Psychology (PSYC) 315

Overview

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

Outline

Part 1: Introduction to the Course

• Unit 1: Background to the Course

Part 2: Theories and Research

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

Part 3: Applications

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

Part 4: Conclusions

• Unit 9: Conclusions

Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 315, you must complete all of the assignments, achieve a mark of at least 50 per cent on the final examination, and achieve a composite course grade of at least "D" (50 per cent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

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

Course Materials

Textbooks

Online Materials

The course materials include a student manual, study guide, and assignment manual.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they 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 for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the PSYC 315 challenge registration, you must score at least 50 per cent on the exam and obtain a composite mark of at least “D” (50 percent) to pass. If you fail the exam, your exam mark will become the final grade for the challenge.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form