PSYC 230
Lifespan Developmental Psychology

  1. Catalog Entry

PSYC 230. Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Three Credit Hours (3).

Prerequisites: Psyc 121

This course will contribute to an understanding of the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of people throughout the lifespan. Areas of development which will be covered will include motoric and perceptual skill development, social/emotional and personality development, linguistic and intellectual development from conception through old age. This course will not substitute for 317 as a Psychology social science core class. This course has been approved for General Education credit in Area 8: Social and Behavior Sciences

  1. Detailed Description of Course

This course may include coverage of the following areas :

1. Themes of development: An organizational framework to examine the lifespan
2. Research methods in studying individuals across the lifespan
3. Heredity, environment and the beginnings of life
4. Infancy and Early Childhood

a. physical and perceptual development in infancy
b. cognitive development in infancy
c. social and emotional development in infancy
d. physical development in early childhood
e. cognitive development in early childhood
f. social and emotional development in early childhood

5. Middle childhood and Adolescence

a. physical and cognitive development in middle childhood
b. social and emotional development in middle childhood.
c. physical and cognitive development in adolescence
d. social and emotional development in adolescence

6. Early and Middle Adulthood

a. physical and cognitive development in early adulthood
b. social and emotional development in early adulthood
c. physical and cognitive development in middle adulthood
d. social and emotional development in middle adulthood

7. Late Adulthood and the End of Life

a. Physical and cognitive development in late adulthood
b. social and emotional development in late adulthood
c. death, dying and bereavement

8. Cultural and social contexts of human growth and development

  1. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

A lecture-discussion format supplemented by textbook and outside reading assignments, films/video tapes, case studies, and student oral or written homework and projects will be used to engender knowledge of lifespan growth and development.

  1. Student Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able:

1. To demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the study of human growth and development
2. To demonstrate an introductory understanding of the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of human beings throughout the lifespan
3. To identify interrelationships among the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of development.
4. To demonstrate a knowledge of how environmental and cultural influences impact on the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
5. To identify milestones of development and developmentally-based issues across the lifespan.
6. To demonstrate an understanding of the methods of inquiry in empirically researching lifespan development in the various domains

Broad General Education Program Goals (see next section for analysis of how this course will address the broad General Education goals)

Students completing this course will:

1. be able to employ a variety of research methods, tools, and styles of inquiry to gather and organize information and to solve problems.
2. develop an awareness of self that provides a foundation for responsible and principled personal behavior.
3. be able to identify the diverse values that shape decisions in public, professional and private life, and assess the ethical implication of those decisions.
4. work cooperatively with others in a shared process of inquiry and problem-solving.

Area 8: Social and Behavioral Sciences Goals

Students completing this course will:

1. be able to identify and explain the social and cultural factors that shape ideas and behavior
2. Evaluate and interpret individual and collective behavior

  1. Assessment Measures

For a General Education Course, in addition to a statement of course-specific assessment measures, include a description of the ways student learning will be assessed to determine fulfillment of the broad general education program goals and the goals established for the particular knowledge area of the program.

  1. Other Course Information

NONE

  1. Approval and Subsequent Reviews

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY