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Unit of study_

HPSC3023: Psychology and Psychiatry: History and Phil

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Across the unit we examine one of the most interesting aspects of the history and philosophy of science. viz., the scientific practices and assumptions involved in making human beings an object of study. We will examine the ways in which psychologists and psychiatrists have investigated human nature, the kinds of experimental approaches they have developed to that end, the major controversies in this field, and the basic philosophical assumptions that have been made in the sciences of human nature. We investigate the developments of psychological theories and investigative methods as well as the development of psychiatric theory, treatment methods, and institutions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code HPSC3023
Academic unit History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
(12 credit points of HPSC2XXX OR 12 credit points of PSYC2XXX) OR (6 credit points of HPSC2XXX AND 6 credit points of PSYC2XXX)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hans Pols, hans.pols@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Exam
Written exam (four questions)
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
0% Week 02
Due date: 08 Mar 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 03
Due date: 15 Mar 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 04
Due date: 22 Mar 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 05
Due date: 29 Mar 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 06
Due date: 12 Apr 2021 at 12:05
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 08
Due date: 26 Apr 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Essay
Written essay
40% Week 09
Due date: 03 May 2021 at 23:00
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 09
Due date: 03 May 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 10
Due date: 10 May 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 11
Due date: 17 May 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 12
Due date: 21 May 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Tutorial Exercise
Questions based on set readings. Details on Canvas.
2% Week 13
Due date: 01 Jul 2021 at 12:55
250-400 word tutorial assessment.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Essay: Students will choose one of the following two options:
    A. History and Philosophy of Psychology essay
    B. History of Psychiatry essay
  • Exam: The exam paper contains 4 sections, each with four questions. The questions for sections A and B deal with Dr. Hibberd’s part of this Unit of Study; the questions for sections C and D deal with Prof. Pols’ part of this Unit of Study. Students are required to answer one question from each section. Exam questions will cover both lecture and tutorial material.
  • Tutorial exercises: From week 2 to week 13, before 11.59 pm each Sunday evening (i.e., before Monday’s lecture), you will submit through Canvas/Turnitin the tutorial submission for that week. Note, there will be no opportunity to submit your summaries at a later point without Special Consideration.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The relationship between psychology and philosophy Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Logical positivism and its impact on psychology: verificationism and operationism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Logical positivism and its impact on psychology: verificationism and operationism cont. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Realism and instrumentalism in psychology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Popper’s falsificationism and psychology’s response Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Is psychology still waiting for its first scientific paradigm? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Social constructionism and post-modernism in psychology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Descartes, dualism, and Cogito Ergo Sum Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 John Locke and British empiricism Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
The concept of behaviour Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 The observability of mental processes and the concept of cognition Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
The observability of mental processes and the concept of cognition cont. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 The concept of motivation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
What is mental illness? Depression, anxiety, and rhetoric Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Asylums, anti-psychiatry, and labelling theory Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
The origin of the mental hospital Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Neurasthenia and the rest cure Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Hysteria, hypnosis, and Jean-Martin Charcot Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Mental hygiene and the psychiatric diagnosis of society Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 11 Somatic treatments in psychiatry Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
DSM, biological psychiatry, and the pharmaceutical industry Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 War and trauma Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Mental illness and mental disorder in a global perspective Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Mental health in Indonesia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Conclusion Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Weekly Tutorials relate to material from the previous week of lectures. Extra primary material may be presented in tutorials and attendance is compulsory. 80% attendance is required to pass the course. Tutorial programs are provided on Canvas. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see Canvas for details of prescribed readings for this course.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. be familiar with interpretation of the historical process, focusing on important individuals and movements and drawing particular attention to recurrent ideas and themes
  • LO2. develop conceptual analysis by relating historical conceptual problems to modern problems in psychology and psychiatry, and by examining some key concepts (such as ‘mind’, ‘behaviour’, ‘consciousness’, ‘theory’, ‘explanation’, ‘mental illness,’ and so on)
  • LO3. present, analyse, and evaluate arguments and to engage in critical analysis of any material encountered in their reading and research in psychology and psychiatry.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Flexible delivery options are now available for tutorials, for students identified by Disability Services as requiring such options.

An optional excursion to the site of Callan Park Hospital for the Insane is offered. Details are provided via Canvas.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.