Course Outline

PSY102 Current Directions in Psychology

Course Coordinator:Angela Hinz (ahinz@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2025Semester 2

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

The purpose of the course is to provide you with an engaging, contemporary introduction to current fields of practice in psychology. Each week you will be introduced to a different area or career in psychology and discuss recent developments in each area of practice. You will be exposed to the current trends in psychology, career options, and challenges within these areas. The assessment will include the opportunity for you to further examine and critically evaluate various psychology topic areas covered within the course, and examine your personal attributes in relation to these areas of practice.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Learning materials – 1 hour online material to review on Canvas in student's own time 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online workshop - 2 hours 2hrs Week 1 11 times
Seminar – Refer to CANVAS for details 1hr Week 2 Once Only

Course Topics

  • Fields of practise (e.g., health, cognition, neuropsychology, development),
  • Careers in psychology (pathways, training, experiences),
  • Current trends and challenges for psychology graduates.

Mature Content

Drug Use, Sex/Sexual references, Violence, Adult themes

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Describe and evaluate concepts, theories, and research relating to the study of psychology. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Demonstrate an awareness of self and others, and individual differences. Knowledgeable
Empowered
3 Communicate knowledge appropriately for the psychology discipline. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in AB314, AR302, AR364, AR374, AR405.

Co-requisites

PSY100 or PSY101

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Quiz/zes will be used to provide early feedback on the understanding of course content.

Task 2 will provide students feedback for implementation in their Task 3 assessment.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 30%
1 hour
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Written Piece Individual 20%
350 words
Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Essay Individual 50%
650 words, plus integration of Task 2
(total piece 1000 words + feedback response)
Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Quiz/zes
Goal:
The goal of this assessment task is to demonstrate an understanding of the content covered in the course.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format:
SUBMIT: There will be three multiple choice quizzes across the semester. These will be due in weeks 5 or 6 (pending public holidays), 9 or 10 (pending public holidays), and 12. Specific due dates will be provided via Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Accuracy and correctness of a response.
1
2
Recognise distinctions between applied examples of course content that demonstrate individual differences.
2
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Written Piece
Goal:
The goal of this assessment task is to critically reflect on the fields of psychology, specific course topics, readings, videos, in relation to your own personal attributes, values, interests and career goals.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
A reflective writing piece that clearly identifies your critical review and reflection of course topics in relation to your personal attributes, values, interests and career goals. This will be due in week 7 or 8 pending public holidays. Due date will be available via Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Self-refection
2
2
Critical evaluation
1 3
3
Communication
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Written piece
Goal:
The goal of this assessment task is to build on skills practiced in Task 2, extending on these by implementing feedback provided.
Product: Essay
Format:
Building on your reflective writing skills from Task 2, this piece involves a critical review and personal reflection of course topics, and allows you to demonstrate your ability to apply feedback provided by teaching staff.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Self-reflection
2
2
Critical evaluation
1 3
3
Communication
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Machin, T., Machin, T., Jeffries, C., & Hoare, N. 2022 The Australian Handbook for Careers in Psychological Science 1 University of Southern Queensland PressBooks

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au