Aims of the course:

In this paper we will introduce some key theories and research relating to patterns of human growth and development from before birth until late adulthood. The context of Aotearoa New Zealand is emphasised, including the influence of family/whānau, education and other social settings, peers and mass media. We believe it is important to recognise how ideas about development change over time, and how different ideas can compete with each other, for example, about the rights and responsibilities of children and adults in contemporary society. Different ways of thinking about human development serve different social and political purposes, and some have more power and influence than others. We acknowledge the diversity of beliefs within many contemporary societies, and at the same time we are interested in thinking about what ways of living seem most likely to promote social justice, improve the quality of caring for others, and enhance the wellbeing of all members of society.

The perspective taken on this course:

In this paper we take a ‘critical approach’. The major academic discipline resourced in this course is Psychology. But Western developmental psychology is overwhelmingly North American in origin and provides a particular cultural story – rather than ‘the truth’ – about human development. We therefore discuss how and why particular stories about development change in a particular society over time, and also consider alternative stories of development, particularly insights from Māori culture, that coexist with the Western story in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This paper is supported by an online Moodle site. Notices and lecture guides will be distributed through this site, and all written assignments must be submitted through the site.

Each week the site will be updated with information about the week’s lectures and any supplementary readings. You should check the class Moodle site on a regular basis.

Online web address: http://elearn.waikato.ac.nz/ (https://www.waikato.ac.nz/library/) or you can click on the Moodle link on the university home page.

You can use the online web site for general questions, for giving feedback on how things are going, and for contacting your tutor. Any issues can be discussed with your tutor or the paper convenor through the Private Conversation forum on the Moodle site.

This is a Level 1 course worth 15 points towards your degree, and University regulations stipulate an expected total workload of 150 hours. Students should attend one 2-hour lecture and one 2-hour tutorial per week, leaving an average expectation of 8 hours of out-of-class work per week (for organisation of lecture notes, additional reading, preparation of assignments, etc). Keep these expectations in mind, and organise your study time effectively.