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Unit of study_

PSYC1001: Psychology 1001

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

Psychology 1001 is a general introduction to the main topics and methods of psychology, and is the basis for advanced work as well as being of use to those not proceeding with the subject. Psychology 1001 covers the following areas: science and statistics in psychology; applied psychology; themes in the history of psychology; social psychology; personality theory; human development.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PSYC1001
Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Caleb Owens, caleb.owens@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rebecca Pinkus, rebecca.pinkus@sydney.edu.au
Helen Paterson, helen.paterson@sydney.edu.au
Micah Goldwater, micah.goldwater@sydney.edu.au
Caleb Owens, caleb.owens@sydney.edu.au
Nikolaos Tiliopoulos, niko.tiliopoulos@sydney.edu.au
Frans Verstraten, frans.verstraten@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Sarah Walker, sarah.a.walker@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Closed book exam assessing lecture content from final 4 lecture topics
45% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Online task hurdle task Lecture Engagement
Requires viewing of pre-recorded lectures. Due before each Sunday evening.
5% Ongoing Approx 3 hours weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Placement Research Participation
Sign-up and be a participant in Psychology studies to learn how they work
5% Ongoing
Closing date: 02 Jun 2023
5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4
Supervised test
? 
Mid Semester Exam
Closed book exam assessing lecture content from the first 2 lecture topics
20% Week 07
Due date: 06 Apr 2023 at 16:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research Report
Written assignment reporting class research using APA format
25% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 17 May 2023
1150 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

*In-semester test is in your Week 7 tutorial class (or as arranged directly with you)

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 Monday workshop: Introduction to PSYC1001 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
History of Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (123) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 Monday Workshop: History of Psychology 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
History of Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (456) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Introduction to tutorials and the research report study Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Monday Workshop: History of Psychology 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Science and Stats pre-recorded lectures online (123) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
History of Psychology Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Monday Workshop: Science and Stats 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Science and Stats pre-recorded lectures online (456) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Research Design Tutorial (1 hr) LO3
Week 05 Monday Workshop: Science and Stats 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Forensic Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (123) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Statistical Reasoning Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO5
Week 06 Monday Workshop: Forensic Psychology 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Forensic Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (456) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
The Research Report Topic Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 07 Monday Workshop: Forensic Psychology 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Personality pre-recorded lectures online (123) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Writing and Academic Integrity Tutorial (1 hr) LO4
Week 08 Monday Workshop: Personality 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Personality pre-recorded lectures online (456) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 09 Monday Workshop: Personality 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Developmental Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (123) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Forensic Psychology Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 10 Monday Workshop: Developmental Psychology 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Developmental Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (456) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Developmental Psychology Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 11 Monday Workshop: Developmental Psychology 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Social Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (123) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Personality Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 12 Monday Workshop: Social Psychology 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Social Psychology pre-recorded lectures online (456) Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Social Psychology Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 13 Monday Workshop: Social Psychology 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Research report feedback, course feedback and exam preparation Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

It is highly recommended that you engage with and attend 80% or more of the planned activities if you hope to have a good chance at passing this unit.

Engaging with the lecture content (pre-recordings and workshops) and tutorials related to the lecture content will support your understanding of material assessed in the exams.

Engaging with the tutorials related to the research report and online modules associated with the research report will assist you develop the skills required to write the research report.

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

No textbook purchase is required for this unit. Lecturers choose textbook chapters from various books and all these chapters are made available to you via the library on Canvas. Refer to lecture and tutorial materials within Canvas to understand the relevance of the readings before you commence reading.

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. understand the diverse areas of psychology taught: history of psychology, applied psychology (forensic), developmental psychology, social psychology, and personality
  • LO2. understand what binds such diverse pursuits into the single discipline of ‘psychology’ in regard to language, research methods, attitude and approach, and an appreciation of the ethical issues associated with behavioral research
  • LO3. understand the core research design principles and statistical approaches used throughout of psychology, and the ability to apply them in a critical manner
  • LO4. understand the APA style used for the presentation of written material, particularly research reports
  • LO5. appreciate how what is taught in psychology has implications for your wider personal and professional approach and identity.

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.

In 2022 many students had not viewed the pre-recorded lectures before the live workshops, so in 2023 the workshops have been moved to the following Monday to ensure everyone is ready.

Psychology student portal http://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/7929

General information about Psychology at the University of Sydney www.sydney.edu.au/science/psychology/

Note importantly that students enrolled in this unit will be sent frequent (computer generated) personalised emails on their progress in the unit. If you become distressed by information or advice regarding your progress in this unit, seek help and support urgently: https://sydney.edu.au/students/counselling-and-mental-health-support.html

Work, health and safety

We will use the Wallace Lecture Theatre for the Monday 12-1pm workshops. Always sit in a seat while engaging with these workshops. Do not sit in aisles or stand in or near doorways. If the theatre has no free seats move away from the theatre and stream the lecture live.

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.