Human Development (Conversion) (Online Distance Learning) EDUC5955

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Education
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes

Short Description

This course will explore the developmental changes individuals experience from infancy to adolescence. As part of this exploration students will critically evaluate the main theoretical perspectives on how development occurs and engage in the debates surrounding the role of nature and nurture in development.

Timetable

None - to be developed

Requirements of Entry

2:1 honours degree or equivalent

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessment

 

1. Essay (70%). Students will submit an essay (2000 words) online on one subject from a selection of titles provided.

2. Portfolio (30%) Students will submit a portfolio consisting of 3 elements of their choice (selected from a range of elements completed throughout the course), which will include e.g. a blog entry, refection, visual artefact (e.g. padlet presentation).

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to:

 

- Promote an understanding of the developmental changes experienced from infancy to old age.
- Promote a critical evaluation of the main theoretical perspectives on how development occurs.
- Engage students in the debates surrounding the roles of nature and nurture in development.
- Emphasise the particular methodological complexities associated with research in this area.
- Review critically empirical evidence relevant to each of the areas discussed.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

- Conduct a comparative analysis of constructivist, social constructivist and information processing theories of development
- Identify and evaluate contemporary and historical debates relating to the role of nature and nurture in psychological development and role of the environmental and genetic factors in atypical development
- Assess ways in which developmental theory and research can inform educational, social and clinical practice

- Recognise the unique methodological and ethical complexities associated with research in developmental psychology and apply appropriate methodologies in practice
- Use psychological theory to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of perceptual, motor, language and cognitive development across lifespan
- Evaluate theories of social and emotional development

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.