This course provides an overview of the milestones of human development from conception to death. We examine the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children, adolescents, and adults, and the various factors (e.g., genetics, parenting, peer groups, schooling, and the media) that influence development. Our goal is to give you an initial introduction to the main issues, the central theories and findings, and the dominant research methods used to study them.
In this course, we take a multi-dimensional approach to learning and give you several avenues through which to obtain information (e.g., lectures, text, films) and to demonstrate your knowledge (e.g., exams, papers). We view learning as a process in which the student is actively engaged in the course material and not just a passive recipient. We hope that students can integrate the content of this course with their knowledge of psychology and observations of human development. We will also discuss the implications of course content for child-rearing and education so that you can apply your knowledge to meaningful problems.Course Requirements:
Student evaluation is based on papers and multiple choice exams.
Class Format:
The course includes weekly lectures and a discussion section.