Issues in Child Development
How important to a child’s development are issues such as race, sex, gender or ability? What are the effects of emotions, feelings and motivation in childhood? This module aims to increase your understanding of the theories underpinning child development. As well as learning the historic pathway of ideas in child development, you’ll take a critical look at recent literature and methodological approaches in the field.
What does the module cover?
Gain a general understanding of child development and childhood, and begin to understand the often complex and contradictory issues relating to child development and how these have changed over time. Discover the neuroscientific and genetic underpinnings of child development. Review the approaches to and theories of understanding “culture” and their application to early childhood. Finally, you’ll design a research proposal to investigate an area of child development showing your understanding of appropriate research methodologies.
More Information
Module Code:
ED2013
Key topics
- The history of development of ideas in child development
- Aspects of biological development as well as recent developments in genetics and neuro-sciences
- The development of intelligence, cognition and thinking skills in childhood
- Notions of childhood: children within families and communities; and aspects of socialisation
- Issues of ‘race’, sex, gender and ability in childhood – issues of normality
- Conceptions of childhood in rich and poor countries: interpretations of cultural psychology
- Emotionality, feeling and motivation in childhood
Pre-requisites
ED1000, ED1009
Number of credits & study time
20 credits / 200 hours
Assessment
In addition to a number of formative assessments that you’ll need to complete as part of your coursework, you’ll also need to successfully complete two summative assessments for that will count towards your final grade:
- An essay (2,500-3000 words) 75%
- Research proposal (750-1000 words) 25%