PSY2030 Developmental Psychology

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

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:

1. an understanding of the importance of studying development over the life span (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
2. an understanding of the meaning and importance of age, and important concepts and themes in the study of development (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
3. an understanding of the goals of life-span developmental psychology (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
4. knowledge of the major research methods and research designs used in the study of life-span development (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
5. knowledge of the theories of life-span development, and the major theorists (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
6. knowledge of the basic principles and processes of heredity (Exam, CMA's);
7. knowledge of prenatal development, and the birth process (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
8. knowledge of important aspects of the biological, cognitive, personality and social development that takes place within the age strata of infancy, toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood and late adulthood (Activity Book, Exam, CMA's);
9. an understanding of death as the final phase in life (Exam, CMA's).

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).

Assignment Book 2008, PSY2030 Developmental Psychology, USQ Distance Education Centre, Toowoomba.

Introductory Book 2008, PSY2030 Developmental Psychology, USQ Distance Education Centre, Toowoomba.

Peterson, C 2004, Looking forward through the lifespan: Developmental psychology, 4th edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Study Guide 2008, PSY2030 Developmental Psychology, USQ Distance Education Centre, Toowoomba.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

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:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, and practical work) scheduled for them, and 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 satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late. Assignments submitted 11+ days late will receive a zero (0) mark.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted 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 examinations for this course will be held during the exam period at the end of the following semester.
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

This version produced 19 Aug 2008.