Human Development

Catalog description

Human Development is designed as advanced study of fundamental assumptions, principles, theories, and constructs that are essential for an informed dialogue of development across the human life span. Using several stage theory models of psychosocial development students will be examine and discuss those tasks and challenges unique to each stage of human development from the cradle to the grave. Beginning with the prenatal state, students will become familiar with the biological, emotional, sociological, psychological, historical, and interpersonal factors contributing to human development across infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and advanced adulthood. In addition, students will become familiar with those issues ranging from interpersonal relations, gender socialization, friendships, family systems, race, culture, divorce, mate selection, death and dying that may foster or hinder growth and adaptation. The student’s journey will provide a foundation of understanding necessary to the greater comprehension and application of the discipline of human development, as well as provide him or her with an opportunity to become grounded in concepts key to appreciating the lifelong process of becoming a person.