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Unit outline_

PSYC4730: Applied Positive Psychology

Semester 1, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study teaches the application of positive psychology to coaching in work and personal life contexts. We consider the core principles of positive psychology and how these can be applied in coaching interventions. Topics covered in this unit include; coaching as an applied positive psychology; goals, meaning and well-being; subjective and psychological well-being: happiness; gratitude; the languishing vs. flourishing dichotomy; broaden and build theory; self-concordance; well-being in the workplace; career coaching through the life span; and the use of positive psychology in health coaching. There is emphasis on both theoretical understanding and personal practice. The experiential learning component requires students to evaluate each week's topic in relation to their own personal life experience and to participate in group discussion and coaching practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sean O'Connor, sean.oconnor@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sean O'Connor, sean.oconnor@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Positive Psychology Essay
A full description of this assessment can be found on canvas.
50% Mid-semester break
Due date: 04 May 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 18 May 2020
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Intervention reflection
A full description of this assessment can be found on canvas.
25% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2020 at 23:00

Closing date: 01 Jun 2020
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
In-semester test Exam
Multiple-choice, short and long answer questions
25% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 16:00

Closing date: 05 Jun 2020
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Positive Psychology Essay: This will take the form of an essay on a positive psychological construct and its potential practical application. Full details of the essay requirement will be given in Lecture 1. When writing the essay please ensure that you follow the guidelines in this handbook and that you use headings for each section – Abstract, Introduction, Discussion and Conclusion. Please use sub- headings to structure the essay. Failure to present written work within the designated format will be penalised.
  • Intervention reflection: This will take the form of an applied positive psychological intervention conducted over the duration of the course. Submission will include an intervention outline and a 1000 word reflection on the developmental experience and implications for coaching practice. Full details of the assignment will be given in Lecture 1.
  • Exam: This exam will be in-class and a closed-book exam. The exam will be testing your ability to understand and integrate the taught psychological theory with the ethical and professional practice (ICF) of coaching and will take the form of long, short and multiple-choice questions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable 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.

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
- 1. Subject overview; 2. Introduction to positive psychology; 3. Introduction to strengths; 4. Goals & well-being Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Positive emotions; 2. Meaning Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Engagement; 2. Positive thinking; 3. Positive relationships Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Positive psychology across the lifespan; 2. Positive psychology in health and education Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
1. Future of positive psychology; 2. Recent topics and research; 3. Catch up, review and exam preparation Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.
  • Referencing: All written work must conform to APA style. Please ensure that you follow APA referencing style. Dr Mark Plonsky of the University of Wisconsin has produced an excellent webpage on using APA style in psychology. You can find this at www.uwsp.edu/psych/apa4b.htm. We strongly recommend you visit it. For further information see www.apastyle.org or any good book about writing reports for Psychology. All students must ensure that their referencing in written assignments follow APA style – if you do not follow APA style you will lose marks. Information on APA style can be found on the Coaching Psychology Unit web site.

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.

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. demonstrate an understanding of positive psychology generally and its key aims and objectives
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the theories and techniques of positive psychology
  • LO3. critically evaluate current positive psychology research and its practical applications
  • LO4. construct conceptually coherent eclectic models of applied positive psychology in order to meet specific client needs
  • LO5. apply the taught theories and techniques to a wide range of coaching client issues.

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.

Student feedback and Unit of Study Surveys are used to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

 

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.