Ecological Perspectives on Development: Early Adolescence

This course provides a contextually-based study of development, focusing on early adolescence. The interacting influences of family, ethnic group, and peer group on the young adolescent's emerging identity are examined in relation to school behavior and academic performance. Individual differences in abilities, learning styles, and academic achievement are examined, with attention to ecologically valid assessment strategies for linguistically and culturally diverse populations. The links between school experience and the young adolescent's susceptibility to substance abuse, violence, victimization, school drop out, and premature parenthood are discussed. School strategies for promoting healthy development in the adolescent years are considered.

Fall, Spring