Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - PSYC 359 D100

Developmental Disabilities (3)

Class Number: 3839

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201 and PSYC 250 (or PSYC 241).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Developmental disorders and disabilities. Topics include genes and environment, peer and parent-child relationships, social attitudes, diversity, ethical issues, and behavioural therapies. Students who have credit for PSYC 391, Selected Topics in Psychology:Developmental Disabilities, may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will be held synchronously. 

Lectures will be synchronous and held on Zoom every Wednesday from 2:30-5:20pm. Tests will be held during class time.
Topics include genes and environment, peer and parent-child relationships, social attitudes, diversity, ethics, and behavioural therapies. Students who have credit for PSYC 391, Selected Topics in Psychology: Developmental Disabilities, may not take this course for further credit.

Office Hours:  By appointment

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course explores developmental disabilities and the role that families, education systems, health care systems, and government policies play in impacting outcomes for individuals with disability. Concepts such as risk and resilience, continuities vs. discontinuities, and developmental psychopathology will be discussed. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of some of the most common developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and an introduction to rare disorders such as Prader Willi syndrome. We will discuss the causes, characteristics, considerations for assessment, and evidence-based interventions for each of these DD. This course will emphasize and present recent scientific literature on each condition as well as current understandings of each developmental disability, etiology, symptoms, and interventions.

Grading

  • Test 1: 35%
  • Test 2: 35%
  • Quizzes: 10%
  • Critical Review Paper: 20%

NOTES:

  • Students acquire an understanding of the history and achievements in the field of developmental
  • Students develop a deeper understanding of the link between theory and
  • Students acquire expertise in research methods and evaluating
  • Students become familiar with diagnostic systems, criteria and
  • Students gain an understanding of the whole person with disability throughout the
  • Students contextualize developmental disabilities within social systems

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no textbook for this course. Weekly readings will be posted on canvas.


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).