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Home Postgraduate Programmes Course Units MD620

MD 620 Developmental Cognitive Neuropsychology
Credit Rating: 20
Tutor/s: Neil Humphrey and invited neuropsychologists

Aims:

This course unit has been designed as a core unit for the M Ed in Educational Psychology programme.

• To investigate the biological and cognitive bases of behaviour in children with developmental disorders
• To introduce students to a range of developmental disorders that may affect a child’s educational attainment
• To give students the opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of one developmental disorder and to produce an information pack suitable for distribution to parents and/or teachers

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:

• Critically discuss and evaluate current literature in the area of developmental cognitive neuropsychology
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of knowledge, a critical awareness of current problems, and new insights informed by teaching and research that will allow them to produce information suitable for a specific target audience
• Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and inquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge

Key skills

• IT skills:- Accessing electronic databases, Accessing library facilities, word processing
• Critical evaluation
• Analysis and synthesis of arguments based on current literature
• Written communication:- Written presentation for a specific target audience
• Problem solving:- Research in depth one topic Interpretation of information
• Flexibility and adaptability:- pre-empting and leading change
• Interpersonal skills:- empathy and demonstrating tact and diplomacy in dealing with challenging individuals
• Initiative:- ability to work with minimum supervision

Content:

Developmental cognitive neuropsychology:- modularity, plasticity, individual differences, case studies

Normal and disordered or delayed development of memory, attention, perception, executive function, language and their impact on academic development

Cognitive models

Teaching and learning methods:

This course unit will be delivered by a variety of methods including didactic teaching, seminars, library research, case study investigation. Learning will be achieved through active participation in discussion, literature search and evaluation and written presentation of case study findings in a form suitable for distribution to teachers and/or parents

Learning hours

Assessment

Core texts

Books

Anderson, V, Northam, E, Hendy, J & Wrennall, J (2001) Developmental Neuropsychology. London: Psychology Press

Code, C (1997) Classic cases in neuropsychology. London: Psychology Press

Friedes, D. (2001) Developmental Disorders: A Neuropsychological Approach, London, Blackwell, 1557865795

Murdoch, B (1997) Acquired neurological speech/language disorders in childhood London: Psychology Press

Temple, C (1997) Developmental cognitive neuropsychology London: psychology Press

Journals

Brain and cognition

Cognitive neuropsychology

Communication disorders

Cortex

Developmental psychology

Dyslexia

Journal of experimental psychology: learning, memory and behaviour

This list is not exhaustive. The library should be visited at least once a week and current journal reading should be considered part of your learning experience.