This is an advanced seminar concentrating on classic research studies and modern research methods for studying gifted students and programs for these students. Special emphasis will be given to research which is being conducted as part of the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. During the courses of this seminar we will read the literature relating to the evaluation of gifted programs and apply the literature to designing and carrying out an evaluation of specific programs. This intermediate level course is designed to introduce and explore in depth several prominent theories of intellectual, personality, moral, and social development of the child and adolescent. Theoretical and practical issues relating to human adaptation are addressed with particular attention paid to underlying motivational forces as translated into behavioristic and humanistic terms.
Content reflects an integrated rather than descriptive approach.