Tag(s)
[BSc] Psyc, HI
Admission Requirements
None.
Description
At the most basic level psychology can be defined as the science of mind and behaviour and as such, psychologists are interested in understanding why people behave the way they do. Psychologists wish to answer some of the fundamental questions associated with human existence, for example; why individuals act differently in a group, why some people commit acts of evil, what influences how we remember and forget, how damage to the brain influences our behaviour or personality and to what extent early childhood experiences influence our later social and emotional development? This course will provide a taster of some of the core areas associated with psychology and use these theoretical understandings to explain real world phenomena
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will:
Have an understanding of what psychology is, as well as, the differences between associated sub-disciplines.
Be able to identify how key theoretical approaches in psychology can be applied to explain real world phenomena.
Be able to debate some of the important contemporary issues dominant in psychology today
Have the ability to summarise key materials and present these in both oral and written form.
Mode of Instruction
This course will consist of two x two hour weekly seminars which will be delivered through a combination of lectures, class discussion, debates and group presentations. Each week the first meeting will introduce a new core area of psychology through a lecture as well as class participation and exercises. The second weekly meeting will focus on how the material taught in the first meeting applies to real world phenomena. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis
Assessment
Assessment: In class participation
Learning aim: Interactive engagement with course material
Percentage: 20%
Deadline: Ongoing weeks 1-7
Assessment: Class debate
Learning aim: Reading and engaging with the class textbook, identifying and using sources, oral communication.
Percentage: 20%
Deadline: Week 6 (5th December)
Assessment: Multiple choice test
Learning aim: Understanding of course materials and key theoretical approaches in psychology.
Percentage: 2 × 15%
Deadline: Week 4 (21st November) Week 7 (12th December)
Assessment: Essay (2500 words)
Learning aim: Understanding of course material, ability to summarise and present key materials in written format.
Percentage: 30%
Deadline: Week 8 (17th December 5pm)
Literature
Please list any books / texts that students should own for this course. If there is literature recommended for purchase, but not required as compulsory, please indicate so. Please also mention whether you intend to compile a reader for the course and how it will be made available (for instance, electronically via your course website on Blackboard). When doing so, keep in mind the rules for Copyright
Compulsory Literature
- Gross, R. (2010). Psychology: the science of mind and behaviour, 6th Edition. London: Hodder Education
Other recommended reading will be provided during class and on Blackboard
Contact Information
s.a.mckeown@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Weekly Overview
WEEK 1 Introduction to the course
Session 1 – What is psychology
Session 2 – Key figures in psychology
WEEK 2 Theoretical approaches
Session 1 – Behaviourism and humanism
Session 2 – Cognition and evolution
WEEK 3 Cognitive psychology
Session 1 – What is cognitive psychology
Session 2 – Cognitive psychology applied
WEEK 4 Biological psychology
Session 1 – What is biological psychology?
Session 2 – MCT 1
WEEK 5 Social psychology
Session 1 – Conformity
Session 2 – Obedience
WEEK 6 Developmental psychology
Session 1 – Early experiences and social development
Session 2 – Class debate
WEEK 7 Individual differences
Session 1 – What are individual differences: Personality
Session 2 – MCT 2
WEEK 8
Reading week, final essay due.
Preparation for first session
None