Special Topics in Developmental Psychology

Curriculum guideline

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Course
PSYC 3905
Discontinued
No
Course code
PSYC 3905
Descriptive
Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
Department
Psychology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Contact hours

Weekly Distribution:

  • Lecture/Seminar: 4 hrs. per week / semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:

  • Lecture
  • Audio-visual materials
  • Small group discussion
  • Problem-based learning
Course description
This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the field of developmental psychology. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.
Course content

The general framework of an upper-level special topics course in psychology can be represented as below:

  1. Historical Context
  2. Theories
  3. Mechanisms and Processes
  4. Critical Analysis and Remaining Questions

A specific example of topics for a course on Attachment and Lifespan Development:

  1. Imprinting and Bonding
  2. John Bowlby
  3. Mary Ainsworth, the Strange Situation, Categories of Attachment, Child and Caregiver Patterns
  4. Attachment Subgroups
  5. Attachment as Internal Working Model
  6. Mapping Early Attachment onto Social and Authority Relationships
  7. Attachment in Institutional Settings
  8. Interaction with Temperament
  9. Attachment, Culture, and Class
  10. Adult Attachment Models and Measures
  11. Broken Attachments of Generational Trauma and War
  12. Attachment and Neurocognitive Disorders
  13. Bereavement and Grief
  14. Resilience 
Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Identify and describe relevant theoretical influences on current scholarship relating to the specific topic of the course.
  2. Define and apply key terms and concepts relating to the specific topic of the course.
  3. Analyze, synthesize, and critically evaluate scholarly research relating to the specific topic of the course.
Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be in accordance with Douglas College and Psychology Department policies. Evaluations will be based on the course objectives. The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

  • Small group assignments 10%
  • Term project paper 20%
  • Term project presentation 10%
  • Midterm exams 40%
  • Final exam 20%
Textbook materials

Example text (for topic Attachment and Lifespan Development):

Erdman, P., & Ng, K. (Eds.). (2010). Attachment: Expanding the cultural connections. New York, NY:

Routledge.

 

Additional readings may also be curated by the instructor and students.

Prerequisites

Courses listed here must be completed prior to this course:

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses
Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses