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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

No Banner module data is available

Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Emma Nicholson
Semester 2: Emma Nicholson
Autumn: Emma Nicholson
Module TeachersPamela Gallagher
Emma Nicholson
Richard Lombard Vance
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Repeat examination and coursework
Description

This module will provide the student with an understanding of child development, highlighting the nature of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development during the childhood years. The module will explore and evaluate the various theoretical approaches to child development. The module will present to the student, in a comprehensive and meaningful way, key influential studies alongside contemporary and cross-disciplinary developments that have emerged in the field and will consider the practical applications of theoretical knowledge about child development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify key figures, theoretical approaches, and research in the field of developmental psychology
2. Critically evaluate major and contemporary theory and research in the area of child development
3. Examine child development from a multidisciplinary perspective through the adoption of knowledge from social, emotional, biological, cognitive and language developmental theory
4. Recognise the role of social and cultural contexts on child development
5. Discuss challenges and controversies in the field of developmental psychology



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture20Synchronous lectures based on indicative content and learning outcomes
Directed learning30Assignment Completion
Independent Study75Lecture review and independent learning
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Development Psychology: themes, theory and research

Research in developmental psychology

Prenatal development and birth

Cognitive development

Language Development

Emotional, Social and Moral Development

Atypical Development

Adolescence

Contexts of Child Development

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentWritten report on observation of free play30%n/a
Indicative Reading List

  • Santrock, J. W.: 2014, Child development, 14th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill.,
  • Berk. L.: 2017, Child development, International, London: Allyn & Bacon.,
  • Bee, H.: 2007, The developing child., 11th Edition, London: Allyn & Bacon.,
  • Mercer, Jean: 2010, Child development: myths and misunderstandings, Sage, Los Angeles,
  • Levine, Laura & Munsch, Joyce: 2011, Child development: an active learning approach, Sage, Thousand Oaks,
  • Greene, S., & Hogan, D.: 2005, Researching children's experiences: Methods and approaches., London: Sage.,
  • Clarke-Stewart, A., & Dunn, J.: 2006, Families count: Effects on child and adolescent development., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.,
  • Freeman, Mellissa & Mathison, Sandra: 2009, Researching children's experiences, Guilford Press, New York,
  • Meadows, Sara: 2010, The child as social person, Routledge, New York,
  • Prinstein, Mitchell & Dodge, Kenneth: 2008, Understanding peer influence in children and adolescents, Guilford, London,
  • Strasburger, Victor, Wilson, Barbara, & Jordan, Amy: 2013, Children, adolescents, and the media, 3rd, Sage, Thousand Oaks,
Other Resources

None

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