Psychology 317
I. Course Title: Child Psychology (GE)
II. Course Number: PSYC 317
III. Credit Hours: 3 credits
IV. Prerequisites: PSYC 121
V. Course Description:
Introduces students to major aspects of human development from conception to middle childhood, including intellectual, motor, perceptual, linguistic, emotional, and social development.
Note(s): General Education and Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. Fulfills Developmental core requirement for psychology major and minor.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
Major topics to be covered in a typical semester will include:
- Historical and theoretical perspectives on child development
- Scientific research on children
- Heredity, environment, and prenatal development
- Birth and the newborn
- Physical growth and development from birth through middle childhood
- Cognitive theories and development of children through middle childhood
- Language development
- Social relationships with peers, teachers and family
- Emotion, temperament and personality development
- Self-awareness, self-concept, and gender identity formation through middle childhood
- Moral development, aggression and prosocial behavior though middle childhood
- Impact of culture and diversity on parenting, education and child development
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
A number of instructional strategies will be employed to enhance student engagement, and may include any or all of the following general strategies.
- Lecture
- Online content, activities, and assignments
- Individual and group presentations
- Video instruction
- Instructor-led class discussions
- Small-group discussions
- Informal writing activities
- Written and critical thinking assignments
- Group activities
- Case studies
- Guest speakers
- Journals or class blogs
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
- Describe historical and theoretical perspectives on child development.
- Explain scientific research methods commonly applied in the study of child development.
- Describe the process of conception and how hereditary and environmental factors interact to affect gestation and development.
- Describe the process of birth, its complications and the abilities of the newborn.
- Describe physical growth and change that occurs from gestation until middle childhood.
- Explain the major theories of cognitive development of children from birth through middle childhood.
- Summarize the course and sequence of language development.
- Discuss early attachment and the formation and maintenance of social relationships throughout childhood.
- Describe temperament, expression of emotion, and the development of personality from infancy to middle childhood.
- Explain the development and awareness of the self, gender identity, and self-concept.
- Describe how children develop moral reasoning and prosocial behavior.
- Discuss the impact of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, and socioeconomic status on parenting, education and child development.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:
- Examinations (Objective and essay questions)
- In-class or out-of-class quizzes
- Student Presentations
- In-class discussion and participation
- Written assignments/projects/reports
- Evaluation of research
- In-class application assignments
- Online assignments
- Group participation
- Class attendance and participation
Other Course Information: None
Review and Approval
September 2001 Updated and put in new format Alastair V. E. Harris
March 01, 2021