BERGAMO
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, students will have acquired an in-depth theoretical understanding of typical and atypical psychological development across the lifespan, with reference to various developmental domains (socio-emotional, moral, cognitive, communicative-linguistic, etc.). They will also be able to understand how individual and environmental risk and protective factors influence developmental trajectories, leading to either adaptive or maladaptive outcomes, and to identify the most effective interventions to support psychological development throughout life.
This theoretical foundation will enable students to analyze concrete situations and cases, as encountered in clinical, educational, and school settings, and to recognize early signs of both typical and atypical development.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in Developmental and Educational Psychology.
Teaching Methods
The course will be delivered mainly through lectures. However, interactive activities and exercises will also be planned to engage students in deeper reflections, with the aim to acquire theoretical knowledge more effectively and apply it to concrete situations.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of a written test and an optional oral exam. The written test, which lasts 60 minutes, includes five multiple-choice questions and two open-ended questions. The closed questions and one of the open-ended questions assess students’ general knowledge of the course content; the second open-ended question evaluates the ability to think critically and apply theoretical knowledge to a case of typical or atypical development.
Each multiple-choice question gives 2 points, and each open-ended question gives 10 points, for a total of 30 points. The open-ended questions are evaluated according to the following criteria: relevance and adequacy of the response to the question (8 points); ability to synthesize and logically organize contents (1 point); and language properties (1 point).
The optional oral exam is only reserved for students who achieve a score of 25/30 or higher on the written test. The oral exam will evaluate the student's knowledge of the entire course content, not only the topics covered in the written test. The oral exam must be taken during the same exam session as the written test.
Attending students may take a midterm written exam on the topics covered in class. This test will take place during class hours and will consist of five multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question.
Contents
The course program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
o The distinction between typical and atypical development
o Psychological development across the life span: typical and atypical trajectories in socio-emotional, cognitive, moral, communicative-linguistic, affective, and perceptual-motor domains
o Protective and risk factors in typical and atypical development
o Evidence-based interventions to promote psychological well-being throughout the lifespan
o The Autism Spectrum Disorders
o The Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
o The Specific Learning Disorders
Online Resources
More information
Students who possess a certification of a Specific Learning Disorder are invited to contact the professor at least two weeks before the exam date to set the most appropriate exam method and submit maps/outlines they may wish to use.
Erasmus students are asked to contact the professor in advance to define the texts and exam modalities.