Course Objectives

This course, examines cognitive, social, and emotional development in children and adolescents, along with key learning theories such as constructivism and behavioral approaches. The course emphasizes cross-cultural perspectives on education and prepares you to integrate theory with your internship experience.

Designed for undergraduate students in Education, Psychology, and Family and Human Services, the course examines the intersection of culture, learning, and psychological well-being in a Central American setting.

Through classroom learning, service learning, local experts, and community engagement, students gain critical insights into culturally responsive teaching, local mental health paradigms, and the role of socio-cultural context in shaping development and educational outcomes. 

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain major theories of cognitive, social, and emotional development from early childhood through adolescence and the cultural context within Costa Rica and Central America.
• Analyze behavioral, constructivist, and socio-cultural learning theories and apply them to diverse classroom, with an understanding of Central American and Costa Rican cultural contexts.
• Identify how culture shapes educational expectations, teaching practices, and student development.
• Observe and reflect on development and learning in real classroom and community settings during internship placements in Costa Rica.
• Integrate educational psychology theory into culturally responsive teaching strategies and professional practice with a cultural dimension and intersectionality.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and self-reflection about their own cultural assumptions and experiences in Costa Rica and their impact on teaching/learning.