Contemporary Issues in Psychology 1

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
PSYC 4006
Course ID icon
Course ID
207985
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East, Magill
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Psychology
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Carolyn Semmler
Course level icon
Course level
4
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

The aim of this course is to introduce students to current topics in mind, brain and behaviour. The course content will cover fundamental questions in the study of the human mind. The specific content will vary from year to year, but may address the following questions: How do people acquire knowledge of the world? How does children's reasoning differ from that of adults? How do people make choices in a complex world? How are these processes instantiated in the brain? How can cognitive functioning go wrong?

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand the current debates in the literature regarding the mind, brain and behaviour
  • Demonstrate skills in posing the key questions of relevance to understanding conscious experience
  • Understand the techniques and methods used to explore questions about mind, brain and behaviour
  • Consider the role of physiological and cognitive processes in real-world expert decision-making contexts
  • Demonstrate the ability to argue for a position in the debate about mind-brain questions

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 57644
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 53
Available
Available 53
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 10 Sep Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, SG20

Magill

Class number
Class number 56259
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 25
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 7 Sep Monday 1:10pm - 3pm Magill Amy Wheaton, H1-10

Prerequisite(s)

  • must have completed all of PSYC3036 Perception & Cognition/PSYC3038 Advanced Career & Research Skills in Psychology B/PSYC3040 Health & Lifespan Development Psychology

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed PSYCHOL4309 Contemporary Issues in Psychology 1 at the University of Adelaide

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.