| Schedule Winter 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| This schedule may change during the Winter | ||
| Date | Topic | Assignment |
| 01/02/2026 | Syllabus and introduction. Watch introductory video. | |
| 01/05/2026 | Introductory topics | Discussion by 01/09/2026 |
| 01/12/2026 | Research Methods and Physical Changes | Discussion by 01/16/2026 |
| 01/12/2026 | Cognitive Functioning | Discussion by 01/19/2026 |
| 01/19/2026 | Health and Death | Discussion by 01/22/2026 |
| 01/19/2026 | Final project | By 01/22/2026 |
Human Development III: Adulthood and Aging
Winter 2026
Important
Course time: at student’s pace.
Professor: Esteban Montenegro-Montenegro, PhD.
Office hours online: Schedule an appointment here or send me an email.
Email: emontenegro1@csustan.edu Schedule an appointment: CLICK HERE
Course description
This course was designed to introduce the process of aging. The content will emphasize a psychological perspective. However, we will keep an interdisciplinary approach. The study of aging is a complex matter, where several fields converge to explain aging as a bio-psychological process. I will keep a positive approach where we will focus most of the time on healthy aging. We will cover some pathological conditions such as dementia and other neurodegenerative syndromes. We will study policies related to human rights, and access to health care in aging adults. This topic will be studied with a more critical view.
In general, my aim is to give you a overall idea of the most important topics to study adulthood and aging. I aim to make you reflect on how society evaluates aging, and hopefully, I will be able to teach you that aging is a wonderful stage in life.
We might read more about aging from a multicultural perspective. I will probably repeat this mantra several times: Looking old is looking good!
Pre-requesites
Basic principles of adult development and aging from maturity to death are examined. Biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of development and aging are considered through discussion of relevant theory, research, and application. This course is cross-listed with two prefixes. Child Development majors or concentrations should enroll in CDEV 3340; Psychology majors should enroll in PSYC 3340. Pre-credential or general education students or those enrolling for elective credit may enroll in either prefix. This course is applicable to upper-division General Education, Area F3 for those students who have completed or are currently completing their 60th unit. Majors in Child Development, Psychology, and Liberal Studies (with concentrations in Child Development) may not use this course for General Education credit, but may use it for purposes specified within their majors.
Course Learning Objectives
Understand and explain adult development (behavior, cognition, emotion, etc.) using psychological terminology and theories.
Understand and critically evaluate research on aging.
Write using psychological style and APA style.
Complete assignments with academic integrity.
Requeried textbook
We will study the following book: Adult development and aging: Biopsychosocial perspectives 7th edition by Whitbourne & Whitbourne (2020). You may purchase or rent the book online on the Vital Source website. click here.
Course Structure for the Winter term
This is an asynchronous course, you will have to study most of the time by yourself. Please be aware of the deadlines posted on Canvas. A typical week will be like this:
You read the chapter or chpaters corresponding to the specific week.
You may watch the recorded lectures. Not all topics will have a video lecture.
You check announcements on Canvas. I recommend to download the Canvas app for Android or Iphone. The app will be very helpful because it sends notifications to your cellphone.
You will complete an online dicussion per week.
You will have to make comments using the Discussion Plus forum on Canvas. You may need to type or record audio depending on the instructions. Your comments will be related to the book chapters, scientific articles, or videos that I will share on Canvas.
Course materials
You will need a computer or cellphone to get access to the online book on VitalSource website. This is the cheapest way to get access to the class book. I tried to find a free and opensource book but so far the chosen books is one of the best books to introduce the most important topics in aging. You will need to record some comments, therefore your device should have a microphone. You don’t need a fancy computer to get access to the class materials. All the slides will be available in html format on Canvas. Also, you will be able to go to my webpage to open the slides in any web browser.
Note
If you don’t have a computer, you may contact me to find possible solutions. Don’t drop the class!
You will need a word processor to prepare your assignments for submission. You can use Microsoft Word, Libre Office, Google Documents, or any other software. You will need to install Zoom or Teams in your computer or smartphone for online meetings with me. However, I’m open to meet using alternaive software if necessary.
Evaluations
Weekly Comments (60%): You will have to post a comment based on the corresponding book chapter, and sometimes based on scientific articles. A comment will be a thread 300 words long. You may need to add citations to support your statements, an academic discussion comprises evidence and data. You have to post a comment every WEEK by the deadline set on Canvas. In addition, you have to reply to at least ONE classmate, each reply must be minimum 75 words long. You may post more replies if you wish. The weekly comments will be posted on Discussion Plus on Canvas.
Literature review(40%): You will have to prepare a literature review on topics related to aging, topics related to health, research methods, and more a possible for this assigment. I will provide a list of suggested topics, but you are free to suggest a topic not contemplated in my list. It is recommended that you select a topic related to your field of study, for instance if your major is sociology you can suggest a topic closer to your field, or if you are in nursing, you may select or suggest a topic that is closer to your field.
Late work
If you miss a deadline send me an email explaining why you are submitting late. Deadlines are flexible but I need to know you care about it.
Disputing a Score
Students are welcome to dispute a score if they believe they were incorrectly deducted for their work. For this, students must provide a written explanation, specifying why they were incorrectly graded. For non-final assignments or exams, this must be done within seven (7) days from the date the score was posted on Canvas. For final assignments or exams, this must be done before final course grades are submitted; your instructor will post an announcement on Canvas with this date.
Final Grades
Grades are based on all weighted evaluation categories (participation activities, graded assignments, and exams) total points. Letter grades will be assigned using the following percentages (rounded to the second decimal point):
| Grading Criteria | |
|---|---|
A = 93 - 100 \(A^-\)= 90-93 \(B^+\) = 87-90 B = 83-87 \(B^-\) = 80-83 |
C = 73-77 \(C^-\) = 70-73 D = 63-67 \(D^-\) = 60 - 63 |
Expectations and Policies
Communication skills: You are expected to exercise strong academic verbal and writing skills for expressing yourself to complete class assignments. Failing to clearly communicate your ideas on class assignments may result in you losing points on that assignment. You also need strong analytical and critical thinking skills for completing weekly tasks. I will do my best to respond to emails within 1 - 2 business days (Monday through Friday). If you do not hear back from me within this time interval, send me a follow-up email that includes your original email message. Please keep in mind that if your email question is sent at the last minute it may not be possible to send you a response right before the submission of an assignment or exam. Before emailing me, please see if the answer to your question can be found on the course syllabus, schedule, or Canvas webpage.
Diversity: I will always embrace diversity as the most important human value. It is expected that students understand the importance of creating diverse and safe places free of discrimination by gender, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. I am an ally to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) community, and I am available to listen and support you in an affirming manner. I can assist in connecting you with resources on campus to address problems you may face pertaining to sexual orientation and/or gender identity that could interfere with your success at Stan State.PSYC 3000 - Esteban Montenegro-Montenegro, PhD., Fall 2022
Academic misconduct: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Instances of academic misconduct (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) will result in a grade of zero on the exam/assignment in question. Additionally, you may also receive a lower letter grade or “F” in the class, be reported to Judicial Affairs for academic misconduct activity tracking or disciplinary action, suspended or expelled from the university. It is your responsibility to know the rules. Always paraphrase and cite the source properly according to APA style, avoid copying sentences unless they are necessary, and you cite the author in APA style. Always cite your source! In detail, pay attention to the California Code of Regulations:
“Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41301 notes that students may be”expelled, suspended, placed on probation, or given a lesser sanction for one or more of the following causes which must be campus related: 1. Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program at a campus. . . .” (see “Student Rights & Responsibilities” section of the current Stanislaus State catalog).”
APA Style: Unfortunately, I have to enforce the use of APA style, this is important to generate clean and tidy documentation while you follow scientific formatting. You have to follow the APA style 7 th edition, I would recommend to buy the manual or just use this website, it has plenty of information about it, it also provides tools to generate references and citations: Click here
Students with disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability at Stan State, please see me immediately to discuss appropriate accommodations. You must email me your letter of accommodation from Stan State’s DRS department as soon as possible. For exam accommodations, you must email me your accommodation letter at least seven days (7) before a scheduled exam to receive your accommodation (see schedule for exam dates). Contact me via email if you wish to discuss your accommodation or if you are in the process of registering for DRS services. Note, that accommodations are not provided retroactively.
Large Language Models (aka AI): I know AI is available everywhere, and most likely you will be tempted to use AI to answer the assigments. Please don’t use AI in a way that will spoil your learning process. I have my doubts about how good AI can be for your learning path, but I will not penalize if you use AI, I will make comments when I believe you used AI, there is not an accurate AI detector, so it is hard for me to test every submission. If english is your second language I will understand if you use Grammarly or any other grammar AI, but don’t allow the software to run everything for you, otherwise you will not learn how to write with style in english. Also, you may ask an AI to get you a summary of the readings, I cannot control if you do it, if you do, check what the model is telling you, versus what is the real content, “AI” software is not 100% accurate. In sum, I will not penalize AI, I believe you will make an effort to read and understand the content, please always write your own ideas in the comments, don’t allow the machine to give you a “canned” opinion.
Student Resources
Here are some of the resources available to you here at Stan State. All these services are available to you, as a Stan State student, free of charge (except certain medical appointments and procedures). Please visit their web pages to learn more about the services they provide.
Basic Need Support: 209-667-3108. Resources are available to help with securing food and emergency finances.
Student Health Center: 209-667-3396. Medical care, health education, disease prevention, laboratory testing, physicals, women’s and reproductive health, flu shots, immunizations.
Disability Resource Services: 209-667-3159. Supports students and arranges accommodations for students with disabilities, including disabilities related to learning, vision, mobility, hearing, autism, or chronic or temporary health factors.
Psychological Counseling Services: 209-667-3381. Confidential individual personal counseling and group/wellness workshops to help students deal with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationships.
Diversity Resources: Workshops, student space, reading nook, complimentary coffee and tea, social justice library, conference room space.
Undocumented Student Services: 209-667-3519. Walk-in advising, workshops, legal services, DACA renewal, scholarships, peer support, family and community engagement.
Academic Success Center: 209-667-3700. Drop-in advising for general education, university requirements, undeclared majors, academic probation, and California Promise.
Learning Commons: 209-667-3642, Tutoring (walk-in and regular appointments), supplemental instruction, WPST, writing center.
Career and Professional Development: 209-667-3661. Career coaching, workshops, resume building, business attire.
Warrior Food Pantry: 209-667-3561. Non-perishable food items and toiletries, at no cost. Collect up to 10 items per week.
Student Affairs: 209-667-3177. General hub for all student academic and support services on campus.
Class Schedule
The following class schedule is always under construction, which might change every week. You will receive a notification if there are changes. If not, you will not be penalized because of any unannounced change.
Warning
You should always check Canvas, I might add additional readings such as scientific articles, press articles or videos.
References
Whitbourne, S. K., & Whitbourne, S. B. (2020). Adult development and aging: Biopsychosocial perspectives. John Wiley & Sons.