Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2016-2017 (archived)

Module PSYC3031: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Department: Psychology

PSYC3031: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2016/17 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • PSYC2021 Social & Developmental Psychology; or modules to the value of 100 credits from C800 Psychology (Applied) Level 2

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

  • To further understanding of developmental psychology by exploring key theories and current research on social, cognitive and visuo-motor development, both in typically and atypically developing populations.

Content

  • The module is divided into two main components that investigate early social, cognitive and visuo-motor development, especially in childhood.
  • Focusing on theory and current research, the first part of the module covers social, cognitive and visuo-motor development in typically developing children.
  • The second part of the module focuses on how atypical development of social, cognitive and visuo-motor abilities contribute to developmental disorders such as autism and Williams syndrome.
  • The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Detailed knowledge of key theories and empirical work in developmental psychology, and their influence on current research
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills
  • Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
  • Abilities to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, audio-visual materials and detailed reading lists
  • These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key theories and the skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence
  • The summative essay and examination will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
  • Students' skills in independently undertaking a literature search and reviewing recent material will be assessed by the summative essay
  • An assessment of the range and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the essay
  • The summative essay and written examination will effectively assess students' critical and analytical skills
  • The use of a summative essay and written examination will ensure that students' written communication skills are assessed
  • Feedback on the summative essays will be available from the beginning of the Epiphany term, allowing students plenty of time to benefit from feedback on this aspect of their work

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Total 200
Lectures 22 Weekly 2 Hours 44
Preparation and Reading 156

Summative Assessment

Component: Summative Essay Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
2000 word essay 100%
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
two-hour examination 100%

Formative Assessment:

None


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University