hour grace period from the due date/time on all written assignments this semester (with no penalty); this is there for you to use at your discretion. Work submitted outside the universally available 24-hour grace period will be subject to a late deduction. An assignment will receive a 20% deduction each day it is late. 

SOME ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE! Exams and all PackBack discussions (i.e., questions and polls) are excluded from this policy! No exams or PackBack discussions will be accepted late.

Assignment Extensions

All assignments are expected to be submitted by their due dates. Extensions are only provided on a necessary basis. If you are already aware of any time during the semester that might impact your ability to complete an assignment on time, contact your instructor immediately so that a plan can be worked out.

However, life does happen. If something occurs last minute, then email your instructor as soon as possible. Requests should be submitted at least 72 hours in advance of the due date. No extensions will be granted within that 72-hour window, except for extreme circumstances (e.g., death in the family, family emergency). 

No extensions will be provided for personal illness (except extreme cases) or vacations. If you have questions regarding your situation, contact your instructor.

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Grading

Final grades will be assigned based on the following grading scheme:

Course Grading Scheme
Grade Percentage
A 93-100%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 70-76%
D 60-69%
F <60%

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Additional Links and Resources

Review information related to technical requirements, Penn State policies, and student resources.

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Course Summary:

Date Details Due