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PSYCHOL 4309 - Contemporary Issues in Psychology 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

The aim of this course is to introduce students to current topics in mind, brain and behaviour. The course content will cover fundamental questions in the study of the human mind. The specific content will vary from year to year, but may address the following questions: How do people acquire knowledge of the world? How does children's reasoning differ from that of adults? How do people make choices in a complex world? How are these processes instantiated in the brain? How can cognitive functioning go wrong?

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 4309
    Course Contemporary Issues in Psychology 1
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 3011B and PSYCHOL 3021 and PSYCHOL 3023 and PSYCHOL 3020 or admitted to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degree
    Restrictions Available to B.Psychological Science (Honours) and B. Psychology (Advanced) (Honours) students only
    Assessment Mid-Semester exercise
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Rachel Searston

    School of Psychology Office
    psychologyoffice@adelaide.edu.au
    Phone: +61 8313 5693
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The learning outcomes of this course are to:

    1 Understand the current debates in the literature regarding the mind, brain and behaviour
    2 Demonstrate skills in posing the key questions of relevance to understanding conscious experience
    3 Understand the techniques and methods used to explore questions about mind, brain and behaviour
    4 Consider the role of physiological and cognitive processes in real-world expert decision-making contexts
    5 Demonstrate the ability to argue for a position in the debate about mind-brain questions
    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, 3 & 4

    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.

    2 & 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.

    1,5

    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.

    1, 2, 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 & 4

    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.

    1

    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 & 2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    There are no required resources for this course. Readings may be assigned by each presenter and will be available on MyUni throughout the course.
    Online Learning

    Material from the seminars offered during the semester will be made available on MyUni.

    This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:
    - Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board
    - Submission of summative assessment-
    - Access to additional readings
    - Self-directed learning activities
    - Exam preparation materials

    Link to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is offered as an on-campus, face-to-face experience.
    Workload

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

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

    Seminars: 6 x 2 hours - 12 hours
    Thought experiment A: 25 hours
    Thought experiment B: 10 hours
    Major essay: 50 hours
    Independent reading and research: 50 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1 Nature of Consciousness: Perspectives

    Week 2 Nature of Consciousness: Thought Experiments

    Week 3 Nature of Consciousness: Thought Experiments 

    Week 4 Nature of Consciousness: Human Experiments

    Week 5 Nature of Consciousness: Animal Experiments 

    Week 6 Nature of Consciousness: Computer Simulation
  • 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 Assessment Type Weighting 

    Thought Experiment 30% 

    Major Essay 70%
    Assessment Detail
    Thought Experiment 30%: Students will write a personal reflection on their interpretation of a chosen thought experiment about the nature of connsciousness.

    Major Essay 70%: Students will write a critical essay that addresses a contempory questions about the nature of consciousness and cognition.
    Submission
    Assignments are required to be submitted online by the specified dates.The School of Psychology undertakes to adhere to the University’s Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, Procedure 6a, which requires that assessments are returned within 4 weeks of the deadlines for submission.

    Extension of time for an assignment may be granted at the discretion of the Course Coordinator, to whom students should apply
    in writing (or email) before the due date and time. No requests for extensions will be considered if made after the due date and time.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    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 .

  • 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.

    The School of Psychology and the members of academic staff are committed to listening to and understanding the perspectives of students in relation to our teaching programs. Feedback to the School teaching staff can be given via the Student-Staff Consultative committee. Year level representatives for this committee are nominated at the beginning of each year and the contact details of the representatives can be obtain from the School of Psychology office: psychologyoffice@adelaide.edu.au
  • Student Support
  • 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鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.