Overview
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
- To produce graduates who can analyse and apply appropriate theories and principles underlying Developmental Psychology.
- To inculcate in students the ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge base of the human life span developmental changes.
- To promote human developmental milestones by taking advantage of differences and similarities between individuals/groups.
- To capacitate students to apply psychological knowledge to diverse entities of the human lifespan developmental stages at the individual level and the broader community at large.
- To produce well-rounded graduates who are ethically and socially responsible.
- To instil in students the ability for critical thinking required to apply Developmental Psychology theories and methods in addressing abnormal developmental changes.
- To mould and produce graduates who can effectively write and present research work, and communicate findings to others.
- To equip graduates with national critical skills which promote healthy developmental milestones.
- To introduce and/or increase the provision of services on positive human development by equipping graduates with skills that enable them to later open/operate the requisite centres in educational institutions and communities.
- To facilitate placement of graduates in university-linked industrial parks for them to generate innovative ideas for human development
Entry Requirements
| Normal Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better plus a minimum of any 2 “A” Level passes or relevant National Certificate. |
| Special Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better plus a professional qualification such as a Diploma in a Psychology-related field in which candidates must be employed. |
| Mature Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better. Candidates must be at least 25 years of age and have a minimum of 3 years of working experience in a Psychology-related field in which they must be employed.
3.0 PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS |
| · Areas of study: Developmental Psychology; Assessment, evaluation and respective interventions for developmental pathologies/ challenges.
· Special focus: Developmental Psychology theories, with emphasis on developmental milestones, changes and/or associated challenges with (non-)normative developments in foetuses, neonates/infants, children, adolescents, young adults, the middle-aged and the elderly. · Orientation: Applied scientific model premised on the student-centred approach to the assessment of the nature and extent of human developmental changes and/or associated challenges, and to the designing and implementation of appropriate interventions. · Distinctive features: The programme builds in students the research technology-innovation management continuum and focuses on knowledge, skills and application development used to alleviate/terminate dynamic and contemporary human development psychological issues across the human lifespan. 4.0 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION: Careers: Mainstream and special education; Social welfare; Speech and language therapists; Counselling; Preventative and protective practitioners on adverse developmental issues Further Education: Master’s programmes and Postgraduate studies in Developmental Psychology specialty areas 5.0 PROGRAMME DELIVERY · Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, tutorials, role-plays, field visits/trips, individual and seminar/group presentations, independent study, active research. For students accepted on mature/special entry i. e. Visiting/Block, lectures will be delivered in 2 blocks of 2 weeks and 1 week. · Assessment and Evaluation Methods: Written assignments, presentations, tests, research projects, work-related learning reports, and end-of-semester examinations 6.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES On successful completion of this programme, graduates should be able to : |
Programme Structure
| Level 1 Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PSY 132: Introduction to Psychology | 12 |
| SOC 131: Introduction to Sociology | 12 |
| HDP 131: Introduction to Lifespan Development | 12 |
| HCS 135: Introduction to Information Technology | 12 |
| CS 131: Communication Skills | 12 |
| Level 1 Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HDP 132: Language Development and Communication in Children | 12 |
| HDP 133: Themes and Theories of Developmental Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 134: Human Diversity | 12 |
| PSY 135: Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications | 12 |
| PSY 136: Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology | 12 |
| Level 2 Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PSY 231: Psychobiology | 12 |
| HDP 231: Child Development and Behaviour | 12 |
| PSY 234: Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics | 12 |
| GSSS 201: Gender Studies for Social Sciences | 12 |
| ENT 235: Entrepreneurship | 12 |
| Level 2 Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PSY 233: Principles of Learning | 12 |
| HDP 232: Adolescence and Adulthood | 12 |
| PSY 238: Personality | 12 |
| HDP 233: Psychology in Education | 12 |
| PSY 240: Ethics and Professional Practice | 12 |
| Level 3 Semester 1 (Work-Related Learning) | Credits |
|---|---|
| HDP 330: Work Related Learning Placement Report | 40 |
| Level 3 Semester 2 (Work-Related Learning) | Credits |
|---|---|
| HDP 331: Work Related Learning Report | 30 |
| HDP 332: Academic Supervisor’s Report | 20 |
| HDP 333: Employer’s Assessment Report | 30 |
| Level 4 Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HDP 431: Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Applications | 12 |
| HDP 432: Disabilities and Development | 12 |
| PSY 432: Psychometrics | 12 |
| HDP 433: Behavioural and Emotional Problems of Children | 12 |
| PSY 436: Neuropsychology | 12 |
| Level 4 Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HDP 434: Ageing and Senescence | 12 |
| HDP 435: Applied Developmental Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 438: Principles of Psychotherapy | 12 |
| PSY 439: Contemporary-Critical Psychology | 12 |
| HDP 435: Dissertation | 24 |
| Total Credits | 492 |
MODULE SYNOPSES
PSY 132 Introduction to Psychology
The module introduces students to the richness and diversity of Psychology’s fundamental principles, theories, concepts and findings, and equips them with tools necessary for the study of human behaviour and mental processes. Major domains of Psychology as a discipline are also explored on the basis of classic studies, and of current and emerging research, including reference to the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological disorders.
