Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
HR 5403 Psycho-Social Development
Course Description
This course will explore development through the human life span from a psycho-social approach and will examine theoretical approaches from the mid-twentieth century to recent theoretical perspectives. In this context, the expanding social realm of the developing individual will be discussed along with research in a variety of areas related to social development including cognitive and social neurosciences.
This course is designed to provide a foundation in Psycho-Social Development from a theoretical and clinical perspective and to meet the learning objectives of students on the CMHC licensing track. An understanding of Psycho-Social Development is crucial for students to appreciate the life stage process as part of the lived experience of various populations presenting with mental-emotional health issues. This course will therefore help provide the foundation necessary for students as they enter their professional field.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Graduate standing, majors only, or permission of instructor.
Course Materials
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.)
- Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2018). Development through life: A psychosocial approach.
- Siegal, J.D. (2020). The Developing Mind: How Relationship and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are (3rd ed).
- Additional readings and references will be available on the resources pages in the weekly modules.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Discussions | Weekly discussion board activities | 375 points |
| Quizzes | Periodic quizzes to test your knowledge of concepts | 50 points |
| Psycho-Social Stages Paper | Written reflection on Erik Erikson's 7 Stages of Psycho-Social Development | 100 points |
| Presentation | 5-minute Presentation | 75 points |
| Final Exam | Cumulative exam covering all Modules | 100 points |
| Total | 700 points |
| Points Earned |
Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 627–700 points | A |
| 557–626 points | B |
| 487–556 points | C |
| 417–486 points | D |
| Below 417 points | F |
Course Components
Discussion Posts
375 Points (15 Discussions / 25 points each)
In each module, students will complete a weekly discussion assignment. Because this is a condensed course, some weeks will require two discussion posts. Discussion prompts will be provided in each Module and will include analysis of the text and web-based materials and videos.
Each student will complete an original post on the given topic, then reply to at least three classmates' posts.
This is due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. (Central) each week. Replies should be respectful and insightful.
Quizzes
50 Points (5 quizzes / 10 points each)
To obtain your license as a Licensed Professional Counselor, you will be required to complete a multiple-choice counseling exam and a state law/ethics exam. In preparation for that exam and to demonstrate your knowledge of the course material, you are required to complete periodic quizzes.
There will not be a time limit set on your quizzes and you may use your text and notes to find the answers, however, you cannot work on quizzes with classmates and use each other as a resource.
Note: You are allowed to take the 1st two quizzes twice (in Module 1 & 3) and your highest test score will be counted.
Midterm-Psycho-Social Stages Paper
100 Points
You will turn this in during Module 5.
This is a client-focused paper based upon Erik Erikson's Psycho-Social Stages. Your paper should be 6-8 pages in length (not including the cover page and resources page).
For more detailed instructions, see the Course Assignments Page in the Start Here Module.
Note: It is important to use scholarly and peer reviewed references in this paper to indicate your ability to research your chosen issue as part of the psycho-social crisis of your imaginary client.
This sample paper highlights the use of APA (American Psychiatric Association) formatting that includes an abstract, Introduction and thesis statement and ends with a conclusion. It also serves to illustrate a case example that discusses psycho-social concerns with a relevant clinical issue.
Presentation
75 points
Assignment Details
Each student will prepare a short (5 minute) recorded presentation on a topic of their choice relevant to psycho-social development and development issues across the lifespan.
You will post your presentation to the discussion board in Module 7.
For detailed instructions, see the Course Assignments Page in the Start Here Module.
Final Exam
100 Points
To become licensed as a professional counselor you will have to pass a national counseling multiple-choice exam. In preparation for that exam and to demonstrate their knowledge of psycho-social development this semester, students will be asked to complete a cumulative multiple-choice exam based on the content from all Modules in this course.
This 50-question exam will be an open-book, open-notes, and timed exam.
The Final Exam must be completed by the end of Module 8.
Course Policies
Communication
Students can access Dr. Barnum via Canvas or by emailing las@ou.edu.
Emails will be returned within 24 hours. Email correspondence will be monitored daily. All email communication will be through official OU email addresses only. When contacting the professor by email, please include the course number and section title in the subject line.
Late Policy
Due to the expedited nature of the Online CMHC program and learning format, it is expected that students practice time management in submission of assignments. This can also prepare students for the future time constraints important to consider when working in community mental health settings.
All assignments are due by midnight CST on the date listed. Late assignments will receive 0 points. Deviations from this requirement on any one of the assignments must be coordinated with your Instructor in advance for approval.
Email your Instructor if an emergency occurs. If a student has not completed at least half of the required assignments, a final grade of AW (Administrative Withdrawal) will be assigned with no grade or credit.
Note: Course deadlines before two weeks of the program completion will be under a hard deadline unless discussed prior with the instructor.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Diversity Statement
The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person's unique contributions, background and perspective. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage.
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual based on the individual’s race, color, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age (40 or older), sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. For more information, please contact the Institutional Equity Office.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Title IX Office at 405-325-2215 (8–5, M–F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or their authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user's access to some or all of the university's computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|