101182 behaviour and environment (2011, autumn)-1

101182-Behaviour and Environment

Unit Level: 2
Session: 2011-Autumn
Campus: Penrith (Day), Parramatta (Day)

Contents

Unit Information
Unit Handbook Description
Syllabus
Learning Outcomes
Where to go for Help and Information
Unit Teaching Staff
Student Feedback
Unit Structure and Requirements
Mode of Delivery
Attendance and Workload
Assessment Overview
Relation of Unit Activities and Assessment items to Learning Outcomes
Required Textbooks and Equipment
Recommended References, Resources and Links
Assessment 1: Lecture Quizzes
Assessment 2: Workshop Activities
Assessment 3: Video Analysis Project
Assessment 4: Examination
Unit Schedule

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Unit Information
Unit Handbook Description
The focus is on understanding the role of the environment in human behaviour and experience. It will provide students
with an appreciation of the social and physical context of human behaviour and environment through examining the
interaction between people and their natural, built, and social environments. Topics covered will include individual and
cultural factors in the human-environment interaction; environmental perception and cognition; environmental stressors;
restorative environments; electronic and technological environments; future challenges; and developing an ethical
approach to understanding the human-environment interaction.

Syllabus
• Defining concepts of environment and behaviour
• Human-environment interaction
• Environmental cognition, attitudes, and motivations
• Stress and restoration
• Environmental change
• Crises and disasters
• Future environments and challenges

Learning Outcomes
In this unit, Graduate Attributes are achieved through the following Learning Outcomes attained by students:

Through active participation of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Appreciate the importance of physical, psychological, and social domains to the understanding of human behaviour
and experience;
2. Develop a coherent and connected literacy of cross-disciplinary theories that apply to the human-environment
interaction;
3. Gain insight into why people engage with the environment in various ways;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity present in the human-environment interaction;
5. Become more aware of the challenges and responsibilities facing contemporary (and future) society;
6. Identify the importance of an ethical and sustainable relationship with the environment.
The unit also enhances life and work skills, through requiring students to practice and demonstrate;

 Self-directed, adult-learning, problem-solving skills;
 Skills of critical inquiry and creativity in developing the major work;
 Integrity and conscientiousness through the manner in which students complete the ongoing module quizzes and
activities.

Your first source of help and information should be this Learning Guide. The Learning Guide contains comprehensive
information about the unit, including attendance requirements, assessments and a detailed schedule of lectures and due
dates. Please refer to this Learning Guide for information about the unit rather than the official Unit Outline, as the outline
contains only a brief summary of the important aspects of the unit.

Combined with this Learning Guide you will find a Psychology Student Resources document, containing general
information on UWS support services, academic misconduct (e.g. plagiarism), procedures for applying for assignment
extensions or special consideration, and much more. It is vital that you read through this material to be aware of your
rights and responsibilities as students. In particular, you must be aware of the key policies and information affecting
students found at the following link:

http://www.uws.edu.au/learning_teaching/learning_and_teaching/office_of_the_pro-vice-
chancellor/key_policies_and_information_affecting_students

We expect you to have searched for answers to your questions in the unit Learning Guide and Psychology Student
Resources documents BEFORE contacting any member of staff.
Unit eLearning site
Your second source of information should be the unit’s vUWS site. Students are expected to access their vUWS sites AT
LEAST once per week (and preferably every 2 or 3 days) to check for any mail or announcements (including any
variations to the unit outline). E-lectures will be made available through the unit’s vUWS site (see Unit Structure and
Requirements for more information).
Unit Teaching Staff
For all other unit enquiries, you should contact the appropriate member of the unit's teaching staff (see below for details).
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Where it becomes necessary to seek advice from lecturers or tutors, it is expected that students come adequately
prepared, having done as much background work as possible themselves, and with clear questions rather than vague
requests about what to do. Please note that staff will NOT reply to emails where answers are already available in the
Learning Guide or Psychology Student Support Resources, or that relate to trivial matters for which information is readily
available elsewhere. Note also that in email communication students are required to use their UWS email account. Email
communications will be attended to during consultation times.

Unit coordinator: Dr David Arness
Consultation times and Monday 10am - 11am, Kingswood, bldg V, room V.1.28
location: Friday 11am - 12pm, Bankstown, bldg 24, level 3, room 18
These consultation periods will be used primarily for responding to email
Consultation instructions: queries and vUWS discussion items. However, if necessary, please email to
arrange a face-to-face consultation during these times.

Student Feedback
Student feedback plays a vital role in improving the quality and educational effectiveness of UWS units, and in ensuring
academic staff keep in touch with student needs. At the end of the semester you will be given the opportunity to complete
a Student Feedback on Units (SFU) questionnaire to assess the unit. If requested by your lectures or tutors, you may
also have the opportunity to complete a Student Feedback on Teaching (SFT) questionnaire to provide feedback for
individual teaching staff.

For further information on student feedback and to view examples of the questionnaires, go to:

http://www.uws.edu.au/opq/planning_and_quality/surveys.

Recent changes made to the unit in response to student feedback:
Given that this unit has been newly developed, we are keenly interested in constructive feedback via the SFUs at end of
semester. Your comments will be used in future planning and development of the unit.

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Unit Structure and Requirements
Mode of Delivery
Physical attendance at lectures and tutorials is not scheduled for this unit. This unit is presented via online learning
modules that should be completed within consecutive 2-week periods. See the teaching schedule at the end of this
guide for an outline of how the modules are structured. Note that each module will include 2x1-hour lectures, and 2x1-
hour workshops (consisting of guided activities and practical demonstrations). Interactive exchange is facilitated through
the use of the vUWS discussion board. In particular, on the Friday at the end of each module, a discussion forum
(through the vUWS discussion board) will be held where you can discuss with the lecturer any questions related to that
module.

Given the online delivery format, it is your responsibility to adopt an adult-learner approach to your education and
schedule regular times to study the materials. You should refer to the timetable for important dates.

Attendance and Workload
The unit is comprised of 5 learning modules as described above, along with an introductory lecture that will orient you to
the unit requirements and expectations. The lecture content in each learning module will present the main conceptual
material, supported by demonstrations and multimedia content. Workshop activities will consist of guided but largely self-
directed activities/mini-projects. You should plan to work consistently on module content, following the recommended
teaching schedule.

Progress throughout the unit will be facilitated by selective release of content based on completion of ongoing
assessment activities. In order to receive later modules, you must complete an online quiz derived from lecture content,
and submit your response to the required workshop activity. Further details are provided in the Assessments section.

In general, you are expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week working on this unit: this includes scheduled
times for the 1-hour lecture and 1-hour workshop. The remaining time will include completing readings, quizzes,
activities, and working on the major project. This, of course, is a guide only, and will depend on your individual study
habits.

Assessment Overview
The table below provides an overview of the assessment items for this unit. Detailed information on each assessment
task is provided in the following sections of the Learning Guide.

In order to pass this unit you must complete the assessments marked below as 'Compulsory' and obtain a minimum
combined overall mark of 50%. Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School and College
Assessment Committee which may scale, modify or otherwise amend the marks and grades for the unit, as may be
required by University policies.

Number & Title Format Length/Duration Due day/time Weighting

Assessment 1: Quiz 5 short mastery Practice Quiz, Friday 4 10%
Lecture Quizzes quizzes throughout February, Quiz 1; by 5pm,
semester Friday 18 March, Quiz 2; by
5pm, Friday 1 April, Quiz 3;
by 5pm, Friday 15 April,
Quiz 4; by 5pm, Friday 6
May, Quiz 5; by 5pm, Friday
20 May.

Assessment 2: Workshop Activities Variable: 3 out of 5 Activity 1; by 5pm, Friday 18 20%
Workshop Activities workshop activities will March, Activity 2; by 5pm,
be assessable, with Friday 1 April, Activity 3; by
the top 2 contributing 5pm, Friday 15 April, Activity
to mark 4; by 5pm, Friday 6 May,
Activity 5; by 5pm, Friday 20
May,

Assessment 3: Video Analysis 1,000 words 12pm, Monday 23 May 30%
Video Analysis Project

Assessment 4: Exam 2 hours Examination Period 40%
Examination

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Relation of Unit Activities and Assessment items to Learning Outcomes
Module Content Outcome
1 Defining Environment and Behaviour; highlights the diversity and 1&4
complexity inherent in these topics through an examination of the
multiple levels of environment/behaviour.
2 Human-Environment Interaction; introducing motivational, emotional, 2&3
and intentional processes that shape our interactions with the
environment, particularly focusing on the malleability of behaviour and
environment.
3 Stress and Restoration; covers sources of stress and methods of 5&3
recovery, focusing particularly on stress in contemporary society.
4 Severe Environmental Change; considers disasters and crises of 5&4
physical and social environments, particularly focusing on the challenges
going into the future.
5 Future Environments; explores the possible shapes of our future 5&6
environments, focusing on the implications of current challenges and
developing an ethic of responsibility and sustainability.

