In this course students students will be responsible for presenting the assigned readings and leading class discussion during two class periods in collaboration with Dr. Stephens. This assignment is worth 30 points. It is important to prepare for this assignment not only by presenting the course readings, but also taking time to understand the applicability of the article content to the broader course goals, and identify engaging ways to present this information.
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DEP 6046: Cross Cultural Perspectives of Emerging & Established Adulthood
Fall 2023 Tuesdays 12:30pm- 3:15pm
Instructor: Dr. Dionne Patricia Stephens
SEMINAR OVERVIEW
This seminar focuses on the ways in which cultural factors influence human development across two distinctive but pivotal phases of the lifespan: emerging adulthood and established adulthood. As developmental and cultural processes are constantly intertwined it is critical to understand the ways in which frameworks of behavior and thought considered universal can be influenced by culture. This seminar positions that every cultural group has its own standard of development and should be interpreted in its own right. This includes not only the ways in which we conduct research across cultures with national boundaries, but also within diverse cultural groups among our own social worlds.
This seminar utilizes a participatory, adult education approach to facilitate learning. The success of this seminar experiences relies on students' preparation, participation, interaction, and reflection. Assuming this is a shared goal, there will be a strong emphasis on student engagement to practice and application of concepts covered in readings, lectures, and discussions.
UNIT 1: Introduction to Foundations of Emerging & Established Adulthood
We will begin the seminar by revisiting the theoretical foundations of lifespan development and the role of culture . The foundational literature examining the development of emerging (late teens through the late-20s) and established (30 to 45 year old) adults. However, the quality and quantity of the changes, particularly as it relates to biological, physical and cognitive changes, will be discussed. This unit will examine the theoretical foundations that explain what occurs at this stage of the lifespan, and explore them from diverse positionalities.
Unit 2: Identity & Cultural Influences on Development
Research has established that individual level identity development processes and cultural experiences directly affect development. In line with research suggesting the seminar's two target phases of the lifespan are shaped by culture, we will focus on the ways in which cross cultural experiences and identities inform the practices that lead to transitions into and out of each of these phases of adulthood.
Unit 3: Interpersonal Relationships
This unit examines the interpersonal relationships research focuses on these phases of adulthood. Specifically, the ways in which intimate partners, family, peers, and school work influences shape emerging and established adulthood development cross culturally will be addressed in this section of the seminar.