Foundations of Emotional Development Syllabus
Foundations of Emotional Development
Janet Lee Bachant, Ph.D.
Phone: 646-230-1207
http://empire2.esc.edu/facultyweb/JanetBachant.nsf/web
email: janet.bachant@esc.edu
Study Group Description and Syllabus
My office hours are Monday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I am located in Room 530 at 325 Hudson Street. The best way to reach me is by email but if you wish to leave me a phone message please repeat your number twice.
This study explores the development of the child from a psychodynamic perspective. More specifically, it examines how the mind becomes organized during a very critical period in its development. Its focus is on the challenges faced by normal children in the course of maturation and the kinds of solutions characteristically generated to cope with the problems children confront. Topics include the place of fantasy, the importance of early wishes and fears in structuring the personality, typical danger situations of childhood, the perseverance of maladaptive behavior and the kinds of creative and problematic protections children typically develop. This study examines the determinants of enduring psychic organization and the way in which an interplay between this developing structure and mental flexibility characterize all subsequent experience. Understanding the child's emotional development is therefore fundamental to what makes each person tick. All annotated written work is to be given to the mentor at the last meeting and will be returned to the student.
Students will read the required literature and hand in (every week!) one written question generated by the reading in a running log format (your written question list grows by one each week). In addition, students will write a short critical essay on each book as referenced on the learning contract. Each student will also develop
· an oral presentation to be given to the study group during the last three weeks of the study group. All presentations must be accompanied by handouts to your fellow students containing information that you think will be useful to them should they want to pursue learning in this topic area on their own (websites, printed material, references, etc.) Within this framework, be creative! Use it as an opportunity to share your own learning and development with your peers.
NB: Reading should be finished the on the day it is listed on the syllabus.
Week 1: Introduction (no reading) Bio/Psycho/Social Determinants of Psychic Structure
Handouts: Available on my website: Calamities of Childhood
Writing Papers in Psychology
Learning Contract
Syllabus
Week 2: Discussion of Fraiberg, Introduction through p. 102
Hand in question on reading
Hand in Calamities of Childhood paper
Week 3: Discussion of Fraiberg, pp. 102-- 235
Hand in question on reading
Bring in ideas for final paper or presentation to share in class
Week 4: Discussion of Fraiberg, pp. 210-302
Hand in question on reading
Week 5: Discussion of Viorst, Section I – The Separate Self
Hand in question on reading
Hand in critical book analysis of The Magic Years
Hand in a written paragraph that describes the problem, issue that you have decided to explore in your literature review along with 5 full text, peer reviewed references on your topic.
Week 6: Discussion of Viorst, Sections II and III and Seigler handout: Love and Sex
Hand in question on reading
Week 7: Discussion of Viorst, Section IV
Hand in question on reading
Week 8: Discussion of Bettleheim reading
Hand in question on reading
Hand in critical book analysis of Necessary Losses
Week 9: Discussion of Healy reading, Part One
Hand in question on reading
Hand in critical book analysis of The Uses of Enchantment
Group presentations
Week 10: Discussion of Healy reading, Part Two
Hand in question on reading
Group presentations
Week 11: Discussion of Healy reading, Part Three
Hand in question on reading
Group presentations
Week 12: General discussion Wrap up
Hand in critical book analysis of Your Child’s Growing Mind
Hand in final paper for those not doing group presentation
Hand in final reflection on study group
Hand in running list of questions submitted for the study (1 page)