Child Development (CHLD)

See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.


CHLD 189  Intro Children's Center  1-2 Units  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
2 hours lecture.  (001444)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
CHLD 198  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Department permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours supervision.  (001445)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
CHLD 222  Working with Children  1 Unit  
Typically Offered: Fall only  
This introductory course focuses on understanding children's social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and neurodevelopment and current evidence-based practices in working with children. Enrolled students engage in discussions with faculty and other professionals whose work focuses on children and families. Careers that involve children from infancy through young adulthood will be discussed. 1 hour lecture.  (022534)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 1 unit  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
CHLD 251  Observational Techniques  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 252 (may be taken concurrently).  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course includes acquisition and application of basic observation skills regarding children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion.  (001441)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
CHLD 252  Child Development  3 Units  GE, USD  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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.  (001442)  
General Education: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity  
CHLD 255  Marriage and Family Relationships  3 Units  GE, USD  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This is an introductory course to marriage and family, including psychological, physiological, and social aspects of close personal relationships. The class explores the social-historical construction of family and intimate relationships and the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, gender, social class and age that influence the pursuit and experience of romantic and family relationships, including parent-child relationships. Contemporary topics such as dating, courtship, marriage, family life, divorce practices, parenting practices, family economics, intimate partner violence, and sexuality are considered through a contextual lens and the impact of ethnicity, gender and social class on these topics is presented. 3 hours discussion.  (001443)  
General Education: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity  
CHLD 272  Children in a Changing World  3 Units  GC, GE  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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.  (021161)  
General Education: Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (E)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Global Cultures  
CHLD 282  Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for Children: Theory to Practice  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course examines the role of curriculum in effective learning programs for children's development. Students gain skills in applying knowledge of children's growth and development to appropriate experiences in the creative arts, play, math, science, literacy, and language. Planning, implementing, and evaluating curriculum activities are key components of the course. Students in the class work directly with children in an approved community program approximately 3 hours a week. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours independent study.  (001447)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
CHLD 299  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision.  (020592)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
CHLD 321  Risk and Resilience in Development  3 Units  GE  
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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)  
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Health and Wellness Pathway  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 333W  Children's Gender and Sexuality Development (W)  3 Units  GE, USD, W  
Prerequisite: Junior standing; GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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.  (021356)  
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Gender and Sexuality Pathway  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity; Writing Course  
CHLD 350  Prenatal-Infant Development: Advanced  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 351  Toddler-Early Childhood Development: Advanced  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 353W  Methods of Inquiry in Child Development (W)  3 Units  W, GW  
Prerequisite: GE Written Communication (A2), GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4), CHLD 251, CHLD 252, CHLD majors only.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Students learn the fundamentals of scientific methodology, increase their knowledge of qualitative research methods, and acquire quantitative skills in measurement and statistical evaluation. These skills are applied through reviewing, evaluating, and communicating research. Students also identify the major dimensions of research strategies used in child development and related fields. 2 hours activity, 2 hours seminar.  (001448)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment  
CHLD 354  The School-Aged Child  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 357  Adolescent Development  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 252 or PSYC 355.  
Typically Offered: Fall only  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 360  Social-Emotional Intelligence: Development and Learning  3 Units  GE  
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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)  
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Health and Wellness Pathway  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 382  Professional Seminar in Child Development: Current Issues  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, CHLD 282, CHLD 353W, CHLD majors only.  
Corequisites: CHLD 392.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course examines and appraises current and professional issues affecting the field of child development. Cultural and political influences on the practices of professionals in the field are explored and analyzed. 3 hours lecture.  (020216)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 389  Internship in Child Dev  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
3 hours lecture.  (001454)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 392  Child Development Practicum: Advanced  4 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, CHLD 282, CHLD 353W, CHLD majors only.  
Corequisites: CHLD 382.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is a supervised practicum. Students plan and implement a developmentally effective program for children, assess children's developmental progress, and evaluate their own effectiveness and professional development in a leadership role. An emphasis on families and programs is included. Enrollment is limited. 3 hours activity, 1 hour independent study.  (001455)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 398  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Department permission.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 1 hour lecture.  (001457)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 399  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision.  (001458)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 440  Issues in Assessment for Children  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, CHLD 282, CHLD 353W, junior standing, CHLD majors only.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course provides an overview of child assessment. The course offers the student both research-based theory and practical applications in these areas. Students apply the knowledge gained during class sessions and readings to relevant assigned projects and papers. 3 hours lecture.  (001459)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 451  Working with Families in Diverse Communities: Advanced  3 Units  USD  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, junior standing.  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
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.  (001460)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity  
CHLD 455  Seminar in Family Relations  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 252 or CHLD 255 or PSYC 355, junior standing.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 456  Administration of Child Development Programs: Advanced  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, junior standing.  
Typically Offered: Spring only odd years  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 462  Adult Supervision in Child Development Programs: Advanced  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 251, CHLD 252, junior standing.  
Typically Offered: Spring only even years  
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)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 489  Internship in Child Development  1-6 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Provides direct experience in agencies, institutions, or work settings appropriate to the application of Child Development background and training. 9 hours supervision.  (001466)  
Grade Basis: Report in Progress: CR/NC  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 492  Child Development Practice: Children and Families  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD 382, CHLD 392, CHLD major only.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is a guided internship for majors in Child Development. Based on individually determined internship learning objectives, students select a community-based agency placement that matches their career interest in children from birth through emerging adulthood and/or their families. Students spend a minimum of 7.5 hours a week in their internship placement for 12 weeks. 4 hours activity, 3 hours independent study.  (001467)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 495HW  Senior Seminar in Child Development - Honors (W)  3 Units  W  
Prerequisite: CHLD 382, CHLD 392, CHLD majors only, acceptance in honors in the major program, department permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This capstone seminar integrates the perspectives of various disciplines concerned with the developing child. Its emphasis is on trauma-informed practices, physical, cognitive, personality, and social development of the child in relationship to the family, community, and society. From a research framework, the topics include program practices, professional ethics, collaboration, case management, effective communication, leadership styles, self evaluation, and professional responsibilities. Students also complete comprehensive portfolios as part of the course requirements. 3 hours seminar.  (001469)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course  
CHLD 495W  Senior Seminar in Child Development (W)  3 Units  W  
Prerequisite: CHLD 382, CHLD 392, CHLD majors only.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This capstone seminar integrates the perspectives of various disciplines concerned with the developing child. Its emphasis is on trauma-informed practices, physical, cognitive, personality, and social development of the child in relationship to the family, community, and society. From a research framework, the topics include program practices, professional ethics, collaboration, case management, effective communication, leadership styles, self evaluation, and professional responsibilities. Students also complete comprehensive portfolios as part of the course requirements. 3 hours seminar.  (001468)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course  
CHLD 498  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Department permission.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours seminar.  (001470)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 499  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Department permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Students must register directly with a supervising faculty member and receive department permission to enroll. 3 hours weekly supervision per unit. 9 hours supervision.  (001471)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 499H  Honors Independent Study  3 Units  
Prerequisite: CHLD majors only; acceptance in undergraduate honors program, department permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Independent study resulting in a piece of scholarly or creative work involving substantial research to be completed and publicly presented. This will be the first course taken in the year-long honors program in the major and is open only to undergraduate honors students. 9 hours independent study.  (001472)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
CHLD 689  Internship  1-6 Units  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision.  (021873)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Graduate Division  
CHLD 697  Independent Study  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours supervision.  (021851)  
Grade Basis: Report in Progress: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Graduate Division