PSY 237 Life Span Development

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Introduces the science of developmental psychology, emphasizing the interrelatedness of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial domains from genetics and conception through prenatal development, birth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and death and bereavement.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher); and completion of PSY 201; or consent of instructor. (All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.)
Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify basic developmental issues of the chronological stages of the life span.
Explain the dynamics of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of individuals as they progress through the life span.
Compare and contrast the developmental issues of the various stages of the life span.
Describe how humans both change and remain the same over the course of the life span.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Apply analytical skills to social phenomena to understand human behavior.
Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.

Content Outline

Developmental Psychology as a Science
Theories of Development
Genetics and Conception
Prenatal Development and Birth
Infancy and Toddlerhood
Preschool Years
Middle Childhood
Adolescence
Emerging Adulthood
Middle Adulthood
Late Adulthood
Dying, Death and Bereavement
Accessing and Evaluating Human Development Research