HP3201 Evolutionary Psychology

Lessons:
2 1-hr lectures per week
1 2-hr tutorial per week (only for certain weeks)

Assessment:
Mid-terms 30%
Quiz 15%
Debate and Discussion 25%
Finals 30%

Exam Format:
Mid-terms and finals - MCQs, Fill in the blanks, Short-answer questions, Matching, Short essays, Long essays

Description:

This module is about the evolutionary aspects of psychology. For instance, how did sexual selection arise, why females prefer certain traits in males and vice versa, why mental disorders still exist despite being disadvantageous, etc. To me, it is an interesting module and can be quite intuitive.

Lectures are recorded. According to the professor, lectures are split into 1-hr sessions to allow better absorption of content. But it also means you have to come back for more days so it may not help in getting a "nice" timetable. 

For tutorials. we only had around 6 tutorials in the semester. 3 of them are for debate discussions and lectures (because there are times when the lectures cannot be completed on time). The other 3 tutorials are for debates. In addition, quizzes take place during tutorials so you have to come for it.

Readings consist of textbooks and lecture slides. Alot of content in the lecture slides are not found in the textbook. The professor actually emphasises more on the lecture slides in his exams, except for long essays, in which I feel that the textbook helps more.

Mid-terms consist of alot of components as shown above. Even though its a 1-hr paper, but it is manageable if you manage your time well. Just do not overwrite for your essays and follow the guidelines from the prof. 

For the 4 quizzes, each of them comprise of 20 MCQs, and they are based on evolution-related documentaries. Each quiz comprise of 2 episodes of documentaries, except the last quiz which comprise of 3 episodes. Each episode is 1-hr. The quiz test mostly on the concepts covered in the documentaries, even though there are some questions that are quite specific. Some content in the videos are related to what is given in your textbook, so it makes things easier in a way. Also, do take note of the scientific names, year mentioned (e.g. how many million years ago)

For the debate, in a team of 3 or 4, you will have to do a research by the 2nd tutorial, and come up with a few topics. The final topic will be discussed between your team and your opponent team, and also decide on your stands. The format of the debate will be explained in the 1st tutorial (it's quite complicated so I shall not elaborate). Your debate will take place in one of the last 3 tutorials and the winner is decided via voting among your peers and the profs (but the profs have higher influence, of course). Individual marks will also be given based on presentation skills. 

For the finals, it's the same format as your mid-terms, but just more lengthy (e.g. more essays) and cover more topics. Emphasis is on the later half of the syllabus. In addition, you get to choose 3 out of 5 short essays and 2 out of 5 long essays. Seems alot but its manageable if you manage your time properly. Same thing, do take note of the guidelines for the essays and do not overwrite.