Health Behaviour in a Sustainable World, 7.5 credits

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

After completing the course, the student should be able to

• reflect on the concept of sustainable development and the importance of the own area of expertice to contribute to it
• show knowledge of and reflect on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of UN's Agenda 2030
• analyse and discuss complex connections between social, ecological, economic and cultural dimensions of sustainable development and global justice
• show knowledge and understanding of factors at the community level that may influence health in individuals and groups and opportunities to make healthy and sustainable life choices
• apply models and concepts from behavioural science in order to explain how external factors influence health-related behaviours of individuals and groups
• know and discuss a number of psychological mechanisms that influence the interaction between individuals, as well as between groups
• demonstrate the ability to use psychological theories and concepts to reflect on one's own opinions and values
• demonstrate ability to plan activities and initiatives that contribute to sustainable development.

The aim of the course is to use knowledge from both previous courses and new sources that are not included in the mandatory literature of the programme, to analyse and discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist for psychologists in contributing to sustainable development.

The course covers knowledge from cognitive psychology, social psychology, evolutionary psychology and psychology of learning, and addresses the following topics: health promotion, perception and attention, decision-making, behavioural change, group mechanisms, social influence, and prosocial behavior.

The course is based on student-activating educational models, and comprises both individual studies and joint learning in small groups (so called "interteaching"). The course focus more on student activity in the form of seminars than on traditional lectures. Most lectures are given after the students have worked independently with the material before and during a seminar. In parallel with other activities, students are also expected to complete the web-based programme Perspectives, which includes six interactive lessons from the Constructive Dialogue Institute. The programme is based on material and research from the course's compulsory reading.

Compulsory elements such as lectures and seminars, are included in the course, see heading "Examination". The course includes approximately one physical meeting per week, in addition to independent student activities via the course web and individual studies of the course material.

The course is examined in the following way:
a) in project groups: written report and oral presentation of project, each is graded U or G
b) individually: written reflection task, is graded U or G

The entire course is graded U or G. The grade G on entire course requires G on all examination assignments, as well as fulfillment of compulsory course elements. 

Absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements
The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in or fulfilled compulsory course elements, or compensated for any absence/ failure to fulfill in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from or unfulfillment of a compulsory course element may imply that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

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.

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

Course evaluation takes place according to KI's local guidelines. Results and possible measures are returned to the students via course web.

The course may be given in English.