Developmental Psychology (244-0-20)
Instructors
Sara Cantonia Broaders
847/491-3652
Swift 243, 2029 Sheridan Road
Meeting Info
Fisk Hall 217: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
The focus of this course is development from conception through adolescence across a range of psychological domains, including: physical development, perception, cognition, language, concepts, social interaction and relationships, and emotion. The course considers theories of development, perspectives and methods in developmental research, and some applications of developmental research and findings.
Registration Requirements
Psychology 110 - Introduction to Psychology (AP Credit for Intro Psych is accepted)
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
• Integrate findings from physical, cognitive, and social development to describe how these different domains interact in a variety of specific contexts and tasks.
• Evaluate the empirical evidence for the general theories presented in each domain to ascertain which theories and premises have the best scientific support.
• Specify ways that nature and nurture interact in producing developmental outcomes in a variety of domains.
• Apply the theories and research findings from each of the specific topic areas to novel examples.
• Determine specific practical issues that could be better informed by research findings in developmental psychology.
• Identify ways that children are active participants in their own development in each of the general domains of development.
• Distinguish several different mechanisms of change that lead to both general and specific transitions.
• Explain ways that the sociocultural context influences development.
Teaching Method
Lecture, supplemented with videos and some brief in-class discussions
Evaluation Method
Grades will be based on several short papers, practice quizzes, and exams.
Class Materials (Required)
• Siegler, R.S., Saffran, J.R., Gershoff, E., & Eisenberg, N. (2020). How children develop, 6th edition. Worth Publishers. ISBN: 978-1319184568. Information about renting the textbook directly from the publisher will be provided in the syllabus. [Note, if necessary, you can use the 5th edition of the textbook.]
• Articles and chapters from a variety of other sources that will be available through the Canvas course management system.
Class Attributes
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Prerequisites apply, see description