Module: Wellbeing through the life-span

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Wellbeing through the life-span
Module Code	PSY1077 (ITS: PSYC526)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

Module Aims: • To increase the students’ knowledge and critical awareness of the theoretical and research approaches relevant to Wellbeing across the lifespan • To encourage students’ critical evaluation of the current approaches and evidence base in Wellbeing • To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle complexity in the area in a developmental and integrative manner • To prepare students to act as knowledgeable contributors to the field

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the key concepts and controversies at the forefront wellbeing across the lifespan
2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding contexts and domains of development
3. Show a critical awareness of the current challenges in wellbeing and development
4. Handle the complexity of the current state of research and scholarship in the field
5. Formulate judgements on current issues in the area through critical reviews of the literature
6. Integrate knowledge on broad themes to produce written work of publication standard

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Lectures based on indicative content and learning outcomes
Assignment Completion	70	Independent work on assignments
Tutorial	10	Mentor and student led tutorials
Independent Study	150	Independent learning
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11500	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Emma Nicholson	Module Teacher	Sinead Smyth

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Drawing from longitudinal research in an Irish context (e.g., Growing up in Ireland or TILDA) that outlines a challenge to well-being, the student must prepare a policy brief which makes recommendations for how this challenge can be addressed.	40%	n/a
Essay	Critical essay on a specific theme on wellbeing across the lifespan, of publication standard	60%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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 well-being: theory and development

Research methods in lifespan development

Age and well-being: Life course perspectives

Inequality and social justice across the lifespan

Disability and well-being

Health and well-being

Risk and Resilience across the lifespan

Contexts of development and well-being

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Larkin, M. (2013).: 0, Health and Well-Being Across the Life Course., Sage,
Kuther (2018): 0, Lifespan Development in Context: A Topical Approach., sage,
Seligman, M. E. (2012).: 0, Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being., Simon and Schuster.,
Haworth, J., & Hart, G. (2007).: 0, Well-being-individual, community and social perspectives., Springer,
Moody, H. & Sasser, J. (2014).: 0, Aging: Concepts and Controversies, 8th Ed.,, Sage,
Cavanaugh, J & Blanchard-Fields, S. (2011): 0, Adult Development and Aging, 6th Ed., Cengage Learning,
Bjorklund, B. (2011): 0, The Journey of Adulthood, 7th Ed., Pearson,
Erikson, E.H. (1994): 0, Identity and the Life Cycle, Norton & Co.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Students will be directed to specific journal articles on a lecture-by-lecture basis.,