Module Catalogue 2024/25

EDU3008 : Child Development (Inactive)

EDU3008 : Child Development (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Mrs karen Tait
  • Lecturer: Professor Julie Morris, Dr Samantha Shields
  • Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module comprises an introduction to perspectives in child development and includes an emphasis on therapeutic approaches particularly within educational settings. The module focuses on historic perspectives on child development, introducing the advent of developmental conceptions of the mind in the nineteenth century. It includes contributions of developmental psychology to understand childhood and adolescence in the 20th and 21st centuries, before broadening out into areas of child development related to mental health. Throughout the module, emphasis will be made on how concepts and theories of child development impact upon schools, schooling, and teaching.

Within this module, you will consider the theoretical contributions made by some of the most significant developmental theorists. Following this, you will explore some concepts central to understanding child development, including birth, attachment, play, language, relationships, and socialization. The module will conclude with a consideration of the limitations of child developmental theory. To this end, we will read critiques of developmental concepts. Throughout, the module considers both developmental theories and critiques of them in terms of potential therapeutic interventions, especially those having salience within educational contexts.

In sum, the module aims are as follows:
- To explore a variety of theoretical perspectives in child development, and to identify the distinctiveness of each theoretical perspective
- To gain knowledge of how diverse theories are used to understand and frame child development especially within educational contexts
- To recognise how areas of developmental psychological understanding have been extended to understanding childhood
- To articulate the shortcomings of developmental perspectives as elaborated by critical perspectives like feminist and cultural theory

Outline Of Syllabus

The module aims to introduce the main concepts and issues surrounding child development. It will include 11 weeks of teaching in total. The module will cover the following:

Historic perspectives on child development
Theories and conceptions of the mind in childhood
The developing child: theories and controversies of attachment
Child development through the lens of relationships
Family Relationships and the impact on development
Childhood transitions and ecological models
Children’s mental health

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

- Students will gain an understanding of diverse perspectives in child development. (A1)
- Students will be able to identify the contributions of attachment, mind, and developmental theories to understanding child development. (A2)
- Students will be able to critically compare and assess a number of theories and perspectives. (A3)
- Students will be able to assess both the educational contributions and the limitations of developmental perspectives. (A4)

Intended Skill Outcomes

To:
• Be able to critically evaluate arguments and evidence from a range of primary and secondary sources.
• Be able to work with others and articulate ideas and arguments to an audience.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00Core lecture content
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion187:0087:00Preparation and completion of the assignments
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading172:0072:00Indicative seminar/lecture reading
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00Core seminar content
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery42:008:00Tutorials
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Interactive seminars and supported by lectures, readings, critiques of material, facilitated through Canvas. Also, there will be Virtual learning support to ensure that students have the opportunity for formative assessment of learning progress and the development of understanding of the module content.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M602,500 words based on key themes taught during the module
Report1M401,500 words based on key themes taught during the module
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MSeminar tasks - Discussions and associated written work with formative feedback from tutors and peers
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

There will be a continuous format of formative assessments through weekly seminars; utilising the expertise of the lecturers and peer review. Seminars will be geared towards the development of autonomous activities that are prepared and maintained by student groups and which will focus on the development of presenting complex ideas with a professional audience in mind. In the report, students will have ample opportunity to explore key concepts/themes/topics of interest. In parallel, students will be expected to develop a deep understanding of relevant research material. Will present and share a range of ideas that will be of use for the essay. The essay builds on key ideas and topics for debate from the lecture and seminar series. It will also include time for guided independent study where students are expected to extend their knowledge from lectures and seminars.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.