Course Title: Advanced Topics in Psychology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Topics in Psychology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BESC1417

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

BESC1418

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014

Course Coordinator: Professor Tony Paolini

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7668

Course Coordinator Email: antonio.paolini@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.

 


Course Description

This course is designed to focus on a number of topics in Psychology that can be explored in depth. The issues reflect the changing nature of the discipline and as such will be reviewed each year. Key issues will be selected for consideration in this course.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the Program Learning Outcomes:

  • PLO 1:  Understand appropriate and relevant fundamental and applied evidence based knowledge and undertake lifelong learning to improve personal and professional practice 
  • PLO 3:  Applies knowledge to diagnose and solve problems in a wide range of diverse situations, with an ability to work independently or with others and incorporate the analysis of evidence based scientific literature to solve psychological problems.
  • PLO 4: Engage in dialogue with a diverse range of people and communicate in a broad range of forms (written, electronic, graphic, oral) to meet the circumstances of the situation and the capabilities of the audience.
  • PLO 5: Maintains tolerance and respect for individuals and  groups from diverse backgrounds, holding diverse values, adhering to professional expectations and demonstrating ethical behaviour.

 

 


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the six key topics in psychology that were covered in this course.
  2. Describe and discuss the application of research to these  topics.
  3. Critically review research studies in areas of psychology relevant to these topics.
  4. Provide examples of the applied implications of existing research on the topics covered to domains where psychologists work.


Overview of Learning Activities

Individual lecturers will tailor the learning experience to suit the topic being discussion. The learning experience may include lectures, seminars, videos, debates, and discussion to enable in-depth exploration of the topics offered. You will be expected to undertake prescribed preparatory reading or other activities, to attend class, and to actively participate in discussion or debate or other activities as directed. You will be required to reflect on your learning in each topic and demonstrate an ability to synthesise key issues. You will continue to learn to think critically about the reporting of psychological research, to develop  literacy and communication skills, and to contribute to group discussion.


Overview of Learning Resources

The learning resources associated with this course will include targeted readings taken from multimedia, text book, reference and online material and a range of secondary sources. Other relevant resources may be directed by your lecturers. Material chosen may be digitally available to you. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment associated with this course will comprise a formative and summative assessment. You will be required to select five topics provided for discussion during the course and provide a written piece of work associated with each topic over the teaching period. These sequential submissions will be undertaken across the teaching period and provide successive feedback. These assessments may include use of online technology and are designed to require students to demonstrate a critical analysis of the core principles presented in the course.

For information on grades used in RMIT courses see: www.rmit.edu.au/students/grading/highered

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

This course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced, at: www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment