Students

COGS101 – Delusions and Disorders of the Mind and Brain

2017 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Co-convenor
Elisabeth Beyersmann
Contact via Contact via E-Mail / Office Hour
AHH Room 3.732
Tuesday 12-1pm
Co-convenor
Anne Castles
Tutor
Marion Aitchison
Tutor
Marion Kellenbach
Tutor
Emma Zicat
Tutor
Selene Petit
Tutor
Katya Numbers
Tutor
Jake Palmer
Tutor
Amanda Killian
Tutor
Olivia Brancatisano
Tutor
Leanne Ruggero
Tutor
Nicole Mathieson
Tutor
Leidy Castro-Meneses
Tutor
Daniel Miezah
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic cognitive disorders and higher-level delusions that can arise either developmentally or as a result of brain injury. You will learn about the characteristic features of these disorders and delusions, and about how the patterns of symptoms displayed can be accounted for in terms of models of normal cognitive processing. Where relevant, you will be familiarised with theories about the underlying causes of the conditions, and with experimental investigations of the efficacy of particular treatments. Patterns of similarities and differences of conditions will be critically examined. Conditions covered include: dyslexia, specific language impairment (SLI), aphasia, agnosia, amnesia, autism, synaesthesia, auditory hallucination, delusion and schizophrenia.

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:

  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.
  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.
  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

General Assessment Information

More Information about the Assignment (Research Report)

  • The research report should be submitted on TURNITIN. The submission procedure will be provided on iLearn or in a tutorial.
  • Assignments will be returned to students via iLearn. 
  • Late Penalty. Late submission of an assignment will attract a penalty of 5% of the maximum mark for every day that the assignment is late (including weekend days). For example, if the assignment is worth 40 marks and your assignment is submitted 2 days late, a penalty of 2x5%x40 = 4 marks will be applied and subtracted from the awarded mark for the assignment. Work submitted more than 14 days after the submission deadline will not be marked and will receive a mark of 0. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies and that requests for extensions for assignments must be made via the University’s Ask MQ System (as outlined in the Disruption to Studies Policy).
  • All requests for extensions should be made prior to the due date for the assignment.

More Information about the Formal Exam (End of the Semester)

  • The University Examination period. You are expected to present yourself for examination at the time and place designated in the University Examination Timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the examinations and in Final form approximately four weeks before the commencement of the examinations. 
  • The only exception to not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you must submit a request via the University’s Ask MQ System (as outlined in the Disruption to Studies Policy).
  • If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process the examination will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period. Students applying to sit for the supplementary examination must check the web for information.
  • Supplementary Exams are only offered to students who have satisfactorily completed all other assessments for the unit and were unable to sit the final exam.
  • You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. 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.

Final Grade Your final grade is determined by your performance in meeting the learning outcomes for the unit. The Standard Numerical Grade (SNG) reflects the extent to which your performance matches the grade descriptors, as outlined in the Macquarie University Grading Policy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Report 35% No September 29th, 5pm
Formal Exam 40% No Examination period
Online Quizzes 15% No During semester
Participation 10% No During semester

Research Report

Due: September 29th, 5pm
Weighting: 35%

In this written assignment, you will critically evaluate a cognitive impairment in the context of a cognitive theory. Further information will be provided on iLearn and in tutorials. The report should be a maximum of 1,500 words. The word limit includes in-text referencing but does not include the reference list at the end, tables, figures and appendices.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.
  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.
  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Formal Exam

Due: Examination period
Weighting: 40%

The exam will include multiple choice questions and two to three short essay questions.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.
  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.

Online Quizzes

Due: During semester
Weighting: 15%

The quizzes are low risk and will cover basic course content.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.

Participation

Due: During semester
Weighting: 10%

This assessment will be marked according to your participation in both face-to-face tutorials and online activities. We expect that students come to tutorials prepared and ready to engage actively in discussion. Tutorial participation reflects active involvement in tutorial discussion. Online participation includes posting your thoughts and actively engaging with your tutor and other students in the discussion forum for your tutorial group. Attending tutorials and participating in activities in the tutorials and online will contribute to your writing and critical thinking skills, and ultimately help you do better in the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.
  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.
  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Delivery and Resources

The lectures will be fully online via iLearn, with interactive activities, and each topic in the course will be delivered by experts in the field of cognitive science. In addition students will attend face-to-face tutorials weekly.

