Time Schedule:
Wadiya A Udell
BIS 337
Bothell Campus
Provides an overview of the psychological study of development in the context of adversity. Studies pathways that lead to maladjustment and processes that lead to positive adjustment, and considers social policy and preventative programs.
Class description
Risk and Resilience will provide an overview of the psychological study of development in the context of adversity. The goal of this area of study is to a) understand the pathways that lead to maladjustment, b) understand the processes that lead to positive adjustment, c) integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines to further elucidate the pathways to positive adaptation c) to inform social policy and preventive programs to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.
This course takes the perspective that resilience is not an individual attribute operating in isolation. Rather, resilience is viewed as a hypothetical construct that must be inferred from an individual's manifesting competence despite adversity. The course will examine individual, social and structural level factors that either support positive adaptation (i.e., protective factors), or hinder positive adaptation thereby supporting maladaptive behavioral outcomes (i.e., risk factors).
Student learning goals
To become familiar with resilience from the perspective of developmental psychopathology.
To become familiar with principles from classical developmental theory to inform understanding of adaptive and maladaptive development.
To develop an understanding of the distinction between individual, social, and structural level factors influencing vulnerability and resilience.
To develop an understanding of the ways in which various "protective" and "risk" factors influence an individual's developmental trajectory.
To develop quantitative skills in order to develop the capacity comprehend psychological research and think critically about research findings.
General method of instruction
Lecture and small group discussion.
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
There will be regular homework assignments. There will be one final writing assignment required for this course. There will be two essay quizzes and one midterm exam given during the course. Quizzes and Exams cover both material presented during the lecture, in readings, and discussed during class discussions.
