PSYCH 211 : Psychology for Society

Science

2025 Academic Year Term (1251) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines what we do and can know in psychology, and why and how we know it, including philosophy of science, methodology, ethics, research outcomes, and particular methods. Embeds a focus on the cultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand within which psychological knowledge is applied. Introduces broad content in preparation for more advanced study.

Course Overview

PSYCH 211, "Psychology for Society," offers a foundational exploration of psychology, emphasizing its scientific basis and applications. With a focus on the cultural context of Aotearoa, this course is instrumental in shaping students' understanding of psychology's role in society.

The course begins by introducing the philosophy of science, research methodologies, ethical considerations, and the vital role of statistics in psychological research. These statistical foundations are integrated into multiple modules, enabling students to comprehend research data and both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be equipped to explain psychology's scientific underpinnings, effectively communicate research, understand ethical dimensions, and apply culturally relevant perspectives. These skills are essential for students planning to engage with more advanced studies in psychology, particularly the Stage 3 courses in the Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the aims of psychology, its scientific basis, and the key concepts and approaches relating to various areas of applied psychology. (Capability 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Find, evaluate, and communicate psychology research in an accessible manner (Capability 4, 6, 7 and 8)
  3. Explain the foundations of psychology research, its outputs, and the role of ethics. (Capability 3, 6, 7 and 8)
  4. Reflect upon and discuss Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how it relates to practice and research in psychology. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8)
  5. Evaluate, select, and apply appropriate research and models, data collection and analysis techniques in various real-world settings. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 25% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Individual Coursework
Qualitative Analysis 25% Individual Coursework
Quiz 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Essay
Presentation
Qualitative Analysis
Quiz

Key Topics

Academic skills; ethics; introduction to applied psychology; psychology research in Aotearoa; Kaupapa Māori research; introduction to qualitative and quantitative research.

Special Requirements

This course is fully online. 

Tuākana

This course is supported by the Tuākana in Science Programme, which facilitates the success and well-being of our Māori and Pacific students. The foundation of the Tuākana Programme is the Tuākana-Teina principle: an integral relationship in which older or more expert Tuākana (traditionally brother, sister or cousin) guides a younger or less expert Teina (traditionally younger sibling or cousin). This is a reciprocal relationship which fosters safe learning and teaching environments. Read more here:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Workload Expectations

PSYCH 211 is a 30-point course. It is divided into 12 modules. Each module aligns itself to a week, and students are expected to spend 25 hours per week on module material and learning activities. There is also a study break and quiz preparation period. It is expected that students will continue their studies during these periods.

Delivery Mode

Online

This course is fully online.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All course materials, readings and resources are made available via a digital learning tool called Canvas. Zoom, Panopto Video and Microsoft (MS) Teams are utilised for live sessions, recordings and communication.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

In consideration of student feedback, we will be considering the following changes for future classes:

  1. Offer additional channels for peer interaction and support
  2. Clarify to what extent statistical content is covered in assessments
  3. Increase the visibility of Programme dates
  4. Ensure the feedback period is long enough to give everyone a chance to provide feedback
  5. Simpler onboarding for students to gain access to required electronic resources

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 31/10/2024 08:16 a.m.