Adolescent Development

Course goals

This course is an advanced undergraduate course that provides an overview of the theories, concepts, issues, and research in the field of adolescent development. This course will focus on changes that occur within the adolescent (including changes related to biological, socio-emotional, cognitive and moral development) as well as changes in the social context (including changes in family relations and peer relations and the larger society). Lectures will include a focus on traditional and new theoretical perspectives, as well as the current environmental conditions impinging on adolescents. Seminars will focus on hands-on experience in how to conduct research with adolescents. Specifically, students will recruit adolescents from their own network recruit adolescents for an interview and to complete questionnaires.

This advanced course is particularly useful for those aspiring to work with young people and/or adults. Knowledge about typical and atypical development during adolescence is necessary to understand future clients.

The general goals of this course are twofold: 1) have students gain knowledge concerning the important theories, concepts, issues and research in the field of adolescent development; 2) have students engage in adolescent research by interviewing an adolescent, collecting data, and writing a research report based on a large dataset.

All lectures and course material will be given in English. Students will be required to complete all examinations and assignments in English too. The interview with an adolescent can be done in Dutch.

Aims
After completing this course students will be able to:

1. Identify the biological, psychological and social developmental processes and changes that occur during adolescence;
2. Interpret these processes and changes in relation to current theories on adolescent development;
3. Identify and analyze the major societal, physical, and mental health issues affecting adolescents;
4. Demonstrate knowledge of how scientific methodology is applied to the study of adolescent development;
5. Execute adolescent research using multiple methodologies common to the field;
6. Formulate a research question and analyze and interpret the findings in terms of major developmental theories and current adolescent research;
7. Write a research report based on an empirical research study.

Relation between assessment and objective
The exams are designed to examine whether the students have mastered the first four learning aims of the course. The practical assignments are designed to have students demonstrate their ability to conduct research focusing on adolescents (aim 5) and analyze, interpret, and report findings in line with the literature (aims 6,7).

This course can be used for your LOGO, click HERE for more info.

Content

The lectures in this course focus on the intra- and interpersonal changes that occur during the adolescent period, including changes related to biological, socio-emotional, cognitive and moral development) as well as changes in the social context (including changes in family relations and peer relations and the larger society). Lectures focus on traditional and new theoretical perspectives on adolescent development, contemporary research that tests and informs these theories, and how theory and research relate to policy and practice. 
 
The seminars focus on applying commonly used methods in adolescent research (interview and self-report questionnaire), for which each student will recruit adolescents. Using real data from adolescent participants, students will analyze and interpret the findings in line with the theories of adolescent development covered during the course. 
 
The final grade for the course will be based on grades from the exams and assignments. 
 
Note: The entire course will be taught in English. This also includes assignments and exams.