Graduate Human Development courses are designated as HDF. Undergraduate Human Development courses are designated by discipline: anthropology (HDA), psychology (HDP), and sociology (HDS).

Human Development

HDF 501
Lifespan Development I: Birth through Adolescence
3 credits

Examines physical, cognitive, social, moral and emotional development from conception through adolescence. Discusses theory and research from different psychological approaches. Pays special attention to the social and cultural contexts in which development occurs.

HDF 502
Infant and Toddler Behavior and Development
3 credits

Integrates theory, research and practical experience about the first three years of life through a trans-disciplinary approach. Considers development across domains and the impact of parent-child relationships, peer relationships, and early socialization patterns on young children's development. Observing and recording an infant or young child's behavior and development required.

HDF 504
Child Development: The Early Years
3 credits

Examines development from the prenatal period to age 9 across physical-motor, social, emotional, and cognitive domains. Articulates the interactive roles of heredity, environment, and culture. Implications for curriculum design are drawn.

HDF 515
Lifespan Development II: Adult Development
3 credits

Examines development from the transition into adulthood through old age. Theory and research from different psychological approaches are presented. Topics include changes in cognition; moral, psychosocial, interpersonal and physical development; and typical adult developmental tasks in different cultures.

HDF 521
Children's Cognitive Development
3 credits

Examines ways in which children construct knowledge about physical and social worlds. Considers contributions of Piagetian, information processing and sociocultural theories in understanding children's cognitive development. Introduces students to clinical interviewing techniques. Requires exploratory research with children. Offered in conjunction with HDP 352.

HDF 525
Memory, Identity, and Development
3 credits

Explores the dynamics of autobiographical memory and the development of identity. Topics include memories from personal experiences, public events, childhood amnesia, individual, gender, and cultural differences; life transitions, traumatic events, eyewitness testimony, collective memories, mad memory disorders. Students apply course readings to understand aspects of memory through observations and written assignments. Offered in conjunction with HDP 325.

HDF 526
The Meaning and Development of Play
3 credits

Explores the meaning and development of play from infancy through adulthood through theories, research, and application. Examines value of play in therapeutic, educational and medical settings; how the environment (including toys and media) influences play; how to support play, integrate it into professional work, and advocate for play.

HDF 540
In the Best Interest of the Child (formerly Children and Families in American Society)
3 credits

Explores issues in the history of children and families focusing on family structure and functions and the rise of the "child experts." Topics include: the Puritan family, 19th century transformations, origins of juvenile justice, federal programs, child guidance, gender norms, adoption, Head Start. Provides solid foundation for child advocacy. Offered in conjunction with AST 285.

HDF 560
Risk and Resilience in Infancy
3 credits

Reviews etiology, behavioral characteristics, developmental outcomes and family impact of infants born at environmental, biological, or established risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Reviews roles of medicine, nursing, social work, education and the developmental therapies in meeting the needs of these children. Introduces early intervention services and offers opportunities to observe. Prerequisites: Prior knowledge or previous course work in infant and toddler development.

HDF 702
Language, Literacy and Culture
3 credits

Explores the relationships between language and culture. Examines methods of helping linguistically diverse students develop literacy abilities within contexts that draw upon and extend home language competencies. Focuses both on native English speakers who speak non-mainstream varieties of English and on children who speak a first language other than English.

Human Development/Anthropology

HDA 120
Cultural Anthropology
4 credits

Introduces the diversities and similarities of cultures throughout the world from simple homogeneous groups to complex contemporary civilizations, including our own. Emphasis will be placed on the development of personality and the role of the family in the total cultural complex. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self and Society or Ethics and Social Justice. For students entering prior to September, 2010: Social Sciences and Multicultural. Introductory.

HDA/AST 225
Anthropology of American Men
4 Credits

Examines the social and cultural construction of masculinity in the United States using the theories and methods of Anthropology. Topics include race, class, ethnicity, and religion; popular images of American men (e.g., movies, magazines, sports, jokes); relationship of US manhood to sexuality, war, and women. Some comparison to other cultures. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self and Society or Historical Perspectives. For students entering prior to September, 2010: Social Sciences. Intermediate.

