UCSSCPSY397.5 ECTSEnglishBachelor
Adolescent Development: Research, Policy, and Practice
Faculteit—
NiveauBachelor
Studiejaar2026-2027
Beschrijving
Course goals
After completing this course students are able to:
- describe the biological, psychological and social developmental processes and changes that occur during adolescence
- describe problematic and normal development in adolescence
- identify the major physical and mental health issues affecting adolescents
- identify risk factors and assets to young people’s development
- understand how social and cultural dynamics affect adolescent development
- identify (recent) trends over time in young people’s behaviour and well-being
- critically analyze and evaluate research and media claims related to adolescent development
- critically review scientific literature on adolescent development.
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
In this course, the final course grade is based on four elements: one exam, a presentation (format of student-led seminar), a paper and class participation.
In this course, the final course grade is based on four elements: one exam, a presentation (format of student-led seminar), a paper and class participation.
- Written in-class exam (midterm exam): this tests your knowledge of, and ability to apply the major theoretical and empirical concepts on adolescent development covered in the first block of the course (course goals 1-7).
- Student-led seminar: this tests your ability to reflect upon the literature and apply it to concrete examples from daily life (course goals 5, 6, 7).
- Review Paper: this tests your ability to understand, summarize, and critically reflect on scientific literature on adolescent development (course goals 4-8).
- Class participation: active participation during class discussions and/or shown in weekly written assignments (e.g., analytical questions).
Content
This course provides an overview of the theories, concepts, issues, and research in the field of adolescent development. Adolescent development occurs within a sociocultural context, and the interaction between individual development and socialization is at the core of this course. We will study changes that occur within the adolescent (e.g., regarding identity formation, sexual development, rising interest in the use of substances and social media) as well as changes in the social context (including changes in family and peer relations, school and the larger society). Moreover, we study how societal changes over time may have affected adolescent development in the early 21st century. Lectures and class discussions will link theoretical perspectives to recent research, societal developments, policy and practice.
Format
The first class of each week consists of a lecture. The lecture will focus primarily on theory and research. The second weekly session is devoted to analyzing and discussing the core literature for that week, student presentations and debates or work on the review study. During the first half of the course students are expected to do the readings and to answer analytical questions prior to the classes. These questions will help students in critically analysing the theoretical and empirical content of the articles and in preparing for the essay exam. During the second half of the course students are expected to prepare sections of their review paper prior to the classes.
The first class of each week consists of a lecture. The lecture will focus primarily on theory and research. The second weekly session is devoted to analyzing and discussing the core literature for that week, student presentations and debates or work on the review study. During the first half of the course students are expected to do the readings and to answer analytical questions prior to the classes. These questions will help students in critically analysing the theoretical and empirical content of the articles and in preparing for the essay exam. During the second half of the course students are expected to prepare sections of their review paper prior to the classes.
Reviews0 reviews
Nog geen reviews voor dit vak. Wees de eerste!
Heb jij dit vak gevolgd?
Deel je ervaring met toekomstige studenten. Inloggen met je Universiteit Utrecht mailadres duurt één minuut.
Schrijf een review