PSY312H5S – Children's Thinking: Cognitive Development in a Social World
IN-PERSON
LEC 9101: Thursday 12:00pm – 2:00pm ROOM: IB 380
PRA 9101: Thursday 2:00pm – 3:00pm ROOM: CC 2140
PRA 9102: Thursday 3:00pm – 4:00pm ROOM: CC 3160
Course Delivery
Winter 2022 Return to Campus Update: In order to curb the spread of COVID-19 amid the emergence of the
Omicron variant, most in-person learning has been delayed until Jan 31, 2022. Keep in mind this date is
subject to change as per the Universities need to monitor any new developments and will be keeping with the
latest evidence and public health guidelines.
Delivery Method until January 31, 2022
ONLINE VIA Zoom: Please see the Quercus website for the course to find out how to attend the Zoom
lectures which will be offered on the days and times specified above. We will try to make these
lectures as interactive as possible. For instance, you can ask questions during a lecture using the
question function and by posting questions in the chat. We will also use breakout rooms to complete
group assignments.
• Learn Anywhere Guide for Students
https://library.utm.utoronto.ca/students/quercus/learn-anywhere
• University of Toronto tech requirements for online learning
Delivery Method after January 31, 2022
Pending confirmation that classes are allowed to return to in-person instruction on February 1st, classes will
be held in person.
Contact Information
Dr. Samuel Ronfard Teaching Assistants:
Lindsey Thurston – Practical Leader
Location: CCT 4059
Isabelle Speranza
Office hours: Fridays from noon to 1 pm on Zoom.
Zoom link and passcode can be found on Quercus. 3rd TA - TBA
(Be sure to register for a UTM Zoom account at
Spring 2022 - Department of Psychology Page 1
, https://utoronto.zoom.us)
Course Description
This course examines human development in fundamental domains such as perception, memory, language,
problem solving, and theory of mind through infancy and childhood. We will discuss theories and empirical
evidence, with an emphasis on current experimental findings, and on how they address centuries-old debates
surrounding the origin and nature of human knowledge.
Prerequisites: PSY201H5/equivalent, 210H5, 270H5
Learning Outcomes
• Identify key concepts, principles, and theoretical approaches in psychology.
• Describe how developmental, experiential, and biological factors interact to shape mental processes and
behaviour.
• Describe psychological research techniques and their assumptions.
• Demonstrate awareness of the complexity of knowledge construction and the limits of available methods
in scientific inquiry.
• Access and interpret scientific literature.
• Communicate clearly and concisely.
• Develop insights into the behaviour and mental processes of one's self and of others.
• Critically evaluate psychological research.
Reading Material
There are no required textbooks for this course.
If you want a textbook recommendation for your own erudition, email me.
Selected research articles and chapters will be posted on Quercus.
Course Evaluation
Tests & Assignments %
Submitted Test Questions 4
Reading Prompts 8
Mid-term Assessment 25
Group Parent Brochure 22
Group Toy Project + Presentation 16
Final Test Assessment 25
Submitted test questions: You will be asked to create and submit a test question for one of the readings you
were asked to complete that week.
Reading Prompts: Before each lecture you will be asked to complete a short open-ended question about the
readings.
Mid- and final term test: The exams will be a mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer questions, and longer
essay questions. The material covered on the exams will include material from lectures, videos, and assigned
Spring 2022 - Department of Psychology Page 2
IN-PERSON
LEC 9101: Thursday 12:00pm – 2:00pm ROOM: IB 380
PRA 9101: Thursday 2:00pm – 3:00pm ROOM: CC 2140
PRA 9102: Thursday 3:00pm – 4:00pm ROOM: CC 3160
Course Delivery
Winter 2022 Return to Campus Update: In order to curb the spread of COVID-19 amid the emergence of the
Omicron variant, most in-person learning has been delayed until Jan 31, 2022. Keep in mind this date is
subject to change as per the Universities need to monitor any new developments and will be keeping with the
latest evidence and public health guidelines.
Delivery Method until January 31, 2022
ONLINE VIA Zoom: Please see the Quercus website for the course to find out how to attend the Zoom
lectures which will be offered on the days and times specified above. We will try to make these
lectures as interactive as possible. For instance, you can ask questions during a lecture using the
question function and by posting questions in the chat. We will also use breakout rooms to complete
group assignments.
• Learn Anywhere Guide for Students
https://library.utm.utoronto.ca/students/quercus/learn-anywhere
• University of Toronto tech requirements for online learning
Delivery Method after January 31, 2022
Pending confirmation that classes are allowed to return to in-person instruction on February 1st, classes will
be held in person.
Contact Information
Dr. Samuel Ronfard Teaching Assistants:
Lindsey Thurston – Practical Leader
Location: CCT 4059
Isabelle Speranza
Office hours: Fridays from noon to 1 pm on Zoom.
Zoom link and passcode can be found on Quercus. 3rd TA - TBA
(Be sure to register for a UTM Zoom account at
Spring 2022 - Department of Psychology Page 1
, https://utoronto.zoom.us)
Course Description
This course examines human development in fundamental domains such as perception, memory, language,
problem solving, and theory of mind through infancy and childhood. We will discuss theories and empirical
evidence, with an emphasis on current experimental findings, and on how they address centuries-old debates
surrounding the origin and nature of human knowledge.
Prerequisites: PSY201H5/equivalent, 210H5, 270H5
Learning Outcomes
• Identify key concepts, principles, and theoretical approaches in psychology.
• Describe how developmental, experiential, and biological factors interact to shape mental processes and
behaviour.
• Describe psychological research techniques and their assumptions.
• Demonstrate awareness of the complexity of knowledge construction and the limits of available methods
in scientific inquiry.
• Access and interpret scientific literature.
• Communicate clearly and concisely.
• Develop insights into the behaviour and mental processes of one's self and of others.
• Critically evaluate psychological research.
Reading Material
There are no required textbooks for this course.
If you want a textbook recommendation for your own erudition, email me.
Selected research articles and chapters will be posted on Quercus.
Course Evaluation
Tests & Assignments %
Submitted Test Questions 4
Reading Prompts 8
Mid-term Assessment 25
Group Parent Brochure 22
Group Toy Project + Presentation 16
Final Test Assessment 25
Submitted test questions: You will be asked to create and submit a test question for one of the readings you
were asked to complete that week.
Reading Prompts: Before each lecture you will be asked to complete a short open-ended question about the
readings.
Mid- and final term test: The exams will be a mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer questions, and longer
essay questions. The material covered on the exams will include material from lectures, videos, and assigned
Spring 2022 - Department of Psychology Page 2
