PSYCHOL 4206 - Advanced Health Psychology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course deepens and extends the student's knowledge of health psychology, especially as it applies at the level of the population. A general introduction of critical health psychology is provided and the principles and applications of health psychology are demonstrated via a series of case studies.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 4206
    Course Advanced Health Psychology
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Course Description This course deepens and extends the student's knowledge of health psychology, especially as it applies at the level of the population. A general introduction of critical health psychology is provided and the principles and applications of health psychology are demonstrated via a series of case studies.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Deborah Turnbull

    Administration
    Ms Carmen Rayner
    Phone: +61 8313 5704
    Email: carmen.rayner@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Room 419, Hughes Building
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to review and critique the role of health psychology in the Australian Health Reform Agenda.  
    2 At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to review and critique contemporary issues in health psychology such as translational research and e-interventions.
    3 At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to critically design and evaluate a population- based health psychology intervention taking into account issues such as culture and context and health communication message design.  
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    For additional information regarding required resources please refer to the Honours Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Recommended Resources
    Barr Smith Library – Psychology on the Web
    The Library is a major resource centre for students. The Research Librarian for Psychology, Maureen Bell, provides some useful information through the Internet at http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/psychology. The website contains a list of databases, links to tutorials and help with searching methods.

    For additional information regarding recommended resources please refer to the relevant Undergraduate Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Online Learning
    This course may also use MyUni for one or more of the following:

    - Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board
    - Submission of summative assessment
    - Access to lecture recordings
    - Access to tutorial materials
    - Additional readings
    - Self-directed learning activities
    - Exam preparation materials

    Link to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Face-to-face interactive seminars
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Seminars: 6x2 hours:12 hours
    Mid semester exercises: 20 hours
    Exam preparation: 25 hours
    Independent reading: 84 hours
    Final exam: 3 hours

    Total = 144 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Topic Lecture
    Week 1 Integration of public health and psychology in the context of the Australian Health Reform Agenda Advanced Health Psychology
    Week 2 Behavioural Epidemiology and Translational research Advanced Health Psychology
    Week 3 Interventions including e- interventions Advanced Health Psychology
    Week 4 Interventions including e- interventions Advanced Health Psychology
    Week 5 Applications in multicultural settings
    Health communication message design
    Advanced Health Psychology
    Week 6 Critical health psychology Advanced Health Psychology
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning outcome(s) being addressed
    3-hour written exam Summative 70 All
    Mid assessment Summative 30 All
    Assessment Detail
    Course is examined by a 3-hour written exam consisting of 3 questions, 1 for each learning outcome.  Each question is given equal weight.  Please refer to the Honours Psychology Handbook and the General Handbook for Undergraduate Psychology students (available at the links below) for further details relating to assessment.   
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Submission
    Please refer to the General Handbook for Undergraduate Psychology students (available at the link below) for details on submission process/requirements, penalties for late submission, the process of applying for extensions, and the staff “turn-around” timeline on assessments and the provision of feedback and policy relating to re-submission/redemptive work.    
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.