Psychology MA, Emotion Theory, 7.5 credits

Aim

This course aims to provide an introduction into emotion theory, ranging from classical to contemporary theories. Empirical support for different theories will be examined.

Course objectives

After completing the course, students will:

Knowledge and understanding
• Be able to identify and describe the links between emotion theory (different research traditions) and various empirical approaches in studying emotion.
• Be able to identify and describe concepts and issues central to different emotion theories.
• Be able to describe how such concepts/issues can be related with applications in selected fields (e.g. health, education or work psychology).

Skills and abilities
• Be able to search, find, and report (in scientific writing style) supplementary information on different emotion theories.
• Be able to search, find, and report (in scientific writing style) empirical results supporting different emotion theories.

Judgment and approach
• Be able to report (in scientific writing style) and discuss (both orally and in writing) how concepts and issues central to different emotion theories can be argued for and against, using empirical results.

Content

In this course, emotion theory refers primarily to mainstream theories concerning emotion and affect. Historical and contemporary accounts are considered. Focus will be set on central issues (concepts and debates) within and across different emotion theories and how they relate to empirical findings. Implications of different theories for selected research questions will be addressed. Students will address selected emotion theories in individual or group assignments.

Entry requirements

A bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits (ECTS) with a major in psychology. Alternatively, a bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits (ECTS) with a different major and 60 credits in psychology. Alternatively, 180 credits (ECTS) in psychology without the requirement of having a completed degree.
English B/English 6 from Swedish gymnasium or the equivalent.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

The course is primarily taught by distance (i.e., through online lectures, seminars and interactions as well as through individual and group assignments to be submitted online). However, it also includes mandatory in-person participation in a meeting, which takes place at the end of the course, on campus in Östersund (Sweden), and lasts two days. The meeting includes 1. an oral presentation (examination), relating to the final assignment of the course. 2. participation in a conference within the field of Emotion Psychology.

All parts of the course are a basis for the examination, and for scheduled examinations attendance are compulsory. Students are required to actively use the university's learning platform. The platform is the primary communication tool used for students and teachers, and students will find important information needed to complete the course in the course room.

Examination form

1101: Assignment Reports, 2 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)

2101: Seminars, 1.5 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)

3101: Written assignment and oral presentation, 4 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

The course will be examined in three ways:
1. Completion of assignment reports (e.g., quizzes, to be submitted essays or other individual or group work tasks),
2. Active participation in online seminars and discussions (e.g., asking questions, contributing to discussions, oral presentations of individual or group assignments),
3. Written final assignment (e.g., proposal for a research project or reviews) and oral presentation (e.g., discussion of own and other students’ final
assignments as part of the in-person meeting, poster presentation and other contributions to the in-person conference). A re-examination opportunity for an oral presentation is given in connection with the next campus meeting. Valid absence from examination for oral presentation can be replaced by an oral presentation at a supplementary seminar.

All examinations take place in English.

The final grade of the course is obtained when all examinations on the course are passed.
Link to subject-specific criteria for marks www.miun.se/betygskriterier

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Examination restrictions

Students registered on this version of the syllabus have the right to be examined three (3) times within one (1) year according to this syllabus. After that, the
latest version of the syllabus applies.

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

Other information

This course is being taught in English.

Course certificate, credit transfers, appeals etc are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance.

The course can not be included in a degree together with the course code PS052A.