Work and Organizational Psychology - Seminar class

Course content

Seminarhold 1: Paul Conway - The psychosocial work environment, stress and organisational behaviour: issues in assessment and intervention.

How does the psychosocial work environment affect stress, work engagement and organizational behaviour? How do we assess the psychosocial work environment in work organisations and design effective intervention processes?

These are common questions facing occupational and organisational psychologists as they deal with issues related to the psychosocial work environment and its impact on employees’ health and well-being. The aim of this seminar is to introduce students to theories, methods and procedures that can be used to assess and manage the psychosocial work environment in work organisations. 

Key topics covered in the course are:

  • Theoretical and methodological approaches to the understanding of different types of job demands and job resources, and their differential impact on health, well-being and organizational behaviour;
  • Theoretical and practical approaches to occupational health assessment and intervention; 
  • Workplace bullying: concept, measurement, antecedents and consequences, and intervention levels. 

     

Through group activities and case analyses, the students will be introduced to the challenges of translating theory into practice.

 

Type of instruction and exam regulations:

A substantial part of the teaching is based on the active participation of students in group activities proposed during the course. Therefore, you should expect a limited use of lectures during the seminar. Preparation on the assigned literature is recommended prior to each class. The students are expected to deliver two individual assignments consisting of papers wherein theories, methods and procedures learned during the course will be applied to the analysis of specific problems relevant to the course subject. Each student is also required to provide feedback on one assignment elaborated by a peer. At the end of the seminar, the students must submit to the teacher a portfolio including all the material produced during the course.

Education

The course is open to:

  • Master Programme in Psychology
  • Can also be taken as an elective course

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad

Curriculum - UCPH

Learning outcome

By the end of the seminar, students will be able to:

  • select and account in a coherent manner for key work and organisational psychology concepts, theories and empirical evidence relevant to illustrating a given problem within the subject area covered by the seminar
  • account for key similarities and differences between the concepts, theories and empirical data covered
  • analyse and discuss possible interrelationships in work and organisational psychology problems from a theoretical and research perspective
  • discuss the analysis of the problem using a coherent form of academic argumentation
  • analyse, critically reflect upon and justify the strengths and weaknesses of work and organisational psychology processes, interventions and preventative measures.

Syllabus cf. curriculum: 600 standard pages of compulsory literature and 200 standard pages of literature chosen by the student.

A current syllabus list and lecture plan will be available in the course room on Absalon immediately before the start of the semester.

Previous syllabus lists can be found here: Absalon

Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment
Type of assessment details
The exam can only be taken as an individual exam, but assignments and active participation in teaching can be carried out in groups of up to 5 students. In the case of group assignments or oral presentations in groups, the individual student's contribution must be identifiable to ensure that an individual assessment takes place. However, a smaller part can be shared according to the framework study regulations section on Individual Exams and Group Exams. The format is specified in the specific course offering.

Max 10 standard pages.
Examination prerequisites

Attendance at at least 75% of the classes, participation in peer feedback, and a written assignment of a maximum of 8 standard pages.

Aid
All aids allowed

Unless otherwise specified, the Department of Psychology prohibits the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, for generating novel and creative content in written exams. However, students may use AI/LLMs to enhance the presentation of their own original work, such as text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical programming code. Students must disclose in an appendix if and how AI/LLMs were used; this appendix will not count toward the page limit of the exam. This policy is in place to ensure that students’ written exams accurately reflect their own knowledge and understanding of the material.

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Exam period

Exam information:

The examination date can be found in the exam schedule    here

The exact time and place will be available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester. 

Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam.

Reexam information:

The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule    here

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Seminar
  • 30
  • English
  • 30

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
APSK15110U
ECTS
7,5 ECTS
Programme level
Full Degree Master
Duration

1 semester

10 weeks, starts week 36 or 6
Placement
Autumn And Spring
Schedulegroup
B
Capacity
About 30 students per class
Studyboard
Department of Psychology, Study Council
Contracting department
  • Department of Psychology
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • Paul Maurice Conway   (11-75667a71336874737c667e4575787e33707a336970)
Saved on the 09-05-2025

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