PYMCDAL-Development Across the Lifespan (Conversion)

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available to students on the MSc Psychology Conversion programme.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Teresa Tavassoli
Email: t.tavassoli@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, as well as disorders of ageing such as dementia. 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, into adolescence and old age. As well as introducing students to theories and research in typical and atypical development, the module also aims to develop students’ skills in observational methods and written communication through the completion of a case study and a written examination.

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


• Apply observational methods in developmental research and present these in a report format


• Demonstrate a critical understanding of case studies and their use in developmental research and applied work

Additional outcomes:

• Ability to communicate clearly in written work


• Appreciation of research ethics


• Project management skills, including prioritising, planning and problem-solvingÌý

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 may 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 c hildhood


5. Literacy and numeracy


6. Social development and theory of mind


7. Developmental disorders:ÌýÌýe.g. Autism, William’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome


8. The self and adolescenceÌý


9. Healthy ageing


10. Disorders of 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:

ÌýOne take-home online examination in the summer term (50%).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed by a project report in the autumn term (50%).

Formative assessment methods:

The workshops in autumn term will also provide formative opportunities to practice writing case studies. Students will have the opportunity to gain formative feedback on an essay plan for a mock exam question in the summer term.

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: