Unit Outline
KHA459
Advanced Topics in Psychology Practice
Semester 2, 2024
Aaron Drummond
School of Psychological Sciences
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Aaron Drummond
Email: aaron.drummond@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
In this unit, students will develop pre-professional competencies in psychology as well as gain further understanding of the professional practice roles psychologists and psychological scientists undertake across a broad range of employment settings. Students will learn about the theory and practice of psychology and psychological science in a variety of applied workplace settings, such as to encourage mental wellbeing, improve productivity, and guiding public policy. Students in this unit will develop an understanding of how social, historical, professional and cultural factors influence the science and practice of psychology across varied settings. Students will also learn the key communication and interaction skills psychologists use in professional practice. As such, this unit will promote the scientist-practitioner model of the practice of psychology through real-life examples, case studies, and role-play. Learning exercises simulate the real world of the practice of psychology and psychological science as closely as possible. To this end, when you come to class you will be engaging in “work experience” in a simulated workplace in which you are providing services based on psychological principles.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Compare, contrast, and evaluate evidence-based approaches for psychological interventions.
2.
Appraise the role of diversity on psychological practice in a range of settings
3.
Apply psychological science skills in communication and interaction in a range of contexts.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
In response to the feedback from previous student cohorts, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
No Description
3
Weekly
Independent Learning
No Description
7
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Video roleplay
Week 5
20 %
LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Written reflection
Week 6
20 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:
Applied Problem Solving Assignment
Week 9
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:
Group Presentation
Week 11
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Video roleplay
Task Description:
Students will demonstrate pre-professional skills by conducting a videotaped roleplay of an interview scenario.
Task Length:
Videotaped roleplay: Maximum 20 mins
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Demonstrate pre-professional psychology skills in communication and interaction.
LO3
2
Adapt and apply psychological intervention techniques to pre-professional roleplay scenarios.
LO1
 
Assessment Task 2: Written reflection
Task Description:
Students will demonstrate pre-professional skills by submitting a written assignment in which they will reflect on their skills.
Task Length:
1000 words
Due Date:
Week 6
Weight:
20 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Reflect on theory and research related to psychological communication and interaction.
LO1
2
Reflect on how diversity can influence psychological communication and interaction.
LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Applied Problem Solving Assignment
Task Description:
Applied Problem Solving Assignment
This is an individual assignment based on the topic identified by your group and expanded upon in Assignment 3. You will consider key aspects of psychological practice pertaining to
psychological sciences, professional practice, ethics, working with diverse clients, as well as a situation you need to problem solve using your psychological knowledge in the context of these broader issues.

Please see the assessment tab on MyLO for further information
Task Length:
maximum 1000 words
Due Date:
Week 9
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Use theory and research to identify appropriate, evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention.
LO1
2
Explain how social, historical, professional, and cultural factors may influence the design, selection, or efficacy of a psychology psychological intervention.
LO2
3
Select an appropriate evaluation framework to assess the efficacy of the proposed intervention
LO1
4
Apply pre-professional psychology skills in written communication relevant to professional communication settings.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 4: Group Presentation
Task Description:
In this assessment, you will research, prepare and present a podcast on a topical psychological issue using knowledge gained from the unit and
building on assignment 2.
Task Length:
Group oral Podcast presentation: Maximum 10 minutes
Due Date:
Week 11
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Use theory and research to identify appropriate, evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention.
LO1
2
Explain how social, historical, professional and cultural factors may influence the design, selection, or efficacy of a psychological intervention.
LO2
3
Apply pre-professional psychology skills in communication and interaction relevant to public science communication settings.
LO3
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 

 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Content materials will be provided by lecturing staff.
 
Recommended reading materials
Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.
 
Other required resources