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Unit of study_

PACS6921: Peace of Mind and Peace in the World

Semester 1b, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit explores the concept of peace of mind and how cultivating inner peace can contribute to outer peace and security. We examine processes of fragmentation of self and self, self and other, and self and the Earth and how these can be transformed. Students will engage in experiential learning about transformative processes such as presencing, deep listening, embodiment and resonance drawing on Indigenous knowledges, phenomenological awareness based practices, conscious agency and creativity. We consider how peace of mind can be affected by individual and collective cultural trauma, and critically analyse approaches to healing and resilience as contributions to inner and outer peace.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PACS6921
Academic unit Sociology and Criminology
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Beatriz Carrillo Garcia, beatriz.carrillogarcia@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Critical analysis of the links between inner and outer peace.
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 09 Jun 2023 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Class participation
Student in-class engagement
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1 LO5
Assignment Short assignment
Reflection on your understanding of 'peace of mind': Written/ multimedia.
30% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2023 at 23:59
1500 words or equivalent.
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO2 LO1

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

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

 

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 04 Introduction to Peace of Mind and Peace in the World: The Self, the Social, and the Ecological Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Fragmentation: Individual and Collective Trauma Lecture (3 hr) LO3
Week 06 Phenomenology: Presencing and Encountering Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 07 Transformative Processes Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Indigenous Spirituality and the Environment Lecture (3 hr) LO5
Week 09 Psychosocial Embodiment: Emotions, Experiences and Expressions Lecture (3 hr) LO2
Integration: Awareness-based; Peacebuilding: Arts and Creativity Workshop (9 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Inner Development and Sustainability Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Healing Systems: Societal Wellbeing Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Consciousness: Human Agency Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 13 Weaving Inner and Outer Peace Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Online seminars will be recorded and will be made available to students via Zoom recording. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience especially given the experiential learning nature of this course (Some experiential learning activities cannot be recorded). The workshops will not be recorded.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction. 

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

Full session details, readings and other resources will be provided on the Canvas site.

Students are expected to complete required readings prior to each class. Additional readings and other resources are provided for student interest and completion of assignments.

Unit Description 

This unit explores the philosophical, psychological and psychosocial dimensions of building peace in the world through cultivating inner peace or 'peace of mind'. Drawing on a multidisciplinary approach the unit will navigate around the concepts of fragmentation of self and self, self and other, and self and the Earth. These inner dynamics include their effect on outer peace by integrating resilience, healing and presence.  

We examine how ‘peace of mind’ is affected by individual and collective cultural trauma, and how an understanding of these underlying psychological processes can help with creating more peaceful communities.  Students are encouraged to make the links between inner and outer peace by reflecting on their own inner processes, relationships and lived experiences. Respect, choice, and safety are integral values and principles that will be applied in the process of sharing and developing personal as well as professional skills, insights and practices. 

Combining lectures and workshops, this is an experiential learning course with opportunities for participation in class discussions, individual self-reflection and group activities. The range of topics includes looking at Indigenous wisdom, phenomenological approaches, awareness-based practices, creative peace initiatives and more. We will connect abstract theories with practices that aim to facilitate transformation, embodiment and resonance.

Learning Structure 

10 x 3 hr weekly seminars 

1 x 6 hrs full day workshop   

 

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. appreciate multidisciplinary knowledge and ways of learning about and practising peace of mind and peace in the world
  • LO2. understand the connections between inner and outer peace: how a knowledge of underlying psychosocial processes can help with creating more peaceful societies
  • LO3. develop knowledge about the role of trauma as fragmentation, and psychosocial processes as part of building peace for individuals and communities
  • LO4. engage with philosophical approaches and develop skills in awareness-based practices for attaining peace of mind
  • LO5. appreciate indigenous philosophies, spirituality and peace with the earth

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.

This unit is reviewed every year and changes made in response to student feedback.

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.