History and Philosophy of Psychology
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- Swinburne Online: Fully online
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning. For Online unit delivery, learning is conducted exclusively online.
2021 teaching periods
Swinburne Online
| Teaching Period 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: |
Aims and objectives
2. Interpret the significance of these figures, events, and ideas with respect to their context.
3. Identify the impact of these figures, events, and ideas on evolution of psychology as a discipline.
4. Critically evaluate the philosophical, social, and scientific basis for psychological concepts and methods.
5. Synthesise arguments concerning psychological opinion, theory, and practice.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Optional - Activity Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Contact | Collaboration | 4 | 4 weeks | 1 | eLA support – Collaborate |
| Specified Learning Activities | Various | 96 | 12 weeks | 8 | Reading and other media, Discussion Board, Workbook/Journal, Peer Assessment/Feedback. Average – times vary from week to week |
| Unspecified Learning Activities | Independent Learning | 45 | 12 weeks | 3.75 | Assignment preparation, Independent study |
| Total Hours: | 145 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.75 | ||
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Assignment 1 (Written assignment based on lesson material, readings, and other unit resources) | Individual | 40% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Assignment 2 (Assignment integrating test of content from unit lessons, as well as self-directed research on themes and issues arising in the unit) | Individual | 40% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Online Discussion (Themed discusions for showing critical thinking, synthesis, and application of unit content) | Individual | 20% | 4, 5 |
Content
Topics will be drawn from, but not limited to the following:
- The nature and limits of psychology
- Philosophical and physiological precursors to psychology
- The emergence of modern scientific psychology
- Big theories and movements in psychology, such as: psychoanalysis/psychodynamic, Gestalt, behaviourist, humanistic, cognitive, cognitive neuroscience
- Philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, and psychology as a science
- Psychological theory and methods
- Philosophical, scientific, social aspects of issues in psychology, e.g., mental illness, therapy, gender, sex, culture, consciousness
Study resources
- Reading materials.