Human Life Cycles

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures8

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes24

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation20.04.2011

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mechanics and Design

Course developer

Anita Rācene

Dr. paed.

Course abstract

Students acquire knowledge of scientific theories of human development, of factors, which affect human development, of specificity of human development in specific ages. Students make self-analysis of development, bind theoretical knowledge with the development of middle childhood, teenager, adult.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: To be able to evaluate the interpretation of human personality development from the point of view of different psychology schools, also specifically in career development in particular age groups, able to understand the specific needs of each individual depending on their age. (Seminars and coursework).
Skills: Able to identify crises, analyse factors that cause burnout in work place, able to assess factors causing stress in work and how to manage the needs of employees.
Competence: on the basis of the acquired in-depth knowledge and skills can reasonably express their opinion about analysing factors influencing professional development in particular age groups, and is able to identify professional crisis.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Human development in the context of lifelong learning and sustainable education. 2h.
2. Human Personality Development: Psychodynamic Approach (A.Adler, C. Jung), Epigenetic approach (E.Erikson). 2h.
3. A behavioral, humanistic, ecological approach to human development.. 2 h.
4. Career development in human life cycles from the perspective of theories. 2 h.
5. Career development tasks in each age stage. 2 h.
6. Peculiarities of human life cycles: childhood, youth. Career preparedness. 2 h.
7. Adult Period. Successful career determinants. 3 h.
8. Types of Crises: Development Crises, Career Crises, Emotional Crises, 30 and 40 Years of Crises. 3h.
9. Career choice and factors affecting succeeding. Self-actualization.2 h.
10. Professional career and possible crisis factors at work. 2 h.
11. Burnout syndrome and stress. 2 h.
12. Impact of burnout syndrome on professional work, prevention of burnout. 2 h.
13. Factors influencing the emergence of professional stress. Stress prevention. 2 h.
14. Reassessing your career - identifying a successful career and self-realization. 2 h.
15. Change of work. Specifics of the consultant's work. 1 h.
16. Loss of work. Specifics of the consultant's work. 1 h.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Final grade consists of 5 submitted papers.
Pass exam within the 10-point grading scale.
All homework has to be submitted and reached a pass mark.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. A presented theory review oh human personality development theories, emphasising the skill of evaluating a person overall. Theoretical knowledge that can be used in career counseling or pedagogy.
2. Presented theory review of human life cycles, determining factors influencing professional growth.
3. Presented theory review - crisis as a factor of growth in human life cycles.
4. A presented theoretical review of preventive measures to reduce work stress.
5. Prepared and presented independent work - observation. Working with an unemployed person, factors to be followed by the career counselor in the counseling process.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

In the coursework the ability to collect information on personal development theories, human development specifications, career development in human life cycles and career development will be assessed. The purpose of the discussion is to mark the content of the material and the ability to discuss and argue its opinion.
Exam will be graded within the 10-point grading scale.
5 submitted papers will be 50% of the final grade, attending and participating in seminars – 10%, written exam – 40%.

Compulsory reading

1. Encyclopedia of Career Development. Vol.1-2. Greenhaus J.H., Callanan G.A. (ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE, 2006. 992 p. 2. Nelson J.R. Theory and Practice of Counselling and Therapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2006. 482 p. 3. Polan E., Taylor D. Journey Across the Life Span: Human Development and Health Promotion. 4th edition. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 2010. 264 p. 5. Psiholoģija. 1. grāmata: Pamatjautājumi - teorijas un pētījumi. Autoru kolektīvs. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2015. 358 lpp. 6. Psiholoģija. 2. grāmata: Personība, grupa, sabiedrība, kultūra. Autoru kolektīvs. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2015. 304 lpp. 7. Psiholoģija. 3. grāmata: Lietišķās jomas. Autoru kolektīvs. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC. 166 lpp. 8. Jansone I. Cilvēka attīstība un dzīves cikli. Rīga: LU Sociālo zinātņu fakultāte, 2009. 112 lpp.

Atsauksmes