Courses

The general survey course in child and adolescent development familiarizes students with the different topics and prominent schools of thought in the field. A second introductory course focuses on adulthood and aging. Students may do more advanced work in fields such as the development of children’s cognition, social development, and life-span developmental psychology.

· Introduction to Child Development Psychology 111
· Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood Psychology 112

· Development and Psychopathology Psychology 210
· Adolescent Development Psychology 211
· School Guidance and Counseling from a Multicultural Perspective Psychology 235, MES
· Cross-Cultural Human Development Psychology 255, MES
· Research Practicum in Developmental Psychology Psychology DEV

Introduction to Child Development
Psychology 111
As you watch an infant struggle to grasp a toy or a young boy trying to sound out a simple word, it's easy to see how much you've changed. In the same way, glimpsing a young father balancing a baby and a bag of groceries or an old woman laughing with a friend reminds us of how far we have yet to go. Development across the Lifespan is an introductory course in developmental psychology that explores the processes that shape our lives between conception and death. Although each life unfolds in its own unique pattern, we will explore the ways biological, psychological, and sociological influences systematically combine to shape its course. This class will help you to develop an understanding of the concepts, methods, and research findings central to the study of developmental psychology.

Introduction to Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood
Psych 112
A human life begins with a single cell and unfolds in almost inconceivable complexity.  Developmental psychology is the scientific study of change and continuity over the lifecourse.  Psych 112 is an introductory survey course in developmental psychology that focuses on the period between conception and puberty.  While each life unfolds in its own unique pattern, we will explore the ways biological, psychological, cultural, and sociological influences systematically combine to shape its course.

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Development and Psychopathology

Psych 210

This course investigates the early and multiple factors contributing to psychopathology emerging in childhood, as well as the diagnostic and treatment standards now in practice. We will emphasize an empirically-based developmental psychopathology perspective, with an emphasis on the risk and protective factors that shape abnormal and normal developmental trajectories. We will explore various models for understanding maladaptive development (e.g, the role of genes, psychosocial influences) through the examination of current research and diagnostic practices in specific diagnostic areas (e.g., autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Throughout this course, students will be encouraged to relate empirical findings to the field’s theoretical models in considering the genetic, biological, cognitive, and cultural influences on child development.

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Adolescent Development
Psych 211
Only in early infancy do minds, bodies, and abilities change as radically as they do during the teenage years. Adolescent Development explores the developmental processes that shape our lives between puberty and the end of college. This class will help you to develop an understanding of the concepts, methods, and research findings central to the study of adolescent development. In addition, we will explore how historical and cultural conditions shape how people make the transition from child to adult.

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School Guidance and Counseling from a Multicultural Perspective
Psychology 235 MES
An examination of the meaning, goals, assumptions, approaches, services, and instruments of traditional school guidance from a multicultural perspective. The course challenges students to respond in culturally sensitive, relevant, and appropriate ways to the needs of others in a diverse society.

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Cross-Cultural Human Development
Psychology 255 MES
An exploration of the nature of culture as an environmental context within which development occurs. Students examine cross-cultural research from two different perspectives: cross-national comparisons and subcultures within a larger, dominant culture. Specific questions to be addressed include: How generalizable are contemporary models of social and cognitive development? Does culture restrict or enhance development? Does culture influence all aspects of development in the same way? Empirical investigations of cultural variability in development are strongly emphasized. Familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies is essential. Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course.

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Research Practicum in Developmental Psychology
Psychology DEV
The Research Practicum in Developmental Psychology is designed to give students a fuller understanding of adolescent and adult development, the research process, and how research methods and statistics are applied in collecting and analyzing data.  Students enrolled in this course will participate in ongoing research in developmental psychology that involves interview, observational, and questionnaire methodologies. Although the majority of student time will be spent in supervised laboratory work, each student will also be expected to participate in weekly laboratory meetings, undertake library research, and carry out an independent research project. Open to all students with consent of the instructor.

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