Current Topics in Cognitive Psychology

Subject PSYC40003 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

July, 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: Thirty-six hours of lectures and/or seminars.
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours.
Prerequisites:

No prerequisites are required for this subject
Corequisites:

No corequisites are required for this subject
Recommended Background Knowledge:

An accredited psychology major sequence
Non Allowed Subjects:

There 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

Dr David Sewell, Dr Jason Forte

Contact

Psychological Sciences

12th floor Redmond Barry Building (Building 115 Map)

Telephone: + 61 3 8344 6377

Email: enquiries@psych.unimelb.edu.au

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

Subject Overview:

In this subject key theoretical issues of contemporary interest in cognitive psychology are addressed. Relevant theoretical and empirical articles being discussed and evaluated. Topics will be selected from the following: sensation and perception; theories of brain function; memory; consciousness, music & neuroimaging.
Objectives:

The subject aims to:

  • understand current theories about thought processes and how those theories have been shaped by the use of human behavioural techniques
  • develop an understanding of the experiemental techniques and methods of analysis used to investigate cognitive processes
  • develop scientific writing skills to communicate the results of behavioural experiments to study cognition
Assessment:

Written work of no more than 2000 words (50%) to be completed during semester. A take-home examination of no more than 1500 words made up of essay questions set by lecturers involved in the subject (50%). Questions are to be handed out in week 11 and answers are to be submitted in the examination period.
Prescribed Texts:

There are no prescribed texts
Recommended Texts:

There are no recommended text books.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject,students will have developed

  • critical thinking skills
  • an ability to evaluate advanced research topics
  • oral presentation skills
  • research skills including accessing web-based material
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Psychology

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