The Unconscious Mind

Subject PSYC30012 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

3 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 120 hours

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites are required for this subject

Corequisites:

No corequisites are required for this subject

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology.

Non Allowed Subjects:

Thre are no non allowed subjects

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards of Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit Website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Yoshihisa Kashima

Contact

Psychology

12th floor Redmond Barry Building (Building 115 Map)

Telephone: + 61 3 8344 6377

Email: enquiries@psych.unimelb.edu.au

Web: http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	Ever since Freud, the unconscious mind has been a critical part of our understanding of the human mind and behaviour. Despite its power to captivate popular imagination, scientific psychology's treatment of unconciousness has a history of vicissitudes. This subject has three main components: historical background, contemporary theory and reasearch, and applications and implications in contemporary culture and society. First, the subject traces the historical origin and subsequent development of the idea of the unconcious mind in psychological theories and practice. In so doing, Freud's notion of unconciousness, as well as lesser known, but critically important theorists' contributions are examined and their contemporary implications are discussed. Second, the modern methods used in the contemporary examination of unconcious processes are introduced, and the current understanding of psychological unconsciousness is discussed from neuroscientific, perceptual, cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical perspectives. Third, we survey the uses of the scientific understanding of unconconious processes in a variety of applied contexts and explore implications of the psychological knowledge about the unconcious mind in contemporary culture and society. This includes a critical examination of the evidence for the role of unconcious processes in abnormal human behaviour and discussions about implications of the unconcious mind for identity and responsibility.
Objectives:	The subject aims to: give students the opportunity to critically review theories of the unconcious throughout the history of psychology evaluate the methodologies used to investigate the unconcious mind interpret empirical research findings; and present a reasoned argument concerning the place of the unconcious mind in contemporary psychological theory and more broadly within contemporary culture and society
Assessment:	Written work of 2000 words (50%) to be submitted during semester. An examination of no more than two hours (50%) to be completed at the end of semester during the specified University examination period. Each piece of assessment must be completed (hurdle requirement). Attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.
Prescribed Texts:	No prescribed text. A reading pack will be made available.
Breadth Options:	This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses: Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Biomedicine Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Environments Bachelor of Music You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	Students will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills to: think critically and apply analytical skills to new issues appraise current knowledge and its internal structure evaluate methods used to acquire current knowledge appropriately interpret empirical data in the light of current knowledge and methodological considerations communicate ideas concisely
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Psychology Psychology Psychology Psychology Major

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