Course Description
Research and theory on the psychological development of the maturing human, including social/emotional and cognitive development. Community-based application of and reflection on course content in a range of service-learning settings.
Athena Title
Developmental Psychology
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in PSYC 4220, PSYC 4220E, PSYC 4220H
Non-Traditional Format
Course includes a service-learning project during the semester that either employs skills or knowledge learned in the course or teaches new skills or knowledge related to course objectives. Students will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project(s) and will spend time outside of the classroom planning and implementing the service-learning project(s). Students will be engaged in the service-learning component for approximately 25-50% of overall instructional time.
Prerequisite
PSYC 3990 or PSYC 3990E
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students should have learned: 1. About biological, social, cognitive, and psychological development across the human lifespan. 2. About the important research methods, theories, and empirical approaches to the study of developmental psychology. 3. What it means to take a developmental approach to studying the major topics in psychology (genetic, biological, cognitive, social, emotional, and psychopathology). 4. How lifespan course content plays out in real-world community settings, through service-learning experiences and related reflection in areas such as childcare development, mental health services, court services, long-term residential care, palliative care, or other relevant settings.
Topical Outline
Covered topics may include the following: 1. Introduction 2. History of Developmental Psychology 3. Heredity and Environment 4. Cognitive Development 5. Social and Emotional Development 6. Biological 7. Community Settings, Service-Learning, and Reflection