The course will involve seminars and/or research programs to be supervised by staff members or visitors to the ANU. The format of this course will depend on the availability and interests of staff in given years. Topic options will be announced on the RSP web page prior to the commencement of the semester. More information on the special topics available can be found at https://psychology.anu.edu.au/study/special-topics

Note. This is an Honours Pathway Course that involves material of a greater conceptual difficulty and research orientation than non-Honours Pathway courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Pursue a sustained, guided critical investigation and evaluation of a topic relevant to psychology.
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
3. Work constructively with active researchers on issues relevant to psychology.
4. Communicate research concepts and results effectively in appropriate formats.

Research-Led Teaching

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Pursue a sustained, guided critical investigation and evaluation of a topic relevant to psychology.
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
3. Work constructively with active researchers on issues relevant to psychology.
4. Communicate research concepts and results effectively in appropriate formats.

This is an Honours Pathway Course.

Field Trips

NA

Additional Course Costs

NA

Examination Material or equipment

NA

Required Resources

NA

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Contemporary Debates in PsychologyThis course explores central debates in contemporary psychology through a seminar-based, student-led format. Rather than treating psychology as a settled body of knowledge, the course examines key theoretical, methodological, and applied questions that continue to shape the discipline. Topics include debates about the nature of intelligence and personality, the validity of psychiatric diagnosis, the role of culture in shaping cognition and emotion, the reliability of psychological evidence, and the prospects for unified theories of mind. Each seminar is organised around a focused debate question and anchored by one to two core readings that present contrasting perspectives or foundational positions. Students extend these readings through independent research and lead seminar discussions that critically engage with the relevant literature. The course emphasises argumentation, synthesis, and the evaluation of competing explanations rather than rote coverage of content.Graded Assessments Seminar presentation (30%) assesses oral communication, critical thinking, and discussion leadership. Position paper (30%) assesses ability to take and defend a position. Literature synthesis (40%) assesses evaluation and integration of evidence.	Dr Bradley Jack
2	Trends in Social and Personality PsychologyResearch in social and personality has evolved in line with technological advances (e.g., computers, online data collection). This project aims to document this change from 2000 to 2025. Students are tasked with reading articles and extracting key information from assigned articles. Then, they will work to write specific elements of the manuscript to describe these changes. The goal is to produce a team-written manuscript that is suitable for submission to a leading journal by the end of the semester.Graded Assessments1.      Literature Review: 30% of grade will be on time, complete, and correct data extraction; 10% will be determined by meeting a data extraction deadline of August 31, 20262.      Written Submission: 20% of mark will be based on a first draft of the written submission; 20% of mark will be based on final draft of submission. The submission may take part in groups/partners. Details to be discussed with supervisor. 3.      Presentations and Reporting: 20% of mark relates to reporting and presentations to the research group and engagement with lab culture (e.g., asking questions of other students’ presentations and reporting). As such, students are expected to attend mandatory project meetings and engage meaningfully with project discussions. Pre-requisitesD or HD in PSYC2009 (or with supervisor approval)	Dr Ho Huynh

Tutorial Registration

Please contact enquiries.psychology.smp@anu.edu.au for permission to enrol.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Contemporary Debates in Psychology - Dr Bradley Jack	100 %	1,2,3,4
Trends in Social and Personality Psychology - Dr Ho Huynh	100 %	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The University has on campus only delivery for in person courses.

Students are expected to attend lectures and contribute to discussions. In addition to lectures, attendance and participation in laboratories/practical's is crucial to successful completion of your course. The School of Medicine and Psychology considers the laboratory/practical components to be an integral part of each course. Laboratory/practical classes may supplement and consolidate material covered in lectures and/or they may introduce entirely new material pertinent to the objectives of the course.

Examination(s)

NA

Assessment Task 1

Contemporary Debates in Psychology - Dr Bradley Jack

Graded Assessments

1. Seminar presentation (30%) assesses oral communication, critical thinking, and discussion leadership.
2. Position paper (30%) assesses ability to take and defend a position.
3. Literature synthesis (40%) assesses evaluation and integration of evidence.

Assessment Task 2

Trends in Social and Personality Psychology - Dr Ho Huynh

Graded Assessments

1.      Literature Review:

30% of grade will be on time, complete, and correct data extraction;

10% will be determined by meeting a data extraction deadline of August 31, 2026

2.      Written Submission:

20% of mark will be based on a first draft of the written submission;

20% of mark will be based on final draft of submission.

The submission may take part in groups/partners. Details to be discussed with

supervisor.

3.      Presentations and Reporting:

20% of mark relates to reporting and presentations to the

research group and engagement with lab culture (e.g., asking questions of other students’

presentations and reporting). As such, students are expected to attend mandatory project

meetings and engage meaningfully with project discussions. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof.
• Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assessments that have been submitted on time will be marked and available to download from the Turnitin link on Canvas, approximately three weeks after the due date. The exact return date will be posted on Canvas.

Late assessments (even those with formal extensions) will not be marked within this timeframe; our priority will be to mark the assesssments that were handed in on time. We will aim to get the late assessments back before the end of semester.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments not permitted.

Re-marking Policy

From the time your assignment mark is available on Canvas, you have 10 working days in which to request a Stage 1 re-mark.

1. If you have any questions about the assessment of a submitted piece of work, or wish to have some of the comments clarified, email your questions to the course functional email account. The address for the course functional email account is available on Canvas.
2. If you think your assignment deserves a higher mark it is your responsibility to outline in writing why, in your opinion, the original mark does not reflect the true worth of the work.  Submit your request and explanation by email to the functional email account.
3. Stage 1- Informal Consideration: If the Course Convener agrees to a remark of your work, and as a result, the mark is altered, and you accept this change, then the Stage 1 procedure ends.
4. Stage 2 – Formal Appeal: If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of Stage 1, you may lodge a formal appeal to be considered by the Associate Dean of the ANU Academic College responsible for the course. For this procedure go to Assessment Appeals | Australian National University
5. The mark awarded by the independent marker for your assessment will become your final mark, regardless of whether, it is higher, lower or the same as your original mark.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students