Undergraduate Programs
Course Information
| back to course list |
| back to course description |
HDFS 405 Adolescent Development
3 hours (1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours discussion)
Spring Semesters
Course Objective
In this course we will focus the on the biological, psychological, and social changes that occur across the adolescent period of human development, roughly ages 11 through 18. You will learn what is “normal” adolescent development and how it is affected by different contexts, such as peer, family, work, school, and community. What you will learn is based on scientific research and theory. My primary objective in teaching this course is to help you engage in critical scientific thinking about adolescence through lecture, discussion , and application.
Topics
- Theories of development
- Biological Development
- Cognitive Development
- Peers and Families
- Schools and Achievement
- Work and Transition to Adulthood
- Leisure Contexts
- Identity
- Intimacy and Romantic Relationships
- Autonomy: Emotional, Behavioral, Moral
- Gender and Sexuality
- Culture and International
- Problems of Adolescent Development
Assigned Text and Other Readings
Santrock, John W. Adolescence, 11th Edition. McGraw-Hill, 2005
additional readings
Graded Activities
Critical analysis papers(10)
Exams (2)
Discussion assignments (5)