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PSY30040

Academic Year 2024/2025

Lifespan Developmental Psychology (PSY30040)

Subject:
Psychology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Psychology
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Amanda Fitzgerald
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module explores developmental themes that occur across different stages of life from birth and infancy through adulthood and into old age. Although development at each stage of life has unique features, there are also important themes that recur across the lifespan. The module draws on psychosocial theory and the lifespan perspective to organize our understanding of these developmental themes. Topics change from year to year but are focused on typical human development over the lifespan including for example attachment, moral development, well-being, cognition and social relationships among others. The course will primarily draw on peer reviewed journal articles that are freely available online.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to:
• Conceptualise development as a life long process;
• Apply the framework of psychosocial theory to specified lifespan development themes;
• Critically evaluate the empirical evidence regarding lifespan development in the thematic areas covered in the module;
• Reflect on a case study related to a lifespan development topic and draw on evidence to support our understanding of this
case study.

Indicative Module Content:

The topics that will be covered typically include: lifespan theoretical frameworks; attachment ; social relationships; parenthood; gender and sexual development; moral development; cognition; well-being.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Lectures

20
Online Learning

9
Total

109

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures (2 hours per week in person and 1 hour per week online), workshops, in-class activities (individual and group) and critical writing exercises.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module will draw on psychological concepts and theories. Students who have not taken modules in psychology or a related discipline would need to do additional reading to ensure that they understand the principal concepts.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): This module is assessed by a 2,000 word mid-trimester assignment due in week 7 (35%), Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Exam (In-person): A one hour end-of-trimester exam held in person (35%) End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Group Work Assignment: Each week there will be a continuous assessment for in-class activities (30%). Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual written feedback will be provided on the mid-trimester assignment via Brightspace. In addition, group /class feedback post-assessment will be provided to students in-class.

Newman, B. M. & Newman, P. R. (2017). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach. 13th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Amanda Fitzgerald Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Eilis Hennessy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Rachel Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Andrew Woods Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 09:00 - 10:50
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