Objective. This course will review contemporary theory, research, and methods relevant to understanding social and emotional development, particularly during childhood. The course focuses on both normative and atypical development as an understanding of one enriches an understanding of the other. Individual differences, sociocultural diversity—and a historical perspective on the study of all these themes—will be emphasized throughout.
Readings. Each week, one key (and other supplementary) readings will be assigned (if there are two, you get to choose). These papers will be available linked to this syllabus (click the indicated reading; they are in Acrobat which can be downloaded
here). If a reading assignment is marked as "Extra," it is suggested but not required.
Honor code. All assignments are governed by the Honor code: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received any aid on this exam/paper, etc.” Please review the graduate honor code
here.
Class Sessions. I will provide overview and basic background material to inform our discussion. Most of this material will be PowerPoint presentations that I will review in class and post on-line (I will also include links to some interesting supplementary web-sites). Illustrative videos and in-class activities will help us get a real-flavor for some of the topics (i.e. coding security of attachment). Please have access to the readings (hard copy or electronic) during class sessions.
BlackBoard will be used mostly for email and assignments.
Participation. 10% of your final grade will be based on your level of engagement, preparedness for class, and participation in class discussions.
Attendance is mandatory.
Facilitating Discussion. Each class session, a student will be responsible for presenting an article and facilitating class discussion. To do so, please familiarize yourself with the online slides as you will use them to present your article. As needed, please edit the slides and create new slides. If you create a new slide, please consider putting your last name in the footer section of the slide. The new slides—only send the slides you will be presenting please—will be due by email 12 hours before class. Your presentations should summarize the main point or two of the article; then lead us in most interesting issues for discussion emerging from the article. Limit your presentations to ~10 minutes. The presentation/discussions are 25% of your final grade and will be based on the clarity of your presentation and understanding of the article, and the thoughtfulness of your presentation and the ensuing discussion.
Final project. The final project should concern typical or atypical social/emotional development. Collaborative proposals and presentations are allowed. They must include a significant component of individual work for each collaborator and must result in a proportionately higher quality final project (e.g., 2 people could collaborate on a RO1 proposal). In that case, each team member will independently substitute their assignments. The final project (including both the oral presentation and the final paper) will constitute 65% of your grade.
You should find a project or projects that interests you and will help you professionally (consult with your mentor). Alternatives for a final project:
1) A publication quality research project such as a draft of a thesis. The idea is to learn about social and emotional development by doing research that will facilitate your career goals.
2) A NIH F31/R03 or NSF Graduate Research Fellowship proposal including all components. The idea here is to tie together your knowledge of an area with a proposal to do research in this area.
3) A publication-quality literature review in summary-article format or chapter format (i.e., organized by theme, not by article).
Final project dates. Please email your mentor, ccing me when submitting each of the products below. Please also submit on BlackBoard. For each date below, bring a hard copy and be prepared to discuss. Class-time will be devoted to helping you develop your final projects.
8/31. Potential topic (a title).
9/28. One paragraph single-spaced summary of (proposed) project.
10/10. One page single-spaced abstract of (proposed) project. .
11/2. Updated one page abstract and a two-page outline of the project.
11/16. 1st draft of paper containing all its components (e.g., results).
12/5. PowerPoint presentations of final project.
12/14. Final paper due (midnight).