It is essential that students have adequate access to the internet as most of the course material and activities are accessed online in the form of:

  • Video interviews
  • Audio and video lectures
  • Unit readings (note that there is no prescribed textbook for this unit)
  • Online activities and quizzes
  • Online database research
  • Participation in online discussion forums

Access to a reasonably fast internet connection would be ideal, given the large amount of video content. Also, please note that in order to access Resources and Activities in your online unit, you will need a browser such as Firefox or Chrome. iLearn will operate on the following browsers, it is recommended that you upgrade your browser to the most recent version:

  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Internet Explorer 8 or later

Unit Schedule

Topic 1: Dyslexia 

Topic 2: Aphasia

Topic 3: Specific language Impairment

Topic 4: Autism

Topic 5: Amnesia

Topic 6: Synaesthesia

Topic 7: Agnosia

Topic 8: Delusions

Topic 9: Schizophrenia

Topic 10: Modelling Delusions Using Hypnosis

Topic 11: Disorders of the Self

Note that the lectures for all topics are fully online and are accessible through the relevant section on the iLearn page. The topics will be discussed in more detail during the weekly face-to-face tutorials. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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.

Student Support

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

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.
  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.
  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Report
  • Formal Exam
  • Online Quizzes
  • Participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • The ability to describe the characteristic features of a range of delusions and cognitive disorders; and to explain key concepts and issues in light of scholarly cognitive theory and empirical work in the cognitive sciences.
  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.
  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Report
  • Formal Exam
  • Online Quizzes
  • Participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • The ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of competing explanations and theories of psychological disorders and delusions; and to critique popular or prejudicial claims about delusions, disorders, and the mind from an informed and evidence-based perspective.
  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Report
  • Participation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Report
  • Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • The ability to integrate and apply knowledge about psychological disorders to real-world social policy and healthcare contexts in which debates about normality, personal identity, and psychological health arise.

Assessment task

  • Participation

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about unit and tutorials:

Always contact your tutor first. Your tutor can answer most questions concerning the unit in general and specific questions about the tutorials. If you experience difficulty in this unit, you should approach you tutor first. You can get in touch with your tutor before or after your tutorial, via email, or via the dialogue tool on iLearn. Contact details for tutors can be found at the top of this unit guide. Your tutor is your first point of contact for any of these questions. The unit convenor is to be contacted only when absolutely necessary, and is to be contacted during the specified contact hours or via email only.

Questions about lectures:

Please post content-related questions on the unit’s General Discussion Forum on iLearn so that other students can also join in and benefit from the discussion.

Questions about uploading assignments via iLearn:

You are required to submit one of the assessment tasks (Research Report) via iLearn, using the Turnitin submission tool. Please use the following step-to-step guides for instructions on how to access iLearn and how to submit a Turnitin assignment. 

Requests for extensions, medical leave and/or disruption to studies:

Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to notify the University of a disruption to their studies. All requests for extensions, medical leave and/or disruption to studies should be made prior to the due date for the assignment, are to be made directly via the University’s online Ask MQ system (as outlined in the Disruption to Studies Policy). 

Requests for tutorial changes:

Changes to tutorials need to be done online via eStudent only. After week 2, no further changes will be entertained unless supporting documentation about the reason for changing is provided and there is space in the tutorial you wish to enrol in. Please note that changes to tutorials cannot be made by the unit convenor or tutor.

Questions about workload:

The number of credit points a unit is worth is determined by how many hours the student is expected to spend each week at formal classes, writing essays, preparing for tutorials and in study related to the unit. For a half year unit 4 hours is allowed per credit point, so it would be expected that a student would spend 3 (credit points) by 4 hours = 12 hours per week on this unit.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
17/08/2017 Amendment of unit schedule (week 6 and 7)
30/07/2017 change to assessment tasks schedule participation