PSY f341K • Controversial Issues in Development 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
This course explores a set of questions in developmental
psychology that are currently under dispute. Rather than
memorizing a set of facts about development, students will
encounter opposing viewpoints. The issues under investigation
have no right answer to memorize. Instead, students will examine
the evidence that opposing camps offer for their positions. In
the course of this analysis students should also become more
familiar with the many ways that developmental psychologists go
about answering basic questions such as: Is nature or nurture
more important for developmental outcome? Or, Is it more
accurate to describe change as continuous or as discontinuous?
The topics may include: Daycare and developmental outcome
Television viewing and violent behavior Children as eyewitnesses
Ability tracking in schools and academic achievement Self esteem
programs in the schools Methods for controlling delinquent
adolescents Sex education programs in the s