Course Title: Psychology 1a (Introduction to Criminal Justice)

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Psychology 1a (Introduction to Criminal Justice)

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BESC1129	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Distance / Correspondence	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010

Course Coordinator: Mervyn Jackson

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7367

Course Coordinator Email: merv.jackson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

none

Course Description

This course is one of two offered at first year level in psychology. This course introduces students to the discipline of psychology and its scientific nature. Students are introduced to four areas of psychology: biological bases of behaviour including brain behaviour relationships, sensation and perception; theories of learning and memory, and theories of emotion and motivation.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour.
2. Describe the major studies of the biological bases of behaviour.
3. Describe the major theories of learning and memory.
4. Describe the major theories of sensation and perception.
5. Describe the major theories of motivation and emotion.
6. Develop responsibility for critically reading and revising their own writing

Students will be expected to be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour.
2. Describe the major studies of the biological bases of behaviour.
3. Describe the major theories of learning and memory.
4. Describe the major theories of sensation and perception.
5. Describe the major theories of motivation and emotion.

Overview of Learning Activities

Online/Web-based learning - Students will access online and web-based modules to acquire a framework of relevant knowledge and an understanding of underlying theoretical / conceptual material

Written exercises/Essay - Students completing the written exercises and the essay assessment engage in a critical analysis of relevant knowledge and underlying theoretical / conceptual material. Students develop responsibility for a synthesis of knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to their field of interest. Students acquire problem solving skills, and the ability to critically analyse papers from research journals.

Examination Tasks – preparing and sitting for exams will allow students to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to enhance performance under these and related conditions.

Overview of Learning Resources

Web based learning modules and text

Overview of Assessment

 
One 2-hour examination

One essay

Written assignments

The final mark will be a composite of all assessments within the course.