CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC12010 Introduction to Human Development
Introduction to Human Development
All details in this unit profile for PSYC12010 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit will introduce you to the characteristics and processes of human development across the lifespan within the physical, cognitive and psychosocial developmental domains. The theoretical perspectives and concepts that guide thinking and study in the field of developmental science are introduced. A key emphasis throughout the unit is that developmental changes are the result of the complex interplay between nature (genetic endowment, biological influences and maturation) and nurture (environmental influences, experiences and learning). Both the universalities and diversities in human development are explored across diverse contexts and culture. The unit is designed to facilitate a critical and applied understanding of theory and research in the field of developmental science.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

PSYC11008 and PSYC11009

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 3 - 2019

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. Examination
Weighting: 30%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student feedback via "have your say"

Feedback

Assessment/s using de-identified real life case scenarios would allow for the application of learnt theories and concepts from the unit, lecture discussions and text book by students.

Recommendation

Assessments for unit PSYC12010 to be reviewed with HOC and Discipline Lead - Undergraduate Psychology for proposed implementation of more case scenarios to be included in the assessments for this unit.

Feedback from Unit coordinator review of the unit

Feedback

Written assessment requirement to be reviewed and made more relevant and compatible with units attained in the first year of study for students.

Recommendation

Written assessment requirement to be reviewed and adjusted to better meet the skill level of students and the requirements of working in a clinical or therapeutic setting.

Feedback from Student feedback via "have your say"

Feedback

Cultural content to be more thoroughly discussed and culturally relevant resources examples provided in more depth throughout the unit.

Recommendation

Access Aboriginal knowledge and resources relevant to the unit and incorporate more thoroughly in all of the lecture material and tutorial discussions.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify and describe key developmental characteristics and changes within each of the major stages of the lifespan
  2. Apply and demonstrate understanding of the theories, concepts and methods in the field of developmental science
  3. Critically analyse social, historical and cultural lifespan perspectives that influence developmental changes and concerns across diverse contexts and cultures.


Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Examination - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 40%
3 - Examination - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Life Span Human Development

Second Australian and New Zealand Edition (2016)
Authors: Carol K. Sigelman, Elizabeth A. Rider and Linda De George-Walker
Cengage Learning
South Melbourne South Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9780170262170
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)

Edition: 6th
American Psychological Association.
ISBN: 1433805618
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Katie Hughes Unit Coordinator
k.hughes@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Introduction to Life Span Human Development

Chapter

Chapter 1 and pages 431 to 436 of Chapter 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Theories of Human Development

Chapter

Chapter 2 and additional readings on Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

ALL ONLINE QUIZZES OPEN THIS WEEK

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Genes, Environment, and the Beginnings of Life

Chapter

Chapter 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Physical Growth, Motor Development, and Health

Chapter

Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Vacation Week, no scheduled classes or activities.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 16 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Cognitive Development

Chapter

Chapter 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

QUIZ 1 CLOSES FRIDAY AT 5:00PM (AEST)

Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Information Processing: Perception, Attention, and Memory

Chapter

Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 7 Begin Date: 06 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Intelligence and Creativity

Chapter

Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 8 Begin Date: 13 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Language and Education

Chapter

Chapter 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 9 Begin Date: 20 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Self and Personality

Chapter

Chapter 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture will include discussion about exam this week

QUIZ 2 CLOSES FRIDAY 5:00PM (AEST)


WRITTEN ASSESSMENT (40%) Due: Week 9 Monday (20 Jan 2020) 9:00 am AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 27 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Social Cognition and Moral Development

Chapter

Chapter 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 11 Begin Date: 03 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Social Relationships and Attachment

Chapter

Chapter 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial

Week 12 Begin Date: 10 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Death and Dying

Chapter

Chapter 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Lecture and Zoom Tutorial


ONLINE QUIZ(ZES) 30% Due: Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

All lectures and materials used in the T3 offering of PSYC12010 were recorded in T1, 2019. As such, students can disregard any references to T1 dates.

