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Course Outline

PSY206 Interpersonal and Group Skills

Course Coordinator:Kristen Tulloch (ktulloch@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Psychology

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.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

This course covers the major theoretical and empirical approaches concepts relevant to the use interpersonal skills in applied settings.  Specific topics include interpersonal processes, group processes, leadership skills, conflict resolution skills, cultural responsiveness and interdisciplinary communication. These topics and skills developed throughout the course will be applied to the context of psychological practice and industry engagement and will involve embedded work integrated learning through in-class engagement with guests from external agencies where psychology graduates are commonly employed.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online learning materials and activities 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Face-to-face workshops 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Course content will be divided into 3 overlapping modules:
 

1. Interpersonal processes

2. Group Processes

3. Interdisciplinary communication (multidisciplinary work environments) including WIL integration.

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

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 Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
1 Explain major theoretical, empirical and cultural concepts in interpersonal communication Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered 
1.1.10, 1.1.12, 1.1.2, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
2 Apply major theoretical, empirical and cultural concepts in interpersonal communication to real-life scenarios relevant to industry or research. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Engaged
Communication
Collaboration
Problem solving 
1.1.10, 1.1.12, 1.1.2, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
3 Reflect upon and analyse your own interpersonal communication to identify areas for personal skill development. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Engaged
Communication 
1.1.10, 1.1.2, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
4 Develop coherent arguments that can be supported by relevant research literature. Ethical
Communication
Information literacy 
1.1.10, 1.1.12, 1.1.2, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
5 Demonstrate proficiency in a qualitative methodology Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered 
1.1.12, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
1.1.10 Graduates will be able to comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including social psychology
1.1.12 Graduates will be able to comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including research methods and statistics
1.1.2 Graduates will be able to comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including individual differences in capacity, behaviour and personality
1.1.6 Graduates will be able to comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including cognition, language and perception
1.1.7 Graduates will be able to comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including motivation and emotion
1.2 Graduates will be able to apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
1.3 Graduates will be able to analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
1.4 Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
1.5 Graduates will be able to demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork.
1.6 Graduates will be able to demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.

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

PSY100 and PSY101

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

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

Early feedback on progress is provided to students through group and individual based skill activities undertaken in tutorial/workshop classes.

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 Written Piece Individual 10% 
Research question: Max. 25 words, on topics provided in class.

Interview topic guide: 4-10 key questions (additional probing questions permitted).
 Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 50% 
10 minutes/1500 words
 Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Report Group 40% 
1500 words
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Research question and topic guide
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment is to gain an understanding of pragmatic qualitative research, by developing a qualitative research question and accompanying topic guide for an interview with another student.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This work will constitute an overarching qualitative research question, and accompanying interview topic guide to answer the research question. A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided on Canvas.

Components of this assessment will be completed in class.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Research question is novel, interesting and relevant
 2 5
2 
Questions are suitably worded to answer the research question.
 2 5
3 
Research question and topic guide are appropriately culturally sensitive and responsive
 1 2 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Video, thematic analysis and self-reflection essay
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment is to record an interpersonal interaction of yourself with another student from the course, complete a thematic analysis and reflect upon your own interpersonal skills, to identify areas for further skills development.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The time limit for the video is 10 minutes. The written work will comprise two parts: Part A will be a 1000-word thematic analysis of the interview. Part B will be a 500-word self-reflection written piece.

Word limits include all headings, words, and citations insides and outside the brackets (but not the title page, or reference list).

APA style (7th ed) is required for in-text citations, reference list and format.

A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided on Canvas.

Components of this assessment will be completed in class.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Research output shows careful and rigorous qualitative research methodology including positionality, cultural sensitivity and awareness.
 1 4 5
2 
Evidence of critical analysis of the data and demonstration of original thinking
 2 3 4 5
3 
Detailed, coherent, logical and succinct recommendations for skill development that clearly highlights primary conclusions
 1 3
4 
Careful and accurate use of APA referencing and style and use of formal, academic language
 4
5 
Proficiency of skills as a communicator and emerging researcher
 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Applying technologies
All - Assessment Task 3:Industry Task Report
Goal: 
The goal of this assessment to work with a group of students to assess the needs of an organisation and create recommendations on how interpersonal skills can be improved within the organisation.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The word limit is 1500 words. 

The 1500 words includes all headings, words, and citations inside and outside parentheses (but not the title page or reference list). 

APA style (7th ed) is required for in-text citations, reference list and format.

A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided on Canvas

Components of this assessment will be completed in class.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Informative and concise summary of interpersonal context within in the target organisation
 1 2 4
2 
Comprehensive analysis of the issues using relevant theory and research
 2 4
3 
Detailed, coherent, logical, succinct and culturally safe recommendations for skill development that clearly highlights primary conclusions
 2 4
4 
Careful and accurate use of APA referencing and style and use of formal, academic language
 4
5 
Informative and constructive analysis of group processes
 1 2 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, 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

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Gerard Egan,Robert J. Reese 2018 The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping n/a Cengage Learning

Specific requirements

Not applicable

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

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

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

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

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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