Unit information: Developmental and Educational Psychology in 2020/21

Unit name	Developmental and Educational Psychology
Unit code	EDUC20007
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Bakopoulou
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Introduction to Psychology in Education
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will build on year 1 work to develop students’ understanding of the study of developmental psychology and its’ application to educational contexts. In particular, the unit aims to:

• develop students' interest, scientific knowledge and understanding of the study of developmental and educational psychology;
• introduce students to the methodological approaches to the study of developmental and educational psychology, and the application of these to particular areas such as: cognitive, emotional, social and language development;
• develop a thorough understanding of the role of empirical evidence in the formation of theory and how theory guides the collection and interpretation of empirical data;
• help students to understand the conceptual and historical issues in the subject matter and their relation to other areas of psychological science;
• allow students to explore the way in which different approaches to education and psychology relate to and complement each other;
• help students to acquire a wide range of transferable skills.

Throughout, students will be required to consider ethical issues in this field.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate that they have:

1. understood key concepts in the current study of developmental psychology at an appropriate level;

2. developed a good range of skills in the evaluation and interpretation of psychological research on education and developmental psychology;

3. developed the ability to critically interrogate claims about developmental psychology in the educational literature;

4. developed the ability to evaluate the relevance of psychology for educational policy and innovation;

5. developed an awareness of the ethical issues and practices of the field;

Teaching Information

This unit will be taught using a blended approach consisting of a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities including seminars, lectures, reading and discussion

Assessment Information

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will take the form of 'in session' participation whereby students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and questioning in response to reading. Students will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of the links between theoretical concepts in the field of developmental psychology introduced in the sessions and the implications for educational psychology.

Summative Assessment

The unit will be assessed by means of a Research Report, 3,000 words ( ILO 1-5).

Reading and References

Harley, T. A. (2008) The Psychology of Language: From Data to Theory (3rd Ed.). Hove: Psychology Press.

Lloyd, G., Stead, J., & Cohen, D. (2005) Critical New Perspectives on ADHD London Routledge.

Meadows, S. (2006) The Child As Thinker. London: Routledge.

Meadows, S. (2010) The Child As Social Person. London: Routledge.

Schneider, B.H. (2014) Child Psychopathology from Infancy to Adolescence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.