Students

PSYM7764 – Science and Practice of Psychology in Context

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Simon Boag
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the development of modern psychology and the way that we understand the subject matter of psychological science. The first part of the unit looks at the history of modern psychology and at some of the rival schools of thought that underlie different approaches in psychology today. Some of the associated controversies within the history of psychology are also addressed, including the relation between psychology and the eugenics movement, and the development of the modern concept of mental disorder. The second part of the unit explores the manner in which we conceptualise the subject matter within psychology. Major concepts within psychology will be examined (eg, behaviour, cognition and motivation) and common weaknesses in psychological arguments identified with an aim to developing critical thinking skills.

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: Describe and outline the philosophical origins of modern empirical Psychology,
  • ULO2: List and critique the central assumptions of modern empirical Psychology
  • ULO3: Trace the development of the conception of western Psychology from the Scientific Revolution to the present day
  • ULO4: Describe and critique some of the major concepts in modern Psychology

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay Plan 10% No Week 4
Essay 50% No Week 8
Final Examination 40% No Week 13

Essay Plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 10%

 

Students submit a 500 word essay plan outlining the major concepts in the essay topic, and providing an introductory paragraph for the essay.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • List and critique the central assumptions of modern empirical Psychology
  • Describe and critique some of the major concepts in modern Psychology

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 50%

 

Students prepare a 1500 word essay critically evaluating a selected topic, demonstrating their “point of view” based on the readings.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • List and critique the central assumptions of modern empirical Psychology
  • Describe and critique some of the major concepts in modern Psychology

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

 

Final examination held in scheduled class time, in accordance with relevant requirements.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe and outline the philosophical origins of modern empirical Psychology,
  • List and critique the central assumptions of modern empirical Psychology
  • Trace the development of the conception of western Psychology from the Scientific Revolution to the present day
  • Describe and critique some of the major concepts in modern Psychology

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

Course content materials are available via iLearn.

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

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.