Information Package / Course Catalogue
| Psychology | |||||
| Bachelor | Length of the Programme: 4 | Number of Credits: 240 | TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 | QF-EHEA: First Cycle | EQF: Level 6 |
Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri
| School/Faculty/Institute | Faculty of Econ., Admin. and Social Sciences | |||||||||
| Course Code | SCI 103 | |||||||||
| Course Title in English | Biological Basis of Human Behavior | |||||||||
| Course Title in Turkish | İnsan Davranışının Biyolojik Temelleri | |||||||||
| Language of Instruction | EN | |||||||||
| Type of Course | Flipped Classroom | |||||||||
| Level of Course | Introductory | |||||||||
| Semester | Fall | |||||||||
| Contact Hours per Week |
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| Estimated Student Workload | 156 hours per semester | |||||||||
| Number of Credits | 6 ECTS | |||||||||
| Grading Mode | Standard Letter Grade | |||||||||
| Pre-requisites | None | |||||||||
| Expected Prior Knowledge | None | |||||||||
| Co-requisites | None | |||||||||
| Registration Restrictions | Only Undergraduate Students | |||||||||
| Overall Educational Objective | To become familiar with basic biological concepts and systems relevant to human behaviour; to understand how systems within the mind can be interpreted as evolved systems for solving ancient problems; to be able to recognize similarities and differences between human behaviours and those of other animals, and appreciate how these can aid our understanding of human behaviours; and to understand how our biology underpins (but may not excuse) our behaviours, attitudes and choices in several realms of everyday experience. | |||||||||
| Course Description | This course aims to develop a basic grasp of key biological principles in students, and to help them situate psychology within the field of biology. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts in natural and sexual selection, genetics, neuroscience, and endocrinology; the students and instructor then work together to apply these concepts to understanding behaviours such as romantic and sexual behaviours, aggression, cooperation, emotion, and language. | |||||||||
| Course Description in Turkish | Bu ders, öğrencilerin başlıca biyolojik ilkeleri kavramasını geliştirmeyi ve psikolojiyi biyoloji alanında konumlandırabilmelerine yardım etmelerini amaçlamaktadır. Öğrencilere doğal ve cinsel seleksiyon, genetik, sinirbilim ve endokrinoloji alanlarındaki temel kavramlar tanıtılır. Ardından öğrenciler ve öğretim üyesi bu kavramları romantik ve cinsel davranışlar, saldırganlık, işbirliği, duygu ve dil gibi davranışlara yaklaşımda uygulamak üzere birlikte çalışırlar. |
Course Learning Outcomes and CompetencesUpon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:1) understand the fundamentals of evolution and other biological concepts relevant to behaviour, 1) understand the fundamentals of evolution and other biological concepts relevant to behaviour; 2) use biological principles to analyse and understand a variety of human behaviours, 2) use biological principles to analyse and understand a variety of human behaviours; 3) demonstrate confidence in gathering, organizing and synthesizing information on unfamiliar topics, 3) demonstrate confidence in gathering, organizing and synthesizing information on unfamiliar topics; 4) analyse and assess the quality of evidence and arguments; 4) analyse and assess the quality of evidence and arguments, 5) communicate effectively new knowledge and ideas, both verbally and in writing. 5) communicate effectively new knowledge and ideas, both verbally and in writing. |
| Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences
| 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 | Exam |
| 2) | Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. | N | |
| 3) | Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. | H | Project |
| 4) | Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. | S | Exam |
| 5) | Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. | H | Project |
| 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. | S | HW |
| 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 | HW |
| 9) | Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. | S | HW |
| 10) | Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. | S | |
| 11) | Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. | H | Exam |
| 12) | Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. | H | HW |
| 13) | Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. | S | Project |
| Prepared by and Date | BANU FEMİR GÜRTUNA , November 2023 |
| Course Coordinator | BANU FEMİR GÜRTUNA |
| Semester | Fall |
| Name of Instructor | Öğr. Gör. ESİN TUNA |
Course Contents
| Week | Subject |
| 1) | Introduction |
| 2) | Nervous System I |
| 3) | Nervous System II |
| 4) | Human genetics; fundamentals |
| 5) | The nature and evolution of the human mind |
| 6) | The Neuroendocrinology of Behavior |
| 7) | Motivation and Emotion |
| 8) | Midterm Exam |
| 9) | Sensation and Perception |
| 10) | Human Cognition |
| 11) | Language and Lateralization |
| 12) | Sleep |
| 13) | The Future of Humans |
| 14) | Summary and Revision |
| 15) | Final Examination Period |
| 16) | Final Examination Period |
| Required/Recommended Readings | Required readings: (1) Readings given by the instructor for each week which will be uploaded to BB (2) Sapolsky, R. (2010). Human behavioral biology. Stanford University lecture course available free on Youtube and iTunes. Recommended readings: (1) Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., & Jessell, T. M. (2000). Principles of neural science. New York: McGraw-Hill, Health Professions Division. (2) Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2002). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: Norton. Other Sources: (1) Video links given by the instructor for each week | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | This course will be taught entirely in the flipped format. Students will be assigned a brief introductory online lecture every week, and series of short readings will be divided amongst the class. During class time, I will first assess and reinforce the students’ grasp of basic concepts from the online lecture. Following this, groups of students will present examples and details from their readings for discussion (in English) by the class. Students will be expected to prepare for class by spending sufficient time to master the preparatory materials. They will also be expected to contribute appropriately to class discussions and to assisting the learning of other students. I as the instructor commit to preparing and selecting high-quality materials for each class, at an appropriate, not-too-difficult level of English (this course is aimed at first year students). | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Homework and Projects | 1. Quiz I – 15% On week 6, at the end of the course. 2. Midterm Exam – 30% Will be responsible for the first 7 weeks. 3. Quiz II – 15% On week 11, at the end of the course. 4. Final Exam – 40% 30% of the final exam will include questions from week 1-7 and the rest from 9-14. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Laboratory Work | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer Use | Students will be expected to use appropriate information technology both in preparation time, and during class hours. They will need to search for and read online resources and articles, work together on class exercises, and prepare essays. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Activities | None | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Assessment Methods |
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| Course Administration |
Instructor’s email address: femirb@mef.edu.tr Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Students arriving late or unprepared will be barred from that class, which will impact upon their continuous assessment grade. Students missing an exam for a good reason (e.g., if they have a doctor’s report) may be given a makeup exam at the instructor’s discretion. 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. Plagiarism (copying, copy-paste) includes copying sentences or significant sections of sentences from other sources. This can be from other students’ work, or from sources such as books, articles and websites, even if that source is cited in the student’s work. All instances of plagiarism, or other cheating, will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. There will be no opportunity for makeup exams or assignments where plagiarism or other cheating has taken place. |
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ECTS Student Workload Estimation
| 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 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 70 | ||
| Study Hours Out of Class | 1 | 14 | 14 | ||||
| Quiz(zes) | 2 | 16 | 4 | 40 | |||
| Midterm(s) | 1 | 8 | 2 | 10 | |||
| Final Examination | 1 | 14 | 8 | 22 | |||
| Total Workload | 156 | ||||||
| Total Workload/25 | 6.2 | ||||||
| ECTS | 6 | ||||||