Child Development (CD)

Catalog Home

How to Read Course Descriptions

CD Courses

CD 102. Orientation to the Child Development Major. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F

Prerequisite: CD majors only.

Introduction to the child development major, self-assessments, career opportunities, university and community resources, and the program at Cal Poly. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 2 lectures.

CD 131. Observing and Interacting with Children. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Observation methods and guidance techniques for adults working with children in family, community, and educational settings. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

CD 200. Special Problems. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Supervised investigation, including a written report, of a topic chosen with prior approval of instructor. Total credit limited to 6 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter.

CD 207. Children's Learning and Development in Educational Settings. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; PSY 201 or PSY 202 or admission to the university with the intent to enter the MSTEP Program.

Study of theories and research about the development and learning of children and young adolescents within diverse backgrounds, and application to teaching in public school settings. Observations/interactions with children in school settings. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Participation in public schools requires mandated fingerprint clearance. Crosslisted as CD/EDUC 207.

CD 230. Preschool Laboratory. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: CD 131 and CD/PSY 256.

Preliminary teaching experience with children in a preschool laboratory setting. Participant planning, execution and evaluation of age-appropriate activities. Observation is used as the basis for planning for the development of the whole child. 2 lecture, 2 laboratories.

CD 254. Family Psychology. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: PSY 201 or PSY 202.

Introduction to research and theory on family relationships and behavior across the lifespan. Contextual influences, diversity of family forms, and topics such as love, mate selection, marital quality, parenting, gender, household work, divorce, and remarriage. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 254.

CD 256. Developmental Psychology. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: PSY 201 or PSY 202.

Introduction to the scientific study of development with emphasis on the lifespan, from infancy to old age. Basic research and concepts in understanding social, emotional, cognitive, contextual, and diversity influences on development. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 256.

CD 270. Selected Topics. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Open to undergraduate students and consent of instructor.

Directed group study of selected topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

CD 302. Developmental Science Technology Lab. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: CD 102 and CD/PSY 256. Co-requisite: Any 300-400 level CD course.

Technology applications (e.g., websites, film, podcasts, blogs) as they relate to communication of research and theory in developmental science. Digital tools used by developmental researchers and professionals when working with children, youth, and families. 2 laboratories.

CD 304. Infant and Toddler Development. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W

Prerequisite: CD/PSY 256.

Human development from conception through the second year of life. Examination of theory and research in multiple domains of development. Consideration of environments and activities which enhance the emerging capabilities of infants and toddlers. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures.

CD 305. Early and Middle Childhood Development. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: CD/PSY 256 or CD/EDUC 207.

In-depth study of theory and research on development in early and middle childhood, especially within physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains. Consideration of case studies and current practices in light of theoretical perspectives and current research. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures.

CD 306. Adolescence. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: CD/PSY 256 or CD/EDUC 207.

Psychological analysis of the years from prepubescence to young adulthood. Current research on behavior and development during adolescence with emphasis on physical, affective, cognitive, sociocultural, historical, family, peer and school aspects of life during the post-child, pre-adult years. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 306.

CD 329. Research Methods in Child Development. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: PSY 256, STAT 217.

Introduction to research methods in child development. Critically evaluating research literature, generating research questions, and conducting observations and interviews with children and adolescents. 3 lectures, 1 activity.

CD 350. Developmental Issues in Education. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: W, SP

Prerequisite: CD/EDUC 207 or PSY 256.

Current issues and research concerning how children and youth develop and learn in school. Topics may include motivation, views of intelligence, teacher and student relations, constructivist learning environments, socioemotional learning, school climates, home-school connections. 4 lectures.

CD 351. Learning in Out-of-School Time. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: W, SP

Prerequisite: CD/PSY 256 or CD/EDUC 207.

How children and youth develop and learn in settings and activities outside of formal schooling, such as everyday family activities, informal learning institutions (e.g., museums), nature, and organized extracurricular activities. Research findings and theoretical perspectives on how activity in such settings supports development and learning. 4 lectures.

CD 356. Behavioral Disorders in Childhood. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: PSY 201 or PSY 202; CD/PSY 256 or CD 305; and junior standing.

Applications of psychological principles to childhood behavioral disorders. Aggression, delinquency, stress reactions, motivational, perceptual-attentional deficiencies, psychoses, anxiety disorders, biological dysfunctions, and social, emotional and intellectual disabilities. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 seminars. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 356. Formerly CD 456.

CD 400. Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Supervised investigation, including a written report, of a topic chosen with prior approval of instructor. Total credit limited to 6 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter.

CD 411. Children, Adolescents & Technology. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: CD 329; and two of the following: CD 304, 305, or CD 306.

Examination of research and theory on how use of digital technologies (e.g., electronic toys, television, video games, virtual reality, educational technologies, assistive technologies, social media) relates to children's and adolescents' development across domains. 4 lectures. Formerly CD 413.

CD 417. Interpersonal Relationships in Childhood and Adolescence. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: W, SP

Prerequisite: CD 304, CD 305 or CD 306; or CD/PSY 256 and PSY 305.

Current theories and research on the development of interpersonal relationships in childhood and adolescence. Topics may include parent-child relationships, peer relationships in childhood, intimate relationships in adolescence. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 417.

CD 424. Children's Development in Diverse Cultures. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: Two of the following: CD 304, CD 305, CD 306; junior standing or consent of instructor.

Examination of research on child and adolescent development in diverse families and community settings. Topics include close examination of cultural communities in different countries (cross-cultural) and in the United States (multicultural) using sociocultural frameworks. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures.

CD 431. Assessing Children's Development and Environments. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: CD 304 or CD 305 or PSY 419 or PSY 420 or PSY 421; and CD 329 or PSY 329.

Current developmental and environmental assessments used in care and educational settings and in prevention programs and research. Practice using, creating, and evaluating child assessments. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 431.

CD 448. Research Internship. 5 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

CR/NC

Prerequisite: CD 230 and CD 329.

Faculty-supervised research experience on various topics related to child and adolescent development. Student apprenticeship with a department faculty member engaging in a research project. Credit/No Credit grading only. Formerly CD 333.

CD 449. Advanced Research Internship. 5 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

CR/NC

Prerequisite: CD 333 or CD 448.

Faculty-supervised research experience on various topics related to child and adolescent development. Student apprenticeship with a department faculty member to conduct aspects of a research project. Credit/No Credit grading only. Formerly CD 433.

CD 450. Perspectives on Child and Adolescent Development. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, SP

Prerequisite: CD 304, CD 305, CD 306, CD 329 and senior standing.

Advanced study of theoretical perspectives and research on the development of children and adolescents and the implications for current practice and policy. 4 seminars. Formerly CD 401.

CD 453. Supervised Fieldwork Internship. 5 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Psychology and Child Development majors only; CD 230, PSY 323, junior standing and consent of instructor.

Faculty supervised fieldwork experience. Role of professional apprentice is experienced and analyzed by each student. Credit/No Credit grading only. Formerly CD 330.

CD 454. Advanced Supervised Fieldwork Internship. 5 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

CR/NC

Prerequisite: CD 330 or CD 453; and consent of instructor; Psychology and Child Development majors only.

Faculty-supervised preprofessional experience in a career-related setting which complements the CD 330 internship. Such roles as master teacher, caseworker, therapeutic intern, administrative aide or program specialist are experienced and analyzed by each student. Credit/No credit grading only. Formerly CD 430.

CD 460. Child Abuse and Neglect. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: PSY 201 or PSY 202 and junior standing.

Issues in child maltreatment, including definitions and forms, causes, consequences, assessment, reporting, treatment, and prevention. Possible links among research, intervention, and public policy will be emphasized. 4 seminars. Crosslisted as CD/PSY 460.

CD 461. Senior Project Seminar. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W

Prerequisite: Senior standing; CD 329; and Psychology and Child Development majors only.

Senior project expectations and skills. Students identify appropriate topics, methods and content for the senior project; to be presented in progress reports. Conduct literature reviews. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 seminars.

CD 462. Senior Project. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP

Prerequisite: CD 461.

Completion of a project under faculty supervision.

CD 470. Selected Advanced Topics. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.