Ethan F. Kross Normal Ethan F. Kross 3 2005-05-25T16:20:00Z 2005-05-25T16:24:00Z 4 701 3996 Columbia University 33 7 4907 10.2418 -->

Psychology S2280D, 3 pts.
Summer 2005 - Columbia University

Representative Course Syllabus

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Tu Th 5:30-8:40 PM
614 Schermerhorn Hall
May 24-June 30, 2005

Prof. Maria A. Crisafi

e-mail: mariacrisafi@msn.com
Office hours: Tuesday after class (8:40 P.M.) and by appointment

 

 

Course Description

Prerequisite: an introductory psychology course (W1001 or W1010 or the equivalent).

Bulletin Description: Introduction to the scientific study of human development, with an emphasis on psychobiological processes underlying perceptual, cognitive, and emotional development.

Full Description: We will begin with a general review of developmental psychology and then examine development in the prenatal period. Cognitive and social development will be presented topically and we will trace development within each domain. The format will consist mainly of lectures and will be supplemented by videotapes and student discussion.

Columbia Degree Requirements met by this course:

For the Psychology major or concentration, it will meet the Group I (perception and cognition) requirement.

For the Neuroscience & Behavior joint major, it will fulfill the 4th Psychology requirement (one Psychology lecture course from a list approved by the department).

For the science requirements of the College and General Studies, it will meet the 2nd term of the requirement.

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Course requirements and grading

Requirements for the course: Your final grade will be determined by the midterm and final exams (40% each), a paper on a research article*, as well as class participation (20%).

 

Required text: Child development 6th ed., by Laura E. Berk, Allyn and Bacon, 2003
(available at Labyrinth Books, 536 W 112th St)

Additional readings will be assigned during class

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Tentative Course Syllabus

Developmental Psychology - Course Schedule - Summer 2005

 
Topic                               Berk chapter
 
May 24
Introduction 
History; theories; social policy              1
Research methods; ethics                      2
 
Development in the perinatal period:
 
May 26
Genetics                                      3
Prenatal development                          3
Teratogens; maternal risk factors       3
 
May 31
Effects of prematurity                        3
Neonatal reflexes; states                     4
                                              5  
June 2
Early perceptual/cognitive development        4
Discussion of infancy topics
Paper due     
 
Cognitive development:
 
June 7
Piaget - theory                               6
Piaget - stages of development                6
New research on conceptual development        6
 
June 9
Review of perinatal and cognitive development
Midterm Exam
 
June 14
Memory, Information processing                7 
Language development                          9
 
June 16
Intelligence tests;  reading                  8
Discussion of cognitive topics
 
Social - emotional development: 
Portions of the following chapters will be assigned; 
see class handout for pages and topics in each chapter. 
 
June 21                    
Temperament; emotions                  10
Attachment and day care                       10, 14
 
June 23 
Socialization, culture, family                      14
Peers; friendship; school                     15
 
July 28
Social cognition, moral development           11, 12
Gender development                            13
Discussion of social development topics
 
June 30
Review of cognitive and social development
Final Exam  (Material from June 17)

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* Research article summary

For this assignment, you will need to find a research article related to some aspect of developmental psychology. Developmental research articles can be found in journals such as Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Infant Behavior and Development, and the Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. The articles should have infants or children as the focus and date from 2000 to the present. You will need to hand in a copy of the article and a short summary. Your description of the study should include: the purpose of the study and its hypothesis, the type of developmental research design (cross sectional, longitudinal, cross sequential, or one age group), the number and age of the subjects, the methods employed, and a brief summary of the main findings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

page last modified on May 25, 2005 by lep1