Course Description
Adolescent and young adult development in the context of families. Special attention is given to the transactional nature of adolescent/young adult and family development, with an application of theory and research to understanding adolescence and early adulthood.
Athena Title
Adolescent Development
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HDFS 3700E, HDFS 3700S, HDFS 3701E
Prerequisite
HDFS 2200 or HDFS 2200H or HDFS 2200E or HDFS 2950 or HDFS 2950E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. To understand adolescent development from various theoretical viewpoints and to apply such principles to real life examples and adolescent settings. 2. To explore, through discussion, relevant issues that adolescents face today and how an adolescent developmental perspective can contribute to our understanding of and intervention with such issues. 3. To begin to consider the many factors influencing the development of individuals in this life stage, including those related to the contexts of family, culture, education, work, and media. 4. To grasp a fuller comprehension of one's own personal experiences as an adolescent in comparison to the experiences of adolescents today. 5. To reflect on and develop an awareness of how historical events and longstanding customs relating to race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and class have influenced contemporary political, social, and economic issues of society.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction: Developmental Theory and Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood 2. Introduction: Researching Adolescence 3. Foundational Changes of Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood: Biological Transitions 4. Foundational Changes of Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood: Cognitive and Neurocognitive Transitions 5. Foundational Changes of Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood: Social Cognition and Identity 7. Contexts of Development: Family 8. Contexts of Development: Peers 9. Contexts of Development: School and Community 10. Contexts of Development: Work 11. Contexts of Development: Intimate Relationships and Sexuality 12. Contexts of Development: Media 13. Outcomes of Adolescence/Emerging Adulthood: Psychosocial Adjustment and Problems
Syllabus