You will need access to one of the following texts:

1. Bee, H. & Boyd, D. (2002) Lifespan Development New York, Harper Collins ISBN 032104522X
2. Crawford, K. and Walker, J. (2003) Social Work and Human Development, Exeter, Learning Matters ISBN 1903300835
3. Daniel, B. et al (1999) Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers, London, Jessica Kingsley ISBN 1853026336

1) Assignment
Word length 2500
Learning Outcomes 1
50%

2) Case study applying learning to the life contexts of service users in the practice learning setting
Word length 2500
Learning Outcomes 2
50%

Students must pass both elements of the assessment
Students must achieve 40% in order to pass this module. No compensation or condonation is allowed.

Formative Assessment
Tutor feedback on essay plans and practice learning supervisor feedback on case study

1. Psychology theories and frameworks - learning theories; social learning theories; interactionist perspectives; psychodynamic perspectives.
2. Inheritance - mechanisms of inheritance; gene context interaction; hormonal influences on development.
3. Early years pre-birth, neonatal and early life; physical, cognitive and social development.
4. Early childhood growth; cognitive development; social development; play; gender learning.
5. Middle years - growth; cognitive development; social development.
6. Adolescence - physical development; identity development; social development; cognitive development.
7. Adulthood - social development; cognitive development; gender issues; life tasks.
8. Middle life - social development; cognitive development; life tasks.
9. Older age - physical development; ageism; social development; cognitive development; gender issues; death.
10. The importance of valuing diversity - personal, cultural, religious and spiritual - throughout human development.
11. Loss and bereavement through the lifespan
12. The 'ecological' perspective
13. Alternative perspectives - eg 'rights' V 'competence'
14. Disability and developmental perspectives.

1. Whole group sessions - formal lectures to introduce key concepts and issues.
(12 x 2 hrs = 24 hours)
2. Small group seminars = to facilitate student discussion of key concepts, issues and lecture material and to apply psychological frameworks to social work. (12 x 2 hrs = 24 hours)
3. Whole day workshop during Practice Learning period (Semester 2) (5 hours)
4. Directed reading/Independent Learning - to develop students' knowledge and understanding of lifespan development. Students will be expected to prepare materials for seminar debate.
5. Essay preparation - to develop students' knowledge of lifespan development and facilitate ability to discuss psychological frameworks.
6. Application and analysis of module content in the practice learning setting.

Library facilities
IT and internet
Recommended academic texts
Module handbook

This module is open only to students enrolled on the BA (Hons) Social Work who have successfully completed level 1 of this award.

Student must also have studied all other level 2 modules on the BA (Hons) Social Work & cannot combine this module with level 2 modules outside of the BA (Hons) Social Work.