SOC 131 Introduction to Sociology
Refer to the Department of Community Studies.
HDP 131 Introduction to Lifespan Development
The module provides knowledge on developmental theories and to age-related changes in the human lifespan. Emphasis is on holistic development in all developmental domains; effects of attachment patterns and parenting styles on behavioural outcomes, and children’s rights; effects of body changes, peer relationships, and initiations in adolescence; theories of career choices; midlife crises; theories of ageing, developmental challenges and old age home life.
HCS 135 Introduction to Information Technology
Refer to the Department of Information Systems.
CS 131 Communication Skills
Refer to the Department of Communication Skills.
HDP 132 Language Development and Communication in Children
The module covers concepts on language acquisition in children. The focus is on theories of language development; primary language specialization centres in the brain; influence of biological and environmental factors; components of language, inclusive of phonology, semantics, syntax, pragmatics and lexicon; age-related stages of language development.
HDP 133 Themes and Theories of Developmental Psychology
The module equips students with concepts on the genetics and heredity of developmental characteristics and abnormalities such as Autism and Down’s Syndrome; Description of animal experiments and interpretation of results/findings for inference of implications to development in humans; Continuous and discontinuous development; Analyses of theories of development.
PSY 134 Human Diversity
The module focuses on and celebrates individual differences. Special attention is given to means of managing diversity in different contexts such as workplaces. The module further studies special populations, including the disabled, marginalized, sexually different populations and racial and ethnic groups.
PSY 135 Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications
This module builds on the Introduction to Psychology module. Covered concepts, theories and methods augment the central themes and controversies of the discipline acquired earlier. This provides students with an understanding of the human mind and behaviour. Also examined are the psychodynamic perspective, humanism, post-modernism, personality, intelligence, and mental and behavioural issues. In workshop teams, students debate on raised issues.
PSY 136 Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology
The module focuses on challenges addressed by Social Psychology. Topics include attitudes and attitude change; prejudice, discrimination; aggression, conflict, conflict resolution; group behaviour; Social Psychology in politics, law and health; tendency to conform to social norms; applied studies; application of Social Psychology basic principles to find, understand, interpret and use more specialized, and applied research findings.
PSY 231 Psychobiology
The module is on how biological processes influence human behaviour and mental functioning. It equips students with knowledge of genetics and the role of various body systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems in behaviour; he organisation, function and role of homeostatic organs in behaviour; and he human anatomy in explaining behaviours.
HDP 231 Infant and Child Development
In this module, students will study contemporary research and theoretical perspectives on the psychological processes which take place from birth to 12 years. The focus will be on aspects of children’s development including prenatal development, language and cognition, gender and identity, socio-emotional skills, family, social and cultural contexts.
PSY 234 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
The module introduces students to qualitative and quantitative paradigms/approaches and to respective methods. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the use of statistical tables and formulae in analysing and interpreting research data. It also exposes students to the association of variables, regression and prediction, statistical inferences and hypothesis-testing, Chi-square (x2) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
GSSS 201 Gender Studies for Social Sciences
This Gender Studies for Social Sciences 201 (GSSS201) module is an introductory module focused on giving students a broad understanding of the discipline of Gender Studies, its subject matter, key issues and concepts. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of basic gender issues as well as prepare them to be agents of change, particularly in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe. In so doing GSSS201 adopts an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that takes as its subject matter all aspects of the human experience in a gendered world, viewing gender as a field of study, analytical tool and a social phenomenon structuring the social world itself.
ENT 235 Entrepreneurship
Refer to the Department of Entrepreneurship
PSY 233 Principles of Learning
The module focuses on students’ mastery of critical and creative thinking. Topics include principles of learning, conditioning, motivation, memory, and associated neurobiological mechanisms; integration of principles with a socio-psychobiological context to explain and analyse (ab) normal behaviour; appropriate terminology used in explaining how the principles were arrived at from experimental studies.
HDP 232 Adolescence and Adulthood
The module provides knowledge on developmental theories. For adolescents, the focus is on explanations and effects of body changes, the influence of peer relationships, and initiations into adulthood in the African context. For adulthood, the focus is on theories of career choices in young adulthood; midlife crises and related issues in middle age; theories of ageing, developmental challenges and old age home life for the elderly.
PSY 238 Personality
This module covers Personality and Motivation theories for students to gain an appreciation of approaches that can be considered in conceptualising personalities. Topics covered include an overview of personality psychology; basic assumptions of human nature; perspectives of personality, including the psychodynamic, dispositional, learning, behavioural and the humanistic-existential perspectives.
HDP 233 Psychology in Education
In this module, students will explore how psychological theory and research can be applied to education. Students will develop knowledge of cognitive, developmental and social psychology and apply it to education. They will study theoretical models of learning and consider the connection between psychological research evidence and educational practice. Topics may include educational diversity: typical and atypical learners; intelligence, genetics and education; peer relationships and bullying; mental health in schools; classroom interventions; and the role of educational psychologists.
