Outline

Overview

This unit explores the psychological dimensions of building peace in the world through cultivating inner peace or 'peace of mind'. We examine how it is that ordinary human beings can commit genocide and other mass atrocities, and how an understanding of underlying psychological processes can help with creating more peaceful communities. These inner processes include the effects of fear and trauma, and the development of empathy, resilience, healing and reconciliation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wendy Lambourne, wendy.lambourne@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Essay Critical analysis of the links between inner and outer peace.	65%	Formal exam period Due date: 10 Jun 2020 at 00:00	3500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation	15%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short assignment Reflection on your understanding of 'peace of mind'.	20%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Apr 2020 at 00:00	1000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

HD	High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
DI	Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
CR	Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
PS	Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
FA	Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Psychology of Peace: What is Peace of Mind?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Fragmentation: The Self, The Social, and The Ecological Divisions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Psychological Causes of Violence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Phenomenology of Peace: Presence	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Emotions, Empathy and Neuroscience	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Trauma Awareness and Resilience	Workshop (6 hr)
Week 07	Psychosocial Healing and Peacebuilding	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Consciousness: The Sense of Mindful Agency	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Alternatives to Violence & 3D mapping	Workshop (6 hr)
Week 11	Creativity, Peace and Reconciliation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Indigenous Philosophies of Peace: Spirituality and Healing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Weaving it all Together: Connecting Inner and Outer Peace	Lecture (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

PACS6921 PEACE OF MIND: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PEACE

Unit Description

We will explore four main psychological themes: trauma, healing, consciousness and well-being during times of war, conflict and peace. Drawing on a multidisciplinary approach the unit will also navigate the terrain from neuroscience to philosophy in order to enhance broader pro-social peace and conflict transformation perspectives.

This is an experiential course combining lectures with opportunities for participation in class discussions, individual self-reflection and group activities. Students are encouraged to make the links between inner and outer peace by reflecting on their own inner processes, relationships and lived experiences. Respect, choice and safety are integral values and principles that will be applied in the process of sharing and developing personal as well as professional skills, insights and practices.

Learning Structure

11 x 2 hr weekly seminars (Mondays 5 – 7 pm)

2 x 6 hrs full day workshops (10 am – 5 pm)

* Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Class Times and Locations

NORMAL DELIVERY

Weeks	Dates	Themes
Week 1	Monday 24 Feb	Introduction to Psychology of Peace: What is Peace of Mind?
Week 2	Monday 2 March	Fragmentation: The Self, The Social, and The Ecological Divisions
Week 3	Monday 9 March	Psychological Causes of Violence
Week 4	Monday 16 March	Phenomenology of Peace: Presence
Week 5	Monday 23 March (note later time 5.30-7.30 pm)	Emotions, Empathy and Neuroscience – special guest lecturer via zoom
	Saturday 28 March (10 am – 5 pm)	Trauma Awareness and Resilience (workshop)
Week 6	Monday 30 March	No class – personal study time
Week 7	Monday 6 April	Psychosocial Healing and Peacebuilding
	Wednesday 8 April	Short Assignment due
	Monday 13 April	No class – Easter mid-semester break
Week 8	Monday 20 April	No class – personal study time
Week 9	Monday 27 April	Consciousness: The Sense of Mindful Agency
	Saturday 2 May (10 am – 5 pm)	Alternatives to Violence & 3D mapping (workshops)
Week 10	Monday 4 May	No class - personal study time
Week 11	Monday 11 May	Creativity, Peace and Reconciliation
Week 12	Monday 18 May	Indigenous Philosophies of Peace: Spirituality and Healing
Week 13	Monday 25 May	Weaving it all Together: Connecting Inner and Outer Peace

ONLINE

Weeks	Dates	Themes	Live chat/Discussion Board
Week 1	Monday 24 Feb	Introduction to Psychology of Peace: What is Peace of Mind?	Discussion Board & Live chat – Sat 29 Feb, 8 – 9 am
Week 2	Monday 2 March	Fragmentation: The Self, The Social, and The Ecological Divisions	Live chat – Sat 7 March, 8 – 9 am
Week 3	Monday 9 March	Psychological Causes of Violence	Discussion Board – due Sat 14 March
Week 4	Monday 16 March	Phenomenology of Peace: Presence	Discussion Board – due Sat 21 March (creative expression)
Week 5	Monday 23 March (note later time 5.30-7.30 pm)	Emotions, Empathy and Neuroscience – special guest lecturer via zoom	Online class option – Mon 23 Mar 5.30-7.30 pm (or Discussion Board)
	Saturday 28 March (10 am – 5 pm)	Trauma Awareness and Resilience (workshop)	Online class – Sat 28 March (10 am – 12 noon, 1-3 pm, 3.30 – 5 pm)
Week 6	Monday 30 March	No class – personal study time	No class
Week 7	Monday 6 April	Psychosocial Healing and Peacebuilding	Discussion Board
	Monday 13 April	No class – Easter mid-semester break	No class
Week 8	Monday 20 April	No class – personal study time	No class
Week 9	Monday 27 April	Consciousness: The Sense of Mindful Agency	Discussion Board
	Saturday 2 May (10 am – 5 pm)	Alternatives to Violence & 3D mapping (workshops)	Online class – Sat 2 May (10 am – 1 pm, 2 – 5 pm)
Week 10	Monday 4 May	No class - personal study time	No class
Week 11	Monday 11 May	Creativity, Peace and Reconciliation	Discussion Board – due Sat 16 May (creative expression)
Week 12	Monday 18 May	Indigenous Philosophies of Peace: Spirituality and Healing	Discussion Board – due Sat 23 May (journal reflection)
Week 13	Monday 25 May	Weaving it all Together: Connecting Inner and Outer Peace	Live chat – Sat 30 May, 8-9 am

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. appreciate multidisciplinary knowledge and ways of learning about and practising peace of mind and peace in the world
LO2. understand the connections between inner and outer peace: how a knowledge of underlying psychological processes can help with creating more peaceful communities
LO3. develop knowledge about the role of trauma and psychosocial healing for building resilience and peace for individuals and communities
LO4. engage with philosophical approaches and develop skills in awareness-based practices for attaining peace of mind
LO5. appreciate indigenous philosophies, spirituality and peace with the earth

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit was previously a 6-day intensive seminar, this semester it is offered weekly.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PACS6921: Peace of Mind: The Psychology of Peace

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect