PYN622 Contemporary Topics in Applied Psychological Practice

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This course focuses on advanced topics of relevance to contemporary psychological practice. Students will develop their knowledge and skills related to key topics in the public domain where psychologists might be involved. This unit builds on the skills students developed as scientist-practitioners in PYN621 and presents an opportunity for students to research a professional practice area in more detail.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate, synthesise and reflect upon literature pertaining to a topical area of practice in psychology
2. Meaningfully analyse the theoretical and substantive questions surrounding the contemporary issue identified
3. Employ higher level critical analytic skills to produce an original and coherent argument in favour of a particular treatment approach or understanding of the issue

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit will be taught across a series of face to face lectures and workshops that will include didactic and experiential input and class discussion. In small advanced graduate classes, your participation and contributions are extremely important in creating an optimal learning environment. Therefore it is expected that you will attend all classes, and inform the relevant lecturer in advance if you are unable to attend a specific class. You will also be given readings on lecture topics that you will then discuss in class.

In some weeks, teaching will be flipped: your learning materials and activities will be on Canvas in advance, e.g.videos, lecture recordings, case studies, journal articles and questions. You should listen, watch, read or complete those before you come to the subsequent class to maximise your learning.

PY18 and PY19 course design is intentionally blended to purposefully integrate active face-to-face learning experiences with blended/online learning experiences across the course consistent with the course learning outcomes, cohort needs and discipline professional practices. Canvas is used within this unit to inform and enhance your learning. All unit material required for learning and completing assessment is included online through Canvas. Additional readings and resources such as web links and video material is also posted where appropriate to expand your ability to advance your knowledge in the unit's subject matter.

A key aim of the unit and course is to support (provisional) psychologists in developing their knowledge, skills and competencies so they are able to provide the best quality care for their clients. Underlying this aim, and in line with registration guidelines, is a focus on ensuring the public's safety.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback on your written assessment that  will contribute to your understanding of contemporary psychological practice and issues impacting this practice. Feedback will also support your capacity to write a critical argument around a topic of interest.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment for this unit will involve the submission of a single written piece that evolves through the negotiation of a topic of relevance to unit content. The written piece will be based on the knowledge gained through a case study, relevant to the topic of interest, and the literature.  Assessment in this unit is summative and consists of a single written submission. Criteria for this assessment will be discussed in Week 1.

How your grade will be determined:
You will receive a numerical mark for your final submission in PYN622. Feedback will be provided on this submission according to the criteria and standards provided in the rubric. At the end of semester, your mark for this individual item will be what determines your overall percentage. Your grade will then be determined based on the following grade parameters:
7: 85 – 100%
6: 75 – 84%
5: 65 – 74%
4: 50 – 64%
3: 40 -49%
2: 25 – 39%
1: < 25%

Note that prior to release of marks, the unit coordinator undertakes a moderation process to ensure that criteria and standards have been applied consistently and fairly. From time to time there are errors made in marking (for example, mistakes in adding up or missing sections of a submission). If you find such errors, you should approach the unit coordinator immediately. Actively reading the feedback provided will enhance your learning success.

Final grades are not confirmed until reviewed by the relevant Faculty Assessment Committee and approved by the Executive Dean at the completion of each teaching period.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Literature Review and Critique

In your practice as a psychologist, you will be offering services to vulnerable clients. This assessment is designed to replicate the process of how you would inform yourself across your career on any issue that is emerging or with which you are unfamiliar. The assessment will allow you to immerse yourself in the topic through a comprehensive review of various sources of information, which will assist you in understanding the current challenges. The document prepared by you will serve as a guide in your practice.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

You should be aware that some content in this unit may be confronting to certain audiences. Please exercise your own discretion when participating in classroom activities or discussions. The QUT Student Counselling service is also available and free of charge to all QUT students.

Course Learning Outcomes

PY18 Master of Clinical Psychology

1. Apply advanced and specialised knowledge of Clinical Psychology to plan, assess, treat and manage clients with mental disorders and conditions, across the lifespan and from a range of backgrounds, including accessing, evaluating and utilising digital health information.
   Relates to: Literature Review and Critique
2. Plan, undertake and disseminate research in complex real world situations from diverse perspectives, demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability relevant to professional practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review and Critique
3. Promote and practice effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships.
   Relates to: ULO1, Literature Review and Critique

PY19 Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)

1. Critically evaluate and apply theories of psychology and evidence-based knowledge and skills applicable to the professional practice of educational and developmental psychology, adhering to contemporary professional practice standards.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Literature Review and Critique
2. Plan, undertake and disseminate research in complex real world situations from diverse perspectives, demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability relevant to professional practice, .
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Literature Review and Critique
3. Promote and practise effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive professional relationships across diverse stakeholders.
   Relates to: ULO3