Graduate Courses

Developmental Theory

842: Current Theories in Cognitive Development

Students are exposed to current theory (and historical antecedents) within the field of cognitive developmental psychology. Topics will vary based on the expertise of the faculty instructor and thus may cover theory within evolutionary and comparative frameworks of cognitive development, epigenetic and systems approaches to cognitive development, developmental cognitive neuroscience methods, and developmental psychopathology. Seminar (2 hrs)

843: Current Theories in Social Development

Students are exposed to current theory (and historical antecedents) within the field of social developmental psychology. Topics will vary based on the expertise of the faculty instructor and thus may cover theory within evolutionary and comparative frameworks of social development, epigenetic and systems approaches to social development, social-cognitive neuroscience methods, and developmental psychopathology. Seminar (2 hrs).


Cognitive Development

853: Infancy

An overview of the major theoretical and methodological issues and a review of current research in the area of infant studies. Topics cover perceptual, cognitive and social development of both typical and atypical infant populations. Seminar (2 hrs)

854: Cognitive/Conceptual Development

Current theoretical and methodological issues in cognitive development research, covering the development of perception, memory, thinking as well as social cognition. Seminar (2 hrs)

855: Language Development

Provides an overview of current theoretical and methodological approaches to early language development. Specific topics include the rate and content of early language development and the mechanisms underlying word learning, syntactic development, language comprehension, and language production. Seminar (2 hrs)


Social Development

856: Socioemotional Development

Building on theories of socialization and the development of emotional reactivity and regulation, this course will proceed chronologically from birth through adolescence. Readings of empirical and theoretical papers will cover various topics including family and peer relationships, specific emotions, developmental psychopathology, and cultural contexts. Seminar (2 hrs)

857: Atypical Development

An in-depth investigation of the linguistic, cognitive and social development of children with various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, specific language impairment, Down syndrome, and Williams syndrome, among others. Seminar (2 hrs)

859: Social Relationships

Development occurs in the context of relationships. This course will review the current understanding of key interpersonal relationships across the lifespan. Specific topics include: parent-child relationships, friendships, peer groups, romantic relationships, and the role of relationships in specific contexts such as family, school and neighbourhood. Seminar (2 hrs)


Developmental Proseminar

841, 851, 852 Proseminar in Developmental Psychology

Attended by both faculty and students who present research in their specialty areas and with the focus being on research design issues. The content will vary to some extent depending on the research areas represented by members of the class. Marked pass/fail based on attendance. Seminar (2 hrs bi-weekly)