Psychology

The course list identifies approved courses that MacEwan University may offer. Not all courses will be offered every year and some courses are restricted to particular programs. Contact an advisor in your program for information on course availability.  

2019/20

Psychology

Research Participation

For students of PSYC 104 and PSYC 105, the opportunity to participate in a psychology research study is an exciting hands-on way to learn about psychological principles and methods of research. As part of your course work, you will be able to serve as a participant in both on-line and in-person research studies being conducted by faculty and upper-level students from the Department of Psychology.

• Download Research Participation Instructions
• Sign-up for an account on the MacEwan Psychology Research website at: http://grantmacewan.sona-systems.com

If you have any questions or need help, please contact:

Research Participation Coordinator
psychologyresearch@macewan.ca

Please include your full name and use your MacEwan University student email address for any communications.

2019/20

Psychology

The course list identifies approved courses that MacEwan University may offer. Not all courses will be offered every year and some courses are restricted to particular programs. Contact an advisor in your program for information on course availability.

2019/20

Psychology

The course list identifies approved courses that MacEwan University may offer. Not all courses will be offered every year and some courses are restricted to particular programs. Contact an advisor in your program for information on course availability.

2019/20

Psychology

The course list identifies approved courses that MacEwan University may offer. Not all courses will be offered every year and some courses are restricted to particular programs. Contact an advisor in your program for information on course availability.

Permission of the department

Where permission is required to enrol, you will need to email the Chair of the Psychology Department with your student ID number and the specific term and section number for the class you wish to take. In your email, you must indicate how you meet the course prerequisites.

Contact the chair

Spring 2019

PSYC 405 (OP01): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Science of Productivity

Instructor: Dr. Rodney Schmaltz

There has been volumes written on productivity and time management. Unfortunately, much of this work is not based on empirically validated research. Drawing on the relevant literature from behavioral, cognitive, and social psychology, students in this seminar course will explore evidence-based approaches to maximize productivity. Topics covered include self-management, scheduling, work-life balance, and habit formation.

Prerequisites: Permission of the department, a minimum grade of C- in PSYC 212 and at least two 300- or 400-level courses in PSYC.

Summer 2019

PSYC 405 (OP11): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Psychedelics, Meditation, and Spirituality

Instructor: Wahab Hanif, M.A.

Are there experiences to be had that promise a departure from normal consciousness, a road to well-being, and an end to human suffering? Are there experiences that are transcendent? In this course we will attempt to answer these questions. We will explore the short-term and long-term benefits of psychedelics and meditation in the context of normal well-being, rehabilitation, palliative care, and psychotherapy. We will do a critical survey of the empirical literature to identify cognitive and neural mechanisms associated with state and trait effects associated with controlled and guided use of psychedelics and the practice of different forms of meditation. There will be a practice component to the course, which will consist in guided meditation practice sessions. If you have ever wondered about the nature of your consciousness, about the key to happiness and lasting well-being, this course might give you some of the answers you seek.

Prerequisites: Permission of the department and PSYC 258 or PSYC 275. Priority will be given to PSYC majors and minors who have completed at least 75 credits.

Fall 2019

PSYC 405 (AS02): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Behaviour Self-Management

Instructor: Dr. Russ Powell

Behavioural approaches to the study of self-control are surveyed and contrasted with recent cognitive approaches. Basic strategies and tactics of behaviour self-management are explored as well as the application of self-management to specific areas of concern. Students are expected to carry out various self-management projects as part of the course requirements.

Prerequisites: Permission of the department, a minimum grade of C- in PSYC 385.
 

PSYC 405 (AS01): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Experimental Psychopathology

Instructor: Dr. David Watson

The course is an in-depth examination of three areas in experimental psychopathology:

1. Personality Disorder
2. Emotion Regulation
3. The Self-Conscious Emotions

Prerequisites: Permission of the department and a minimum of C- in PSYC 339.  

PSYC 449 (AS01): Topics in Social Psychology

Topic: Pseudoscience and Scientific Skepticism

Instructor: Dr. Rodney Schmaltz

This course is designed to provide students with the skills needed to scientifically evaluate fringe‐science, the paranormal, and otherwise unorthodox claims about human behaviour. Examples of pseudoscience and questionable science will be drawn from traditional areas of psychology as well as popular culture and the media.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C‐ in PSYC 212 and PSYC 241.
 

Winter 2020

PSYC 405 (AS01): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Stress, Coping and Health

Instructor: Dr. Michele Moscicki

Have you ever wondered … Why some people seem to get very stressed about things while other people don’t? What physical effects stress can have on the body? What psychological effects stress can have on the mind? How to cope effectively with stressors? How food affects your brain, mood, and stress response? If so, this is the class for you! Throughout the course of the semester, we will use empirical research to ground discussions about the effects of stress on the body and mind, the beneficial effects of stress, how to change your mindset about stress, different methods of coping with stressors that you can incorporate into your everyday life, how food affects your brain and stress response, how the gut factors into overall health and stress management, and much more!

