Unit information: Life-Span Development and Transition in 2010/11

Unit name	Life-Span Development and Transition
Unit code	EDUCM5133
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Ms. Di Brothers
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EDUCM5131, EDUCM5132 & EDUCM5134
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Applied Community and Health Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores human development in relation to ages, stages and experiences of life style and identity. It examines theories of transition, loss and bereavement and their links with theories of personality, human interaction, development and change and the relevance of this to a counsellor in practice.

Aims:

This unit aims to equip students with a sound knowledge of human development and with the theory and practice of transition so that they develop their understanding of issues facing clients, who present in counselling contexts, and thus work with them more effectively and appropriately.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this unit will enable the student to:

• Demonstrate their knowledge of the theoretical concepts within life-span development and transitions

• Use this understanding in application to their clients within counselling practice

• Synthesise this knowledge within their own personal and professional development

Teaching Information

• Tutor input and experiential exercises,

• Tutorials,

• Peer group presentations

• Workshops

Assessment Information

Presentation (equivalent to 4,000 words) consisting of :

• Presentation (on chosen topic) given to peers and tutors

• Handouts to support theoretical underpinning of presentation.

• Self-reflective document (1,500 – 2,000 words)

This assignment is expected to show synthesis of recent research and theory on chosen topic, critical analysis of usefulness of theory in application to current counselling practice and reflexivity into the student’s own process and life experience.

Reading and References

• Lendrum, S. (1992) A Gift of Tears – a practical approach to loss and bereavement London New York Routledge

• Sugarman, L. (2004) Counselling and the Life Course London, Sage

• Thomas, R. Murray (1990) Counselling and Life- span development London Sage

• Worden, J. William (2003) Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy – a handbook for mental health practitioners Hove Brunner-Routledge