Developmental Psychology

Summary module description:
Developmental Psychology

Aims:
The aim of the module is that students should learn about basic concepts, theories and research studies in developmental psychology, and become acquainted with the methods, approaches and different perspectives of researchers in this field. By the end of the module, students should:
? Have an awareness of the value of investigating the development of psychological phenomena;
? Understand how views of children and development have changed over human history;
? Know about key theories and studies relating to cognitive development;
? Know about key theories and studies relating to social development.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the student will be able to show their knowledge of concepts, theories and supporting research evidence in developmental psychology, in a variety of forms such as written examination and multiple choice test answers.

Additional outcomes:
This module will provide students with an opportunity to discuss the material covered in lectures in smaller tutorial groups, and therefore allows students to exchange ideas and viewpoints with classmates in the first term of their studies. The module also provides the option to submit an essay on a developmental topic, and to receive feedback on the student's level of performance at an early stage in the first year.

Outline content:
Topics include: Why study developmental processes?; Approaches to the study of development; Historical perspectives on childhood; Piaget's theory of cognitive development; Early social development; Attachment and parenting; Gender and peer relationships.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is taught via 10 50-minute lectures, each followed by a further 50-minute online discussion forum, and supported by optional tutorial classes and recommended reading.

Teaching methods include the following:
(a) Lectures encouraging student participation
(b) Online discussion forum following lectures
(c) Recommended reading from texts
(d) Optional tutorial discussion groups
(e) Optional essay for feedback
(f) Revision session in summer term

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 100%

Other information on summative assessment:
Students will take one 1.5 hour unseen exam in Summer Term. This exam includes a multiple choice test requiring knowledge of all lectures on the module, plus 1 written exam question.

Formative assessment methods:
This module provides students with the opportunity to sign up to a tutorial group, at which students are able to discuss the material covered in lectures in relation to a specific essay question. Students are invited to write an essay on the topic, which tutors provide formative feedback for. The purpose of these tutorials is to encourage students to read widely and engage with lecture material; to practise writing essays on the lecture topics; and to provide students with feedback on their performance during the first term of their studies.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Length of examination:
1.5 hours

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall