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PSYC 317

I. Course Title: Child Psychology (GE)

II. Course Number: PSYC 317

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits 

IV. Prerequisites: PSYC 121

V. Course Description: 

Introduces students to major aspects of human development from conception to middle childhood, including intellectual, motor, perceptual, linguistic, emotional, and social development.

Note(s): General Education and Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. Fulfills Developmental core requirement for psychology major and minor.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

Major topics to be covered in a typical semester will include: 

  • Historical and theoretical perspectives on child development
  • Scientific research on children
  • Heredity, environment, and prenatal development
  • Birth and the newborn
  • Physical growth and development from birth through middle childhood
  • Cognitive theories and development of children through middle childhood
  • Language development
  • Social relationships with peers, teachers and family
  • Emotion, temperament and personality development
  • Self-awareness, self-concept, and gender identity formation through middle childhood
  • Moral development, aggression and prosocial behavior though middle childhood
  • Impact of culture and diversity on parenting, education and child development

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

A number of instructional strategies will be employed to enhance student engagement, and may include any or all of the following general strategies.  

  • Lecture
  • Online content, activities, and assignments
  • Individual and group presentations 
  • Video instruction
  • Instructor-led class discussions
  • Small-group discussions
  • Informal writing activities
  • Written and critical thinking assignments
  • Group activities
  • Case studies
  • Guest speakers
  • Journals or class blogs 

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  1. Describe historical and theoretical perspectives on child development.
  2. Explain scientific research methods commonly applied in the study of child development.
  3. Describe the process of conception and how hereditary and environmental factors interact to affect gestation and development.
  4. Describe the process of birth, its complications and the abilities of the newborn.
  5. Describe physical growth and change that occurs from gestation until middle childhood.
  6. Explain the major theories of cognitive development of children from birth through middle childhood.
  7. Summarize the course and sequence of language development.
  8. Discuss early attachment and the formation and maintenance of social relationships throughout childhood.
  9. Describe temperament, expression of emotion, and the development of personality from infancy to middle childhood.
  10. Explain the development and awareness of the self, gender identity, and self-concept.
  11. Describe how children develop moral reasoning and prosocial behavior.
  12. Discuss the impact of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, and socioeconomic status on parenting, education and child development. 

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:

  • Examinations (Objective and essay questions)
  • In-class or out-of-class quizzes
  • Student Presentations
  • In-class discussion and participation
  • Written assignments/projects/reports
  • Evaluation of research
  • In-class application assignments
  • Online assignments
  • Group participation
  • Class attendance and participation

 

Other Course Information: None

 

Review and Approval

September 2001 Updated and put in new format Alastair V. E. Harris

March 01, 2021