Course outline. Code: PSY101 Title: Introduction to Psychology B

Transcription

1 Faculty of Arts, Business and Law School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2017 Course Coordinator: Dr Kay Pozzebon Room: T2.10 Phone: (07) kpozzebo@usc.edu.au Course outline Code: PSY101 Title: Introduction to Psychology B 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description This course provides an introduction to psycho-biological aspects of human functioning. These aspects of human functioning are applied in the context of understanding sensation and perception, learning and conditioning, cognitive and linguistic processes, the structure of memory, the origins of intelligence, and psychological disorders. The course also provides an introduction to methods of experimental psychology and how psychological reports are constructed. 1.2 Course content Bio-psychological theories Sensation Perception Consciousness Learning and conditioning Memory Cognition Language Intelligence Psychological disorders Clinical applications 2. Unit value 12 units

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Explain the terminology, issues, and theories of psychology, as applied to different situations and groups. Demonstrate critical report writing skills for psychology, that includes clear and concise writing and the appropriate use of formatting and APA style requirements. Use the scientific method to critically analyse information and develop hypotheses. 1, 2 and 4 Knowledgeable. 2 Knowledgeable. Creative and critical thinkers. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Knowledgeable. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions 4.2 Pre-requisites 4.3 Co-requisites 4.4 Anti-requisites 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills N/A 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)

3 Page Assessment tasks Task Assessment Tasks No. Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? 1 Online assessments Individual 20% Approximately 1 hour for each online assessment When should I submit? Monday, 6pm AEST in Weeks 4, 7, 10 and 13 2 Laboratory report Individual 40% 1500 words Monday, Week 11, 6pm AEST 3 Research participation Individual 5% Approximately 2.5 hours Friday Week 13 4 Examination Individual 35% 2 hours Central examination period 100% Where should I submit it? Blackboard online assessments Electronically through SafeAssign TakePart - instructions provided on Blackboard In exam venue Assessment Task 1: Online assessments Goal: Product: Format: The aim of the online assessments is for you to develop understanding of content covered in this course. Completion of the online multiple choice assessments on Blackboard. This assessment task requires you to complete a series of online assessments (via Blackboard) on content covered in this course. There are a total of 20 multiple choice questions in each assessment. You will only be able to attempt each assessment once. Each assessment will be activated for a period of seven days only, starting from 6pm Monday of the previous week and closing at 6pm Monday of the appropriate week. For example, the first online assessment will open at 6pm Monday of week 3 and will close at 6pm Monday of week 4. The first online assessment is formative (i.e., it does not contribute to the 20% weighting for Task 1). The other three online assessments are summative (i.e., they do contribute to the 20% weighting for Task 1). A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment item will be provided on Blackboard in Week 1. Criteria Accuracy and correctness of responses. Problem solving

4 Assessment Task 2: Laboratory report Page 4 Goal: The goals of this task are for you to communicate your understanding of psychological research and to correctly write and format a psychology laboratory report. Product: Laboratory report. Format: You will be required to address a set topic given by the Course Coordinator in Week 1 (via Blackboard). The laboratory report (or research report) will have a title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion. See chapter 5 of the Burton (2010) book for detailed information on the parts of a quantitative laboratory report. APA style (6th edition) is required for in-text citations, reference list, and format. A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment item will be provided on Blackboard in Week 1. Criteria This task is assessed according to levels of achievement in the following: Requirements: Laboratory report addresses a topic stipulated by Course Coordinator. Ability to complete the report within the set word limit. Content: Understanding and critical review of relevant literature. Development of appropriate hypothesis. Correct description of the research methodology. Satisfactory analysis and interpretation of the results. Clarity of Expression: English grammar, punctuation, and spelling are used correctly and is appropriate for psychology. Referencing and Citations: Correct use of APA style (6 th edition) for citations, quotations, secondary citations, reference list, and format. Communication Information literacy Assessment Task 3: Research Participation Goal: Product: Format: The goal of this task is for you to gain experience in psychological research by participating in real and/or mock research projects, as advertised on Take Part. Completion of selected psychological research projects. You are invited to participate in selected research projects on offer by the psychology team (including research conducted by Honours, Masters, and PhD students). This task gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself, and receive hands on experience with the conduct of psychological research. In particular, it will provide insight into how research is conducted in order to prepare you for further study or a career as a researcher. A total of 5% credit can be gained. Most projects will be worth 1% but some projects which involve a greater time commitment may be worth more. The % associated with each project will be clearly indicated. Research projects are advertised through the

5 Page 5 online research participation platform, TakePart ( and more information will be provided on Blackboard to show how to register and select appropriate projects. Please note that only selected projects as shown are eligible for credit. A variety of mock projects will also be available for completion, in case you have any objections to the use of your data in the research projects. Criteria Participation in research. Information literacy Assessment Task 4: Examination Goal: The goal of the end of semester examination is to revise and understand the content covered in the course. Product: Completion of the examination during the Exam Period. Format: The end-of-semester examination will consist of multiple-choice questions. The questions will be factual, applied, or conceptual questions, based on the material in the course. Criteria Accuracy and correctness of responses. Problem solving 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

6 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours Lecture: 2 hours per week Computer : 1 hour per week Page Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester Course activities Teaching Week / Module What key concepts/content will I learn? What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Psychology: The study of mental processes and behaviour 2 Psychological research methods and data analysis 3 Biological bases of mental life and behaviour I 4 Biological bases of mental life and behaviour II 5 Sensation and perception 6 Consciousness 7 Learning 8 Memory 9 Thought and language Mid Semester Break 10 Intelligence Public Holiday Monday 2 nd October 11 Psychological disorders 12 Treatment of psychological disorders 13 Toward a psycho-biological understanding of behaviour Study Period Central Examination Period End of Semester Break Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. Burton, Westen, and Kowalski (2015) Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Revision of above chapters

7 Page 7 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Three Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, L Psychology: Australian and New Zealand edition (4 th ed.). Burton, L. J An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology (3 rd ed.). Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements N/A 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or student central@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability General enquiries In person: Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1) USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A Tel: studentcentral@usc.edu.au