Central perspectives within modern psychology

The course consists of a lecture series with various scientific topics presented by professional teachers in the form of 1-3 lectures. Furthermore, each topic is linked to seminars where all students read relevant scientific articles (including original articles) and discuss the content of these (80% compulsory attendance). In a final part of the course, each student presents a short lecture (approx. 10 min.) dealing with one of the academic topics the student has chosen to focus on.

Knowledge: After completing the course, the student will have in-depth knowledge of a specific collection of key topics in modern psychology - such as, learning, consciousness, sex/gender, time perception, as well as issues related to environment and society. Based on the different academic approaches to the relevant topics, the student will also have established a general understanding of the diversity of perspectives that characterizes the field of psychology.

Skill: The student will have acquired an ability for scientific thinking/reflection that includes general scientific principles, as well as a distinct understanding of the characteristics that typify different psychological sub-disciplines. By means of a substantial element of student-active learning forms, such as seminars based on critical review of scientific articles with subsequent oral presentation, the student will, after completing the course, be able to analyze existing theories, methods, and interpretations in the field and work independently with experimental and theoretical issues.

General competence: The student will have acquired a well-established way of thinking that includes an understanding of both main scientific principles/theories and subject-specific questions, including relevant issues covering research ethics. The student will also be able to perform critical reading of scientific literature and in an independent manner to communicate academic questions with specialists as well as the general public.

Lectures and student active teaching’ in the form of academic seminars and oral presentations. In total approx. 10 lectures with professional teachers (10x2x45 min), 10 discussion seminars (10x2x45 min), and 5 seminars with 10 minutes student presentations (5x2x45 min).