During the prenatal and early postnatal years, human neurobiological and behavioural development proceeds at a breathtaking pace and is highly sensitive to environmental influence. Early experience shapes early and long-term developmental outcomes.In this course you will learn about the effects of early experience on human development, and more specifically, on health, cognition, physiology, and socio-emotional development. Factors that play a role in our development will be approached from different perspectives, with special attention to evolutionary, biological, psychological and social perspectives.The course is intrinsically interdisciplinary and will cover a broad range of topics. During the programme you will follow lectures and a variety of individual and small group assignments that will be discussed in plenary sessions. You will receive a reader with a selection of literature.The assignments include:%E2%80%A2%09designing a research project %E2%80%A2%09critically reviewing literature %E2%80%A2%09resolving research problems %E2%80%A2%09watching documentaries and discussing them %E2%80%A2%09reflecting on ethical issues %E2%80%A2%09brainstorming about the future of the field Topics include:%E2%80%A2%09Early life stress, including maternal stress during pregnancy %E2%80%A2%09Epigenetic mechanisms %E2%80%A2%09Evolutionary theories, including Life History Theory and Parent-Offspring Conflict Theory %E2%80%A2%09Hormones and physiology %E2%80%A2%09Early care-giving environment, including quality of parenting and non-parental care %E2%80%A2%09Health, including intestinal microbiota %E2%80%A2%09Early prevention and intervention

Course leader
Prof.dr. C. (Carolina) de WeerthDr. W. (Willem) FrankenhuisDr. R. (Roseriet) BeijersDevelopmental PsychologyBehavioural Science InstituteRadboud University

Target group
For whom is the course designedAdvanced Bachelor students and Master students of Psychology, Biology, Medicine or related fields. PhD students are also welcome, but please note that the course level will be at the master level.Entry levelAdvanced Bachelor Master PhD

Course aim
Learning outcomeAfter this course you will:Have a better understanding of the effects of early experience on a broad range of developmental outcomes Be familiar with possible evolutionary, biological, psychological and social mechanisms Be aware of critical issues in the recent field of programming research Be able to critically analyse recent literature on the course subjects Be able to apply the recently acquired knowledge into the design of new research, and into Be able to discuss your own ideas and stand points on this field of research

Credits info
2 ECTS European Credits

Fee info
EUR 450: The course fee includes the registration fee, course materials, access to library and IT facilities, coffee/tea, lunch, and a number of social activities.Possible discounts10% discount for early bird applicants. The early bird deadline is 1 April 2015 15% discount for students and PhD candidates from partner universities

Radboud University
Address: P.O Box 9102 Nijmegen
Postal code: 6500 HC
City: Nijmegen
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.ru.nl/radboudsummerschool/
E-mail: radboudsummerschool@ru.nl
Phone: +31 (0)24 8187706