Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of individuals from conception to the end of life from ecological and life-span perspectives.
Athena Title
Lifespan Development
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HDFS 2200E, HDFS 2200H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will use core concepts, integrative elements, and cross-cutting themes as they learn to identify major developmental changes, behaviors, and issues during infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and later life (e.g., factors influencing development, physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development) that promote individual well-being and optimal development.
Students will use core concepts, integrative elements, and cross-cutting themes as they learn to reflect on and explain how individual (e.g., race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and class) and social factors influence development and how family, community, societal, and historical contexts contribute to developmental outcomes (e.g., ecological systems) as you consider, engage, and analyze opposing viewpoints or arguments.
Students will use core concepts, integrative elements, and cross-cutting themes as they learn to think critically about the knowledge gained in class to address contextual and societal issues and to apply this knowledge to your own personal and professional development and to the lives of others. You will support your own conclusion, decision, or action with sound reasoning and judgment.
Topical Outline
Each major section will illustrate aspects of development for infants, children, adolescents, and mid-and later-life adults within an ecological framework, including family influences, and incorporate theory, research methods, application, and cultural diversity issues.
1. Introduction to Life-Span Development
a. Overview
b. Research Methods
c. Theories
d. Influence of Socio-contextual factors on development (e.g., race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and class)
e. Mutual influence of physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development across the lifespan
2. Factors Influencing Development
a. Genes, Environment, Evolution
b. Gene-environment Interaction and Heritability
c. Early Environmental Influences on Development-- Prenatal, Perinatal, Early Postnatal
3. Physical Development
a. Endocrine and Nervous Systems, Brain Development
b. Growth, Fine and Gross Motor, Coordination, Strength, Endurance, Speed
c. Reproduction
d. Health and Safety Issues (e.g., Impact of Physical Health on Behavior, Developmental Stages)
4. Cognitive Development
a. Perception and Attention
b. Cognition and Language
c. Learning, Memory, and Information Processing
d. Intelligence and Creativity (e.g., Cognitive Development Theories, Neurodevelopmental Factors, Brain development during childhood and adolescence , Effects of trauma on cognitive and emotional growth, Neuroplasticity and its implications for recovery)
5. Social-Emotional Development
a. Self-concept/Identity, Personality, and Temperament
b. Gender Roles and Sexuality
c. Social Cognition and Moral Development
d. Attachment and Social Relationships
e. The Family
f. Achievement (e.g., Social Environment: How socio-economic status, peer relationships, and community resources influence behavioral health. The impact of social isolation and support systems.)
6. Promoting Well-being in the Midst of During Challenges
a. Psychological Disorders
b. Risk, Coping, and Resilience
d. Death and Dying
General Education Core
CORE V: Social Sciences
Institutional Competencies
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