HDA/PSG 226(formerly HDS 225)
Perspectives on Global Health
4 credits

Explores the social and cultural aspects of health and illness. Emphasis is on the varied ways that illness is defined and treated throughout the world. Readings draw upon the disciplines of sociology and anthropology. Topics include witchcraft, faith-healing, and alternative medicine in the U.S. Special focus on the inequities of health care and outcomes. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self and Society or Ethics and Social Justice.

HDA 256
Sex and Culture
4 credits

Sociological, anthropological, and socio-biological theory will be used to analyze how culture, gender relationships, social power differences, and human physiology shape how we define sex, sexual, and sexuality in American culture and how the ''science'' of human sexuality is used to reproduce and reinforce inequalities. Intermediate.

HDA/AST 258
Religion in America
4 credits

Investigates different religious traditions in the United States, past and present, while studying social science theories of religion. Topics include: Why does religion exist; how different religions assimilate or resist citizenship; the tension between "religious freedom" and the "common good"; consumerism and religion; religions in Boston; what does religion do for us that so many Americans are religious; does truth matter, and are there "fake" religions? General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Historical Perspectives OR Self & Society. Intermediate.

HDA 266
Anthropology and the Family
4 credits

Pursues an in-depth inquiry into organizations and functions of families in selected non-Western societies. Focuses on the interaction between life course paths and family strategies for adaptation. Attention is given to caring for children, organizing domestic labor and conveying identities and statuses in foraging societies, farming societies, and market based societies. Prerequisite: HDP 120-121 or HDP 124-125. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self and Society or Historical Perspectives. For students entering prior to September, 2010: Social Sciences and Multicultural. Intermediate.

HDA/PSG 350
Globalization and Human Rights
4 credits

Explores the processes and outcomes of globalization and analyzes basic Human Rights literature and its application to the global economy. Students will also discover how their daily actions and interactions impact the lives of others, particularly those in impoverished nations. Prerequisite: HDP 120-121, 122-123 or HDP 124-125, 126-127. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self & Society OR Ethics and Social Justice. Advanced.

Human Development/Psychology

HDP 102
Introduction to Psychology
4 credits

Introduces the psychological study of human behavior and experience. The history, scope and methods of contemporary psychology are described. Topic include: perception, learning, memory, intelligence, emotion, language and thought, social interaction in small and large groups, behavior and mood disorders and treatment, psychology and health. General Education: Self and Society. For students entering prior to September, 2010: Social Sciences. Introductory.

HDP 104
Social Psychology
4 credits

Provides an introduction to theories and research on how individuals are influenced by others. Topics include social perception, affiliation and interpersonal attraction, altruism, aggression, stereotyping and prejudice, group dynamics and conflict resolution. The application of social psychological knowledge to current social problems will be discussed. General Education: Self and Society. For students entering prior to September, 2010: Social Sciences. Introductory.

HDP 120/122
Human Growth and Development Theory
3/3 credits

Study of major developmental shifts throughout the life span across social, emotional, biological and cognitive domains. Emphasis on competing theoretical perspectives, the role of the sociocultural context, and cultural diversity. Particular focus on the connections between theory, research and practice. General Education: Foundations of Knowledge and Inquiry Human Growth and Development Introductory.

HDP 121/123
Human Growth and Development: Field Work
1/1 credit

One-half day per week of field work. First semester placements include group settings for young children; second semester placements include settings with older children, adolescents, or adults, individualized to meet students' interests. Guided observations (first semester) and journals (second semester). General Education: Foundations of Knowledge and Inquiry Human Growth and Development

HDP 124/126
Human Growth and Development (Intensive)
3/3 credits

Explores physical, cognitive, social and emotional development across life span. HDP 124 devoted to development through preschool. HDP 126 focuses on development from middle childhood through late adulthood. Trains in observing, recording and interpreting young children's behavior and in collecting and analyzing clinical interview data. Designed for transfer students. Students may be exempted from all or part of this course by passing a written examination or through articulation agreement. Completion or exemption from HDP 124 is required for entry into HDP 126. General Education: Foundations of Knowledge and Inquiry Human Growth and Development

HDP 125/127
Human Growth and Development: Field Work (Intensive)
1/1 credit

One-half day a week field placement in group setting for young children. Uses guided observations and journals to articulate connections between developmental theory, observed behavior and work with individuals in field placement setting. General Education: Foundations of Knowledge and Inquiry Human Growth and Development

HDP 220
Theories of Personality
4 credits

Deals with contemporary theories of personality and their historical derivations, with emphasis on the psychoanalytic, behavioristic, humanistic, cognitive and interpersonal approaches. Attention is given to the major issues involved in the differing conceptualization of personality. Prerequisite: HDP 120/121 or HDP 124/125. Intermediate.

