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Home My WebLink AboutPSY-114 Bergen Community College Division of Business, Arts, & Social Sciences Department of Social Sciences Departmental Syllabus PSY-114 Environmental Psychology Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: Fall 2023 Course Typically Offered: Fall____ Spring____ Summer____ Every Semester_X__ Other________________ Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________ (Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________ by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________ Semester and Year: Fall 2023 Course and Section Number: PSY-1XX-001 Meeting Times and Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental/Division Secretary: Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description This course introduces environmental psychology, which is a study of the relationship between individuals and their built and natural environment. The course examines the environment’s influence on human experiences, behavior, and psychological well-being as well as how people influence the environment. This course introduces how environmental psychologists apply scientific research to improve the interactions between people and the physical world, which includes examining people’s thoughts, attitudes, emotions, motivation, resistance, and behaviors. Credits: 3; Lecture 3 Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None General Education Course: Yes (Pending) Diversity Course: No Student Learning Outcomes & Means of Assessment Outcomes: Upon successful completion, the student will be able to: Means of Assessment: This outcome will be measured by one or more of the following: 1) Explain what environmental psychology is, and how its approach differs from other fields within psychology. Objective tests, essay questions, oral presentations, class discussions, and writing assignments 2) Discuss the topics and problems environmental psychologists study. Objective tests, essay questions, oral presentations, class discussions, and writing assignments 3) Apply environmental psychological knowledge to identify potential environmental issues and possible solutions. Objective tests, essay questions, oral presentations, class discussions, and writing assignments 4) Distinguish research methods used in environmental psychology. Objective tests, essay questions, oral presentations, class discussions, and writing assignments 5) Assess the impact of the physical environment in the lives of individuals, including their psychological well-being. Objective tests, essay questions, oral presentations, class discussions, and writing assignments 6) Create a plan to address current environmental problems in their communities. Objective tests, essay questions, oral presentations, class discussions, and writing assignments Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials Textbook: Steg, L. & de Groot, J. I. M. (Eds.). (2018). Environmental Psychology: An Introduction (2nd Ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-1-119-24111-9 Available in print and digital formats Supplemental materials including but not limited to readings, films, print or online sources to be determined at the discretion of the instructor. Course Content The recommended sequence of theme and topics outlined below represents a general guideline. Instructors should feel free to modify this to suit their pedagogical approach and academic expertise. 1) Introduction a) Environmental Psychology: History, Scope, and Methods 2) Environmental Influences on Human Behavior and Well-Being a) Environmental Risk Perception b) Climate Change as a Unique Environmental Problem c) Environmental Stress d) Scenic Beauty: Visual Landscape Assessment and Human Landscape Perception e) Health Benefits of Nature f) Appraising and Designing Built Environments that Promote Well‐Being and Healthy Behavior g) Urban Environmental Quality h) Environment and Quality of Life i) Place Attachment 3) Factors Influencing Environmental Behavior a) Measuring Environmental Behavior b) Values and Pro‐Environmental Behavior c) Social Norms and Pro‐Environmental Behavior d) Emotions and Pro‐Environmental Behavior e) Theories to Explain Environmental Behavior f) The Role of Group Processes in Environmental Issues, Attitudes, and Behaviors g) Yesterday’s Habits Preventing Change for Tomorrow? About the Influence of Automaticity on Environmental Behavior 4) Encouraging Pro-Environmental Behavior a) Informational Strategies to Promote Pro‐Environmental Behavior: Changing Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes b) Encouraging Pro‐Environmental Behavior with Rewards and Penalties c) Acceptability of Environmental Policies d) Processes of Change 5) Conclusion a) Conclusion: Summary, Trends, and Future Perspectives in Environmental Psychology Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s) Writing Activity: Students in this course will be expected to engage in multiple written assignments. These may be essay questions on one or more tests, an essay test, or several short reflection reports based on outside readings or activities. Critical Thinking: Students will be encouraged, through classroom activities, to think about, analyze, and apply basic tools of environmental psychology to current event issues. Memorization of key concepts and theories should be thought of as the first, not the final, stage of learning significant course materials. Student Evaluation: Student grades will be based on a variety of different assessment measures such as writing assignments, objective tests and quizzes, and larger projects or research papers. The incorporation of at least one oral presentation is encouraged. Attendance Policy BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. Attendance Policy in this Course: Attendance policies are to be determined by the instructor. Student and Faculty Support Services Students: Portal Access & Moodle https://bergen.edu/portalhelp/access-moodle/ or email citl@bergen.edu or helpdesk@bergen.edu IT Help Desk 201-879-7109 Cerullo Learning Assistance Center Writing Center Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7489 https://bergen.edu/tutoring/tutoring-center/ https://bergen.edu/tutoring/writing-center/ The Sidney Silverman Library Room L-226 201-447-7436 (Reference Desk) 201-879-7970 (Service Desk) https://bergen.edu/library/ Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements Accommodations for Disabilities: Bergen Community College aims to create inclusive learning environments where all students have maximum opportunities for success. Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Specialized Services at 201-612-5269 or via email at ossinfo@bergen.edu for assistance. Statement on Mental Health and Wellbeing: Mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Bergen Community College has licensed Personal Counselors available to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. You can learn more about the confidential mental health services available on campus via the Health and Wellness Center at www.bergen.edu/personalcounseling Sample Course Outline and Calendar (subject to change at instructor’s discretion) Week Topics & Readings Assignments 1 ● Introduction to the course ● Environmental Psychology: History, Scope, and Methods Readings (Syllabus, Ch1) Quiz #1 2 ● Environmental Risk Perception ● Climate Change as a Unique Environmental Problem Readings (Ch 2, 3) Quiz #2 Assignment #1 3 ● Environmental Stress Readings (Ch 4) Quiz #3 4 ● Scenic Beauty: Visual Landscape Assessment and Human Landscape Perception ● Health Benefits of Nature Readings (Ch 5, 6) Quiz #4 5 ● Appraising and Designing Built Environments that Promote Well‐Being and Healthy Behavior ● Urban Environmental Quality Readings (Ch 11, 12) Quiz #5 Assignment #2 6 ● Environment and Quality of Life ● Place Attachment Readings (Ch 13, 14) Quiz #6 7 ● Measuring Environmental Behavior Readings (Ch 16) Quiz #7 8 ● Values and Pro‐Environmental Behavior ● Social Norms and Pro‐Environmental Behavior Readings (Ch 17, 18) Quiz #8 9 ● Emotions and Pro‐Environmental Behavior Readings (Ch 19) Quiz #9 Assignment #3 10 ● Theories to Explain Environmental Behavior Readings (Ch 22) Quiz #10 11 ● The Role of Group Processes in Environmental Issues, Attitudes, and Behaviors ● Yesterday’s Habits Preventing Change for Tomorrow? About the Influence of Automaticity on Environmental Behavior Readings (Ch 23, 24) Quiz #11 12 ● Informational Strategies to Promote Pro‐Environmental Behaviour: Changing Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes ● Encouraging Pro‐Environmental Behaviour with Rewards and Penalties Readings (Ch 26, 27) Quiz #12 13 ● Acceptability of Environmental Policies ● Processes of Change Readings (Ch 29, 30) Quiz #13 Assignment #4 14 ● Conclusion: Summary, Trends, and Future Perspectives in Environmental Psychology Readings (Ch 33) Quiz #14 Final Presentation 15 ● Presentation Day N/A