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

PSYC 376

Course Title in English

Current Topics in Neuroscience

Course Title in Turkish

Nörobilimde Güncel Konular

Language of Instruction

Type of Course

Flipped Classroom

Level of Course

Introductory

Semester

Fall

Contact Hours per Week

Lecture: 3

Recitation:

Lab:

Other:

Estimated Student Workload

138 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 gain an understanding of the study of neuroscience and its subfields; to be familiar with the hot topics of 21st century neuroscience researches and methods to carry out a research in the field.

Course Description

The course aims to introduce the rapidly developing field of neuroscience, different subfields and the current research topics. Students will be introduced a basic understanding of the structure and the function of nervous system, current topics studied by the subfields including social, behavioral, affective and cognitive neuroscience and how neuroscience researches are conducted by explaining neuroimaging methods.

Course Description in Turkish

Bu dersin amacı, hızlı gelişen bir alan olan nörobilimi, alt alanlarını ve bu alanların odaklandığı güncel araştırma konularını tanıtmaktır. Öğrencilere sinir sistemine dair temel bilgilerin, nörobilimin sosyal, davranışsal, afektif ve bilişsel gibi alt alanları tarafından çalışılan güncel konular ve nörogörüntüleme yöntemlerini anlatarak bu alanda yapılan araştırmaların nasıl yürütüldüğünün tanıtılması amaçlanmıştır.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand the field of neuroscience and how it has developed until today;
2) comprehend the nervous system and basic physiological processes;
3) discuss different subfields and topics in neuroscience;
4) critique and contextualize the articles on neuroscience and develop new ideas on them;
5) practice widely used research methods in neuroscience.

Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	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,Participation,Presentation
2)	Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.	S	Participation,Presentation
3)	Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.	S	Participation,Presentation
4)	Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.	S	Participation
5)	Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.	N
6)	Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.	H	Exam,Participation,Presentation
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.	H	Exam,Participation,Presentation
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	Exam,Participation,Presentation
9)	Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.	S	Select,Participation
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	Select,Participation
12)	Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.	S	Participation
13)	Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.	H	Select,Participation,Presentation

Prepared by and Date	BANU FEMİR GÜRTUNA , March 2022
Course Coordinator	BANU FEMİR GÜRTUNA
Semester	Fall
Name of Instructor	Asst. Prof. Dr. BANU FEMİR GÜRTUNA

Course Contents

Week	Subject
1)	Neuroscience: Past, present and future
2)	Neuroanatomy and the Changing Brain
3)	Neurotransmitters: What they are, functions, and psychology
4)	Learning and Memory
5)	The Brain During Sleeping and Dreaming
6)	Neuromarketing: Consumer Behavior
7)	Midterm
8)	Neuroscience of Human Relationships
9)	Social Brain
10)	Affective Neuroscience: How the brain creates emotional responses?
11)	Neuroimaging: What We Know So Far?
12)	Animals in Research
13)	Common Myths About the Brain
14)	Student Presentations & Q&As
15)	Final Examination Period
16)	Final Examination Period

Required/Recommended Readings

Required 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. (3) Additional readings given by the instructor. Recommended readings: (1) Panksepp, J. (1998). Affective neuroscience: The foundations of human and animal emotions. New York: Oxford University Press. (2) Pradeep, A.K. (2010). Buying Brain: Secrets for Selling to the Subconscious Mind. New Jersey: John Wiley (3) Cozolino, Louis J. (2014). The neuroscience of human relationships: attachment and the developing social brain. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Teaching Methods

Flipped format will be used for the whole course. Every week, students will be assigned to online lecture and related articles will be given before the class. At be beginning of the class, it is expected that students read the related articles and understand the concepts discussed in the online lecture. In the second hour, these concepts and readings will be discussed by grouping students. All students are expected to be prepared for all classes and actively join the discussions, ask questions and try to find answers to these questions. In case students are having difficulties, they are free to contact the instructor anytime by e-mail.

Homework and Projects

Students are expected to read articles and related book chapters before each course. On the 14th week, students will do a presentation about one of the topics in neuroscience. Student are free to choose the subject themselves. The instructor must be informed about the presentation topics no later than the midterm week. PDF format of the presentation should be sent to the instructor the day before the presentation.

Laboratory Work

Computer Use

Other Activities

It is expected that students will read each week’s related articles before the class and actively join the discussions in the classroom.

Assessment Methods

Assessment Tools	Count	Weight
Attendance	14	% 15
Presentation	1	% 15
Midterm(s)	1	% 35
Final Examination	1	% 35
TOTAL		% 100

Course Administration

banu.femir@gmail.com

Attendance at all classes is compulsory. Students arriving 15 min. late will not be allowed to join that class. In case of missing an exam, students must provide an acceptable and documented excuse. Make-up exam will be held for the missed exams. Students are expected to treat university staff and others respectfully at all times. The commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of their diverse forms such as plagiarism, and copying during examinations will not be tolerated Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

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	2	3	2	98
Presentations / Seminar	1	9	2		11
Midterm(s)	1	9	2		11
Final Examination	1	16	2		18
Total Workload					138
Total Workload/25					5.5
ECTS					6