Syllabus

Science Prerequisites for Health Professionals

PSYO 1010 – Introduction to Psychology – Summer 2022

Credits - 3

Description

The course is an overview of the key concepts in psychology and research methods used to investigate these and the psychological processes underlying human behavior.  Students in Introduction to Psychology will become familiar with psychology’s five core domains: biological, cognitive, developmental, social/personality, and mental/physical health and learn skills that are core to scientific reasoning and problem solving, being a critical consumer of information and empirical research, and understanding psychological processes, and interpreting behavior. The course takes a highly integrated approach and domains and research will be explored through multiple lenses, with special attention being given to ethical considerations, cultural and social diversity, individual variance, and real world applications.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Program Outcomes

In lecture courses, students should be able to:

• Communicate scientific concepts and information clearly.
• Illustrate fundamental laws, theories, and principles of scientific disciplines.
• Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to scientific problems.

Course Objectives*

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Identify how ethics, cultural and social diversity, variations in human functioning, and real-world application impacts basic concepts of psychology
• Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and professional life
• Draw logical, well-grounded conclusions about behavior and mental processes from empirical evidence
• Evaluate misconceptions or erroneous behavioral claims based on evidence from psychological science
• Evaluate basic psychological research

(*From APA’s recommendations for Introduction to Psychology courses, Gurung & Neufeld, 2019)

The five domains of psychology. Image adapted from Gurung, R. A., Hackathorn, J., Enns, C., Frantz, S., Cacioppo, J. T., Loop, T., & Freeman, J. E. (2016) article “Strengthening introductory psychology: A new model for teaching the introductory course” from American Psychologist

SELF PACED DESIGN

On the course start date, students will have access to orientation. This must be completed to be able to gain access to the first module in the course. Students must complete the first module to gain access to the next one. We recommend that students spend about 15 hours per week to complete a course in 16 weeks. When trying to complete the course in less than 16 weeks, we typically see students do this successfully within 12-14 weeks. Instructors will be timely in grading and feedback, but it will not be instant.

Assignments

Assignments

There is a wide variety in human functioning, which we will be learning more about in this course. Each of us has our own unique styles and preferences and these can affect what we like to do and how we best learn. In order to support these preferences, there are a variety of types of assignments in this course. 

Knowledge Checks, 16%

At the end of every module there is a brief Knowledge Check. These are worth 1 point each for a total of 16 points (16% of your final grade). The purpose of these quizzes is to test your understanding of the material and to help you practice retrieving the information that you have stored in your memory. This will help improve your memory so you retain what you have learned for a longer period of time.

Journal Entries, 26%

Journal entries are your opportunity to independently and critically reflect on the course material. There are 13 journal entries for the course worth 2 points each for a total of 26 points (26% of your final grade). Some entries will ask you to reflect on your own life and make observations about how humans behave in the world. Other entries are more directly tied to your ability to think critically about the course material and how you might apply it in a specific situation.

Case Study / Analysis, 18%

Case studies are frequently used in the social sciences and the health professions as a means to allow you to further explore what they have learned and how it applies to a real life situation. There are 6 case studies for the course worth 3 points each for a total of 18 points (18% of your final grade). Case studies shed light on the complexity and multi-faceted nature of psychology and require thorough analysis of the facts presented to inform empirically-based decision-making. 

Article Annotations, 10%

Several of this course’s learning objectives focus on understanding and thinking critically about research. Learning to read and critique peer-reviewed research is a skill fundamental to being a healthcare professional. There are 4 article annotations worth 2.5  points each for a total of 10 points (10% of your final grade). We will be learning to review research collaboratively by annotating articles together through the Hypothesis browser extension. As you read the article, you will be prompted to respond to questions and offer your opinion on the research design, ethical considerations, and other relevant topics.

Article Critiques and Discussions, 10%

Social interaction has been shown to help improve outcomes in online courses (Gunawardena & Zittle, 1997; Mayer, 2005). To that end, there are assignments, such as a discussion question or discussing a peer-reviewed article, where engaging with your peers and offering your insights and constructive feedback is key. Concepts and key issues in psychology through multiple lenses should also be considered.

Self-Reflection Essay, 10%

You will be asked to write a self-reflection applying what you have learned in this course to your own life, how you got to where you are now, and future goals. This is an opportunity for you to explain how the principles you have learned about have influenced your own thoughts, behaviors, decisions, and goals. 

Final Knowledge Check (Proctored), 10%

At the end of the course there will be a proctored Final Knowledge Check, the questions will be similar, in format, to the Knowledge Checks at the end of each module. See UNE’s ProctorU page for information about signing up and scheduling your exam. 

Proctored exams are closed for review. You will not be able to review them at any time. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown