PLMDALSLT-Development Across the Lifespan for Speech and Language Therapy

Module Provider: Clinical Language Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Emma Pagnamenta
Email: e.pagnamenta@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on the biological, cognitive and social aspects of human development across the lifespan from infancy to old age. Students will be introduced to topics covering both typical and atypical development and healthy aging. Students will be introduced to a range of historical and contemporary theories, along with relevant research, and learn how to critically evaluate these. This module is delivered at 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to study and develop an understanding of how individuals change and develop from the neonatal period, throughout childhood and into adolescence.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how individuals develop across the lifespan


• Critically evaluate a range of relevant theories, research and research methods in both typical and atypical development and apply these to the speech and language therapy context

Additional outcomes:

• Ability to communicate clearly in written work


• Appreciation of research ethics

Outline content:

The module will cover a range of topics within the fields of typical and atypical development and ageing, drawing on the research specialisms of teaching staff wherever possible. Topics to be covered include:

1. Early infancy: perceptual and conceptual developmentÌý


2. Early language development: speech sounds and first words.


3. Cognitive development and reasoning: pre-school years


4. Cognitive development and reasoning : middle childhood


5. Literacy and numeracyÌý


6. Social development and theory of mind


7. The self and adolescenceÌý


8. Healthy ageing

Global context:

This module will consider the global context of the research and its approaches, with an aim to improve students’ understanding of how developmental psychology, cognition and individual differences can be context-bound.Ìý Internationally-relevant examples will be used to illustrate international similarities and differences within the fields.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will involve a range of methods including:

• Large group lectures


• Small group workshops and seminars


• Guided independent reading

Summative assessment- Examinations:

This module is assessed by one take-home exam in the summer term (50%). Students will receive the exam paper in advance and then be required to submit their answers online.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed via a classroom test at the end of the Autumn term.Ìý

Formative assessment methods:

The workshops in the Autumn term will also provide opportunities to get formative feedback.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: