Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PSYC 950 G100

Seminar in Developmental Psychology (3)

Adv. Topics in Dev Psyc: Culture & Developement

Class Number: 7226

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

COURSE DETAILS:

What makes us human?: A developmental approach.

This course will examine the complex question, “What makes us human?” from a developmental perspective. We will focus on social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of human development that have been argued to support human social life. We will cover topics including empathy, tool use, consciousness, morality, intentionality, language, symbolic development, cultural evolution and teaching, complex social structures, and culture. Emphasis will be placed on fostering critical analysis of current theories and methodology, as well as discussing underlying assumptions. The overall goal is to examine the question with a developmental lens.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.