Prerequisites: Permission of the department. Priority will be given to students who have also completed PSYC 307.
 

PSYC 405 (AS02): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Political Psychology

Instructor: Dr. Craig Blatz

This course teaches the psychological determinants of political belief and behavior. Units will include: the psychological motives served by political beliefs, how personality variables affect political beliefs and ideology, how political beliefs alter our perceptions of others, why people engage in the political process (and why they often fail to), and psychological contributions to political negotiation and conflict. We will also cover how psychological findings inform and explain policy debates and recent geopolitical events. The class will include exercises, videos, assignments, presentations, and discussions.

Prerequisites: Permission of the department. Minimum grade of C- in at least six credits of 300/400 level courses.

PSYC 405 (AS03): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Neuroscience of Ocean Acidification

Instructor: Dr. Trevor Hamilton

The levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere are thought by many leading scientists to be rising due to anthropogenic (human caused) industrial activity; they were 280 per million (ppm) in the 18th century and have currently risen to above 400 ppm. Recent evidence suggests that CO2 levels, predicted to further increase to ~1200 ppm by the year 2100, can alter the brain functioning of many aquatic organisms. This course will examine ocean (and freshwater) acidification and its potential impact on the physiology and behaviour of aquatic animals. Students will be expected to read and critically analyze scientific papers, discuss, critique, and present these papers in class and synthesize their knowledge in a term paper.

Prerequisites: Permission of the department. Minimum grade of C- in at least one 300 or 400 level science course.
 

PSYC 437 (AS01): Special Topics in Psychology

Topic: Case Analysis: Applying Psychological Principles to Forensic Cases

Instructor: Dr. Kristine Peace

This seminar course will focus on how forensic psychology intersects with law, applying psychological concepts to legal cases. We will review issues pertaining to a variety of major topic areas (e.g., psychopathy, jury decision-making, interrogations, eyewitness memory) as they apply to notable Canadian cases. Students will do at least one presentation/lecture concerning an area, which will incorporate recent and historical empirical articles from within the topic area. Readings will be assigned throughout the term. The format of the class is a senior seminar. Students will be expected to actively participate in discussion, lectures, presentations, feedbacks, and an empirical research paper.

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C- in PSYC 337.
 

Field Placement in Clinical Psychology

The Field Placement in Clinical Psychology (PSYC 439) is designed for Psychology Majors who are entering the 3rd or 4th year of their studies.

Why enrol in the Field Placement in Clinical Psychology?

• Students who are hoping to establish careers in the practice of psychology will benefit from the opportunity to participate in and observe the activities of registered psychologists in psychology-related settings. Students are provided relevant practical experience in an agency or organization.

• Students who are intending to pursue graduate studies will benefit from the opportunity to develop and apply psychological knowledge and/or research skills in psychology-related settings.

• Participation in this program enhances CVs and resumes and may provide students with valuable contacts and professional references. Students are given the opportunity to develop their CV and job interview skills.

Requirements:

A complete course description and course prerequisites are listed under PSYC 439. Applicants must be declared as a Psychology Major or enrolled in the Honours Psychology program.

How to apply:

Submit a Field Placement in Clinical Psychology Application Form by the deadline. A cutoff date for applications will be announced in your classes.

• Winter semester: March

• Fall semester: November

Attach the following documents to your application:

1. One typed, single-spaced page that responds to the following questions:

• Explain why you want to enrol in the Field Placement in Clinical Psychology.

• What benefit would this course be to you?

• What benefit would you be to an organization or agency to which you might be assigned (e.g. skills, abilities, previous experience)?

2. Your resumé with 3 references listed.

3. A signed Personal Information Disclosure Request and Consent form (page 2 of the application).

Course time commitment and expectations:

• Students will spend approximately 120 hours (i.e., 8 hours per week) working with this 
organization from September through December (Fall term) or January through April (Winter term). They will also be expected to attend one seminar each month (4 seminars in total), in which academic work (e.g. lectures, discussions, presentations) will be required. These seminars range from 2 to 4 hours.

• Applications are reviewed in March for enrolment in the Fall term, and in October for enrolment in the Winter term.

• If you are conditionally selected, an interview will be arranged with the field supervisor. A final decision will be made within two months of the application deadline.

Given that the selection process may take up to 4-6 weeks months, it is important for students to fully enrol in regular program courses for the Fall and Winter terms. If selected for a field placement, it is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from one of their other courses to make room for their enrolment in PSYC 439.

Please note, if accepted into this program, students must submit the following information to the Field Placement Coordinator before the first day of classes:

1. a current criminal record check which demonstrates no criminal history and includes the Vulnerability Sector Clearance

2. an updated immunization record which must include the rubella vaccine.

