Course syllabus

Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence, 6 credits

Course code: PS712G Credits: 6
Main field of study: Psychology Progression: G1N
    Last revised: 13/03/2020
Education cycle: First cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 02/12/2019 Reading list approved: 13/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

  • the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
  • the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
  • the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

  • gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
  • stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
  • communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and understanding
After the course, the student shall be able to:

  • identify and describe the principles of developmental psychology,
  • identify, describe and compare central theories within developmental psychology, and apply these to explain the development of children and adolescents,
  • describe the general development of children and adolescents with respect to psychological functions (e.g., perception, sensory motor development, cognitive and socio-emotional abilities, temperament/personality, communication and languages),
  • account for different research designs within developmental psychology,
  • describe individual deviations from typical development that are unique for early development, from the prenatal period and through adolescence,
  • apply basic knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate empirical studies.

Competence and skills
After the course, the student shall be able to:

  • apply major developmental theories to explain development from conception through infancy, childhood and adolescence,
  • describe how child and adolescent development depends on contextual factors such as culture, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status,
  • provide examples of how knowledge from developmental psychology may be of importance for the future profession,
  • apply the style of APA (6) in written text.

Comprehension and approach
After the course, the student shall be able to apply a professional and scientific approach.

Main content of the course

The course provides an introduction to developmental psychology, emphasizing childhood and adolescent development from a lifespan perspective. Of central interest is the physical, cognitive, and emotional development, and how it relates to children and adolescents' social relationships with legal guardians, peers, friends and romantic partners. The course further covers sexual development and how and why typical developmental problems (depression, delinquency, eating disorders) arise.

Teaching methods

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, and group assignments. Attendance at seminars is compulsory and participation will be examined for full course credit.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence, 5 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination

Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence, seminar, 1 credits (Code: A002)
Attendance and performance during seminars is compulsory. If eligible reasons apply, absence from seminars may be compensated through attendance at a follow-up seminar and/or complementary assignments provided by the course director.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Attendance and performance during seminars is compulsory. If eligible reasons apply, absence from seminars may be compensated through attendance at a follow-up seminar and/or complementary assignments provided by the course director.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence, seminar
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E, or G where applicable, is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each module in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Berk, E. Laura. (2013/or the latest edition)
Child Development
Boston, NY: Pearson.

Additional literature in the form of empirical articles may be added to the list of required reading.

Additional Reading

Burton, Lorelle J. (2010/ or the latest edition)
An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology
Brisbane, Australia: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.