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Course module: 200500046
200500046
Adolescent Development
Course info
Course code200500046
EC7.5
Course goals
All lectures and course material will be given in English. Students will be required to complete all examinations and assignments in English too.

The general goal of this course is have students gain knowledge concerning the important theories, concepts, issues and research in the field of adolescent development.

Aims
After completing this course students will be able to:
  1. Describe the biological, psychological and social developmental processes and changes that occur during adolescence and how they relate to current theories on adolescent development.
  2. Interpret observations and case histories of adolescent behaviour in terms of major developmental theories and current research.
  3. Identify the major physical and mental health issues affecting adolescents.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of how scientific methodology is applied to the study of adolescent development.
  5. Critically analyze and evaluate research related to adolescent development.
  6. Argue and defend how theory and research may be used to develop and support youth policy and practices in community or societal settings.

Relation between assessment and objective
The exams are designed to examine whether the students have mastered all 6 learning aims of the course. The written assignment is designed to have students demonstrate in greater depth their ability to critically analyze and evaluate research (aim 5) and argue how research may be useful for policy and practices in community or societal settings (aim 6).
Content
This course focuses on the intra- and interpersonal changes that occur during the adolescent period. These changes will be primarily defined and analyzed using a lifespan developmental perspective. This course will focus on changes that occur within the adolescent (including changes related to biological, socio-emotional, cognitive and moral development) as well as changes in the social context (including changes in family relations and peer relations and the larger society). Lectures focus on traditional and new theoretical perspectives on adolescent development, contemporary research that tests and informs these theories, and how theory and research relates to policy and practice. The final grade for the course will be based on grades from 3 exams and 1 written assignment (divided into 2 parts). The exams and written assignment each constitute 25% of the final grade.

Assumed knowledge
For international students interested in taking the course Adolescent Development, it is desireable that they have successfully completed an introductory psychology course and a developmental psychology course and have at least a basic knowledge of statistics and research methods. Students should be second or third year students who are studying psychology or a related field in their home university.
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Kies de Nederlandse taal