PSYC 203 - Human Growth and Development

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
Tracing the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development of the human organism from birth through adulthood, the course emphasis is placed on the interrelationship of biological maturation and experience in shaping the human personality.

Prerequisite PSYC 201 or permission of instructor.

Text
Santrock, John. Essentials of Life-span Development w/Connect. 6th ed. New York: Mcgraw-Hill, 2020. Print.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A. Show knowledge of the major theories and controversies in the subject of human development.

B. Show knowledge of birth defects and their possible prevention.

C. Identify and explain the influence of genetics and environment on the development of the individual during different stages of the life span.

D. Explain some of the similarities and differences which exist in human beings because of age, sex, genetic make-up, and experiences.

E. Evaluate recent changes in American life style and family.

Content
A. The influence of heredity and environment on all phases of development

B. Prenatal development

C. Birth and neonate

D. Infancy

E. Early childhood and the middle year

F. Adolescence

G. Adulthood

H. Historical perspectives on child development

Student Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on tests, quizzes, and a written report.

Bibliography
Austad, Steven N. Why We Age: What Science is Discovering About the Body’s Journey Through Life. New York: Wiley, c1997.

Blum, Deborah. Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women. New York: Viking, 1997.

Ehrensaft, Diane. Spoiling Childhood: How Well-meaning Parents are Giving

Children too Much–but not What They Need. New York: Guilford P., c1997.

Gallagher, Winifred. I.D.: How Heredity and Experience Make you Who you are. New York: Random, c1996.

Levinson, Daniel J. The Seasons of a Woman’s Life. New York: Knopf, 1996.

Sulloway, Frank J. Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics, and Creative Lives.

New York: Pantheon Books, c1996.

Whitehead, Barbara Dafoe. The Divorce Culture. New York: Alfred A. Knopf,

distributed by Random House, 1997.

Wright, William. Born that Way: Genes, Behavior, Personality. New York: Knopf,

1998.