PSY 2030 Developmental Psychology

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

A life-span developmental perspective is an important component of the discipline of psychology and provides a background understanding of human functioning which must be considered by researchers and practitioners working in all areas of the discipline.

SYNOPSIS:

The three goals of developmental psychology are to describe, explain, and optimise human development. This course aims to provide students with the knowledge necessary to achieve these goals. This course takes a life-span approach, introducing students to essential theories and methodologies employed in developmental study, as well as the characteristics and major developmental tasks of individuals at each phase of the life span: prenatal, birth, infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and the final phase of dying and death.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of the importance of studying development over the life span;
2. an understanding of the meaning and importance of age, and important concepts and themes in the study of development;
3. an understanding of the goals of life-span developmental psychology;
4. knowledge of the major research methods and research designs used in the study of life-span development;
5. knowledge of the theories of life-span development, and the major theorists;
6. knowledge of the basic principles and processes of heredity;
7. knowledge of prenatal development, and the birth process;
8. knowledge of important aspects of the biological, cognitive, personality and social development of infants;
9. knowledge of the development of language during the toddler years;
10. knowledge of important aspects of cognitive and social development during the early childhood years;
11. knowledge of important aspects of social, emotional and cognitive development during the middle childhood years;
12. knowledge of important aspects of the physical, cognitive, social and personality development of adolescents, as well as the formation of identity;
13. knowledge of development during the early adult years, through love and work;
14. knowledge of career and social development during the middle adult years;
15. knowledge of important aspects of biological, cognitive, social and personality development during the late adult years;
16. an understanding of death as the final phase in life.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

There are a number of useful references on child and life-span development in the USQ library.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Examination dates will be available during the semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 25% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply depending on how many days late the assignment is submitted.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing the examination and assignments; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES