Human Development Program
Courses
For course descriptions not found in the 2008-2009 General Catalog, please contact the department for more information.
Lower-Division
HDP 1. Introduction to Human Development (4) This course introduces students to the central issues in the basic areas in human development. The course will explain relationships between biological, cognitive, social, and cultural aspects of development. Offered once per year. (F)
HDP 87. Freshman Seminar (1) This seminar is designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic in a small seminar setting. Topics vary from quarter to quarter. Enrollment is limited to fifteen to twenty students, with preference given to entering freshmen.
HDP 98. Directed Group Study (1-2) Directed group study, on a topic or in a field not included in the department curriculum, by arrangement with a faculty member. Topics will vary from quarter to quarter. Pass/No Pass grades only. Enrollment requires prior consent of the instructor; students must have at least thirty units completed and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student may enroll for no more than a total of two units in one quarter. Cannot be used towards HDP major credit. Prerequisites: 3.0 GPA and at least thirty units completed.
HDP 99. Independent Study in Human Development (2-4) Independent study and research under the direction of a human development program, or affiliated, faculty member. Pass/No Pass only. Cannot be used towards HDP major credit. Prerequisites: lower-division standing, completion of thirty units of UCSD undergraduate study, a minimum UCSD GPA of 3.0, and a completed and approved Special Studies form: UCSD Application for Enrollment Special Studies Courses 97, 98, 99.
Upper-Division
HDP 110. Brain and Behavioral Development (4) The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with basic mechanisms of brain and behavioral development from embryology through aging. Multiple levels of analysis will be discussed, including the effects of hormones on behavior, developmental events at the level of cells, structures, and neural systems, and the neural basis of cognition, social, perceptual, and language development. Prerequisite: HDP 1 or PSYC 101.
HDP 115. Media and Design of Social Learning Contexts (6) (Same as COMT 115.) A combined lecture/lab course cross-listed in communication and human development. Students attend lecture, write field notes, and spend three hours per week in specially designed after-school setting working with children and designing new educational media and producing special projects. Prerequisite: HDP 1 or COHI 100.
HDP 120. Language Development (4) Examination of children’s acquisition of language from babbling to the formation of sentences. Topics covered include: pre-linguistic gestures, relationships between babbling and sound systems, speech perception, linking words with objects, rule overgeneralization, bilingualism, nature vs. nurture, individual differences, cultural differences. Prerequisite: HDP 1.
HDP 121. The Developing Mind (4) This course examines changes in thinking and perceiving the physical and social world from birth through childhood. Evidence of significant changes in encoding information, forming mental representations, and solving problems is culled from psychological research, cross-cultural studies, and cognitive science. Prerequisite: HDP 1 and declared human development major.
HDP 122. Social Development (4) This course covers topics in social development research. Content will address general principles such as the mutual influences of caregivers and children upon each other and the interplay of person and context. Discussion areas will include attachment, parenting styles, gender differences, aggression, social cognition, social components of achievement motivation, and development of conscience. Prerequisite: HDP 1.
HDP 131. Fifth Dimension for Elementary Schools (6) Students will participate four hours per week in classrooms at Torrey Pines Elementary School integrating the Fifth Dimension model of collaborative exploratory learning. Outside work will include readings and class preparation, as well as responding to children’s written inquiries, writing field notes, and writing a paper. Prerequisite: HDP 1. (F,W,S)
HDP 133. Socio-cultural Foundations of Human Development (4) This course will provide students with an understanding of the social and cultural foundations of human development. The topics will be explored with both national and international comparisons from infancy through adolescence. Prerequisite: HDP 1 or PSYC 1.
HDP 135. Practicum in Child Development (6) (Same as COMT 116.) A combined lecture and laboratory course for students in psychology, communication, and human development. Student backgrounds should include a background in general psychology or communication. Students will be expected to spend four hours a week in a supervised practical after-school setting at one of the community field sites involving children. Additional time will be devoted to readings and class prep, as well as six hours a week transcribing field notes and writing a paper on some aspect of the fieldwork experience as it relates to class lectures and readings. Prerequisite: HDP 1 or COHI 100 or PSYC 101. (F,W,S)
HDP 150. Advanced Human Development (4) Seminar for graduating HDP seniors. Readings and discussion of special topics in human development. Provides advanced-level study on subfields of human development. Topics vary quarterly. Prerequisites: HDP 1, HDP 181, HDP 191, senior standing, and department approval. (F,W,S)
HDP 160. Special Topics Seminar in Human Development (4) Special topics in human development are discussed. (May repeat when topics vary.) Prerequisite: department approval.
HDP 181. Experimental Projects in Human Development Research (6) This laboratory course in human development is designed around a variety of intensive experimental projects. With lectures providing background information on research methods and child development, each assignment will include data collection and/or analysis, and a written laboratory report. Prerequisites: HDP 1, Statistics, and must be a declared HDP major. (F,W,S)
HDP 191. Field Research in Human Development (6) This course combines lectures on research methodology (three hours/week) with an applied field research experience (four hours/week) conducted at a pre-approved study site. Required: Completion of a field notebook, review paper, oral presentation, and final paper. Prerequisites: HDP 1. Students must submit the pre-enrollment questionnaire one academic year prior to enrollment. See HDP Web site for details. (F,W,S)
HDP 193. Advanced Research in Human Development (4) Specialized research project under the direction of a human development affiliated faculty member. May be taken for one or two quarters of credit. Prerequisites: declared HDP major, overall GPA of 2.8, ninety units completed, three HDP core courses completed, and consent of instructor.
HDP 194A-B-C. Honors Thesis (4-4-4) Students will take part in a weekly research seminar. In addition, they will plan and carry out a three-quarter research project under the guidance of a faculty member. The project will form the basis for their senior honors thesis. Prerequisites: overall GPA of 3.2, and a 3.5 GPA for courses taken in the human development major; an advanced course in statistics or experimental design, and consent of instructor.
HDP 195. Instructional Apprentice in Human Development (4) Introduction to teaching within the discipline of human development. Students will attend lecture, be responsible for assisting the instructor with course preparation, and will lead a discussion section of one of the lower-division courses in the human development program. Limited to upper-division students majoring in human development with consent of instructor. Pass/no pass only. Prerequisites: Declared HDP major, overall GPA of 3.0, 90 units completed, and consent of instructor.
HDP 199. Independent Study in Human Development (4) Independent study and research under the direction of a faculty member. Pass/No Pass only. Prerequisites: consent of the instructor, completion of at least ninety undergraduate units with a minimum of 2.5 GPA, and a completed and approved Special Studies Form.
