Course syllabus for Reading Course in Psychology

Specific entry requirements

Passed results from semester 1 - 3 of the Study Programme in Psychology, 90 credits, and at least 15 credits from semester 4.

Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a selected topic within the discipline of psychology
• demonstrate proficiency in scientific writing
• demonstrate proficiency in oral presentation
• demonstrate a scientific approach to the selected topic

Content

The course constitutes an advanced study within a selected topic within the scientific field of psychology, from a point of scientific inquiry that is formulated in advance in consultation with the examiner and, possibly supervisor. Scientific fields may be e.g. cognitive psychology, social psychology, psychology of emotions, differential psychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, clinical psychology, organizational psychology, the history of ideas in psychology and more.

The course is based predominantly on independent work.

Teaching methods

The course starts with a meeting with the examiner and, possibly, a supervisor in which the point of scientific inquiry is formulated. The student then independently gathers information by searching for, reading, and analyzing scientific articles or other relevant literature. The student independently writes a short report and presents and discusses it at a seminar. The format of supervision may vary.

Examination

The course is examined in the following way:
a) written report, is graded U or G 
b) oral presentation and discussion of the report at an assessment seminar, is graded U or G

The course is graded U or G. The grade G requires G on all assessment tasks.

A student who, following the seminar, is assessed as being close to, but not quite reaching, the threshold for a passing grade (G) for the course, may be offered the opportunity to complete supplementary work during the same course offering to achieve a passing result. The examiner determines whether supplementary work is possible and decides on the form, scope, and timing of such work. If the student fails to complete the supplementary work to a passing standard within the allotted time, they shall be awarded the grade U and referred to a re-examination at the next course offering. In cases where the examiner has decided that supplementary work is possible, the student has the right to decline this opportunity.

Limitation of examinations on theoretical course modules
Student who do not pass the regular examination are entitled to retake the examination on five more occasions during future course offerings. However, as this is not a compulsory course, an exam opportunity cannot necessarily be offered every year.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus' regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Transitional provisions

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Other directives

The course may be offered in English.

This is a translation of the Swedish version (Fördjupning i psykologi). In the event of any discrepancy between the versions, the Swedish version constitutes the official decision, and the Swedish wording will prevail.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

Scientific articles or other scientific materials with relevance for the chosen topic.

In-depth literature

KIB "Söka och värdera" https://kib.ki.se/soka-vardera

KIB "Skriva och referera" http://kib.ki.se/skriva-referera

APA (American Psychological Association) är en referensstil som är vanlig inom psykologi och vårdvetenskap. KIB:s referensguide (se länk nedan) för APA är i första hand avsedd för studenter vid Karolinska Institutet. Exemplen på referenser i guiden är att betrakta som rekommendationer baserade på Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. Senaste utgåvan.
https://kib.ki.se/skriva-referera/skriva-referenser-apa-vancouver/referensguider/referensguide-apa-