HDP 221
Family Theories
4 credits

Examines theories concerning the formation, functioning and development of families. Different theoretical frameworks considered are the family systems approach; symbolic interaction; and role exchange and conflict theories. The capacity of the theories to explain phenomena such as family stress, family dynamics, the decision to have children and divorce is addressed. Prerequisite: Semester one of Human Growth and Development. Intermediate.

HDP 223
Abnormal Psychology
4 credits

Provides overview of the nature of psychopathology. Examines the etiology, classification, and treatment of emotional disturbance. Attends to the criteria for defining abnormal behavior and to the physiological, interpersonal, and cultural factors involved. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Intermediate.

HDP 224
Theories of Emotional Development
4 credits

Provides an overview of emotional development throughout the life span. Explores implications of theory and research for curriculum development, social programs and policy. Prerequisite HDP 120/121 or introductory level psychology course or the equivalent. Provides an overview of the emotional development throughout the life span. Explores implications of theory and research for curriculum developmental, social programs and policy. Prerequisite: HDP 264, HDS 264, or, for students double-majoring in Human Development and Social Work, SWK 268. Intermediate.

HDP 226
Positive Psychology
4 credits

Provides an overview of strength-based approaches in psychology that explore the origins of happiness, optimism, gratitude and hope of individuals, communities and nations. Introduces participants to theory, research and practice of positive psychology. Prerequisite HDP 120/121 or introductory level psychology course or the equivalent. Intermediate.

HDP 227
Language Development
4 credits

Survey of theory and research on language development from birth through school-age. Examines the various components of signed and spoken language and their acquisition. Considers bilingualism, relationships between oral and written language, atypical language development, and the sociocultural context of children's language use. Prerequisite: HDP 120/121 or HDP 124/125. General Education: Fulfills Upper Level Writing (after ENG111). Intermediate.

HDP 257
Infant and Toddler Behavior and Development
4 credits

Integrates theory, research and practical experience about the first three years of life through a trans-disciplinary approach. Considers development across domains and the impact of parent-child relationships, peer relationships, and early socialization patterns on young children's development. Observing and recording an infant or young child's behavior and development required. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Intermediate.

HDP 264
Research Methods
4 credits

Introduction to scientific methods of inquiry in psychology. Examines research design, selection of measures, data collection, descriptive analyses, and research ethics. Individual research projects are required. Prerequisites: MAT 131 or MAT 141, HDP 120/121 or HDP 124/125.

HDP 265
Achievement Motivation
4 credits

Examines contemporary theory and research on motivational factors in learning among children K-12. Explores family, school, societal, and cultural influence on children's beliefs and attitudes about learning. Topics include conceptions of effort and ability, teacher expectancies, intrinsic motivation, gender influences, tracking, and cross-cultural differences in achievement motivation. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Intermediate.

HDP 280
Infants, Toddlers, and the Media
4 credits

Understand the effects of brand marketing and screen media exposure on young children's development, imagination and play. Course discussion is based on research focusing on the consequences of exposure, including obesity, impairment of neurological development, aggression, child's distorted sense of reality, and vulnerability to commercialism and materialism. Prerequisite: HDP 120-121; 122 & 123; recommended: HDP 257. Intermediate.

HDP 282
Children and the Media
4 credits

Examines impact of print and electronic media (radio, television, video games, computers and the Internet) on children's development. Explores curriculum and policy responses to children's fascination with the media. Prerequisite: HDP 120/121 or HDP 124-/125. Intermediate.

HDP 290
Children with Special Needs
4 credits

Provides an introduction to characteristics of individuals with various exceptional conditions. Explores areas of human functioning impacted by these conditions. Includes overview of social, educational, and political context of the development of exceptional children. General Education: Self and Society. Intermediate.

