Foundations of Psychology (10444.1)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Foundations of Psychology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Online real-time
 Bruce, Canberra
UC College, Bruce, ACT
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Psychology Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 1 2021 (Pg Clinical Psychology)
Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 2 2021 (Standard Course Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
Band 4 2021 (Standard Course Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students are introduced to the foundations of psychology. An overview of the main theoretical frameworks and methods used in psychology is provided, including the history and philosophy underpinning the science of psychology and the social, cultural, historical and professional influences on the practice of psychology. These theories and methods are applied to research areas such as sensation and perception; developmental psychology; consciousness; learning; human memory; language and thought; motivation and emotion, personality; and cross-cultural and Indigenous psychology. Throughout the unit we will provide insights into how people in diverse cultures perceive, think and behave, including Indigenous worldviews, knowledges and practices.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe some of the main research areas in Psychology;
2. Explain the major psychological theories and findings relevant to these main study areas;
3. Reflect on and engage with psychological knowledges to identify and solve challenges in personal and professional contexts; and
4. Build awareness of the diversity of individuals and cultures in practical and research settings, including with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and other culturally diverse populations.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

4310 Psychology 102

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Online real-time Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Miss Rebecca Mete
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Miss Rebecca Mete
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Online real-time Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Introduction to Psychology: An Interactive Top Hat Text

Reference: Altman, M., Jacobi, L., Beston, B., Brown, K., Burton, E.T., Carducci, B., Darlaston-Jones, D., Dudgeon, P.,Hummel, J., Lukowski, A., Poplock, S., Slonecker, E., Swisher, M., VanArsdall, J., Vervaeke, J., & Wehe, H. (2020). Introduction to Psychology-Australian edition: A Top Hat Interactive Text. Top Hat Monocle.

This is an interactive textbook, which contains high quality content that can be easily accessed from your laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. Top Hat textbooks offer a hands-on reading experience that includes questions to test your knowledge, YouTube videos, body simulations and interactive diagrams.

Like in hard copy textbooks, you can also highlight text and add comments to the text.  Moreover, you can print the chapter if you prefer reading offline. However, be aware that by printing and reading offline you lose all the exciting interactive features that facilitate your learning.

This textbook is the required textbook for this unit - you are required to borrow/use this textbook from the library or purchase it. Research provides strong evidence that students who access and engage with the textbook accomplish higher grades.

Borrowing/using the book from UC library

The following site provides all relevant information for accessing the Top Hat textbook from UC library:

https://success.tophat.com/s/article/Student-Free-Access-Zone

The code for this course is 766305

Purchasing the book 

To purchase the book, you will need to purchase access from the publisher.

If you already purchased the textbook for 11399 using the year long access option, simply click the link provided and you will be able to enter the course right away or you may have to renew their subscription for the semester. You don't need to purchase the book again. If you only purchased access to semester 1, you will need to purchase another subscription for this semester.

You will get an invitation by Top Hat with a link to the textbook. Please follow the instruction provided in this invitation.

This invitation will also include an embedded getting started video and a link to the Top Hat Support Team in case you need any assistance.

When you check out, you have the choice to purchase a one semester, one year or 5 year subscription. If you only study this unit, we recommend you choose the one semester option. If are considering studying 11399 Understanding People and Behaviour as well, we recommend you choose the one year option because this option gives you more value.

You can also follow these three steps:

  1. Read how to create your account.
  2. Click on this link.
    2. Sign-up for a Top Hat online account
    3. Follow the prompts to access the textbook

If the website asks for a join code - please use 766305

Top Hat offers you a 7 day free trial period that will give you full access for free. You also will have 2-weeks from the time you purchase to submit a request for a full refund. So if you decide to leave the unit within the 2 weeks, you will just need to contact Top Hat and they will process the refund.

Using the book 

To find out how to use the book, watch this quick start guide video.  

You can access the book through a desktop using Chrome or Firefox or via the Top Hat app on an Android or iOS mobile device. Ensure that you are using the latest security updates. 

The book employs interactive learning resources. Full use of these resources requires a reliable broadband internet connection. While the preloaded text can be used offline, videos will not play.

Assistance 

For support contact:

Further assistance is provided in the articles below:

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

In order to pass this unit students need to achieve a mark of at least 50% for this unit. 

EXTENSIONS  
 
Please read this information BEFORE contacting your Unit Convener for an extension.
 
1. Assignment extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control.  No extensions are available for quizzes or research participation (or alternative task) .
 
2. Students are expected to work on the assessment items throughout the teaching period. Early communication of problems is strongly advised. Students should assess early in the teaching period whether they have a reasonable likelihood of being able to complete the unit and should consider withdrawing by the census date, if required. 
 
3. All requests will require documentary evidence (e.g., a medical certificate) and must be submitted to the unit convener. An extension will not be granted on the grounds of academic or employment workload, for undocumented issues or for technical problems.
 
4. To request an extension, email the convenor from your university email account with the following:

Subject line should include:

  • unit number
  • assessment item name
  • extension request

Message body should include:

  • your first name, surname, and student ID
  • unit number and name
  • assessment item name
  • length of extension requested
  • reason for the extension request

Attachments including an Assignment Extension Form (which can be found at http://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/forms) and supporting documentary evidence, for example:

  • A medical certificate signed by a registered medical, dental, or health practitioner. The certificate must contain the registered provider number, the duration of the student's incapacity to study, and the date of consultation.
  • A death notice or other appropriate documentation for bereavement.

Note: An extension must be applied for before the due date of the assessment item that an extension is sought for.

5. The unit convener will consider your request, determine the length of the extension to be granted (if any) and email you advising whether your request is approved or declined. If approved, the new due date will also appear on your Canvas site where your assignment is submitted.
 
6. Penalties for late submission (without an approved extension) of assessed work will be applied.
Marks will be deducted at the rate of 10% of the value of the assessment item per day it is overdue (including weekends and public holidays). Submissions received more than 3 days after the prescribed date and time will not be accepted for marking, a mark of zero (0) will be awarded for the item, with no feedback provided.
 
7. Assignments submitted after the due date, regardless of whether an extension was granted, may be returned at a later date than those submitted on time. 
 
8. Assignment submissions will not be accepted once the university examination period has commenced unless an extension has been granted in writing before the end of the teaching period. Such extensions will be granted only in exceptional circumstances. 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

This unit consists of twelve lectures (Weeks 1 and 12 are face-to-face, 2-7 and 9-11 are pre-recorded and 13 is live-online) and ten tutorials (starting in Week 2, either face-to-face or online, depending on your enrollment choice). When attending and participating in lectures and tutorials, it is expected that students be mindful of others' rights to teach/learn, be respectful of staff and fellow students by having mobile phones switched off or to silent mode, and that personal/private conversations be conducted outside the classroom environment.

Required IT skills

Students are expected to have basic IT skills in order to navigate Canvas. Regular access to Canvas is a requirement for students enrolled in this unit to enable access to announcements, discussion forums, completion of online quizzes and for online submission of assignments. It is also expected that all students will have basic word processing skills.

This unit may involve online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Next step

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