Environmental Psychology

ECTS Credits

15 ECTS

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Teaching semester

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

Environmental psychology focuses on the relation between individuals and their physical environment. This includes (but is not limited to) the study of human behavior that interacts with the natural environment. For example, humans play an essential role in both producing and potentially mitigating climate change.

The course gives an introduction to theory, research, and methods in the study of human perception and behavior in the field of environmental psychology. It focuses on approaches within psychology that study information processing, judgment and appraisal processes, behavior, and communication.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student...

• Knows key concepts in the field of environmental psychology.
• Knows major theories dealing with human-environment relations.
• Knows research methods applied to study human-environment relations.

Skills

The student...

• Can reflect upon and evaluate research questions in this topic area.
• Can reflect upon and evaluate research designs and methods in this topic area.
• Can analyze environment related issues with relevant concepts and theories from psychology.
• Has gained experience with presenting research in the field of environmental psychology to an academic audience.

Generel competence

The student...

• Can search, structure, and reflect upon scientific literature in this topic area.
• Can participate in discussions dealing with human-environment relations.
• Can communicate research in the field of environmental psychology.

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

The course is open to everyone admitted as a student at the University of Bergen.

Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching

The course consists of a mix of teaching methods that complement each other. Traditional lecture-style teaching is accompanied by other teaching methods that allow group-based learning on specific topics. Specifically, the course will consist of:

• Lectures and seminars based on recommended readings.
• Group assignment in which the students will work together on a sub-topic of the course. Students will present their group work as part of the seminar.
• Plenary discussions following the presentation of the group assignment.
• Individual independent preparation of the course materials and of the group assignment.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Presentation of a group assignment.

Forms of Assessment

A 4 hour written exam will be given at the end of the course. The students are expected to answer 4 out of 6 presented questions concerning topics covered by the lectures. The students has to answer all 4 questions sufficiently to pass the exam.

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Subject Overlap

None

Assessment Semester

Spring

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the Faculty of Psychology's routine for participatory evaluation and the University of Bergen's Quality Assurance System.

Course Coordinator

Department of Psychosocial Science

Department

Department of Psychosocial Science