HDP 301
Counseling Psychology
4 credits

Provides an overview of child and adult psychotherapy. Discusses psychoanalytic, client-centered, cognitive, behavioral, narrative, couples, and family systems approaches to counseling. Explores impact of gender, class and race on therapeutic relationships. Uses case studies in print and video and role play to illustrate different forms of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 12/126-125/127. Advanced.

HDP 316
Children's Political Lives
4 credits

Pursues three objectives: to reconstruct the stages or phases of political understanding children bring to the political process; to explore how children's political beliefs and attitudes are shaped by their political environment (e.g., race, class, nationality, historical circumstances, society's level of development); and to develop strategies for children's political empowerment Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 12/126-125/127. Advanced. Offered in conjunction with HDF 791.

HDP/ AST 323
Media Madness
4 credits

Examines nature of media-its violence, sexism, racism and commercialism; why it is this way; how it shapes children's development, attitudes and behavior, families, and society; how to develop broad-based media literacy which incorporates conflict resolution, anti-racism, anti-sexism efforts into professional settings and everyday life; policy and advocacy issues. (Advanced Psychology, Advanced American Studies, Advanced Communications). Prerequisite: One course in Human Development.

HDP 325
Memory, Identity, and Development
4 credits

Explores the dynamics of autobiographical memory and the development of identity. Topics include memories from personal experiences, public events, childhood amnesia, individual, gender, and cultural differences; life transitions, traumatic events, eyewitness testimony, collective memories, mad memory disorders. (Advanced Psychology, Advanced Children, Family, and Culture; open to honors, juniors and seniors). General Education: Perspectives on Diversity, Upper Level Writing (after ENG111).

HDP 327
Asian American Psychology
4 credits

Examines the psychological experiences of Asian Americans, including the historical, sociopolitical, and cultural influences that shape personality and mental health. Explores foundational concepts, such as culture, ethnicity, and race, as they pertain to diverse Asian Americans, and considers cultural competence, intervention and prevention strategies in working with Asian Americans. Prerequisites: HDP 120-121/ HDP 122-123 OR HDP 124-125/ HDP 126-127. General Education: Self and Society, Ethics and Social Justice, Perspectives on Diversity. Advanced.

HDP 330
Psychology of Race
4 credits

This course is an interdisciplinary investigation of the historical, ideological, structural, institutional, cultural, and individual manifestations of race and racism in society. The course will also examine how the intersection of race with factors such as social class, gender, ethnicity, identity, and sexuality shape the human experience. Although these factors are, in fact, characteristics of individuals or groups, the major focus of the course is on how these factors operate as systems of power and inequality-systems that differentially advantage and disadvantage groups depending on their social locations-and the ways these are embedded in the structure of social institutions in the United States. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity and Ethics and Social Justice. Prerequisites: HDP 120/122.

HDP 335
Cognition in the Deaf and Blind
4 credits

Explores a key question about human development: what is the role of experience in development? Examines cognition in children and adults who area deaf and/or blind. Considers how limited sensory experience affects the development of language, spatial representation, and theory of mind. Advanced course. Psychology Focus. General Education: Perspectives on Diversity, Upper Level Writing (after ENG111).Prerequisites: HDP 120/122 - 121-123 OR HDP 124/126 - 125/127; AND ENG 111.

HDP 352
Cognitive Development
4 credits

Examines major theories of cognitive development from infancy through adolescence. Considers contributions of Piagetian stage theory, information processing, and Vygotskian socio-historical theories to account for children's capacities to construct knowledge and understand the world. Prerequisite: HDP 264. Advanced. Offered in conjunction with HDF 521.

HDP 354
Ethnicity, Culture and Achievement
4 credits

Examines ethnic and cultural influences in students' academic achievement and motivation for learning. Studies trends in academic achievement in the U.S. and internationally, and considers socio-cultural models of motivation, schooling and parental socialization. Draws readings from the literature on social cognition and cultural psychology. Prerequisite: HDP 265.

HDP 358
Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Child Care
4 credits

Uses sociocultural frameworks to examine the practices of non-parental caretaking of young children within the United States and worldwide. Focus on both center-based and less formal practices of child care. Students examine ways to become sensitive in working with children of cultures other than their own. General Education: Upper Level Writing (after ENG 111). Prerequisite: HDP 264, or, for students double-majoring in Human Development and Social Work, SWK 268 or HDS 264. Advanced. Offered in conjunction with HDF 658.

