Overview
Psychology 289: Psychology as a Natural Science is the first of two introductory, first-year courses in psychology. This course focuses on the biological bases of behaviour, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning, memory, language, thinking and reasoning, and intelligence.
Specific topics covered include the structure and function of the brain, sleep, drugs, altered states of consciousness, touch, taste, smell, hearing, seeing, attention, visual perception, emotion, learning through conditioning (classical and operant conditioning), human memory systems, language and its development, reasoning and biases that affect it, problem-solving, and intelligence. In this course, students will acquire a broad understanding of these topics, including key concepts and terminology, as well as general research findings and the theories that psychologists have developed to explain them.
In addition to learning the content covered in the textbook and online resources, students are asked to select and read two brief reports about recent work in psychology (from secondary sources such as Scientific American: Mind), and for each article, write a short summary of the main ideas or claims and provide a personal response. This activity is an introduction to the research literature and provides students guidance about how to critically read and summarize such work. Students also participate in a research study (as a research participant) in order to experience research and see how some methods are employed first-hand. Students may opt to complete another assignment instead, if they do not want to participate in a study.
Outline
Psychology 289: Psychology as a Natural Science consists of nine units:
- Unit 1: History and Current Perspectives in Psychology
- Unit 2: Psychological Research
- Unit 3: Biopsychology
- Unit 4: Sensation and Perception
- Unit 5: Consciousness
- Unit 6: Learning
- Unit 7: Human Memory
- Unit 8: Language and Thought
- Unit 9: Human Intelligence
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of theories, concepts, and key findings in selected areas of psychology: biological and cognitive psychology, perception, learning, consciousness, and intelligence.
- Differentiate among basic forms of psychological research.
- Use critical-thinking skills to evaluate claims based on the evidence provided.
- Summarize and discuss brief reports of empirical research in psychology.
- Apply knowledge in psychology to everyday situations.
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based on five (5) quizzes, two (2) assignments, participation in a research study (or an alternative activity), and a final exam. To receive credit for PSYC 289, students must complete and pass the final exam with a minimum grade of 60% and an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Quizzes (5 x 8% each) | 40% |
| Assignment 1 | 7.5% |
| Assignment 2 | 7.5% |
| Research Participation or Alternate Assignment | 5% |
| Final Exam | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
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:
Weiten, W., & McCann, D. (2019). Psychology: Themes and variations (5th Canadian ed.). Cengage.
Publisher’s online supplementary materials
MindTap for Weiten, W., & McCann, D. (2018). Psychology: Themes and variations (5th ed.). Cengage.
The textbook publisher supports Psychology: Themes and Variations through Mindtap, an interactive portal with exercises and media files.
Other materials
All other course materials can be found online, including a Study Guide with activities and study questions.
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 289 challenge registration, you must write an online examination. It is worth 100% of your final grade and you must achieve a grade of at least C- (60 percent) or more on the examination.
The challenge examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
Challenge for credit course registration form