Special Topics in Biological Psychology

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
PSYC 3902
Discontinued
No
Course Code
PSYC 3902
Descriptive
Special Topics in Biological Psychology
Department
Psychology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 Weeks
Max Class Size
35
Contact Hours

Weekly Distribution:

  • Lecture/Seminar: 4 hrs. per week / semester
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Learning Activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:

  • Lecture
  • Audio-visual materials
  • Small group discussion
  • Problem-based learning
Course Description
This course examines a special topic or emerging questions in the field of biological psychology. Readings and topical content will include theory, research, critical debate, and applications relevant to the specific topic.
Course Content

The general framework of an upper-level special topics course in psychology can be represented as below:

  1. Historical Context
  2. Theories
  3. Mechanisms and Processes
  4. Critical Analysis and Remaining Questions

A specific example of topics for a course on Innovations and Implications in Neuroscience:

  1. The major questions, issues and debates in modern applications of neuroscience
  2. Practical/pragmatic vs. abstract/theoretical approaches to major questions in neuroscience
  3. The basic neuroscientific and psychological knowledge of relevance to given questions, issues or debates in the field of neuroscience, as currently understood
  4. The growing implications of neurotechnologies in modern society
Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Identify and describe relevant theoretical influences on current scholarship relating to the specific topic of the course.
  2. Define and apply key terms and concepts relating to the specific topic of the course.
  3. Analyze, synthesize, and critically evaluate scholarly research relating to the specific topic of the course.
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:

  • Small group assignments 10%
  • Term project paper 20%
  • Term project presentation 10%
  • Midterm exams 40%
Textbook Materials

Example text (for topic Innovations and Implications in Neuroscience):

  • Meynen (2014) Neurolaw: neuroscience, ethics, and law. Review essay. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 17(4), 819-829.
  • Appelbaum, P.S. (2014). The double helix takes the witness stand: behavioral and neuropsychiatric genetics in court. Neuron, 82(5), 946-949.

 

Additional readings may also be curated by the instructor and students.

Prerequisites

Courses listed here must be completed prior to this course:

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