Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Human Growth and Development Syllabus - Mumbai University

About this course

The theoretical orientation of the course will emphasize the major psychological theories related to Development Psychology. The course emphasis will be on the lifespan Approach to development providing insight into the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial components as they relate to each stage of development. These theoretical perspectives will enable students to understand the psychological dimensions while working with the client systems and to apply the same in fieldwork.

Course objectives

• To demonstrate an understanding of the concept of Human Growth and Development and its relevance in the field of social work.
• To develop knowledge on the development milestones and challenges at various stages in the life span: infancy, childhood, adolescence, youth, adulthood, and old age
• To understand the different dimensions of development in terms of cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development, across the human life cycle.

Learning outcomes

• CO 57 Describe the core concepts of human growth and development, including its principles and relevance in the field of social work
• CO 58 Identify and explain the key milestones and challenges in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development across various stages of the lifespan, from infancy
• CO 59 Analyze the impact of socio-cultural factors such as family, peers, media, and education on personality development, applying the nature vs. nurture debate to real- life scenarios
• CO 60 Compare and Contrast different theoretical perspectives on cognitive, moral, and emotional development, including theories by Piaget, Vygotsky, etc.

Unit I: Introduction to Human Growth and Development

• Concept of Human Growth and Development;
• Principles of Human Growth and Development;
• Nature vs. Nurture Debate
• The Role of Heredity in Development
• Environmental Influences: Family, Peers, Media, and Schooling in Personality Development

Essential readings

• Berk, L. E. (2010). Child development (9th ed.). Prentice Hall.
• Mitchell, P., & Ziegler, F. (2007). Fundamentals of development: The psychology of childhood. Psychology Press.
• Morgan, C. T. (2017). Introduction to psychology (7th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.
• Dinkar, D. S., & Dinkar, R. K. (2010). Child development and psychology. Axis Publications.

Unit II: An Introduction to Developmental Psychology, Stages of Life Span Development and Domains of Human Development

• Life Span Development and Domains of Human Growth; Stages of Life Span Development : Prenatal Development: Germinal, Embryonic, and Fetal Stages; Birth and Infancy: Neonatal Care, Risks, and Challenges; Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood
• Major Domains of Human Development: Physical Development; Cognitive Development (Piaget & Vygotsky’s Perspectives); Moral Development (Kohlberg’s Theory) ; Emotional Development (Bowlby’s Attachment Theory)

Essential readings

• Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2022). Life-span human development (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Santrock, J. W. (2012). Life span development (13th ed.). McGraw Hill.
• Feldman, R. S. (2017). Understanding psychology (14th ed.). McGraw Hill.
• Bose, P. (2017). Child care and child development: Psychological perspective.ABD Publishers.
• Husain, N. (2016). Childhood and growing up. Shipra Publications.