Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Duration
Contact Hours
Campus
Prerequisite
Corequisite
One Semester or Term
36 hours
Hawthorn
Nil
Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points
A unit of study in the Philosophy and Cultural Inquiry Co-Major.
To examine the interconnection between philosophy and psychology and advance our understanding of how we function as persons. The unit seeks to balance an emphasis on quantitative and reductionist analysis in psychology with a concern for understanding persons on a more holistic, yet rigorously grounded, basis. Learning Objectives After completing this unit of study students are expected to understand a range of key themes at the interface of philosophy and psychology. These include: The changing face of scientific psychology The scientific status of qualitative research in psychology The complementarity of the quantitative and the qualitative The need for a pluralistic approach to theory and research in psychology An introduction to the philosophical background to, and psychological applications of, several influential non-reductionist approaches to the psychological study of the person, such as the phenomenological, hermeneutic, postmodern, and critical, and an awareness of their domains of practical application. Students are expected to develop their skills in: · Critically evaluating competing viewpoints and appraising concealed presuppositions · Expanding their understanding of psychological issues through interaction with well-developed philosophical theories · Communicating their findings clearly and effectively
After completing this unit of study students are expected to understand a range of key themes at the interface of philosophy and psychology. These include:
Students are expected to develop their skills in:
· Critically evaluating competing viewpoints and appraising concealed presuppositions
· Expanding their understanding of psychological issues through interaction with well-developed philosophical theories
· Communicating their findings clearly and effectively
Classes (3 hours) and independent learning
· Participation in class and online (10%) · Two 2500-word essays (35% each) · Class presentation (15%) · Participation (5%)
The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce graduates who are: Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community Effective and ethical in work and community situations Adaptable and able to manage change Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural)
The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce graduates who are:
Issues considered include: § The changing face of scientific psychology; § The scientific status of qualitative research in psychology; § The complementarity of the quantitative and the qualitative; § The need for a pluralistic approach to theory and research in psychology; § An introduction to several influential non-reductionist approaches to the psychological study of the person, including the phenomenological, hermeneutic, postmodern, and critical approaches. § Critical reflection on the conception of personhood § Prospects for sustained and constructive dialogue between the diverse approaches that characterise contemporary psychology.
§ The changing face of scientific psychology;
§ The scientific status of qualitative research in psychology;
§ The complementarity of the quantitative and the qualitative;
§ The need for a pluralistic approach to theory and research in psychology;
§ An introduction to several influential non-reductionist approaches to the psychological study of the person, including the phenomenological, hermeneutic, postmodern, and critical approaches.
§ Critical reflection on the conception of personhood
§ Prospects for sustained and constructive dialogue between the diverse approaches that characterise contemporary psychology.
Slife, B.D. and Williams, R.N., What's behind the Research?: Discovering Hidden Assumptions in the Behavioral Sciences, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, 1995. Smith, J.A. Harre, R. and Van Langenhove, L., Rethinking Psychology, Sage, London,1995.
