Human Development & Fam Sci: Human Development

A comprehensive survey of life span individual and family development within social and historical context.

PACE students only even after level restrictions removed; Degree students register for HDF 1050 A; Colocated with HDF 1050 A; Total combined enrollment: 250

This introductory survey course explores typical human development from conception to death. Students learn about human development as an integrative process between physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains. This course uses a lifespan perspective, understanding development as lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, plastic, and embedded in multiple contexts. Specific course objectives include the following: 1) understand the major theories and markers of human development; 2) describe physical, cognitive, social, and emotional processes that interact to foster healthy human development; 3) apply basic principles of the lifespan perspective to challenges in human development; and 4) critically reflect and evaluate how personal biases and multiple contexts have influenced their own development.

This large size class (250) utilizes Brightspace for course management. Class sessions are mostly lecture-based, however there are opportunities for in-class activities. This course has one required textbook for purchase. Students are expected to spend about 6-8 hours a week on coursework outside of class. Students are also expected to read and understand material in the text, attend each class period, and actively and critically engage with the material. Regular office hours with the instructor and the graduate teaching assistant are made available.

Grades are based on application activities, online quizzes and in-class exams.