For more information:

Contact
Dr. Lori Harper, Clinical Field Placement Coordinator
Room 6-329, City Centre Campus
780-497-5320 • psychologyplacement@macewan.ca

 

Normally, students will apply to the Honours program at the end of their second year, though they may apply in their third, fourth, or even fifth year. Students may also reapply in following years if not initially accepted. The Honours program is a two-year program, so students accepted after their second year would need to extend their degree.

Requirements

• You have completed a minimum of 45 credits including 6 credits in senior-level (200-level or above) psychology courses.

• You have completed PSYC 212 and STAT 151 or 161 prior to applying to the Honours program.

• You have completed at least 24 credits in the past 12 months.

• You have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (all courses) and a minimum GPA of 3.3 on your senior-level psychology courses.

• You have declared psychology as your major in either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program.
  

Recommended but not required:

• You have completed STAT 252.

Please note: Not all students who meet the minimum criteria will be accepted into the program. Because the Honours program is an intensive course of study, involving a significant amount of one-on-one interaction with a faculty supervisor and access to departmental resources, we will only accept a limited number of students into the program. Acceptance is based on academic performance, GPA, course experience, and also on the availability of a suitable supervisor. Decisions made by the Department of Psychology regarding acceptance to this program are not subject to appeal.

Email the Honours Advisor to book an appointment, receive up-to-date details about the requirements and expectations of the honours program, and information about the faculty and potential supervisors and application materials.

Dr. Alexander Penney, Honours Advisor
alexander.penney@macewan.ca

Aside from the GPA and course requirements, you must find a continuing faculty member within the Department of Psychology who is willing to take you on as an honours student. Meeting with faculty members helps you to get an idea of what types of research faculty members are involved in and who you might be interested in working with.

You should investigate the research and scholarly interests of various faculty members well in advance of the application deadline. It is strongly recommended that you read their recent publications to get a better sense of their research program. You should then contact faculty members whom you would like to work with to discuss the possibility of working together on an honours project. Even if faculty members state that they are willing to consider your application, they are unlikely to commit to supervising particular students until after all applications have been reviewed by all participating faculty members.

Applications to the Psychology Honours Program can be obtained by emailing the honours advisor after the beginning of March. The deadline for application is mid-April each year and the specific date will be on the application form. All applications are to be submitted by email to the honours advisor. The application includes your contact information, a checklist of preferred research areas, a course planning sheet and a one-page statement of interest that outlines why you want to be an honours student.

You will be contacted in mid-June with a decision regarding your application.

Faculty members meet around mid-May to discuss all new honours applicants and to review your forms. All applicants will be notified whether they are accepted into the program or not. Supervisor assignments will be communicated at the same time.

Students accepted into the Honours program must complete a minimum of 24-credits in the first year of the program. Students are encouraged to also complete a minimum of 24-credits in the second year of the program, though that depends on how many courses the student has left to complete prior to graduating. Exceptions may occur with the approval of the honours advisor.

Students accepted into the Honours program must have an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.3 on psychology courses (200-level and above). These averages refer to the average across all courses that apply to your degree, not minimum levels in each course (for example, grades in individual courses can be below the thresholds, but your grades must average to be above the thresholds).

If you are accepted into the program, these averages must be maintained each year while in the program. Should you fail to maintain the GPA requirements, you will be notified by the program and the Office of the University Registrar will be advised to change your program status to BA or BSc Undeclared within 15 days. If you are in ‘Good Standing’ and wish to remain in your current program, please consult with an Academic Advisor in Program Services and the Discipline Advisor to determine the required courses to complete your program of study.

You must have an Honours Supervisor to complete the Honours program. There are several reasons why you might be left without a supervisor:

1. The supervisor may be ill or otherwise unable to continue supervision

2. The supervisor may decide to cease supervision of a student who does not perform up to their standards, or who is a poor match (in terms of, for example, research interests or working styles).

3. You may decide to cease working with a supervisor who is not providing appropriate supervision or is a poor match.

In each of these situations, the supervisory relationship will be terminated. The student then has two options:

1. Find another willing supervisor.

2. Leave the honours program and complete the regular BA program.

Please note that the neither the Department of Psychology nor the Honours Advisor is responsible for finding a supervisor for you. The Honours Advisor should be consulted, and will assist you in this situation, but cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to a new supervisor.

You should consult with the Honours Advisor regarding course selection and registration. However, it is your responsibility to register appropriately. If you make changes to your registration without consulting the Honours Advisor, you may jeopardize your standing in the program or ability to graduate on time. Please note that any courses taken outside of MacEwan University must be approved by both Program Services and the Honours Advisor and a Visiting Student Letter of Permission must be completed prior to registration for any outside courses that are to be counted toward the degree.

You cannot register in the thesis courses (PSYC 499A and PSYC 499B) without the express approval of your supervisor.