PSY30040 Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Academic Year 2020/2021

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 ecological theory and the lifespan perspective to organize our understanding of these developmental themes including: attachment, moral development, social development, parenting, executive functioning and numerical cognition, sexual behaviour across the lifespan, mental health and wellbeing, and old age. The course will draw on an assigned textbook as well as on readings from the international peer reviewed literature.

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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 ecological 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 include: Lifespan theories of development e.g. ecological theory and psychosocial theory; attachment across the lifespan; moral development; social development; parenthood; gender and sexual development, numerical knowledge and executive function across the lifespan; mental health and ageing.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

21
Tutorial

3
Seminar (or Webinar)

9
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Total

113
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; active/task-based learning (e.g., group discussions); critical writing; case-based learning; tutorials 
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
Continuous Assessment: 2000 word mid-term assignment and case study Week 7 n/a Graded No

50
Essay: 2000 word essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer 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?

Written feedback through the VLE will be provided to students on the mid-term assignment post- assessment. 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