PSY 240 Ethics and Professional Practice
Students are oriented on professional psychological assessment and psychotherapist identity; ethical, legal and professional codes of conduct; the Health Professions Act Chapter 27: 19 and the requisite Mandate; safe, acceptable practice; professional issues associated with risk in working with clients in diverse settings/circumstances; individual and team-based service models; communication and implications on practice; and intern supervisee-supervisor relationships.
HDP 330 Work-Related Learning Placement Report
The student will submit a comprehensive work placement report which shows their understanding of the organisation placed.
HDP 331, HDP 332, HDP 333: Work-Related Learning
During the 2 semesters, students are placed in organisations/institutions/companies/ (non)- governments, among other placements, to gain the requisite practical experience. The exposure prepares students for professional socialisation while they also benefit from the provision for mechanisms of situated cognition.
HDP 431 Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Applications
This module exposes the student to the study of mental disorders, their causes, development and treatment. It will develop existing knowledge from previous modules while exploring social and cognitive psychology. Students will also study mental processes such as thinking, memory and emotion. Students will learn how to diagnose, assess, and treat children, adolescents and adults who have developmental disorders. This module gives you the skills to work in community settings with children and adolescents who have diverse psychopathologies.
HDP 431 Disabilities and Development
The module develops in students an understanding of diverse forms of disability and how they influence development. It extends to areas such as exceptionality, giftedness, mental abilities, hearing, vision, physical, speech, and language handicaps, albinism, learning disabilities and those disabilities that come with age or tragic life events. The module further extends into areas of rights and policies, education accommodation and the built environment for persons with disabilities.
PSY 432 Psychometrics
The module provides students with a grounding in the comprehension and application of psychometric tests, related theories, the nature and essence of psychometrics, test construction and use, and enhancement of effectiveness. Topics covered are methods of observing and measuring human behaviour; Psychometric assessment methods and practice; Testing principles of validity, reliability, standardization and adopting/ adapting tests.
HDP 432 Behavioral and Emotional Problems of Children
The module focuses on Abnormal Psychology and atypical development in children and adolescents. Emphasis is on behavioural and emotional problems, disorders and diagnosis and psychopathology contrasted to normal development. The aim is to enable students to acquire theoretical knowledge and understanding of the symptoms, causes, course and prevention of common disorders excluding physical and sensory handicaps.
PSY 436 Neuropsychology
The module exposes students to the anatomy, physiology and biology of the central nervous system which underlies human behaviour and mental processes. Topics covered include: Genetic, hormonal and functional systems; Examination of the interface between Psychology, Neurology and Psychiatry in relation to the psychological effects of brain lesions, trauma, toxicology and various forms of mental under-development
HDP 433 Ageing and Senescence
The module examines the theoretical basis of ageing. It builds on an analysis and cross-examination of real-life situations, problems/issues related to ageing and how these can be alleviated. Topics covered: The ageing process, including restrictions from certain activities, change of lifestyle to result in successful aging, changes in social policy, modified accommodation and lifelong learning. Age-related issues: Gender, race, ethnicity, social class, religion, and (dis)ability.
HDP 435 Applied Developmental Psychology
Applied Developmental Psychology is an emerging discipline which focuses on the use of developmental theory and research to promote positive developmental outcomes in individuals, families, and communities. Students will be taught to conduct theory-driven research to advance our knowledge of developmental processes. Students are trained on how to use science-based knowledge for many practical applications to promote healthy behavioural, social, cognitive, emotional, and biological development in persons of all ages. These applications include developing and administering assessment procedures that measure important developmental processes or important contextual influences on these processes (e.g., family environment, teaching strategies, cultural standards), designing and implementing interventions that promote optimal development with a particular emphasis on the prevention of developmental disorders, and disseminating information that promotes healthy development to the public, to professionals, and to policymakers.
PSY 438 Principles of Psychotherapy
The module acquaints students with major approaches, namely the psychoanalytic, Adlerian, person-centred, rational-emotive, humanistic, and behavioural. It also explores current issues/practices in psychotherapy, emotional, relational, behavioural and cognitive mechanisms of change, and empirical evidence for psycho-therapeutic processes; emotion regulation, cultural competency, therapeutic boundaries, principles, philosophy, tenets of the approaches, and therapist self-care.
PSY 439 Contemporary-Critical Psychology
The module examines the implications of debates between mainstream and critical approaches to Psychology; Philosophical foundations from Foucault and the analysis of bio-power, Derrida on deconstruction and Mbembe and the post-colony. Implications of the challenges are examined in relation to Mkhize, Burman and Gergen, and others. Attention is on relationships between critical theory and qualitative research methodologies in Health Psychology.
HDP 434 Dissertation
Students identify psychosocial problems and conduct research to address them. They apply previously taught research concepts and statistical skills, conceptualize ideas, review relevant literature, use appropriate methods/tools, collect, present, analyse and interpret data from which they draw conclusions and suggest recommendations. Under the guidance of a lecturer in the Department, students pursue a study on a relevant topic of their interest.