Bachelor of Psychological and Social Sciences

The world has experienced a rapid expansion of activity in digital environments, including the Internet, intranets, gaming platforms and peer-to-peer communication channels (e.g. texting). As online interaction becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, its impacts continue to be widely debated, with concerns ranging from hacking, trolling and cyberbullying to online scams and online addiction.

We live in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world that places greater emotional demands on people and organisations. This subject introduces the positive psychology theory, research and the practical evidence-based techniques to enhance wellbeing and resilience in an increasingly VUCA world.

Positive psychology is an emerging field of academic study and practical application in personal and work settings that focuses on the creation of individual resilience, strengths and virtues, creativity and other indicators of human flourishing. Throughout this subject, students will be encouraged to actively engage and apply the positive psychology concepts taught within the course and to critically reflect on these experiences to bring about personal change.

This subject introduces students to the emerging field of digital mental health. Digital mental health services, including telehealth, web-based counselling services and mobile phone apps, are increasingly being adopted in the practice of psychology and other health disciplines. This subject describes the uses of digital mental health for health promotion, prevention and treatment of mental illnesses.

Benefits and limitations of digital delivery of mental health services are described in the context of the broader public mental health system, with a focus on young people and smartphone apps. An assessment framework for mental health smartphone apps will be introduced to support students’ critical evaluation of the quality and integrity of smartphone apps. Students will also apply their understanding of digital mental health to a real-world project.

This subject focuses on the local experiences of cultural and socio-economic difference. This includes applied social science approaches to inequality, diversity, community, sense of place and environmental sustainability in the urban setting. There is an emphasis on spatial literacy for social scientists (fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and place description).

Humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and sociocultural: The Individual in Society introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding individual behaviour. The subject then progresses to social psychology and explores self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience. It also explores prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships.

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to key theories and concepts for understanding social action, social policy, social institutions, social structure and social change. Developing skills in critical reading and sociological analysis, students will interpret and analyse subject content to acquire an understanding of contemporary societies.

This subject introduces students to the rich diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and experiences, past, present and future. Emphasis is placed on the importance of identity, diversity, representation and resilience. Students engage directly with Indigenous sources and develop the skills to critically analyse content from Indigenous standpoints.

Through a challenging and thought-provoking exploration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, places and philosophies, this subject provides a strong foundation in Indigenous perspectives and their relevance to knowledge and professional practice across a range of fields.