Course Description
This course focuses on the changes which occur in normal development between conception and death in the areas of cognitive, physical, and social development. Some sections of this course are taught in the computer lab; computer literacy skills are recommended. IAI: S6 902.
Prerequisite(s)
Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand how children/adolescents/adults construct knowledge, acquire skills, and develop habits of mind
- Analyze how demographic and economic changes in the USA are impacting the family unit, child rearing in the home and at school.
- Contrast child-rearing practices and parenting styles in different ethnic groups.
- Understand basic research methods and able to identify methodological flaws in research studies as well as interpret correlations in research.
- Describe early childhood education programs that enhance cognitive and social skills.
- Understand attachment/bonding theory and its impact on development for later years.
- Identify age characteristics described in the stage theories: Freud, Erikson, and Piaget.
- Understand that children’s/adolescents’/adults’ physical, social, emotional, ethical, cognitive and language development influences learning
- Understand human developmental concepts, learning theory, neural science, and the ranges of individual variation within each domain
- Understand that differences in approaches to learning and performance interact with development
- Understand the impact of cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities on learning and communication processes
- Understand the areas of exceptionality in learning as defined in the Individual with Disabilities Act
- Understand how cultural and gender differences can affect communication
- Understand the benefits, barriers, and techniques involved in parent/family relationships
- Compare and contrast the basic assumptions of four main theories of development: psychoanalytical, Piagetian, Vygotskyian, and behavioral.
Topical Outline
1. Prenatal Development and Birth
2. Physical, Cognitive, and Socioemotional Development During:
a. Infancy
b. Early Childhood
c. Middle and Late Childhood
d. Adolescence
e. Early Adulthood
f. Middle Adulthood
g. Late Adulthood
3. Dying and Grief
2. Physical, Cognitive, and Socioemotional Development During:
a. Infancy
b. Early Childhood
c. Middle and Late Childhood
d. Adolescence
e. Early Adulthood
f. Middle Adulthood
g. Late Adulthood
3. Dying and Grief