Overview
PSYC 323 studies the basic concepts and mechanisms inherent in the process of human development from conception to adolescence. 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 typical growth and development.
Outline
Unit 1: The Nature of Child Development
Unit 2: Biological Processes and Physical Development
- Chapter 2: Biological Beginnings and Prenatal Development
- Chapter 3: Birth, Physical Development, and Health
Unit 3: Cognition, Perceptual Development, and Language
- Chapter 4: Cognitive Developmental Approaches
- Chapter 5: Motor, Sensory, and Perceptual Development
- Chapter 6: Information Processing
- Chapter 7: Intelligence
- Chapter 8: Language Development
Unit 4: Socioemotional Development
- Chapter 9: Emotional Development
- Chapter 10: The Self and Identity
- Chapter 11: Gender
- Chapter 12: Moral Development
Unit 5: Social Contexts of Development
- Chapter 13: Families, Peers, and Schools
- Chapter 14: Culture, Diversity, and Mental Health
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to
- apply the tools, mechanisms, and processes of critical thinking consciously and systematically to produce organized, systematic, and dependably sound academic written work related to the discipline,
- analyze the different aspects and periods of development (prenatal, infancy, early childhood, middle and late childhood) and its different contexts (cognitive, biological/physical, socioemotional),
- investigate the growth patterns for infancy and childhood,
- interpret the main concepts of child development according to each theorist/theory discussed in the course,
- discuss the different characteristics of each developmental theorist/theory,
- assess behaviour objectively in accordance with the theories and principles of development, and
- evaluate the developmental theories (Piaget, Vygotsky, Information Processing, Ainsworth, Bowlby, Kohlberg, Freud) in the context of child development.
Evaluation
To receive credit for PSYC 323, you must complete two tutorial quizzes, one minor assignment, one major project, and a final assessment. You must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final assessment. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Two Tutorial Quizzes (5% each) | 10% |
| Minor Assignment | 20% |
| Major Project | 35% |
| Final Assessment | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Santrock, J. W., Deater-Deckard, K., Lansford, J. E., Piercy, J., & Rosati, A. (2022). Child development (2nd Canadian ed.). McGraw Hill.
Other Resources
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 323 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the exam and obtain a composite mark of at least D (50 percent) to pass.
| Activity | Weight |
| Research Paper | 40% |
| Exam | 60% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form