Home
 Psyc. Centre
 Fees
 Site Map
 

Psychology (PSYC) 401
Learning Through Life (Revision 1)

Revision 1 closed February 9, 2001. replaced by current version.

Overview

This course is concerned with how adult learners make meaning of their experience. It examines the transformation theory of Jack Mezirow and looks at learning through the creation of meaning schemes and meaning perspectives.

One of the main themes in PSYC 401 is the role of reflection in learning, particularly in the validation of prior learning. Building on this reflection, the course examines processes of interpretation in a variety of learning situations that include formal institutional learning, but mainly more informal learning such as personal study, work experience, community service, hobbies, and travel.

Method of Delivery: Home study.
Credit Weight/Area of Study: 3 credits - Social Science
Prerequisite: Permission of the professor. Since this is an advanced course, learners are expected to have previously completed a variety of junior- and senior-level social science courses. PSYC 381 is recommended but not required.

Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 401, students must complete course assignments and achieve a grade of at least 50 per cent on the case study. The weighting of assignments is as follows:

Life Situation SurveyBook Review of
Course Textbooks		Case StudyTotal
5%25%70%100%

Course Materials

Textbooks

Mezirow, Jack. 1991. Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Morgan, Marlo. 1991. Mutant Message Down Under. New York: HarperCollins.

Other material

The course materials include a study guide and student manual.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their home-study counterparts.
[AU Home Page] 
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
(780) 675-6111, (800) 788-9041
auinfo@athabascau.ca
Re-opened in Revision 1: September 15, 1999
This page was updated by E. Comrie