Human Development: Childhood and Adolescence (201-0-20)

Instructors

Terri J. Sabol

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall 345: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Major social and economic transformations in the United States have changed the lives of
young children and families. For instance, economic mobility across generations has stalled,
with only 10 percent of children born into the bottom income quintile moving to the top quintile
when they are adults. In addition, the world is in the midst of a global pandemic that has
upended every aspect of children's lives. As a result, there is increased momentum across
the country to invest in policies and programs designed to promote the life chances of
children and adolescents.

Understanding how education and social policy can improve the lives of children and
adolescents requires an in-depth understanding of human development. Advanced research in
human development has led to a better understanding of the conditions that influence child and
adolescent development. In this course, we explore the fundamental question of "what drives
developmental change from birth to adolescence?", drawing on an ecological framework in
which development is based on the interplay between individual dispositions and multiple
spheres of influence (e.g., families, schools, and culture).

The course is divided into two parts. First, students will learn about the core human
developmental theories, including cognitive, sociocultural, behavioral, psychoanalytic, and
neurodevelopmental theories, and how they apply to infancy through adolescence. We will also
discuss the application of these theories to existing interventions and policies. In the second
part of the course, we will consider how context, including parents, families, school, and
COVID-19 affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents.

As each new topic is introduced, we will want to understand the quality of available evidence,
how the evidence informs our understanding of child development, and how the science of child
development can apply to practice and policy. This course will combine lecture and seminar
format. Class discussions will complement the material presented in the lecture and focus on
applying the scientific knowledge of child development to current programs and policies aimed
to improve children's lives