APSK15737U Elective Course - Brain and Cognitive Development
Kandidatuddannelsen i Psykologi 2015 – studieordningen
Full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH
- Master Programme in Social Data Science
- Master Programmes in Sociology
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Psychology
- Master programme in Global Development
- Master Programe in Political Science
Infancy is the period of most dramatic brain and cognitive development, and where we see the biggest changes in cognition. Understanding this period of cognitive development and what drives cognitive development is crucial for understanding human cognition more broadly. This course is focused on the topic of infant and early childhood cognition, and will draw on our knowledge of the developing brain, and findings from neuroimaging. We will begin with an introduction to the field of infant cognitive development, an overview of brain development, and current methodology for studying infants and their brains. In subsequent weeks, we will cover a new topic each week, including both domains of knowledge (including objects, number, faces, social reasoning, morality) and mechanisms of early learning (information expectation, information seeking, statistical learning). The course is aimed at providing a state-of-the-art on cognitive development and will be focused on the most recent research that has transformed our understanding of what and how infants learn.
Full participation in class is required. The course requires reading papers weekly prior to participation in class, as set by the teacher. These may differ each week and may include reading a short scientific paper or a popularized account of a scientific paper, or watching a short popularized documentary before attending class. During class, students will then discuss in small groups questions related to these papers/popularized content. Answers will be uploaded to a forum so that each student can benefit from others’ views.
The purpose of these modules is to expand knowledge or put the psychological subject area into perspective through theoretical or empirical specialisation within subject areas within or related to psychology.
Upon completion of the elective subject module within the Department of Psychology, students are able to:
- describe and account for relevant concepts and themes within the elective subject
- describe and account for relevant methodological approaches in relation to the subject matter for the elective subject
- explain contexts, analyse and/or conduct procedures relevant to the elective subject under supervision.
Syllabus cf. curriculum: The syllabus can be compulsory or
combined compulsory/self-selected.
Elective (BA) (7.5 ECTS): approx. 600 standard pages
Elective (MA) (7.5 ECTS credits): approx. 800 standard pages
An up-to-date syllabus list will be available in the course room on Absalon just before the start of the semester.
If the course has previously been offered, syllabus lists can be found here: Absalon
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 30
- Total
- 30
Registration period November 15 - December 1
International students can find information on course registration and deadlines at New exchange and guest students – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Set assignment with a choice of 4 essay topics. Students must choose 1 question to answer. Max 2000 words. Students must submit essays individually.
- Exam registration requirements
For all elective subjects, minimum 75% attendance is a prerequisites for submitting assignments. However, the teaching is based on full participation.
This will involve presenting an assigned paper to the class either individually or as part of a group.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
se eksamensplan.
- Re-exam
See the exam schedule at KUnet for dates
see exam plan.
Criteria for exam assesment
See Leaning Outcome.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- APSK15737U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree MasterBachelor,Full Degree Master choice
- Duration
- 1 semester
10 weeks, starts week 6
- Placement
- Spring
- Schedule
- A
- Course capacity
- 30 stud.
Study board
- Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting departments
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Political Science
- Social Data Science
- Department of Sociology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Victoria Helen Southgate (18-7b6e687974776e663378747a796d6c66796a4575787e33707a336970)