THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2014/2015
Archive for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Psychology

Undergraduate Course: Development of language, literacy and communication (PSYL10106)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThe overall aim of this course is to enhance students¿ ability to reflect critically on research into the development of language, literacy and communication in children and young people. The course aims to help students (a) learn how to use empirical evidence to evaluate contrasting theoretical perspectives in developmental psychology and (b) understand how developmental theories and findings can be applied to educational and societal issues. These aims will be addressed by considering such issues as:
The nature of the interplay between biological and environmental influences on language development
The extent to which language development can be explained as a socially-driven phenomenon or as based on cognitive processes internal to the child
How linguistic development both influences and is influenced by other aspects of development (e.g. cognitive, social, communicative), and the implications this has for children¿s success in formal education
How literacy development (learning to read and write) in the school years and adulthood builds on but differs from spoken language development in the preschool years
How theoretical accounts of reading and writing difficulties can both inform and be informed by approaches to literacy instruction.

The aims and content of this course are complementary to those of Conceptual development in children: Thinking, reasoning, and social cognition.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Psychology 2 (PSYL08002)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 3 Psychology courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Block 4 (Sem 2)
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 86 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Take-home examination (100%). In-class feedback exercises will be used to check understanding and to develop skills (e.g. quizzes, peer feedback on essay plans/drafts).

Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
To describe and evaluate contrasting theoretical accounts of language development, drawing on relevant empirical evidence
To reflect critically on implications of research on language and literacy development for educational policy and practice
To give examples of how comparisons between typical and atypical development contribute to our understanding of the nature of developmental change in language, literacy and communication abilities
To understand the complex interplay between different types of influence on development and be able to illustrate this in relation to the development of language, literacy and communication
Reading List
Gleitman, L. and Newport, E. (1995). The invention of language by children: Environmental and biological influences on the acquisition of language. In L. Gleitman & M. Liberman (Eds.) An invitation to cognitive science: Language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Graham, S., Gillespie, A. and McKeown, D. (2013). Writing: importance, development and instruction. Reading and Writing, 26, 1-15.
Ramey, C.T., & Ramey, S.L. (2004). Early learning and school readiness: can early intervention make a difference? Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 50, 471¿491.

Snedeker, J. (2009). Word Learning. In L. R. Squire (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Neuroscience (pp. 503-508). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier.
Snowling, M.J. and Hulme, C. (2011). Evidence-based interventions for reading and language difficulties: Creating a virtuous circle. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 81, 1-23.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Hugh Rabagliati
Tel: (0131 6)50 3454
Email: Hugh.Rabagliati@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Simon Cann
Tel: 0131 650 9870
Email: Simon.Cann@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
© Copyright 2014 The University of Edinburgh - 12 January 2015 4:41 am