Psychology (PSYC) 315

Overview

This course introduces the psychological theories, principles, and research relevant to mass communication and mass media. Several areas of application are also discussed in the course: violence in the media, advertising, news, politics, educational and public information programming, and entertainment. As students work through the course, they will think about their own professional practices and how these psychological principles might apply to their field of study or work. The course also discusses the implications of psychology and the mass media for parents, consumers, educators, and researchers.

Outline

PSYC 315 consists of nine units, organized in three parts:

Part 1: Introduction to the Course

• Unit 1: Introduction

Part 2: Research and Theories

• Unit 2: Research Framework and Theories
• Unit 3: Persuasion Theories

Part 3: Applications

• Unit 4: Advertising
• Unit 5: News 
• Unit 6: Politics
• Unit 7: Educational and Public Information Programmes
• Unit 8: Entertainment
• Unit 9: Violence in the Media

Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 315, students must complete and submit all of the assignments and quizzes, and write the final exam. Students must achieve a minimum grade of D (50 percent) on the final exam, and an overall grade of at least D (50 percent) for the course. If the grade for the final exam is less than 50%, the exam mark will become the overall course grade.

Students will be evaluated on their understanding of the concepts presented in the course and on their ability to apply those concepts. The final grade in the course will be based on the marks achieved for the following activities.

The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.

Materials

Digital course materials

Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:

Sanborn, F. W. (2023). A cognitive psychology of mass communication (8th ed.). Routledge.

Perloff, R. M. (2023). The dynamics of persuasion: Communication and attitudes in the 21st century (8th ed.). Routledge.

All other course materials are provided online.

Challenge for credit

Overview

The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.

Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Evaluation

To receive credit for the PSYC 315 challenge registration, students must score at least 50 percent on the exam and obtain a composite mark of at least D (50 percent) to pass. If the grade for the final exam is less than 50%, the exam mark will become the overall course grade.

Important links

• Academic advising
• Program planning
• Request assistance
• Support services