Course

Applications of Psychological Knowledge (Service Learning & Research)

Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Course code
PSYC 3390
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
15
Method(s) of instruction
Seminar
Field Experience
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This seminar-based course will expose students to the various areas in the workforce within which Psychology theory and research is applied. Students will gain experience and competence through service learning opportunities with community agencies or research organizations.
Course content
  1. Service Learning Placement
  2. Relevant service-learning information (through seminar mode of instruction)
    • Service learning definitions and elements.
    • Community-based research.
    • How to locate and professionally contact an organization.
    • Ethical and professional behaviour (e.g. confidentiality, punctuality, etc.).
    • Types of agencies/organizations in psychology.
    • Expectations of service component.
    • Reflective writing for documenting student’s tasks, responsibilities, and learning experiences.
Learning activities

The course will involve a completion of a minimum of 45 hours in a supervised service-learning placement as well as a once-per-week class.

Means of assessment

The course evaluation will be in accordance with Douglas College and Psychology Department policies. Evaluations will be based on the course objectives. The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:

Class Participation and Journal Reflections -- 10%

Site supervisor midterm and final evaluation -- combined 30%

Student presentation -- 20%

2 papers -- combined 40%

Total -- 100%

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Acquire experience in working within organizations, and in groups, in a professional setting.
  2. Apply critical theory to practice in various fields of psychology.
  3. Engage in psychology-related work, research, or functions in the community.
  4. Create associations between service learning and academic learning.
  5. Describe the needs and operations of community organizations.
  6. Foster relationships with community partners, and establish professional networking contacts in the psychology field.
  7. Demonstrate effective accountability, and professional behaviour, dress, and communication in a work setting.
  8. Demonstrate an increased understanding of the real-world context of psychological principles.
  9. Create and refine oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  10. Gain experience in self-evaluation through writing and professional feedback.
Textbook materials

Textbook(s) such as the following, the list to be updated periodically:

  • Collier, P. J., & Reitenauer, V. L. (2013). Learning through serving: A student guidebook for service-learning across the disciplines 2nd edition. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology Program or the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology Honours Program

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses

Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for PSYC 3390
Langara College (LANG) LANG PSYC 2XXX (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
0
Currently enrolled
15
Remaining seats:
-15
On waitlist
1
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3417
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

PSYC 3390 001 is restricted to BA Applied Psychology program students. Students should discuss which semester they are able to take the course with the BA Coordinator Nicole Vittoz vittozn@douglascollege.ca. The Service Learning coordinator Karyn Audet audetk@douglascollege.ca will contact students, identified by the BA Coordinator, prior to registration to arrange the required paperwork/interview for their placements. If you wish to put yourself on the waitlist in case there are cancellations you may do so.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
0
Currently enrolled
15
Remaining seats:
-15
On waitlist
1
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3417
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section notes

PSYC 3390 002 is restricted to BA Applied Psychology program students. Students should discuss which semester they are able to take the course with the BA Coordinator Nicole Vittoz vittozn@douglascollege.ca. The Service Learning coordinator Karyn Audet audetk@douglascollege.ca will contact students, identified by the BA Coordinator, prior to registration to arrange the required paperwork/interview for their placements. If you wish to put yourself on the waitlist in case there are cancellations you may do so.