Module PSYC3327: ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

Department: Psychology

PSYC3327: ATYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

Prerequisites

• 60 credits from Level 2 Psychology module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module will give students an understanding of atypical development from the point of view of developmental disorders. With a grounding in typical developmental science, key theories and current research on developmental disorders such as Autism and Williams syndrome will be considered

Content

• This module will provide students with an in-depth understanding of atypical development
• It begins with an introduction to important aspects of typical development before critically addressing the study of developmental disorders
• The specific topics and disorders covered can vary from year to year but are likely to include Autism and Williams syndrome
• The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of key theories and empirical work in developmental psychology and atypical development, and their influence on current research

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Ability 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, some small group work, audio-visual materials, discussions 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 exam will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
• The use of group discussions / small group work will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations
• Lectures, discussions and small group work will also give students the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
• The summative exam assesses students' acquired knowledge of theoretical principles and empirical studies and their ability to organise and synthesise them coherently and critically in written form in response to a set question
• The use of a summative written examination will ensure that students' written communication skills are assessed

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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