PS 350 - Human Development in the Spanish Socio-Cultural Context

This course takes a comparative approach to Spanish and American life-span development with a focus on identity, culture, relationality and socialization. The course adopts a bio-psycho-social perspective, drawing from research that demonstrates the importance of the interaction between nature and nurture. Movies will be used to illustrate and explore the key issues addresed. Adolescences and the emerging adulthood stage of human development—from 18-25 years of age—will be examined in detail with an eye to key challenges that may be differentially contemplated in Spain and the US. 

The course explores key developmental issues such as parenting, racial socialization, bullying, and the role of technology. The course also explores key issues relevant to adolescent development such as sexuality and substance use. The Catalan/Spanish context forms the backdrop for all discussions, the goal of which is to provide students with a contrasting perspective on norms in the US:  Students will be encouraged to bring their experiences and observations of life in Spain and the US into discussions of the course material.