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Unit outline_

PACS6921: Peace of Mind: The Psychology of Peace

Semester 2b, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

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 Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Wendy Lambourne, wendy.lambourne@sydney.edu.au
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.
55% Formal exam period
Due date: 26 Nov 2021 at 00:00
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Class participation
15% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Online exercise
Discussion board
5% Week 05
Due date: 06 Sep 2021 at 21:00
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Short assignment
Reflection on your understanding of 'peace of mind'.
25% Week 10
Due date: 18 Oct 2021 at 00:00
2000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2

Assessment summary

 

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

 

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, 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 dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

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

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 04 Introduction to Peace of Mind Lecture (1 hr)  
The Self, The Social, and The Ecological Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 05 Psychology of Peace Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 06 Fragmentation: Individual and Collective Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 Phenomenological approach: Presencing Inner Peace Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 Creativity, the Arts and Peacebuilding Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 Embodiment: Emotions and Human Expression Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 Indigenous Philosophies: Spirituality and the Cosmos Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 Consciousness: Sensing Inner Agency and Will Lecture (2 hr)  
Trauma Awareness, Recovery and Resilience Workshop (3 hr)  
Integration through Awareness-based Practices Workshop (3 hr)  
Week 12 Psychosocial Healing and Reconciliation Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 Weaving it all Together: Connecting Inner and Outer Peace Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Online seminars will be recorded and will be made available to students via Zoom recording. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience especially given the experiential learning nature of this course. The workshops on Sat 30 October will not be recorded.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction. 

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

Full session details, readings and other resources will be provided on the Canvas site.

Students will be requiered to complete required readings prior to each class. Additional readings and other resources are provided for student interest and completion of assignments.

Unit Description 

This unit explores the philosophical, psychological and psychosocial dimensions of building peace in the world through cultivating inner peace or 'peace of mind'. Drawing on a multidisciplinary approach the unit will navigate around the concepts of fragmentation of self and self, self and other, and self and the Earth. These inner dynamics include their effect on outer peace by integrating resilience, healing and presence.  

We examine how ‘peace of mind’ is affected by individual and collective cultural trauma, and how an understanding of these underlying psychological processes can help with creating more peaceful communities.  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. 

Combining lectures and workshops, this is an experiential learning course with opportunities for participation in class discussions, individual self-reflection and group activities. The range of topics includes looking at Indigenous wisdom, phenomenological approaches, awareness-based practices, creative peace initiatives and more. We will connect abstract theories with practices that aim to facilitate transformation, embodiment and resonance.

Learning Structure 

10 x 2 hr weekly seminars (Wednesdays 5pm-7pm)

1 x 6 hrs full day workshop (10am – 5pm)   

 

Sessions  

Dates  

Themes  

Session 1 - W4 

 

Wed 1 Sep   

Introduction to Peace of Mind   

The Self, The Social, and The Ecological   

Session 2 - W5 

 

Wed 8 Sep  

Psychology of Peace   

Session 3 - W6 

 

Wed 15 Sep   

Fragmentation: Individual and Collective 

Session 4 - W7 

 

Wed 22 Sep   

Phenomenological approach: Presencing Inner Peace   

 

Wed 29 Sep  

Mid-Semester break   

 

 

Session 5 - W8 

 

Wed 6 Oct  

Creativity, the Arts and Peacebuilding  

 

Session 6 - W9 

Wed 13 Oct  

Embodiment: Emotions and Human Expression

 W10 

 

MON 18 OCT  

SHORT ASSIGNMENT DUE   

Session 7 - W10 

 

Wed 20 0ct   

Indigenous Philosophies: Spirituality and the Cosmos  

Session 8 - W11 

  

Wed 27 Oct   

Consciousness: Sensing Inner Agency and Will

Session 9 - W11 

  

Sat 30 Oct  

Trauma Awareness, Recovery and Resilience (workshop)   

Session 10 - W11 

  

Sat 30 Oct   

Integration through Awareness-based Practices (workshop)    

Session 11 - W12 Wed 3 Nov   Psychosocial Healing and Reconciliation  
     

Session 12 - W13 

 

Wed 10 Nov   

Weaving it all Together: Connecting Inner and Outer Peace   

  

FRI 26 NOV  

FINAL ESSAY DUE 

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.

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 societies
  • LO3. develop knowledge about the role of trauma and psychosocial processes as part of building 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This unit is reviewed every year and changes made in response to student feedback.

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.