Course Syllabus

Fall 2026 | EDU-2365-VO01 - Perspectives on Development

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Darcy Oakes
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Philip Crossman

General Education Requirements

Humanistic Perspectives

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course examines human development from birth through young adulthood as a function of an ecological system. Students explore typical and atypical development and how cultural constructs such as gender, ethnicity, race, sexuality, ability, and socioeconomic resources interact within an ecosystem to affect development. Cross-cultural comparisons and experiences from diverse population groups are considered. The aim is to understand the local and global forces that shape human ecology and how they, in turn, shape individual identity. Special attention is placed on generating a strengths-based, anti-discriminatory approach for practitioners working with diverse populations.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify key physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral, and communication milestones in children and adolescents.
2. Describe how cultural constructs such as ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, ability, and socioeconomic resources interact within an ecosystem to affect development.
3. Explore historical trends, geographic differences, and sociocultural forces that have shaped global views of youth development.
4. Analyze ways that language, culture, and family background influence the development and learning of students with exceptionalities.
5. Apply developmental theory to design learning experiences for students with diverse backgrounds.
6. Demonstrate that they have reflected on their learning in this course and articulate the ways they will apply that learning in their teaching practice.
Successfully completing this course enables students to meet the following Knowledge and Performance Standards for Vermont Educators:
Vermont Core Teaching Standards
PC 1.2 Candidates use their understanding of developmental theory (in areas such as cognitive, linguistic, social emotional and physical) to design appropriate learning experiences.
Special Education Licensure Standards
SPED 1.1. Understand how language, culture, and family background influence the learning of individuals with exceptionalities.
SPED 1.2. Use understanding of development and individual differences to respond to the needs of individuals with exceptionalities

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

Methods:

Students will post to discussion forums, weekly to the entire class, or within small groups. Forum activities will include reflecting on readings from the text and online sources, responding to videos and podcasts, etc.

Course Assessment :

Students will be provided with formative assessments throughout the course. A final grade will be based on a summative assessment of participation, assignments, and accomplishment of the course aims. If at any point in the course, students would like to discuss their progress or current standing, please make an appointment with the instructor.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Attendance:The classroom is the heart of the educational experience at CCV because it provides a formal setting for important exchanges among faculty and students. Regular and punctual attendance at all classes, essential for maximum academic achievement, is a major responsibility of students. Absences affect the contributions one can make in the classroom, and they significantly and demonstrably reduce the quality of the educational experience for everyone in the course. As a result, absence almost always affects the quality of performance.

As part of its commitment to a quality educational experience for all members of the CCV community, the College formally requires specific attendance policies to be developed by its professors. It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to each professor’s course attendance policy and to be in ongoing communication with their professors regarding attendance concerns and issues. The attendance policy for this class is as follows:

Attendance is mandatory.Please work to add to the discussion early and often each week.

Attendance Policy:Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential components of a student's success in college and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. Please be aware that missing more than three (3) classes will result in a non-satisfactory grade.

Classroom Behavior/Professionalism

You are aspiring professionals, and it is expected that you will behave as such. Respect for yourself and others (including your faculty) is paramount. Any issues will be handled directly and personally.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Late Work

We all lead busy lives, and time management is important. Late work will not be accepted without express permission in advance – don’t count on it. Instead, plan for on time.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.