PY1106 Communicating Psychology: Listening, Translating and Disseminating Trimester 3, 2024

1    Subject details

1.1   Student participation requirements

The JCU Learning, Teaching and Assessment Procedures (2.1.2d) indicates a typical student workload for a three (3) credit point subject requires a 130 hour work load of study related activities, including attendance, assessment and self-directed study over the duration of the subject with equivalency across all attendance modes.

Note that attendance at specified classes will be a mandatory requirement for satisfactory completion of some subjects (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Procedures, 3.1.8e) and that additional hours may be required per week for those students in need of English language, numeracy or other learning support.

For information regarding JCUS class registration, visithttps://secure.jcu.edu.sg/StudentFirst/

Learning and teaching activities may be recorded for this subject.  Personal information in the form of images and audio may be collected by JCU during the recording.  This personal information may appear as part of the recording which is accessible to students and staff in this subject on LearnJCU.

1.3   Subject description

Within the social science and health disciplines it has become increasingly important to be able to translate data and knowledge into information that is useable and accessible to a broad audience. This subject aims to develop exactly this skill. Information provision has become increasingly sophisticated. It is now recognised that successful communications is a result of design rather than luck. This subject will instruct students on the use of appropriate modes of message delivery and also how to understand the characteristics of a target audience and tailor communications for maximum impact.

1.4   Subject learning outcomes and course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:

•    Demonstrate the ability to find, comprehend, analyse and cite scholarly sources of information

•    Develop the ability to write assignments and reports that conform to the norms of academic writing and referencing

•    Develop the ability to evaluate and disseminate knowledge and information

•    Obtain knowledge of different communication frameworks and methodologies.

These outcomes will contribute to your overall achievement of course learning outcomes.

1.5   Student feedback on subject and teaching

Students are at the heart of JCU and as part of our commitment to improving the quality of our subjects and teaching, we regularly seek feedback on the JCU student experience.  YourJCU Surveys are available to all students through LearnJCU. You will receive an email invitation when the survey opens.

In response to previous student feedback and other data, the following enhancements to this subject have been made:

•    Changes to the description of the assessment criteria

•    Changes to the instruction provided during the tutorials

•    Extending of the time frame given for assignments.

1.6   Subject resources and special requirements

All subject readings and resources, including journal articles, book chapters, websites, videos, print and eTextbooks, are available to view online from your Readings list via your LearnJCU subject site.

This subject does not have a prescribed textbook. Links to readings are available via the readings folder on

LearnJCU. Reference to readings will be made in each weekly content folder. The following list of texts can be accessed via the library.

Optional texts

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Anderson, C. (2016). TED talks: The official TED guide to public speaking. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Kosslyn, S. M. (2007). Clear and to the point: 8 psychological principles for compelling PowerPoint presentations.

Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

Pinker, S. (2015). The sense of style: the thinking person’s guide to writing in the 21st century. New York, NY:

Penguin Books.

Technology requirements

In order to engage in this subject, students are expected to have a fast, reliable computer with the latest operating system.  Students will also need reliable internet connections and the latest version of Google Chrome  (preferred browser).  Students are expected to have access to Microsoft Office applications: including Word, Excel and PowerPoint equivalent.  To enable participation, students should make sure their computer has a built-in webcam, microphone and speakers or use a headset.

1.7   Generative AI Usage

This subject does not require or permit the use of Generative AI tools for the completion of learning activities or assessment.

2    Assessment details

2.1    Key dates

2.2    Requirements for successful completion of this subject

In order to pass this subject, you must:

•    submit all assessment items;

•    achieve a cumulative score of at least 50% after the application of any penalties such as late penalties.

Final results for this subject will be graded as described in the Student Results Policy. Graded = HD, D, C, P, F etc. Supplementary examinations/assessments are not available for this subject.

2.2.1  Authentication of assessment

As per Learning Teaching and Assessment Procedures clause 3.2e the Subject Coordinator may nominate any piece of written assessment submitted in this subject for authentication of authorship.  Any written assessment submission requiring verification of authorship may be selected for oral examination.  Students whose assessment requires authentication will receive an email invitation to an oral examination meeting, to be held either in person or via Zoom/Teams/subject Collaborate room.

2.2.2  How do I track my progress in this subject?

You will receive progressive feedback on each assessment item. As can be seen from assessment descriptions, informal feedback on assessment progress will be provided throughout the semester. Formal feedback for within- semester assessment tasks will be provided via the Grade Centre of the PY1106 LearnJCU site. Feedback for the Group task, Literature Review and Research Pitch will be provided within 3 weeks from assignment due date.

2.3   AccessAbility Services and Support

Reasonable adjustments may be made to assist you to manage additional circumstances impacting on your studies provided these do not change the academic integrity of a course. Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of the course.  If you believe you will experience challenges completing your subject or course because of a disability, health condition or other reason, you should fill up the Accessibility Intake form (click Forms for Prospective Students to locate this) and submit to the relevant Student Ambassador at JCUS who will be in touch with you. Your course inherent requirements can be found here.

2.4   Assessment items

ASSESSMENT ITEM 1: DESCRIPTION

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to demonstrate the development of your academic or professional written communication skills. A key skill of all academics and professionals is to be able to critically evaluate, synthesise and summarise a body of literature into a clear and concise rationale. This rationale provides evidence and argument for research, treatment and intervention. It is recommended that you attend class and review the relevant subject materials and readings as indicated in section 4.1 Subject Calendar. Instructions on how to complete this assignment will be specifically discussed in the tutorials as outlined in section 4.1 Subject Calendar. Please see the Literature Review Assessment folder on LearnJCU for additional materials.

Formative Assessment Checkpoint: Feedback on student progress for this assessment will be provided prior to Census date. Please complete appropriate tasks prior to attending Week 4 tutorial. All information regarding tasks will be providing in preceding tutorials and on LearnJCU relevant assessment and content folders.

Submission: This assignment is to be submitted no later than 5pm on the due date. The assignment must be submitted in a Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF document via the Submission Portal under the Assessments folder on the PY1106 LearnJCU site.

Task: Your task is to conduct a literature review on one of the topics below. This topic will also be the focus of your Research Pitch and must be selected from the list below:

1.    Mental illnesses (choose a specific one; e.g., depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, etc.)

2.    Artificial Intelligence

3.    Culture and Psychology

4.    Motivation

5.    Relationships

6.    *Wildcard*

You will note that these topics are quite broad in their focus. This is deliberate. Once you have selected your broad topic, you are required to generate a particular focus or research question that will guide your literature review. You will be given various opportunities in tutorials to talk to your tutor about your research question and review to make sure you are on the right track.

In order to successfully complete this assessment task, you should aim to read at least three peer-reviewed article per week across the semester. Students must notify their tutor during the first tutorial their selected topic.

Format: This is a written assignment which must conform to APA (7th  ed) formatting and the structural requirements of a narrative Literature Review. The assignment must be approximately 2000 words (+/- 10%).