The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

PSYCHOL 2008 - Big Picture Psychology: Global Challenges, Psychological Perspectives

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

This course will encourage students to critically consider the contribution that psychology can make to understanding, predicting and influencing human behaviour with respect to contemporary global challenges. How do different perspectives in psychology approach these challenges, what are their limitations? How can psychology contribute to cross-disciplinary approaches to solving problems? Specific topics covered will vary, but will be drawn from a pool that includes climate change and threats to the natural environment; global movements of people; global violence and conflict resolution; Fake news and social media; social and criminal justice; health habits and quality of life, and combating extremism.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 2008
    Course Big Picture Psychology: Global Challenges, Psychological Perspectives
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 1 hour per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites (PSYCHOL 1000 and PSYCHOL 1001) or (PSYCHOL 1000 and PSYCHOL 1005) or (PSYCHOL 1000 and PSYCHOL 1006) or (PSYCHOL 1001 and PSYCHOL 1005) or (PSYCHOL 1001 and PSYCHOL 1006) or (PSYCHOL 1006 and PSYCHOL 1005)
    Restrictions Available to B Psych Science students only
    Assessment Seminar participation; group presentation; online and written assessment
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Clemence Due



    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1 Demonstrate critical thinking and an understanding of how psychology as a scientific endevour can inform our capacity to identify and counter popular misconceptions about human behaviour.
    2 Describe how a range of theoretical perspectives in psychology can be used to investigate and address specific global challenges.
    3 Demonstrate effective teamwork, collaborative problem solving and oral presentation skills.
    4 Demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of psychology's contribution to addressing specific global challenges.
    5 Develop knowledge of the role of cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approaches to addressing specific global challenges.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1,2,5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 1,2,3,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 2,3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 1-5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 1,2,5

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    		 .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    		 .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Curated online resources including journal articles, podcasts, United Nations TV, and specialised online presentations will be delivered via the E-Learning platform MyUni.
    Recommended Resources




    Online Learning
    The course content is organised into 4 modules - the first introduces the learner to a set of critical analysis and problem solving skills
    based within the psychology discipline. The other 3 modules then address a Global Challenge from a Psychological Perspective.
    Note: Global Challenges may change from year-to-year.

    Module One: Critical Analysis and Problem Solving in the Age of Misinformation

    Module Two: Global Challenge 1

    Module Three: Global Challenge 2

    Module Four: Global Challenge 3


    Each module includes online presentations, reading lists and links to resources. Each module becomes available as the course progresses.

    Groups can interact via the discussion board and work on their presentations and White Paper using Google Docs.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    A flipped classroom approach will be used with weekly online lectures to present core material followed by small group discovery experiences where students will work collaboratively to develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving and effective communication skills by focussing on a series of global challenges.

    Development of the Learning Outcomes will use an adapted MELT (Model of Engaged Learning and Teaching) - where through each of the learning activities - student will work to engage in the 6 facets of the research process (see RSD framework). The activities are aimed at Level 2 of the RSD.

    Course content will be presented as modules, the first focusing explicitly on critical thinking about human nature and the other 3 on select contemporary challenges.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Face-to-Face Contact Hours
    2 hours per week in online lectures over a 12 week period (Total 24 hours)
    12 hours per semester in SGDE as scheduled (Total 12 hours)

    Revision of Material/ SGDE Preparation
    2 hours per online lecture (4 hours per week) revision of lecture content and set readings (Total 48 hours)

    Assessment Tasks
    38 hours meeting and collaborating on group webpage
    10 hours preparation for oral presentation &
    20 hours locating, reading and assimilating background material for preparation of the White Paper (Total 68 hours)

    4 hours preparation for modular assessments (4 hours)

    Total time commitment: 156 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    SGDE Participation: Students engage in weekly small group activities involving group work, collaborative problem solving and discussion with peers and an academic facilitator.

    Group project - Q&A and presentation: Small teams of students work together to identify a contemporary challenge; each team in the SGDE class will work on a different global challenge with team members taking a different perspective on their issue. Group presentations will be held in class in the form of a Psychology Q&A panel session - recorded and broadcast to the entire course - the team will engage in a moderated debate and discussion answering submitted questions from the audience (ie., the ABC's Q&A program).

    Modular Assessments - Online assessmens of learning for content in modules 1-4 (10% each). The assessment detail will depend upon the module content. For example, Module 1 may invole a short portfolio gathering common misconceptions about human behaviour and provide a brief analysis and reflection up the issue.

    White Paper: Students will have identified a global challenge, have found relevant psychological research and will provide a position paper arguing for an approach to solutions for aspects of the challenge based upon psychological perspectives, also highlighting the limitations and scope for cross-disciplinary approaches to solutions.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Tutorial participation Summative

    Weekly

    		 10% 1-5
    Group Q&A session Formative and Summative To be scheduled in week 10-12 15% 2,3,4
    Modular assessments Formative and Summative  Fortnightly 40%
    1-3
    Essay
    Summative
    Week 8
    35%
    1-3

    Assessment Related Requirements
    SDGE Participation: students engage in weekly small group activities involving prepapration for assessment, collaborative problem solving and discussion with peers and an academic facilitator. 

    Group Project Q & A presentation: In the final weeks of the course students will participate in a Q&A style forum on their particular global challenge. All group members will provide input into a panel discussion answering audience submitted questions.
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial Participation: Students engage in weekly small group activities involving group work, collaborative problem solving and discussion with peers and an academic facilitator.

    Group Project and Q&A presentation: Small teams of students work together to identify a contemporary challenge and develop a presentation. Group presentations will be held in class togetger with a Q & A panel session at the end. 

    Modular Assessments: Online assessments of learning for the content in modules 1-4 will take place over the semester. Assessment detail will be dependent on the module content but may include a short reflection upon a popular misconception or myth, and analysis from a psychological perspective or a brief MCQ test on content. 

    Essay: Students will identify a global challenge and outline a position with supporting evidence to address the global challenge using psychological perspectives, and identify the limitations of the psychological approach along with the potential for inter-disciplinary contributions to solutions.
    Submission
    Submissions for assessment will occur online via MyUni using the Turn-it-In submission tool.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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The University of Adelaide
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5005 Australia

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Authorised by:Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:Course Outlines Administrator