PSY268 Contemporary Issues in Psychology

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2012
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Michaela Porubanová (lecturer)
Mgr. Zuzana Scott, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Zuzana Scott, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 18:00–19:40 Studio 527
Prerequisites
Contemporary Issues in Psychology This course will introduce psychology as well as non-psychology students to a wide range of contemporary issues in the field of psychology. The topics will vary from lecture to lecture and will be assigned to students always two weeks in advance. For illustration some of the topics will be: Positive psychology (Martin Selingman) Flow Phenomenon (Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi) Morality and Psychology (Philip Zimbardo) Language and thought; Are we “a blank slate?” (Steve Pinker) “Science of happiness" (Dan Gilbert, Daniel Kahneman & Amos Tversky, Barry Schwartz) The character of the course: The classes will be combined form of a lecture and discussion seminar. Students will be provided with reading materials at the beginning of semester and are expected to come to class prepared. Discussion part of the class is core of the course, and so the attendance is mandatory. Class evaluation: The overall grade will reflect the performance in the class, i. e. active participation, the presentation of the selected topics, the attendance (2 classes can be missed with prior excuse), and 2-3 papers throughout the semester about assigned topics. In case of lack or absence of any of the mentioned criteria, your grade will suffer. The final test will be held during the last class in the semester. Literature: Kosslyn, S. M. & Rosenberg, R. S. (2001). How to read, critically evaluate and write research papers (Appendix B, pp. 605 – 610). Psychology: The brain, the person and the world. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Smith, R. A (2007). The psychologist as detective : an introduction to conducting research in psychology. Prentice Hall. (available at the library of FSS) Gerow, J. (1992) Psychology: an introduction. New York: Harper Collins. (available at the library of FSS)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The goal of the class: to learn about new topics and current topics in psychology to acquire knowledge about broader range of topics in psychology to be able to critically evaluate field of psychology
Syllabus
  • This course will introduce psychology as well as non-psychology students to a wide range of contemporary issues in the field of psychology. The topics will vary from lecture to lecture and will be assigned to students always two weeks in advance. For illustration some of the topics will be: Positive psychology (Martin Selingman) Flow Phenomenon (Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi) Morality and Psychology (Philip Zimbardo) Language and thought; Are we “a blank slate?” (Steve Pinker) “Science of happiness" (Dan Gilbert, Daniel Kahneman & Amos Tversky, Barry Schwartz) The character of the course: The classes will be combined form of a lecture and discussion seminar. Students will be provided with reading materials at the beginning of semester and are expected to come to class prepared. Discussion part of the class is core of the course, and so the attendance is mandatory.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Kosslyn, S. M. & Rosenberg, R. S. (2001). How to read, critically evaluate and write research
Teaching methods
lecture and seminar
Assessment methods
Class evaluation: The overall grade will reflect the performance in the class, i. e. active participation, the presentation of the selected topics, the attendance (2 classes can be missed with prior excuse), and 2-3 papers throughout the semester about assigned topics. In case of lack or absence of any of the mentioned criteria, your grade will suffer. The final test will be held during the last class in the semester.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Information on course enrolment limitations: MINIMUM of 7 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REQUIRED for the course to be open.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2012, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2012/PSY268