Required Textbooks and Equipment
Reader: Behaviour and Environment (Hybrid text developed in conjunction with Pearson Education Australia)

Recommended References, Resources and Links
Veitch, R., & Arkkelin, D. (1995). Environmental Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Perspective. Englewood Cliffs, NJ,
Prentice Hall.

Deckers, L. (2005). Motivation: Biological, Psychological, and Environmental (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

Winter, D.N., & Koger, S.M. (2004). The psychology of environmental problems (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence
Erlbaum.

Joinson, A.N. (2003). Understanding the psychology of internet behaviour: Virtual worlds, real lives. Basingstoke:
Palgrave MacMillan.

Sterba, J.P. (1999). Earth Ethics: Introductory Readings on Animal Rights, and Environmental Ethics (2nd ed.). NJ:
Pearson Higher Education.

Fricke, R. (1992). Baraka. Columbia Tristar Home Video (DVD)

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Assessment 1: Lecture Quizzes
Assessment Format: Quiz
Weighting: 10%
Length/Duration: 5 short mastery quizzes throughout semester
Assessment Date and Time: Practice Quiz, Friday 4 February,
Quiz 1; by 5pm, Friday 18 March,
Quiz 2; by 5pm, Friday 1 April,
Quiz 3; by 5pm, Friday 15 April,
Quiz 4; by 5pm, Friday 6 May,
Quiz 5; by 5pm, Friday 20 May.
Assessment Location: Online
Is the Assessment Compulsory? Yes
Cover-Sheet Required? No

Description and Instructions
There will be one online quiz set for each of the five learning modules covered throughout semester, as well as a
practice quiz associated with the introductory lecture. These quizzes will assess comprehension of the lecture content
from that module, and essentially constitute a mastery task.

You must achieve 100% accuracy on each of the quizzes (including the practice quiz) in order to gain access to
following modules. You can attempt the quizzes as many times as needed to achieve 100% accuracy.

You should endeavour to complete the quizzes in the timeframe suggested in the Unit Schedule.

Assessment Criteria and Standards
While functioning as mastery tasks you will need to have studied the lecture materials thoroughly in order to complete
the quizzes successfully.

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Assessment 2: Workshop Activities
Assessment Format: Workshop Activities
Weighting: 20%
Length/Duration: Variable: 3 out of 5 workshop activities will be assessable, with the top 2
contributing to mark
Assessment Date and Time: Activity 1; by 5pm, Friday 18 March,
Activity 2; by 5pm, Friday 1 April,
Activity 3; by 5pm, Friday 15 April,
Activity 4; by 5pm, Friday 6 May,
Activity 5; by 5pm, Friday 20 May,

The workshop activities are designed to enhance your engagement with and understanding of the topics covered in the
corresponding lectures. They vary in content and requirements and specific details for each activity will be provided
through the workshop link.

Selected workshop content will be required for submission for each module, and this will be clearly indicated in the
instructions for that workshop.

Of the five submitted exercises, three will be assessed (those from module 1, 3, and 5), and the top 2 marks will
contribute to your final grade.

Please note that you still need to submit an attempt at all five selected exercises in order to progress through the unit.

You should endeavour to complete the activities in the timeframe suggested in the Unit Schedule. If you submit by the
indicated dates you will receive your marks for the activities in a timely fashion. Moreover, you risk falling behind if you
do not complete the activities in the timeframe recommended.

Marking of these activities is intended to promote consistent work and provide you feedback on your progress
throughout semester. More detailed criteria for each assessable activity will be posted online along with the workshop
instructions.

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Assessment 3: Video Analysis Project
Assessment Format: Video Analysis
Weighting: 30%
Length/Duration: 1,000 words
Assessment Date and Time: 12pm, Monday 23 May
Cover-Sheet Required? Yes

For your major project you are required to film an example of the human behaviour-environment interaction. You are
free to interpret the concepts of behaviour and environment, but keeping in mind that your task is to analyse the video
in light of materials from lectures and readings.

To encourage your production of creative and compelling films, the footage must be no longer than 5 minutes.

More detailed instructions on filming and conducting the analysis will be provided early in semester.

The assessment criteria include critical evaluation, identification of theoretical concepts and synthesis of themes, clarity
and coherence of expression, and creativity.

