PSYCHOL 6500OL - Foundations of Psychology

Online - Online Teaching 1 - 2024

Why do people think, feel and act the way they do? What is psychology and how does it help us to answer this question? This course provides an introduction to foundational concepts and topics within contemporary psychology. You will learn about research, theories, concepts, and applications of psychological science in diverse topics such as biological bases of behaviour, developmental psychology, motivation and emotion, personality and intelligence, mental health, and memory and cognition. This course provides a strong foundation for your future learning in psychology.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 6500OL
    Course Foundations of Psychology
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Online Teaching 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Online
    Units 3
    Contact 1 to 2 hour online tutorial
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to Graduate Diploma in Psychology (OL) students only
    Course Description Why do people think, feel and act the way they do? What is psychology and how does it help us to answer this question? This course provides an introduction to foundational concepts and topics within contemporary psychology. You will learn about research, theories, concepts, and applications of psychological science in diverse topics such as biological bases of behaviour, developmental psychology, motivation and emotion, personality and intelligence, mental health, and memory and cognition. This course provides a strong foundation for your future learning in psychology.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Samantha Newell

    Course Timetable

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

    The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. Each module teaches students about a different aspect of psychology. The modules are:
    • Module 1: The science of psychology and the biological bases of behaviour
    • Module 2: Developmental psychology
    • Module 3: Motivation and emotion
    • Module 4: Individual differences
    • Module 5: Mental health
    • Module 6: Memory and cognition
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Describe core concepts, theories and principles in select areas of psychology.  
    2. Identify key methodological approaches in psychological research.
    3. Find and review psychological literature on a specific topic.
    4. Evaluate knowledge claims regarding psychological theory.
    5. Produce written reports that adhere to the conventions of writing for psychology.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3, 4, 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3, 4, 5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 2

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1, 4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course Text

    Required readings for all modules will be taken from:
    • Passer, M.W. & Smith, R.E. (2019). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. 3rd Ed. McGraw-Hill, Sydney.
    Online copies of this textbook are available via the University of Adelaide library.
    Recommended Resources
    N/A
    Online Learning
    This is a fully online offering. MyUni will be used for all course materials, communication, links to curated resources, online tutorial support and assignments including submissions, feedback and grades.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Engagement with course content is facilitated by online presentations, interactive online activities, curated readings and resources, and self directed research and study supported by weekly online tutorial sessions. There are six weekly modules with learning scaffolded across the modules to ensure that students develop deep discipline knowledge as well as the academic literacy, research skills and capacity to apply and communicate their understanding as specified for an AQF8 level offering.
    Workload

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

    This course is a six week intensive, accelerated learning offering. Students should expect to approximately 25 hours per week engaging with the online content, in private study, attending online tutorials, and completing the coursework assignments.

    Indicative Hours per Week:
    • 1.5 hours - Tutorial
    • 1 hour - Tutorial Preparation
    • 9 hours - Assessment related tasks
    • 10 hours - Engaging with online content (e.g, video presentations, podcasts, directed research activities, discussions, interactive tasks)
    • 3.5 hours - Readings
    Learning Activities Summary
    The course has six modules. Students study one module per week. The modules, and their indicative content, are:

    Module 1: The science of psychology and biological bases of behaviour
    • What is psychology?
    • Ethics
    • Biological bases of behaviour
    • Navigating the University's Library
    Module 2: Developmental psychology
    • Definitions and key concepts
    • Cognitive development
    • Psycho-social development
    • Moral development
    Module 3: Motivation and emotion
    • Introduction to motivation and emotion
    • Physiological approaches to motivation and emotion
    • Cognitive/ psychological approaches to motivation and emotion
    • Happiness
    • Emotion regulation
    Module 4: Individual differences (intelligence and personality)
    • What is intelligence?
    • Theories and measurement
    • The extremes: intellectual disability, high IQ, and creativity
    • Personality: psychodynamic theory, trait theory, and humanistic theories
    Module 5: Mental health
    • Definitions and key concepts
    • Susceptibility and the ‘Disease of modernity’
    • Biology or the environment? Understanding schizophrenia
    • Psychological perspectives on (a) Cognition and depression and (b) Psychodynamic theory and attachment
    • Behaviour and phobias
    Module 6: Memory and cognition
    • Introduction to cognitive psychology
    • The three-stage model of memory
    • Working memory
    • The structure of long-term memory
    • Forgetting and memory distortions
    Specific Course Requirements
    Nil.
  • 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 Task Type Weighting Due Course Learning Outcome(s) being assessed
    Weekly MCQ Formative and Summative

    30%

    Sunday Weeks 1-6 1, 2, 4
    Annotated Bibliography Summative 30% Sunday Week 3 3, 5
    Essay Summative 40% Sunday Week 6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Submission via Turnitin. All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the Sunday at the end of the week in which they are due. A penalty of 5% per day applies for late submissions.

    Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate or other special circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to the course coordinator and submitted before the due date. The course coordinator will consider the request in the light of the case made and University deadlines, and may grant an extension of up to three days.
    Assessment Detail

    Assessment 1: Six Weekly Multiple Choice Quizzes (30%)
    This is composed of six multiple choice quizzes. Students complete one quiz per week. The questions are based on the online module content and required readings. These quizzes allow students to assess their understanding of the course content each week.

    Assessment 2: Annotated Bibliography, 800 words (30%)
    For this assessment, students will search online library databases for four research articles relevant to a provided essay topic. Students will then create an annotated bibliography, which includes a full reference for each research article and a 200-word summary of its content. This assessment will help students develop literature searching and reading skills. It will also familiarise students with APA 7 referencing conventions.

    Assessment 3: Essay (literature review), 1500 words (40%)
    This assessment centres on the essay topic from Assessment 2. Students will use the four research articles from Assessment 2 (Annotated Bibliography) and identify a further eight research articles that are also relevant to the provided essay topic. They will then use these 12 research articles to write an essay on the essay topic. This assessment will help familiarise students with essay format conventions (introduction--body--conclusion) and APA 7 style conventions.

    Submission
    Fully online course with e-submission and marking. Submission via Turnitin
    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

    Counselling for Fully Online Postgraduate Students

    Fully online students can access counselling services here:

    Phone: 1800 512 155 (24/7) 

    SMS service: 0439 449 876 (24/7) 

    Email: info@assureprograms.com.au

    Go to the Study Smart Hub to learn more, or speak to your Student Success Advisor (SSA) on 1300 296 648 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am–5pm ACST/ACDT, Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm ACST/ACDT)

  • 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.