Psychology (PSYC) 323
Developmental Psychology (Revision 5)

Revision 5 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
View previous syllabus
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: PSYC 290 is strongly recommended but not required. Students taking the classroom version at Grande Prairie Regional College should previously have taken PY 1040 and PY 1050.
Precluded Course: PSYC 228 (PSYC 323 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for PSYC 228.)
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
PSYC 323 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
PSYC 323 studies the basic concepts and mechanisms inherent in the process of human development from conception to emerging adulthood. This course describes the nature and context of development as well as the research methods used to study human development. The course examines the biological, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral aspects of development through various theoretical models. The major emphasis is on normal growth and development.
Outline
Unit 1: Theory and Foundations
Chapter 1: History, Theory, and Research Strategies
Chapter 2: Genetic and Environmental Foundations
Chapter 3: Prenatal Development
Unit 2: Birth and Early Physical Development
Chapter 4: Birth and the Newborn Baby
Chapter 5: Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Unit 3: Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 6: Cognitive Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Chapter 7: Emotional and Social Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Unit 4: Early and Middle Childhood
Chapter 9: Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
Chapter 10: Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood
Chapter 12: Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
Chapter 13: Emotional and Social Development in Middle Childhood
Unit 5: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
Chapter 15: Cognitive Development in Adolescence
Chapter 16: Emotional and Social Development in Adolescence
Chapter 17: Emerging Adulthood
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 323, you must complete the course quizzes, two assignments, and a final examination. You must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Five Quizzes (4% each) | Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Final Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
20% | 5% | 35% | 40% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Berk, L. E. (2012). Infants, children, and adolescents (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Other materials
All of the course materials for PSYC 323 can be found online. They include study materials, links to psychology websites, and instructions on how to use the online textbook materials, assignments, and quizzes (which may be taken at any time).
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 323 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 per cent on the exam and obtain a composite mark of at least “D” (50 percent) to pass.
Research Paper | Exam | Total |
---|---|---|
40% | 60% | 100% |
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 5, May 3, 2012.
View previous syllabus