HDP 362
The Meaning and Development of Play
4 credits

Explores the meaning and development of play from infancy through adulthood through theories, research, and application. Examines value of play in therapeutic, educational and medical settings; how the environment (including toys and media) influences play; how to support play, integrate it into professional work, and advocate for play. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Advanced.

HDP 366
Adolescent Development
4 credits

Draws on disciplines of psychology, education, biology and sociology to provide a multidisciplinary perspective of adolescent development. Examines risk and protective factors within home, school and community that shape development within and across the contexts of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Advanced.

HDP 368
Adult Development
4 credits

Examines development from the transition into adulthood through old age. Theory and research from different psychological approaches are presented. Topics include changes in cognitive, moral, psychosocial, interpersonal and physical development; and typical adult developmental tasks in the context of culture. Open to juniors and seniors. Offered in conjunction with HDF 515. Advanced.

HDP 371
Humor and Child Development
4 credits

Explores the role of humor in children's development. Topics include: the structure of humor, its social, cultural, emotional and cognitive dimensions. Provided with opportunities to apply knowledge of children's humor by assessing children's behavior in a variety of settings. (e.g., classroom, hospital, library, home, environment, playground). Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 OR HDP 124/126-125/127.

HDP 379
Emotional Problems of Children
2 credits

Introduces major approaches to understanding and programming for young children with emotional problems. Examines psycho-educational, behavioral, and ecological perspectives concerning the assessment and treatment of children with emotional problems. Emphasis on utilizing these perspectives to alert students to issues and skills in identifying emotional problems. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Fulfills requirement of advanced course upon completion of HDP 380.

HDP 380
Seminar in Emotional Problems of Children
2 credits

Further examines major approaches to understanding and programming for young children with emotional problems whose needs range from mild to severe focusing on medical and sociological models. Students may study one model in-depth. Skills for working with disturbed children are fostered through observation of field sites, case studies and simulations. Prerequisite: HDP 379.

HDP 382
Nature of Linguistic Knowledge
4 credits

Survey of linguistic theory and first- and second-language acquisition research. Analyzes a speaker's unconscious knowledge of language by examining the structure of English and other languages. Follows the development of this knowledge in infants, children, and adults. Considers the sociopolitical context of becoming and being bilingual. Prerequisite: HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. General Education: Fulfills Upper Level Writing (after ENG 111) and Languages and Literatures . Advanced.

Human Development/Sociology

HDS 103
Women, Culture and Society
4 Credits

Explores the lives of women in contemporary American society. Looks at women's lives in the context of families and culture. Emphasis on race and class differences. Topics include body image, poverty, violence against women, and sexuality. Emphasis on feminism as a movement for social justice. General Education: Self & Society OR Ethics & Social Justice.

HDS 106
Sociology of Minority Groups
4 Credits

Explores the social, economic and political dimensions of inequality in American Society. Looks at how people of color, white women and gays and lesbians are systematically discriminated against in work, education, media and government programs. Analyzes whiteness as a social construct. Focus on social change and activism. General Education: Fulfills Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self and Society or Ethics and Social Justice. For students entering prior to September, 2010: Social Sciences AND Multicultural. Introductory.

HDS 322
Feminist Theories: Controversies and Current Issues
4 credits

Examines different ways feminists analyze patriarchal society and women's place within it. Emphasis on debates within feminist theory, ranging from radical to post-modern. Selected topics of controversy include abortion, racism, prostitution, and nature of masculinity. Takes a multicultural perspective on women's experiences. Focus on ways feminists translate theory into practice. General Education: Fulfills Upper-Level Writing (after ENG 111) and Perspectives on Diversity. Also fulfills Self and Society or Ethics and Social Justice; Advanced.

HDS 343
On Being Different: Sociological Perspectives
4 credits

Examines sociological theories, primarily social constructionist, for explanations of the origins, meanings, implications, and ways of being different. Theories are applied to date on topics including crime, disabilities, and mental illness. Addresses basic questions such as: What does it mean to be labeled different? Who makes and enforces such social rules? Prerequisites: One Sociology (HDS) course and HDP 120/122-121/123 or HDP 124/126-125/127. Advanced.