The Minor in Child Development

The Child Development Minor is intended to provide interested students a meaningful supplement and expansion of their major, liberal arts education, or professional preparation in specific areas. The CHLD minor uses an interdisciplinary approach to the study of child development.

Course Requirements for the Minor: 21 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this minor.

Core: 6 units

2 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
CHLD 251	Observational Techniques	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHLD 252 (may be taken concurrently). This course includes acquisition and application of basic observation skills regarding children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (001441)
CHLD 252	Child Development	3.0	FS	GE USD
A study of the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children from conception through adolescence. The course examines genetic, biological, and environmental influences including cross-cultural issues. Scheduled observations are included. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (001442)

Developmental Periods: 3 units

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered
CHLD 350	Prenatal-Infant Development: Advanced	3.0	SP
Prerequisites: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355. This course studies characteristic developmental changes in and environmental influences on human infants from conception to approximately two years of age. Special emphasis is on sensory-perceptual abilities, social-emotional interactions, and cognitive developmental processes. Guided observations of infants required. 3 hours discussion. (001446)
CHLD 351	Toddler-Early Childhood Development: Advanced	3.0	FA
Prerequisites: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355. This course examines the physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial aspects of growth during the stages of toddlerhood and early childhood (approximately ages 2 through 5), as well as contextual influences (e.g. family, group experiences, socioeconomic status, culture) on development for children of this age. 3 hours lecture. (021623)
CHLD 354	The School-Aged Child	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355. This class examines the physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial aspects of growth during the school-aged years (ages 5 through 12), as well as contextual influences (e.g., family, school, peer group) on children's development. Particular attention is paid to the implications of developmental patterns for those who work with school-aged children. 3 hours lecture. (001449)
CHLD 357	Adolescent Development	3.0	FA
Prerequisites: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355. This course provides a broad research and theory-based overview of physical, cognitive, emotional, social, moral, and identity development during adolescence. An ecological framework is used to examine the influence of sociocultural contexts, ethnicity, gender, family, peers, and school settings on adolescent experience and development. 3 hours discussion. (001461)

Family: 3 units

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
CHLD 255	Marriage and Family Relationships	3.0	FS	GE
This is an introductory course to marriage and family, including psychological, physiological, and social aspects of close personal relationships. The topics include dating, courtship, marriage, family life, dual career marriages, single parenting, and other contemporary issues. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001443)
CHLD 451	Working with Families in Diverse Communities: Advanced	3.0	SP	USD
Prerequisites: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, junior standing. Through discussion, presentations, and written assignments students understand the nature of child development in diverse family contexts. Students assess the psychosocial developmental stages/tasks of families, the critical importance of culture/ethnic traditions, values, and beliefs and how these all affect development. Students engage in active, experiential learning, synthesize theory and practice, and evaluate the impact of social, ethnic, gender, and class contexts on themselves and their work with children and families. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved US Diversity course. (001460)
CHLD 455	Seminar in Family Relations	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: CHLD 252 or CHLD 255 or PSYC 355, junior standing. This course is an advanced study of the interpersonal relationships among family members. Topics of reading and discussion include theories and research on family structure and function, family crises, child raising patterns, family finances, and other related topics as per instructor choice. 3 hours discussion. (001462)

Electives: 9 units

Curriculum Activities

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTE 493	Development of Children's Art (P-8)	3.0	FS
Prerequisite: Minimum sophomore standing or faculty permission. An exploration of art-making skills; developing creative, standards-based art lessons and units; and enhancing understanding of theory, history, and practice in art education Pre-Kindergarten (P) through Eighth (8) grade levels. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (000803)
ENGL 342W	Literature of the Child (W)	3.0	FS	GE W
A study of the many ways in which the child and childhood are dealt with in literary works. Texts for study will be drawn from Western and non-Western works including memoir, fiction, poetry, film, autobiography, books for children and for young adults, essays, and plays. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved General Education course. (021253)
KINE 302	Foundations of Childhood Physical Education	3.0	FS
This course is designed to present a knowledge base of physical education that includes the analysis of movement skills and movement patterns, physical fitness, and how physical education is inherently linked to health and wellness. Also studied in this course will be children's motor development and how emotional, cognitive, and social growth characteristics influence motor development. 3 hours lecture. (006877)
KINE 315	Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity	3.0	FS
A study of common disabilities found across the lifespan. Discussions are held about the historical and philosophical basis for adapted physical activity, and the impact of state and federal legislation. Analysis of the roles and responsibilities of the adapted physical education specialist and the inclusive educational environment also are examined. This course is applicable to all disciplines dealing with the disabled. 3 hours seminar. Formerly KINE 315S. (015911)
MUSC 326	Music for Children	3.0	FS
Analysis of sequential concepts necessary for understanding the structural elements of music. Development of skills needed to promote musicality in children. 3 hours discussion. (006136)
SPED 561	Curriculum and Instruction for Inclusive Settings	3.0	FS
Prerequisite: SPED 343. Recommended: Senior standing. This course focuses on the principles and practices of elementary school instruction in language arts, fine arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and national and state curriculum and subject matter standards. It includes selecting appropriate instructional strategies, lesson planning, assessment, service learning, writing goals and objectives, and methods for enhancing critical thinking and content area reading skills to meet the educational needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. 3 hours lecture. ABC/no credit grading. (009295)
THEA 311	Children's Lit in Performance	3.0	FS
Development of the skills for effective dramatization of literature in the elementary classroom or children's theatre, including creative dramatics, storytelling, oral interpretation and group readings. 3 hours discussion. (009224)

Developmental Context: Biological and Societal Influences

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
BIOL 303	Human Genetics	3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: One biological sciences course. The inheritance, expression, and evolution of the genetic material in humans. Topics include genetic engineering, gene therapy, prenatal diagnosis, cancer, the human genome project, genetic influences on human behavior, such as homosexuality and mental illness, and the social and ethical consequences of the new technologies. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001140)
BIOL 318	Biology of Childhood	3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisites: One biological sciences course. Basic biological principles, including the scientific method, reproduction, development, physiology, and anatomy. The biological basis of childhood diseases, immunity, nutrition, issues of health and well-being, and the relevance of biological information in social, political, and ethical decision making regarding children. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (001151)
CHLD 272	Children in a Changing World	3.0	FS	GE GC
To address the challenge of understanding development in its many contexts and manifestations, this course provides a global investigation of critical issues influencing the lives of children. This course focuses on familial and societal influences on children's development and explores how the concept of childhood is shaped by cultural and social practices and policies. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (021161)
CHLD 321	Risk and Resilience in Development	3.0	SP
The goal of this online course is to explore typical development related to healthy children with healthy relationships and to put that in the context of children with risk (i.e., adverse experiences) and children who overcome that risk (i.e., resilient). This understanding is viewed through the lens of neurobiology (e.g., regulation and dysregulation understood through brain functioning). Additionally, working with youth experiencing either adverse trauma or relational poverty is emphasized. 3 hours lecture. (021761)
CHLD 333W	Children's Gender and Sexuality Development (W)	3.0	FS	GE W
Prerequisite: Junior standing. This topical course is designed for students who wish to develop a broader and deeper understanding of children's gender and sexuality development. Students study multiple theoretical explanations of gender and sexuality development, and learn how biological, social, cultural, and cognitive influences impact concepts of gender and sexuality. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved General Education course. (021356)
CHLD 360	Social-Emotional Intelligence: Development and Learning	3.0	SP
The goal of this online course is to explore healthy social and emotional development including self-regulatory and interpersonal abilities, empathy development, prosocial behavior, and well-being across development periods from birth to young adulthood. Guided by interpersonal neurobiology (an interdisciplinary field that integrates attachment research and emerging findings from neuroscience) and interdisciplinary research on social emotional learning (SEL) programs, we explore the influence of primary relationships and contexts (family, peers, school, community) in shaping social-emotional competencies, emotional intelligence, and emotional learning across developmental periods. 3 hours lecture. (022089)
EDCI 557	Literature for Children and Young Adults for a Multicultural World	3.0	SP
Multicultural literature is central to helping students understand themselves and the world in which they live. This survey course will address how to identify, select, and evaluate appropriate literature. This course will include study of how to implement and use multicultural books with children who are native English speakers as well as those who are English language learners. Intended for those interested in teaching at elementary, middle, and high schools. 3 hours seminar. (008755)
PSYC 151	Socio-Cultural Context of Psychological Development	3.0	FS	GE USD
Examination of social and cultural influences on emotional, social, and intellectual development. Specific emphasis on children raised in lower socio-economic environments as well as children of American Indian, Mexican-American, and black cultures. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (007889)
PSYC 353	Learning in the Young Child	3.0	FS
Examination of psychological factors involved in the learning processes of children. 3 hours lecture. (007884)

Children and Family Programming

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Units	Semester Offered
CHLD 456	Administration of Child Development Programs: Advanced	3.0	S1
Prerequisites: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, junior standing. This course focuses on the role of the program administrator in various types of licensed child development facilities. Topics include programming, fiscal oversight, licensing regulations, personnel decisions, legal issues, and management aspects of children's programs. 3 hours seminar. (001463)
CHLD 462	Adult Supervision in Child Development Programs: Advanced	3.0	S2
Prerequisites: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, junior standing. This course offers opportunities to gain skills and knowledge about supervising adults in the workplace. Topics include interpersonal communication techniques, adult learning theory, leadership skills, professional collaboration, and personnel assessment in the early childhood education field. 3 hours lecture. (001465)
EDTE 255	Introduction to Democratic Perspectives in K-12 Teaching	3.0	FS
Prospective teachers acquire planned, structured observations and experiences in K-12 classrooms. Placements are made in selected schools and classrooms that demonstrate exemplary practice as described in the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and represent California's diverse student population. Dialog/discussion sessions assist prospective teachers in making connections between subject matter courses, personal, social and emotional growth, and life in the K-12 schools. Prospective teachers are encouraged to begin introductory school experiences as early as possible in the subject matter program. 3 hours lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (015812)
EDTE 302	Access and Equity in Education	3.0	FS
Prospective teachers examine socio-political issues of education relative to current demographics of California schools, integration of multicultural education, and promotion of social justice. Candidates identify, analyze, and minimize personal and institutional bias and explore the complexities of living and teaching in a pluralistic, multicultural society. Candidates identify barriers English Learners experience in becoming full participants in the school program and strategies for assisting students in overcoming these barriers. 3 hours lecture. (002977)
EDTE 520	Fundamentals of Teaching Practice for Elementary Teachers	3.0	FS
Teaching is an intellectual challenge that involves planning, facilitating, and reflecting on the process of student learning. Teacher candidates develop strategies necessary to create safe and structured learning environments and explore relationships among curriculum, instruction, assessment, and classroom climate to meet the needs of a diverse student population within a democratic society. This is a Multiple Subject Program course and is not applicable to a master's degree. 3 hours seminar. ABC/no credit grading. (002904)
ENGL 471	Intensive Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition	3.0	FS
An intensive introduction to the theory and practice of second language acquisition and teaching. 3 hours lecture. (020485)
KINE 520	Interdis Autism Clinic	3.0	FS
Prerequisites: A survey course on disability, faculty permission. This course is designed for students who are interested in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. Students examine evidence-based practices for ASD, as well as the organization, administration, planning, and evaluation of interdisciplinary programming. Students spend 2 hours per week in the Autism Clinic observing interventions for promoting physical activity and healthy behaviors. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Formerly KINE 520S. (020201)
SPED 343	Overview of Special Education	3.0	FS
This is a survey course recommended for students interested in all types of exceptional learners and a prerequisite to professional preparation programs in the Department of Professional Studies in Education. Content includes (1) an overview of the characteristics, identification, and educational needs of special populations, (2) social, familial, biological, historical, cultural, economic, political, and legal contexts in which special education occurs, and (3) characteristics of effective programs. Includes a service learning experience. 3 hours lecture. (003010)
SPED 520	Assessment and Evaluation in General and Special Education	3.0	SP
Prerequisites: SPED 343 or equivalent. Study techniques used in assessing skills and needs of general and exceptional learners. Topics include examination of standardized tests in general and special education; use and interpretation of standardized test results; development and use of teacher-made techniques for assessment; principles of curriculum-based assessment; and consideration of cultural and linguistic diversity factors in assessment. Activities focus on construction of teacher-made instruments and on administration and scoring of selected standardized tests. This course is part of the Level I preparation program for education specialists in mild/moderate/severe disabilities. Enrollment is normally limited to Special Education Credential candidates. Other students may enroll with faculty permission. 3 hours seminar. (007958)
SPED 580	Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders	3.0	FS
This is a survey course recommended for students interested in autism spectrum disorders. Content includes: characteristics and educational needs of students within autism spectrum, including social, familial, biological, cultural and legal contexts; characteristics of effective programs including evidence-based practices and effective communication with support services. Includes a service-learning experience. 3 hours seminar. (021050)
SWRK 320	Child Welfare	3.0	FS
This course acquaints students with the relevant history, concepts, and structure of the child welfare system. Areas of study include the examination of abuse, neglect, commercial sexual exploitation, foster and kinship care, permanency including adoption, intergenerational family issues, disproportionality and disparity, assessment, and service delivery. The focus is on the application of generalist social work knowledge, values, skills, and the problem-solving process to child welfare practices. The course content view the impact of gender and gender identity, ability, culture, ethnicity, economic status, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, generation, and trauma and resilience across the lifespan on child welfare issues. This is a required course for the Title IV-E students. 3 hours lecture. (009425)