Please contact the PSYC12010 T3 Unit Coordinator, Katie Hughes, if you have any questions k.hughes@cqu.edu.au

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
ONLINE QUIZ(ZES) 30%

Task Description

This assessment task comprises of three (3) quizzes to be completed and submitted online via the unit's Moodle site. All three quizzes will open on the same day (Monday, week 2) to allow students to work ahead of the schedule if they wish.

However, each quiz will close at different times throughout the term as detailed below, and in your weekly schedule.

Each quiz will consist of 40 questions (10 questions per topic), with a maximum of 120 minutes in which to complete each quiz. The quiz questions will be in multiple choice format. Only one attempt per quiz is permitted.

Quiz 1 closes Friday of Week 5 at 5pm (AEST). Quiz 2 closes Friday of Week 9 at 5pm (AEST). Quiz 3 closes Friday of Week 12 at 5pm (AEST).

Quiz 1 - Assesses topics 1 to 4

Quiz 2 - Assesses topics 5 to 8

Quiz 3 - Assesses topics 9 to 12


Number of Quizzes

3


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020) 5:00 pm AEST

Quiz 1 closes Friday of Week 5 at 5pm (AEST). Quiz 2 closes Friday of Week 9 at 5pm (AEST). Quiz 3 closes Friday of Week 12 at 5pm (AEST).


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020)

Quiz total marks will be returned to students immediately after each quiz is submitted. Marks/responses for each quiz question will be available after each quiz closes.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

For each quiz, one (1) mark will be awarded for each quiz question answered correctly, and there will be no negative marking penalty for incorrect answers.

Each quiz is marked out of 40 and weighted at 10% of the final unit grade.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
All quizzes are to be completed and submitted on the unit's Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify and describe key developmental characteristics and changes within each of the major stages of the lifespan
  • Apply and demonstrate understanding of the theories, concepts and methods in the field of developmental science


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Information Literacy

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
WRITTEN ASSESSMENT (40%)

Task Description

For this assessment task, students will prepare an essay that focuses on a selected topic and around the three main goals of the study of lifespan developmental science - to describe, explain, and optimise human development across the lifespan.

More specifically, in the essay students will describe a developmental concern and the implications; explain the causes and origins of the concern; and then provide broad recommendations about how to prevent the concern to optimise development.

It is expected that the bioecological model and relevant elements of a lifespan perspective (e.g. A lifespan developmental model of health) / or model (e.g. Attachment; Transactional Model of Family Influence) will be integrated within the essay.

The essay length is 1,800 (minimum) to 2,200 (maximum) words. The word count includes everything in your submission except the Title page, Abstract, and Reference List. Tables and any figures or bullet points that might be used within the essay will all contribute to the word count.

The report topic choices and further task details will be available from the Assessment 2 Information Sheet on the unit's Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Monday (20 Jan 2020) 9:00 am AEST

Essay to be uploaded through the Assessment portal on Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (14 Feb 2020)

Feedback and grades will be uploaded through the Assessment portal on Moodle.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

The following aspects of the written assessment will be marked using a rubric which provides detailed criteria for performance at each grade level. The marking rubric will be available from the Assessment 2 Information Sheet on the Unit's Moodle site.

1. Part A: Introduction & Background (10 marks)

2. Part B: Origins and Causes (10 marks)

3. Part C: Recommendations (10 marks)

4. Quality of literacy and written communication skills (5 marks)

5. Adherence to APA (6th ed.) referencing / presentation style / word count (5 marks)

This report will receive a total mark out of 40 and also has an overall Unit weighting of 40%.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Essay to be uploaded through the Assessment portal on Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply and demonstrate understanding of the theories, concepts and methods in the field of developmental science
  • Critically analyse social, historical and cultural lifespan perspectives that influence developmental changes and concerns across diverse contexts and cultures.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Cross Cultural Competence

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
30%

Length
180 minutes

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?