| School/Faculty/Institute | Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences | |||||
| Course Code | PSYC 383 | |||||
| Course Title in English | Decision Making | |||||
| Course Title in Turkish | Karar Verme | |||||
| Language of Instruction | EN | |||||
| Type of Course | Flipped Classroom | |||||
| Level of Course | Advanced | |||||
| Semester | Spring | |||||
| Contact Hours per Week |
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| Estimated Student Workload | 140 hours per semester | |||||
| Number of Credits | 6 ECTS | |||||
| Grading Mode | Standard Letter Grade | |||||
| Pre-requisites | None | |||||
| Co-requisites | None | |||||
| Expected Prior Knowledge | None | |||||
| Registration Restrictions | None | |||||
| Overall Educational Objective | To gain insight into the cognitive processes underlying decision-making, to comprehend the neural structures involved and their impact on decision-making, to understand how past experiences and emotions influence decisions, to formulate hypotheses on decision-making mechanisms based on scientific facts and observations, to be able to connect between different areas of research on decision-making. | |||||
| Course Description | This course aims to introduce students to the scientific study of different aspects of decision making. Students will first learn about basics of decision making. Later, the focus of the course will shift to the different influences on decisions. There will be three main lines of research that the course will cover: 1. How evolutionary driving forces shapes the decisions, 2. How past experiences involved in decisions, 3. How culture and media effect decision. The course will provide students with an understanding of the processes involved in decision-making, including the formation of preferences and complex decisions, such as those of a moral nature. |
Course Learning Outcomes and CompetencesUpon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:1) Know the basic operation of decision making 2) Understand how different variables affect decisions 3) Critically read and analyze scientific articles 4) Build connections between various areas of research involving decision making 5) Engage in advanced discussions on decision making and communicate their thoughts and views in an effective way 6) Hypothesize about the variability and relationships of decisions among individuals, develop projects accordingly |
| Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. | ||||||
| 2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. | ||||||
| 3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. | ||||||
| 4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. | ||||||
| 5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. | ||||||
| 6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. | ||||||
| 7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. | ||||||
| 8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). | ||||||
| 9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. | ||||||
| 10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. | ||||||
| 11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. | ||||||
| 12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. | ||||||
| 13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. |
| N None | S Supportive | H Highly Related |
| Program Outcomes and Competences | Level | Assessed by | |
| 1) | Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. | H | HW,Project,Exam |
| 2) | Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. | S | Project,Presentation |
| 3) | Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. | H | Participation,Project,Presentation |
| 4) | Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. | S | Participation,Presentation |
| 5) | Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. | S | Participation,Project,Presentation |
| 6) | Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. | N | |
| 7) | Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. | N | |
| 8) | Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). | H | Participation,HW,Project,Exam,Presentation |
| 9) | Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. | S | Participation,Presentation |
| 10) | Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. | N | |
| 11) | Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. | H | HW,Project,Presentation |
| 12) | Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. | H | HW,Project,Presentation |
| 13) | Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. | S | Project,Presentation |
| Prepared by and Date | ESİN TUNA DEMİRCİOĞLU , November 2024 |
| Course Coordinator | SENA CÜRE ACER |
| Semester | Spring |
| Name of Instructor | Asst. Prof. Dr. ESİN TUNA DEMİRCİOĞLU |
| Week | Subject |
| 1) | What is Decision Making? Basic Concepts and Theories |
| 2) | Decision Making Processes: Cognitive and Neuroscientific Approaches |
| 3) | Brain Structures and Decision Making |
| 4) | Sensory and Motor Decision Making |
| 5) | Emotions and Decision Making |
| 6) | Decision Making Under Risk and Uncertainty |
| 7) | Heuristic Decision Making |
| 8) | Project Presentations |
| 9) | Decision Making and Memory |
| 10) | Learning and Decision Making |
| 11) | Social Decision Making |
| 12) | Decision Making and Morality |
| 13) | Decision Making and Ageing |
| 14) | Project Presentations |
| 15) | Final Examination Period |
| 16) | Final Examination Period |
| Required/Recommended Readings | Recommended textbook: Oshin Vartanian, David R. Mandel (2011) - Neuroscience of Decision Making There will also be a set of required readings from journals and edited books. | ||||||
| Teaching Methods | In this course, the teaching methods include a combination of instructor-led lectures and student-driven discussions. Each class session is divided into two parts: the first part involves the instructor introducing the weekly topic and summarizing key points from the readings. The second part is more interactive, where two or three students lead discussions based on discussion questions they have prepared from the readings. This method encourages active participation and critical thinking. Additionally, the course includes assignments such as discussion questions, a short reflective paper, an exam, and a group research proposal, which collectively aim to enhance understanding and engagement with the topic of collective memory. | ||||||
| Homework and Projects | There will be various pre-class and in-class activities for this class. Pre-class activities: Reading the assigned article and coming-up with two questions that would be raised during class discussion, reading and evaluating each others’ questions. In-class activities: A discussion on predetermined topics, will be held on every two weeks, with each discussion occurring during the initial half of the course. Group work will be conducted, during which students will develop solutions to a current issue related to the topic of the week. Project: Coming up with a research question, creating an experimental study to address that question, and presenting the design to the class. | ||||||
| Laboratory Work | None | ||||||
| Computer Use | None | ||||||
| Other Activities | None | ||||||
| Assessment Methods |
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| Course Administration |
acers@mef.edu.tr None Instructor’s mail address: tunaes@mef.edu.tr Students coming to class unprepared will affect their assessment grades. Students must provide a legitimate, acceptable and documented excuse for missing a scheduled event. Students are expected to treat university personnel and one another respectfully at all times; this includes showing respect for class content and for others’ opinions. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: Law on Higher Education Art. 54. |
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| Activity | No/Weeks | Hours | Calculation | ||||
| No/Weeks per Semester | Preparing for the Activity | Spent in the Activity Itself | Completing the Activity Requirements | ||||
| Course Hours | 14 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 98 | ||
| Project | 1 | 11 | 11 | ||||
| Homework Assignments | 1 | 11 | 11 | ||||
| Final Examination | 1 | 18 | 2 | 20 | |||
| Total Workload | 140 | ||||||
| Total Workload/25 | 5.6 | ||||||
| ECTS | 6 | ||||||