PSY4110 - Psychology in society - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

School of Psychological Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Dr Brendon Tagg

Unit guides

Offered

Malaysia

  • Second semester 2017 (Day)

Synopsis

This elective will examine selected, topical issues relating psychology to broader social, political and cultural issues. In building on the background developed in the undergraduate curriculum, the unit will seek to locate existing psychological research in a contemporary social context, exploring emerging theoretical developments and reviewing existing controversies. The overarching goal will be to build greater understanding of the range of competing explanatory hypotheses that have emerged in response to key psychological issues in the extant literature. The role psychological research and theory plays in broader society will be reflected in the choice of topics and issues canvassed in this unit. The general areas from which the specific topics may be chosen will include: population health, chronic disease, indigenous health, forensic and behavioural science, substance use, medical anthropology and psychological theory.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Critically appraise the role of psychology in explaining a range of social, political and cultural issues.
  2. Review evidence and evaluate contentious theories.
  3. Evaluate important ideas in psychology and its role in broader social issues through group discussion.
  4. Develop skills in summarising and presenting ideas in both spoken and written form.

Assessment

  • Research symposium (20%)
  • Critical article review (1,000 words) (30%)
  • Essay (2,000 words) (50%)

Hurdle:

  • Students must pass the essay to achieve a pass for this unit.
  • Attendance at 75% of tutorials.

Workload requirements

2 hour lectures each week and 2 hour tutorials fortnightly.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Prerequisites

Completed Bachelors Degree and a major sequence in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society, with a distinction average for the third year psychology units.

Prohibitions

PSY4200, PSY4240, PSY4508.