Unit information: Child and Adolescent Psychology in 2020/21

Unit name	Child and Adolescent Psychology
Unit code	SPOL20032
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Turner
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The content of this unit draws from research and theories in Developmental Psychology. The unit provides an opportunity for an (introductory) examination of selected aspects of psychological development relating to the lives of children and young people. Some sessions will aim to examine the psychological consequences of children's exposure to adverse situations. Additionally, sessions will describe physical, cognitive, and social growth of young people with special attention to the various cultural contexts of development and the rich diversity of individuals. A range of issues in selected areas of contemporary Developmental Psychology will be examined, such as:

• Development of personality;
• Child maltreatment;
• Gender role development
• Sexual problems in children & young people
• Psychology in education
• The psychology of sleep
• The psychology of Adolescence
• The impact of domestic violence on children and young people

Students are expected to gain knowledge in these areas, and to develop a critical approach to the analysis of current research and theoretical issues.

At the end of studying this unit students should be able to:

• Understand and describe the major theories and areas of research in developmental psychology;
• Understand and be able to evaluate the methods used to research developmental psychology;
• Relate the theories and thinking of developmental psychology to child development;
• Understand the relationship between developmental psychology and other psychological approaches and disciplines;
• Think critically about the key studies/theories.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Good understanding of the major developmental theories and related research to support their claims
• Ability to evaluate the method sused to research developmental psychology
• Ability to relate the theories of developmental psychology to child development
• Good understanding of the relationship between developmental psychology and other psychological approaches and disciplines.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through blended learning involving a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including weekly lectures, practical activities supported by study-group sessions, and self-directed exercises. Narrated power point presentations will cover more conceptual and theoretical aspects of the unit, whilst case-examples and other applied learning will take the form of self-paced, material delivered electronically, and undertaken individually or supported by pair and group work, and involving elements of tutor feedback and peer-assessment. Feedback will be provided for formal assessments, preparation for which will be supported through online activities and study group sessions.

Assessment Information

Part 1: Critical review (1000 words) (25%)

Part 2: Essay (2000 words) (75%)

Reading and References

• Beckett, C. (2007). Human growth and development. London: Sage Publications.
• Berger, K.S. (2001). The developing person through the lifespan. New York: Worth Publishers
• Berk, L.E. (2006). Child development (7h Edn.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
• Daniel, B., Wassel, S., & Gilligan, R. (2010). Child development for child protection workers. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Shemmings, D., & Shemmings, Y. (2011). Understanding disorganized attachment theory and practice for working with children and adults. London; Philadelphia, PA : Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Smith, P.K., Cowie, H. & Blades, M. (2011). Understanding Children's Development (5th ed). Oxford: Blackwell.