The full assessment criteria and standards will be provided along with the detailed instructions within the first few
weeks of semester

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Assessment 4: Examination
Assessment Format: Exam
Weighting: 40%
Length/Duration: 2 hours
Assessment Date and Time: Examination Period
Assessment Location: Examination Period

The examination is based on content from the lectures and readings, and will consist of 110 multiple choice questions.

To do well in the exam you will need to start studying the readings from the beginning of semester. Moreover, content
in the lectures and workshops will help to consolidate the textbook material, and you will get the most out of the unit if
you complete the readings during the set weeks.

The objective of the examination is to assess conceptual understanding of the core themes examined throughout
semester. As such, the questions will test your comprehension of the knowledge and will be focused on
evaluation rather than recall

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Unit Schedule
Session Week Week Starts Lectures Tutorials Assessments
Introductory Lecture: Practice Quiz (should aim
orientation and overview to complete no later
Week 1
28/02/2011 than Friday, Feb 4).
Teaching
Overview of topics, unit
structure, and assessments.
Module 1.1: Defining Module 1.1: Defining
Behaviour and Environment Behaviour and
Environment
Diversity and complexity of
Week 2
Teaching
7/03/2011 environments, with a focus Observing and analysing
on systems theory and your environment;
working towards a multi- conceptualising systems.
level inter-disciplinary
paradigm.
Module 1.2: Defining Module 1.2: Defining Submit response to quiz
Behaviour and Environment Behaviour and and selected workshop
Environment activity for Module 1:
Comparing theoretical
Week 3
Teaching
14/03/2011 perspectives, with a focus Differing roles within By 5pm, Friday, March
on behaviour. environments. 18.

Introducing and exploring
environmental issues.
Module 2.1: Malleability of Module 2.1: Malleability
behaviour and environment of behaviour and
environment
Week 4 How and why do people
21/03/2011
Teaching shape their environments? Investigating the influence
Understanding the role of of motivation, emotion,
motivation, emotion, and and differing goals.
goals.
Module 2.2: Malleability of Module 2..2: Malleability Submit response to quiz
behaviour and environment of behaviour and and selected workshop
environment activity for Module 2:
Changing minds, changing
Week 5
Teaching
28/03/2011 worlds. Investigating The tension between By 5pm, Friday, April 1.
intentional and desire and reality.
unintentional processes of
change and their
consequences.
Module 3.1: Stress and Module 3.1: Stress and
restoration restoration
Week 6
4/04/2011
Teaching Stress basics and the Is nature inherently
restorative potential of restorative?
nature.
Module 3.2: Stress and Module 3.2: Stress and Submit response to quiz
restoration restoration and selected workshop
activity for Module 3:
Week 7 Multiple levels in stress and Factors involved in
11/04/2011
Teaching restoration; critiquing the restoration and By 5pm, Friday, April 15.
value of stress as a developing practical
concept. strategies for a complex
world.
Break could be used to
gather footage for your
video project.
Week 8
Intra-Session Break
18/04/2011

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Module 4.1: Severe Module 4.1: Severe
environmental change environmental change
Week 9
25/04/2011
Teaching When the world changes; Video reflection and
impact of disasters within analysis.
multiple domains.
Module 4.2: Severe Module 4.2: Severe Submit response to quiz
environmental change environmental change and selected workshop
Week 10 activity for Module 4:
2/05/2011
Teaching Revisiting the notion of Video reflection and
change and the importance analysis. By 5pm, Friday, May 6.
of adaptability.
Module 5.1: Future Module 5.1: Future
environments environments
Week 11
Teaching
9/05/2011 Environmental issues and Talking about the future.
challenges going into the
future; possible shapes of
our future environments.
Module 5.2: Future Module 5.2: Future Submit response to quiz
environments environments and selected workshop
Week 12 activity for Module 5:
16/05/2011
Teaching Developing awareness of Contrasting views and
our relationship with the identifying diversity. By 5pm, Friday, May 20.
future.
Major project due:
Week 13
Teaching
23/05/2011
12pm, Monday, May 23.
Online discussion based on
the videos from the top
major projects.
Week 14
Teaching
30/05/2011
Voting for favourite video.

Details TBA.

Week 15
Study Vacation
6/06/2011

Week 16-18
Examination Period
13/06/2011

Notes
Given the online nature of this unit, it is essential that you plan your approach to learning and assessment
carefully. The schedule suggested in the timetable above is recommended for timely and satisfactory
completion of the unit.

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