PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module explores developmental themes that occur across different stages of life from birth and infancy through adulthood and into old age. Although development at each stage of life has unique features, there are also important themes that recur across the lifespan. The module draws on psychosocial theory and the lifespan perspective to organize our understanding of these developmental themes. Topics change from year to year but are focused on typical human development over the lifespan including for example attachment, moral development, well-being, cognition and social relationships among others. The course will primarily draw on peer reviewed journal articles that are freely available online.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to:
• Conceptualise development as a life long process;
• Apply the framework of psychosocial theory to specified lifespan development themes;
• Critically evaluate the empirical evidence regarding lifespan development in the thematic areas covered in the module;
• Reflect on a case study related to a lifespan development topic and draw on evidence to support our understanding of this
case study.

Indicative Module Content:

The topics that will be covered typically include: lifespan theoretical frameworks; attachment ; social relationships; parenthood; gender and sexual development; moral development; cognition; well-being.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Online Learning

9
Total

109
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures (2 hours per week in person and 1 hour per week online), workshops, in-class activities (individual and group) and critical writing exercises. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module will draw on psychological concepts and theories. Students who have not taken modules in psychology or a related discipline would need to do additional reading to ensure that they understand the principal concepts.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Examination based on topics covered in class 1 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

35
Continuous Assessment: Students must submit 6/9 mini-assessments arising from activities completed in class. Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30
Continuous Assessment: 2000 word mid-term assignment Week 7 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

35

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback will be provided on the mid-trimester assignment via Brightspace. In addition, group /class feedback post-assessment will be provided to students in-class.

Newman, B. M. & Newman, P. R. (2017). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach. 13th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth.
Name Role
Assoc Professor Amanda Fitzgerald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Eilis Hennessy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Rachel Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Andrew Woods Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 24, 25, 29, 31, 32, 33 Mon 09:00 - 10:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 23, 26 Mon 09:00 - 10:50
Spring