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PSYC315 Psychology for Sustainability

Updated: 18 October 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Armidale Semester 1 On Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites 48cp
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PSYC515
Notes None
Combined Units PSYC515 - Psychology for Sustainability
Coordinator(s) Donald Hine (dhine@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit addresses how psychological principles can be applied to understand and help solve a broad range of environmental problems, including: climate change, overpopulation, resource depletion, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity. Major psychological perspectives (eg, psychoanalytic, social, behavioural, physiological, cognitive, and developmental) are reviewed in terms of their potential contribution to solving these problems and building sustainable societies. Students learn through class discussions, online activities, and a major applied project.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

The Psychology of Environmental Problems: Psychology for Sustainability
ISBN: 9781848728097
Koger, S.M. and Du Nann Winter, D., Psychology Press 3rd ed. 2010
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Major Project 35% 3000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Online Activities 15%
Assessment Notes
Blackboard discussion/Tutorial participation
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Final Examination 2 hrs 50%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 6, 7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate how psychological principles can be applied to help solve environmental problems;
  2. recognise and describe the strengths and limitations of the major psychological approaches for addressing environmental problems; and
  3. apply the psychological principles covered in the unit to design an intervention for an environmental problem.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students learn how psychological principles can be applied to understand and help solve environmental problems. This is taught through lectures, class discussions, study notes and readings. It is assessed via online quizzes, a major project, and an exam. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught to communicate effectively in writing in accordance with the style guidelines of the American Psychological Association. This will be assessed through online quizzes and a major written project. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Many of the environmental problems covered in the unit are global in nature. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students will learn how to access published information on psychology and environmental issues. Students are encouraged to develop research skills in collecting and evaluating data, including the skills to assess the utility of information, identify the most useful sources of information and critically examine those sources. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
The ability to identify, orgnanise and communicate relevant information provides the basis for life-long learning. 		True
6 Problem Solving
Students must apply the knowledge gained in this unit to develop an intervention to solve an environmental problem. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students are taught that human behaviour lies at the heart of many environmental problems, and that psychological principles can be used to help address these problems. This is assessed through online quizzes, project work and an exam. 		True True True
8 Team Work
Students are encouraged to form study groups and work collaboratively when designing their intervention projects. 		True True
   

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