Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 323"
COURSE NAME: "Lifespan Personality Development"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Erik Noftle
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 1:30-3:20 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: PS 320 or permission of instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course attempts to reconcile the evidence for patterns of continuity and change in personality across different periods of the lifespan, and for three central aspects of personality: dispositional traits, characteristic adaptations, and narrative identity. The course investigates how theories have reckoned with this new evidentiary base and explores individual differences in patterns of continuity and change by applying them to the understanding of individual lives. Students will have opportunities to critically evaluate evidence for patterns among the three aspects of personality, and for each period of the lifespan address a variety of questions about how and why personality develops in the way evidence suggests.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Welcome to Lifespan Personality Development! The aim of this course is to give you an in-depth introduction to questions of continuity and change in personality. We examine three central domains in personality: the actor (dispositional traits), the agent (characteristic adaptations such as motivations and values), and the author (narrative identity). The course takes a lifespan approach and thus focuses extensively on adulthood (particularly emerging adulthood, ages 18 to 30), but also provides ample attention to childhood and adolescence. We examine personality development both nomothetically (i.e., searching for scientific laws that explain how and why different aspects of personality change normatively with age) as well as idiographically (i.e., inquiring about how processes of personality development are captured within specific individuals).

Whereas this class is partly lecture-based, class participation is always highly encouraged—I’d like you ask questions when you have them, and speak up if you have comments. There will be several days when the class format is more discussion-based, and I will also have questions for you on a regular basis. There will be additional activities throughout the course for which your in-class participation will be required.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Learning Outcome #1 is for students to understand the different approaches and perspectives involved in studying personality development. We will cover current and classic theories, research, and applications of personality development in class and in readings, and I will test your mastery and knowledge of these areas using both exams and papers.

Learning Outcome #2 is for students to learn how personality psychologists study personality development scientifically. We will discuss several methods used to test theories and to conduct research in personality development, and I will test your knowledge of these areas and your creative ability to apply this knowledge to novel hypothetical situations.

Learning Outcome #3 is for students to directly and indirectly apply concepts central to personality psychology and personality development to individual lives. Coursework affords you the opportunity to engage in application of theories and research from the course to specific individuals’ lives.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
The Art and Science of Personality Development	Dan P. McAdams	Guilford	9781462529322			Hard Copy

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Exam 1		30
Exam 2		30
Participation and Discussion		10
Presentation		5
Reaction Papers/Discussion Posts		10
Final Paper		15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Date	Topic	Readings
May 20	Syllabus & Introduction; FILM: 7 Up (1964)	McAdams Prologue
May 21	Human Personality: Human Nature and Evolution	McAdams 1
May 22	The Actor: Performing Emotion	McAdams 2
May 23	FILM: 7 Plus Seven [14 Up] (1970)
May 27	The Actor: Self-Regulation and Attachment	McAdams 3
May 28	The Actor: Personality Traits	Diener & Lucas (noba.to/96u8ecgw)
May 29	FILM: 21 Up (1977) and discussion
May 30	The Actor: Lifespan Trait Development	McAdams 4
June 3	Research: Mean-level Trait Change	Bleidorn et al. (2018)
June 4	Exam 1
June 5	The Agent: The 5-7 Shift	McAdams 5
June 6	Research: Emerging Adulthood	Arnett (2013)
June 10	The Agent: Goals and Needs	McAdams 6
June 11	FILM: 42 Up (1998) and discussion	Hutteman et al. (2014)
June 12	The Agent: Values and Life Outcomes	McAdams 7
June 13	The Author: Stories	McAdams 8
June 17	The Author: Generativity and Redemption	McAdams 9
June 18	Exam 2
June 19	FILM: 63 Up (2019) and discussion	McAdams 10
June 20	Summing up Lifespan Personality Development	Final Paper Due
June 21	Paper Presentations