This course will provide a broad introduction to Health Psychology, as well as an in-depth look at some of the key topics in the discipline. Key aims of the course will be to explore (a) the factors that influence our health, (b) the challenges to people’s health posed by their lifestyles and behaviours (e.g., low physical activity levels, smoking), (c) dominant and emerging theoretical models of health behaviour, and (d) how interventions can be used to help change people’s health-related behaviours. Throughout the course, there will be an emphasis on critically evaluating current understandings, theories, and approaches.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the key issues and topics in, and scope of, health psychology.
2. Have an in-depth and integrated understanding of the key determinants of health.
3. Understand and critically evaluate evidence pertaining to the incidence, importance, and consequences of key health-related lifestyle behaviours (e.g., physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption).
4. Describe and critically appraise dominant and emerging theoretical models of health behaviour, and the factors that are proposed to underpin positive and negative changes in people’s health-related behaviours.
5. Critically evaluate health behaviour change interventions and the methods used to assess health behaviours.

Research-Led Teaching

In PSYC3020, lectures and laboratory classes will focus on contemporary research and debates in the field of health psychology. You will be challenged to think critically about research evidence and demonstrate this critical thinking in your assessment tasks. The course will also feature guest lectures from researchers at the forefront of their specific research fields in health psychology.

Field Trips

None

Additional Course Costs

None

Examination Material or equipment

The mid semester assessment for this course will be administered online via Wattle, while the end of semester exam will be an invigilated in-person exam. Both are likely to be open book such that students will be free to refer to course materials (lecture notes, readings etc.) while completing them.

Required Resources

Access to the internet is essential for all aspects of the course.

Recommended Resources

There are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

The University is returning to on campus teaching delivery for all in person courses, for all students, in the second half 2023. Remote adjustments will not be offered from the 1st of July, 2023 and international students will be required to be on campus studying in-person.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	1x2hr lecture: Introduction to health psychology & course overview and administration
2	1x2hr lecture: Health-related behaviour 1
3	1x2hr lecture: Health-related behaviour 2
4	1x2hr lecture: Health-related behaviour 3 + 1x2 hr lab
5	1x2hr lecture: Models of health behaviour 1 + 1x2 hr lab
6	1x2hr lecture: Models of health behaviour 2 + 1x2 hr lab
7	1x2hr lecture: Models of health behaviour 3 + 1x2 hr lab	The mid-semester assessment will take place during Week 7.
8	1x2hr lecture: Health behaviour interventions and changing behaviour + 1x2 hr lab
9	1x2hr lecture: Critical health psychology + 1x2hr lab
10	1x2hr lecture: Wellbeing	The essay will be due during week 10
11	1x2hr lecture: Stress
12	1x2hr lecture: Course summary & exam preparation and revision	The final exam will take place during the exam period, after week 12

Tutorial Registration

Students must attend six two-hour laboratory classes across the semester. ANU is returning to fully in-person teaching from Semester 2 2023, so all laboratory classes will be in-person only. For further information about ANU's return to fully in-person learning see https://www.anu.edu.au/covid-19-advice#returning

Laboratory Registration to be completed via MyTimetable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Mid-semester assessment	20 %	1,2,3,4,5
Essay	40 %	1,2,3,4,5
End of semester exam	40 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

ANU is returning to fully in-person teaching from Semester 2 2023, so this course will be delivered in-person on campus. Some lectures will be pre-recorded where this is necessary for practical reasons or considered more beneficial for learning (and this will be communicated via the course Wattle page) but most will be live and in person. Students are expected to attend the 2-hour lecture each week, as well as attend the 6 laboratory classes scheduled over the semester. Both are important and both will facilitate students' success in the assessments. The lectures will introduce the central ideas and concepts of the course around which the assessments are built. Laboratory classes may supplement and consolidate material covered in lectures or they may introduce entirely new material pertinent to the objectives of the course. They will also include activities designed to support students' success in the assessment tasks. The School of Medicine and Psychology considers the laboratory component to be an integral part of all courses and attendance to be compulsory.

Outside lectures and laboratories, there is also an expectation that students will regularly and consistently engage in the course readings and lab preparation tasks, as specified by the course convenor. On average, students are expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week working on this course, including the time spent in lectures and lab classes.

Examination(s)

Information about the scheduling of the exams will be posted on the course Wattle page. Information about the final exam will also be posted by the University at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable

Assessment Task 1

Mid-semester assessment

The mid-semester assessment will be administered online via Wattle. All the content from the lectures, lab classes, and essential readings from weeks 1-6 will be assessable. The assessment will comprise multiple choice and brief response questions.

Assessment Task 2

Essay

The essay will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of, and ability to think critically about, the course content. It will require you to delve into the health psychology academic literature and apply what you have learned in the course to evaluate a real-world health psychology intervention/campaign. More specific details regarding the focus of the essay will be introduced during the course and outlined on the course Wattle page.

Word limit: 2500 words maximum

Assessment Task 3

End of semester exam

The end of semester exam will be an in-person invigilated exam. All the content from the lectures, lab classes, and essential readings from weeks 1-12 will be assessable. The exam will comprise multiple choice and brief response questions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of the essay without an extension will be penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of the essay will not be accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date on which the essays submitted by the deadline are returned to students. Late submission is not accepted for exams.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be available from the course Wattle site approximately three weeks after the due date. Late assignments (even those with formal extensions) usually cannot be marked within this three-week timeframe.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students