Students

PSYH4411 – Advanced Topics in Psychology Honours I

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Christina Perry
Convenor
Michael Richardson
Convenor
Kerry Sherman
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BPsychSci(Hons) or BPsych(Hons)
Corequisites Corequisites
PSYH4401 or PSHY4490 or PSYH4495 or PSYH4491 or PSYH4492
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, completed within Psychology Honours, you will pursue advanced study within a specific subdiscipline of psychology. Building on foundational Psychology content covered in the undergraduate Psychology degree, you will have the opportunity to select topics of specialisation of Psychology to pursue in depth. You will engage in critical evaluation of the underlying principles and theories and concepts in the field, as well apply this knowledge to a range of domains and contexts.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate coherent knowledge and critical evaluation of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in advanced topics in psychology (CLO1 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • ULO2: Synthesise and explain how psychological theories and principles can apply across a range of domains and contexts (CLO2 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO3: Communicate advanced psychological content effectively in both written and oral modes (CLO3 and Capability 2: Practitioner).

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example:

Number of days (hours) late Total Possible Marks Deduction Raw mark Final mark
1 day (1-24 hours) 100 5 75 70
2 days (24-48 hours 100 10 75 65
3 days (48-72 hours) 100 15 75 60
7 days (144-168 hours) 100 35 75 40
>7 days (>168 hours) 100 - 75 0

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration. 

Viva/Oral examination information

The viva for this unit is currently scheduled to occur on Macquarie University campus. The Unit Convenor will be allocating all students to a specific examination period within the first two weeks of the term and students are expected to make themselves available, in line with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. Please refer to the unit iLearn page for details.

If a student misses the exam due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances they can sit a supplementary exam. Students who are unable to sit an examination must submit an Application for Special Consideration form (supporting documentation from a medical or health care professional clearly stating the reasons for the absence from the exam must be attached to your submission). The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. 

If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the examination will usually be held one week after the original examination date. Supplementary Exams are only offered to students who have satisfactorily completed all other assessments for the unit and were unable to sit the exam because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption.

You are advised that it is Macquarie University's policy that all students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, which is the final day of the official examination period.

Illness or Significant Disruption to Assessments

In the event of illness or significant disruptions during an examination or timed assessment, students must promptly cease their work. If the incident occurs in a classroom setting, they must inform the supervisor or invigilator immediately. If the disruption takes place outside the classroom, it should be reported immediately to the appropriate course authority. Subsequently, students are required to submit an application for special consideration.

Students who have already submitted an assessment or participated in an examination or timed assessment without reporting any issues during the assessment process will only be considered for a second opportunity to undertake that assessment only under exceptional circumstances. The decision to grant a second opportunity will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with careful consideration given to the nature and validity of the exceptional circumstances that significantly affected their performance in the initial assessment. A statement of fact cannot suffice as evidence in such cases.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Portfolio Part A: Presentation 25% No See unit iLearn page
Portfolio Part B: Written Assessment 45% No See unit iLearn page
Examination/Viva 30% No See unit iLearn page

Portfolio Part A: Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: See unit iLearn page
Weighting: 25%

 

This portion of the portfolio will be comprised of a presentation task. The presentation may be conducted as a) an in-person individual or group presentation, b) a recorded individual or group presentation, or c) a multimedia presentation, depending upon the particular advanced topics stream the student takes within the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate coherent knowledge and critical evaluation of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in advanced topics in psychology (CLO1 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Synthesise and explain how psychological theories and principles can apply across a range of domains and contexts (CLO2 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Communicate advanced psychological content effectively in both written and oral modes (CLO3 and Capability 2: Practitioner).

Portfolio Part B: Written Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: See unit iLearn page
Weighting: 45%

 

This portion of the portfolio will be comprised of a written task. The written portion may take the form of a) an essay, b) a report, c) a case study/analysis, or d) professional writing, depending upon the particular advanced topics stream the student takes within the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate coherent knowledge and critical evaluation of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in advanced topics in psychology (CLO1 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Synthesise and explain how psychological theories and principles can apply across a range of domains and contexts (CLO2 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Communicate advanced psychological content effectively in both written and oral modes (CLO3 and Capability 2: Practitioner).

Examination/Viva

Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: See unit iLearn page
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will complete either a traditional viva or an interactive oral exam, depending upon the particular advanced topics stream the student takes within the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate coherent knowledge and critical evaluation of the underlying principles, theories and concepts, and skills in advanced topics in psychology (CLO1 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar).
  • Synthesise and explain how psychological theories and principles can apply across a range of domains and contexts (CLO2 and Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Communicate advanced psychological content effectively in both written and oral modes (CLO3 and Capability 2: Practitioner).

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, videos and live lectures. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

All Recommended Readings and other required materials will be posted to the iLearn site for this unit.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their a laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

INCLUSION & DIVERSITY

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

PROFESSIONALISM

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however, you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join the activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
15/02/2024 typo
15/02/2024 typo

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook