Learning objectives
1. Knowledge and understanding. Students will need to achieve a good understanding of the theoretical and methodological bases of psychology of cognitive and linguistic development.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding. Students should be able to use the knowledge on theoretical frameworks acquired to explain the development of cognition and language in infancy.
3. Making judgments. Students will develop critical thinking and reflection on methodological issues and the relationship between the specific theoretical positions and the recent empirical results.
4. Communication skills. Students should acquire the ability to critically discuss the main concepts in Piaget’s theory compared with Vygotskij’s theory.
5. Learning skills. Students should be able to learn the most recent theoretical approaches and the main techniques of investigation of the psychology of development.
Prerequisites
none
Course unit content
The aim of the course is to provide students with adequate knowledge of the theoretical and methodological foundations of psychology of cognitive and linguistic development. It is expected that students become able to identify the key concepts underlying the various theories of development in connection with appropriate methodologies. Specifically we expect students: discuss the key processes and four stages in Piaget’s theory; identify the main concepts in Vygotskij’s theory compare it with and Piaget’s theory; define language and describe its rule systems; describe how language develops; discuss the biological and environmental contributions to language and thinking development; evaluate how language and cognition are linked.
Particular attention will be given to methods of developmental assessment and children’s observation.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Santrock, J. W. (2021). Psicologia dello sviluppo. Milano: Mc Graw-Hill.
Rollo, D. e Fogassi, L. (2018). L'altro sono io. Milano: Edizioni San Paolo.
Teaching methods
The course offers a teaching in blended with lessons in the presence an on line classes, all accessible via web.
At lesson topics are treated in their general aspects and in an order that does not necessarily reflect that of the book’s chapters.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam will be oral, with 3/4 questions (1 can be chosen by the
student)
The questions are designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired,
students’ independent judgment, their ability to communicate and to
apply those skills to reality. The exam has a score of thirty. Students will
pass the exam if they get at least the minimum score (18/30) in at least 2
answers.
The evaluation of the exam is carried out according to the following
criteria:
1) Content skills or how detailed the candidate addresses the topic: up to
10 points
2) Exposing skills, ie how precise is the language used by the candidate
to expose the concepts: up to 10 points
3) Argumentative skills, that is how consistent and logical is the
concatenation of the concepts exposed: up to 10 points.
In the event that the worsening of the current health emergency (Covid-
19) does not make it possible to carry out the exams in presence, the
test
will take place for everyone at a distance, orally, on Teams.
Other information
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