Overview
PSYC20037 Introduction to Positive Psychology will introduce you to the paradigm of positive psychology, and explore the development of this specialist area over the past 15-20 years. In this unit you will explore the discipline's emphasis on flourishing, and strengths based approaches, and examine how these differ from traditional psychological frameworks. The unit emphasises the multidimensional nature of wellbeing and resilience, and the links between physical and psychological health.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Explain the key theoretical and empirical developments in positive psychology
- Explain multiple ways in which physical and psychological health are linked
- Apply the major principles and theories of Positive Psychology across a variety of contexts (individual, group, community, organisation)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Group Work - 30% | |||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | |||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||
| 2 - Communication | |||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||
| 4 - Research | |||
| 5 - Self-management | |||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||
| 7 - Leadership | |||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Group Work - 30% | ||||||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | ||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
Textbooks
Positive Psychology. Theory, Research and Applications
(2011)
Authors: Kate Hefferon and Illona Boniwell
Open University Press. McGraw Hill
New York New York , New York , USA
ISBN: 978-0-335-24195-8 (pb), eISBN: 978-0-335-24196-5
Binding: Paperback
The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology
2nd Edition (2009)
Authors: Shane J. Lopez & C.R. Snyder
Oxford University Press
New York New York , New York , USA
ISBN: 9780199862160
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
There are no prescribed text books for this unit, however, the overall Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology course, and the first year of the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology, will draw heavily upon these recommended texts as we move through each of the units. The Hefferon and Boniwell textbook is an introductory text designed specifically for tertiary education, and is also available an an e-book or in pdf online - this is a good starting point for those who have not previously studied or worked within the Positive Psychology area. The Lopez and Snyder text is a more advanced and much denser text, focused on research and applications within the positive psychology space.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.mcclelland@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Positive Psychology Foundations
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Positive Mental Health and Flourishing
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Positive Health Psychology
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Wellness, Emotions and Motivation
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Happiness, Subjective Wellbeing and Eudaimonic Wellbeing
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Resilience and Psychological Growth
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Character Strengths and Positive Traits
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Positive Education
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Positive Organisations
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Applying Positive Psychology
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Future of Positive Psychology
Chapter
Please see selected readings and activities on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There are no examinations for this unit
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
There are no examinations for this unit
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please be advised that the PSYC20037 unit will NOT be coordinated by A/Prof Burke in 2017.
Staff details will be made available via Moodle prior to the beginning of Term.
1 Group Work
Task Description
Assessment 1 (Group Work), Assessment 2 (Presentation) and Assessment 3 (Written Assessment) are integrated around a practical task of determining optimal ways to influence wellbeing. The overall aim of the assessment tasks is to explore the alignment between theory/research and practices for wellbeing approaches, and the implications for the improvement of psychological wellbeing.
For Assessment 1, students will complete a number of group and individual tasks which will be available in the Assessment Guide on the Moodle site.
- Join a peer group on Moodle
- Work with group members to explore different ways to measure wellbeing - both physically and psychologically
- Reflect on their own wellbeing based on different ways to measure wellbeing explored with the group
- Plan a group presentation highlighting the different ways that wellbeing can be measured
The assessable submission for Assessment 1 will be comprised of:
- a Presentation Plan (group submission),
- a completed self-reflection of individual wellbeing (individual submission), and
- completion of the Self and Peer Assessment (SPA) online survey (individual submission).
Further task details will be available from the Assessment Guide on the unit Moodle site.
Week 5 Friday (7 Apr 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (21 Apr 2017)
Assessment 1 will be assessed according to the components below:
Presentation Plan (Group Mark)
Team Work Skills (Individual Mark)
Self-reflection (Individual Mark)
These are Pass/Fail assessment items. Detailed marking criteria can be found on the unit Moodle site.
- Explain the key theoretical and empirical developments in positive psychology
- Explain multiple ways in which physical and psychological health are linked
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Self-management
2 Presentation
Task Description
Assessment 1 (Group Work), Assessment 2 (Presentation) and Assessment 3 (Written Assessment) are integrated around a practical task of determining optimal ways to influence wellbeing. The overall aim of the assessment tasks is to explore the alignment between theory/research and practices for wellbeing approaches, and the implications for the improvement of psychological wellbeing.
For Assessment 2, students will complete the following tasks:
- Prepare and deliver a 20-25 minute group presentation that examines different ways to measure, assess and influence wellbeing (group delivery)
- Complete a Peer Assessment Form of presentations from other groups (individual submission)
Week 9 Friday (12 May 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Presentations will occur early in Week 9. All students are to have completed their Peer Assessment Form submissions by the end of this week.
Week 11 Friday (26 May 2017)
This is a Pass/Fail Assessment Task.
Students will be assessed on
Team Work and Presentation Skills
Presentation (Coherence, Accuracy, Effectiveness)
Detailed information regarding assessment requirements and criteria for assessment can be found in the Assessment Guide on Moodle.
- Explain the key theoretical and empirical developments in positive psychology
- Explain multiple ways in which physical and psychological health are linked
- Apply the major principles and theories of Positive Psychology across a variety of contexts (individual, group, community, organisation)
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
3 Written Assessment
Task Description
Assessment 1 (Group Work), Assessment 2 (Presentation) and Assessment 3 (Written Assessment) are integrated around a practical task of determining optimal ways to influence wellbeing. The overall aim of the assessment tasks is to explore the alignment between theory/research and practices for wellbeing approaches, and the implications for the improvement of psychological wellbeing.
For Assessment 3 students will write a 2500 word essay exploring how wellbeing could be influenced in a practical setting. The essay should focus on one or more of the concepts and issues explored within the group presentation. The essay should focus on integrating theory/research (from the literature) and how this could be usefully applied in a practical setting.
Further task details will be available from the Assessment Guide on the unit Moodle site.
Week 12 Friday (2 June 2017) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (16 June 2017)
This is a Pass/Fail Assessment.
Students will be assessed on the following criteria:
- Introduction (posing of practical issue)
- Analysis of theory/research– application links
- Evaluation of theory/research – application links
- Quality of literacy and written communication skills
- Adherence to APA referencing/ presentation style
- Apply the major principles and theories of Positive Psychology across a variety of contexts (individual, group, community, organisation)
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
