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Sport Psychology (PSYC90108)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
Term 2 - Online
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All students will complete a foundation module Sport Psychology Unpacked. This subject is introduced and underpinned by considering the complementary roles, responsibilities and expertise of professionals within the interdisciplinary team to address sport psychology issues in sports medicine. Students evaluate their own skills and behaviours, and recognise the influence of their approach on athletes/clients, supporting personnel and outcomes. Areas of knowledge addressed include theory of communication and learning; biopsychosocial aspects of sports & exercise medicine; sport psychology for performance; sociology of sport, FairPlay and health behaviour change.

Students then select 2 from 3 Practice in Context Modules within which to integrate and apply this knowledge in clinical case scenarios focussing on Sport Psychology elements. There is emphasis on using appropriate methods of ethical reasoning to arrive at balanced judgements and actions where complex and/or conflicting issues are involved.

  1. Sport Psychology in Performance Sport: This module explores psychological aspects of motivation, arousal, performance and lifestyle management of high performance athletes; juxtaposed with psychological aspects of injury, failure and retirement in sport.
  2. Exercise, Health & Behaviour Change – This module explores the psychological and social factors than may influence an individual’s ability to exercise or impact on athletic performance. Approaches and interventions to facilitate behaviour change are developed in case-context scenarios.
  3. Mental Health Conditions in Sports Medicine: This module explores prevalent population mental health issues and conditions in the context of sports medicine. Examples include: eating disorders; depression and anxiety; fear avoidance.The final Integration, Contribution & Reflection Module provides opportunity to collaborate and critically discuss balanced judgements in management of psychological elements in different case contexts. Experts and students will engage in self-reflection on their role, behaviour and communication skills within their professional context, and also the biopsychosocial elements of Sports Medicine practice. This module also provides the forum for the assessment task “Evidence & Innovation Presentation – Sociology of Sport & Behaviour Change” in the form of an online presentation.

Intended learning outcomes

The curriculum is designed around three elements that provide integration throughout the program.

These elements are:

Sports Medicine Theory & Practice:

  • Critically discuss motor learning, selective attention and information processing theories and models
  • Critically appraise the roles & responsibilities of the interdisciplinary team with regard to Sports Psychology aspects of Sports Medicine; including scope of practice, team composition, group dynamics, group/team psychology
  • Critically discuss Sports Psychology approaches in Sports Medicine; including assessment, counselling, motivation, arousal & performance, lifestyle management.

Clinical Practice in Context:


 

  • Integrate and validate biopsychosocial aspects of Sports Medicine within own professional management of athletes and clients in different contexts
  • Recognise potential population mental health conditions in the Sports Medicine context and affect intervention including appropriate referral and own contribution to nurture within scope of practice context
  • Critically reflect on various approaches to optimise one's own communication skills to provide an environment for clear, unambiguous, & effective communication; including atmosphere, styles, tools, language, audience and minimising barriers.

 


Evidence & Innovation:

  • Apply evidence relating to sustained behaviour change within relevant Sports Medicine contexts; such as sedentary and active living; athlete lifestyle and performance; sociology of sport and FairPlay
  • Critically discuss issues relating to sociology of sport, including evidence based and innovative interventions

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge


Graduate level knowledge of the health care system and professional role consistent with a bachelor program in a clinical health care science. Professional practice engagement in a sport, health and exercise context is recommended.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Written assignment

  • 1000 words
Week 425%

Abstract

  • 250 words
Week 710%

Presentation

  • 10 minutes
Week 715%

Sports Psychology Reflective Analysis Report

  • 2000 words
Week 940%

Contribution to online discussions

  • 1000 words
Throughout the semester10%

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Dates & times

  • Term 2 - Online
    CoordinatorSonya Moore
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment140 hours
    Pre teaching start date22 April 2024
    Pre teaching requirementsThere is a one week pre-teaching period during which students can choose to: View a video presentation of an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and student expectations Engage with discussion board to meet their tutors and colleagues enrolled in the program Become familiar with the library by completing a small task that requires navigation of library resources and Complete one online task that will familiarise them with online learning requirements. This task can involve a quick quiz, reading a newspaper piece on a contemporary debate or reading a seminar paper on the subject. These activities serve to familiarise the students with the online learning environment and prepare the students for commencing in their learning fully informed about the requirements of the subject.
    Teaching period29 April 2024 to 23 June 2024
    Last self-enrol date23 April 2024
    Census date17 May 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 7 June 2024
    Assessment period ends30 June 2024

    Term 2 contact information


Time commitment details

Approximately 140 hours, (9 weeks x 12 hrs + 32 contact hrs). The final assessment task will be submitted at the end of week 9. Students will be expected to complete independent learning activity equivalent to approximately 12 hours a week over the 9 weeks.

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Additional delivery details


There is a one week pre-teaching period during which students can choose to:

  1. View a video presentation of an overview of the subject, assessment requirements and student expectations
  2. Engage with discussion board to meet their tutors and colleagues enrolled in the program
  3. Become familiar with the library by completing a small task that requires navigation of library resources and
  4. Complete one online task that will familiarise them with online learning requirements. This task can involve a quick quiz, reading a newspaper piece on a contemporary debate or reading a seminar paper on the subject.

These activities serve to familiarise the students with the online learning environment and prepare the students for commencing in their learning fully informed about the requirements of the subject.

Last updated: 31 January 2024

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

    Additional information for this subject

    Minimum of one year equivalent of post qualification sports relevant experience required.

Last updated: 31 January 2024